Virginia Birders,
I was recently made aware that birders have sometimes been
denied access to Hog Island in Surry Co. by security personnel
at Surry Nuclear Power Station. As you may guess, this is a direct
result of heightened security measures post 9/11.
Since I work for the utility (Dominion-VA Power) which owns
and operates Surry Power Station, I have contacted our
security department to ascertain the "rules" for access.
The following "rules" are provided for your information:
1) Access to Hog Island is control by both Dominion-VA Power and
the VA Dept. of Game and Inland Fisheries
2) Normally during national alert condition Orange or Red,
only essential persons will be allowed access to Hog Island
3) When the alert condition is Yellow or below, general
access will normally be allowed
4) Be aware that the nation's nuclear facilities may be under
a heightened alert even when national alert is Yellow
5) If you plan on visiting Hog Island you should contact
the nuclear plant security office to ascertain Hog Island
access conditions,before you travel,at the number below:
24/7/365 number(Security Shift Supervisor)757-365-2346.
Calling ahead will prevent you from making a wasted trip
and will go a long ways towards maintaining a good
relationship between the birding community and the nuclear
utility.
Mike Boatwright
Amherst, VA
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