[va-bird] Re: Restoration project at Manassas Battlefield

Normally I stay out of these things. But...I detected some cynicism in the
below email and have been watching the thread with some interest.  I agree
that the construction is likely ill timed, and I haven't had a chance to
read the EA that was apparently completed and approved for this project so I
don't know if timing restrictions were addressed.  They usually are, but if
they weren't they should have been or whomever wrote the NEPA documentation
didn't do their job (whether it was the Park Service or a private
consultant).  If timing restrictions were addressed and they are being
violated the construction can be MADE to stop - by law.  

Additionally, impacts to migratory birds should be addressed in the EA.  If
they weren't...same as above.

It sounds like the NEPA documentation was poorly written or the rules
stipulated in it are not being followed.

The NEPA process allows for public comment and contains a fairly effective
due diligence process for obtaining comment from the public.  You all had a
chance to change the process.  I have been involved in the NEPA process for
years and on many projects and one thing I have noticed is that if folks who
have concerns about these projects get involved early on, most changes are
incorporated into the construction process.

Perhaps this instance will be an eye opener for those who are concerned, to
watch the agencies that conduct these projects whether they are local
municipalities or federal agencies and get involved early.

A couple of comments:

1.  The spill kit drum is so that construction crews can clean up any
inadvertent oil spills from machinery - Is this a bad thing that they are
cleaning this stuff up?  They can't always help accidents but at least they
are prepared to clean them up.  This should be addressed in the EA.

2.  The hay bales aren't there to avert runnoff from some "unnatural
substance", but to prevent siltation from entering the waterways.  The bales
won't stop the water but will filter out sand and mud so it doesn't choke
the waterways.  Is it a bad thing to try and stop?  This should be addressed
in the EA.

3.  It's not "interestingly" to me that there is a long trailer car without
a name on it.  Why should there be a name on it?

I sensed some cynicism in some of these comments and that kind of bothered
me, not because I agree with what is going on, but because it isn't an
objective nor effective way of looking at the problem.

-Gerb

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Mark F. Gerber
Environmental Scientist III/GIS
Brown and Caldwell
600 E. Riverpark Lane, Suite  210
Boise, ID 83706
www.brownandcaldwell.com

Reception Desk:  208.336.1340
Direct Dial:  208.384.3130
Mobile:  208.870.9481
Fax:  208.344.0825
mgerber@xxxxxxxxxxxx
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

-----Original Message-----
From: Kelpgull@xxxxxxx [mailto:Kelpgull@xxxxxxx] 
Sent: Sunday, June 29, 2003 9:12 AM
To: paula.sullivan2@xxxxxxxxxxx; va-bird@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [va-bird] Re: Restoration project at Manassas Battlefield


Greetings to all,
 
     I am not sure if Stuart's Hill is the area off Pageland and Groveton, 
but I was on this site this morning in Manassas (SR622, going north on Lee 
Highway, where Groveton is the left side and Featherbed Lane is the right).
     The idea that the Park Service says that what they want is to bring the

area to what it was during the Civil War is troubling, because what I saw at

7am today indicated that major change is happening.  Would not one expect
that 
to leave the area natural, with possibly the secondary or tertiary growth 
since the 1860s, would be the solution?  It had been quite quiet and
supportive of 
the life within for the last years, since it was dezoned for a shopping 
center.

My list for today's visit:

Hay bales curled around drains as though someone expects runoff to be
averted 
from some unnatural substance;

A Spill Kit Salvage Drum noted to be from 1 800 Hot Hogs

5 big Caterpillar land machines

1 bobcat digger and its trailer

1 Whitmans Oil Company tanker from Catlett, VA

One long trailer car, with no name on it, interestingly

Rolls and rolls of extra wide black plastic sheeting

2 Don't Johns (not sure this is the company they used during the Civil War!)

1 barbecue grill

Signs denoting the Environmental Quality Resources LLC of Gaithersburg

301 208 6123

1 large pile of trees removed from the first pond, which is rich in bird 
life, and now minus some very close sheltering trees

1 site of major digging near the cedar or juniper trees ( I don't know
which) 
which I know to be the main Kestrel habitat in the area.  This is located on

the right, about 100 yards in from the entrance on Groveton.

Usually I visit this location to find birds on the list.  Sorry to say the 
list was so scary.

As a taxpayer and a NPS pass holder, I feel that I am in need of further
info 
on what is happening to this land.  Any guidance on whom to contact would be

truly appreciated.

To comfort myself this am, I went to Gravelly Point and Roaches Run, where 
two black crowned night herons were lazily swooping above water frothy with 
small mouth bass, too distracted with breeding to take live bait from the
regular 
fishermen there.



Ellen





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