[va-richmond-general] Another "Win" for Conservation: No Golf in Virginia State Parks

Please express your thanks to Gov. Warner and Joe Maroon.

        Larry Lynch       birder6@xxxxxxxx

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MEMORANDUM                                        

TO: Interested Parties
FROM: Joe Maroon, Director, VA. Dept. of Conservation
and Recreation
DATE:  May 9, 2003
RE: Decision on Proposed Lease of 23 Acres at
Occonnechee State Park

Today, I am announcing the decision to deny the
request by the Town of Clarksville and their
Industrial Development Authority to sublease 23 acres
of land for three golf holes at Occoneechee State
Park. I will approve the draft Master Plan for the
Occoneechee State Park without reference to the
proposed sublease. Given the high level of interest in
this matter, I thought you might be interested in
hearing about the decision.

Governor Warner and I have each sent a letter to Town
officials. Mine outlines the decision; the Governors
outlines several state initiatives, including
developments at the Park, which are aimed at helping
the area economically. Secretary of Commerce and Trade
Michael Schewel is in Clarksville today announcing the
initiatives.

In brief, my letter to the Town outlines the follow
reasons for the decision:

The transfer of state park land for a non-park use
would set an unacceptable precedent for Virginias
State Park system. The proposal would result in the
removal of public parkland from use by state park
visitors; be inconsistent with the voters recent
approval of the 2002 State Parks and Natural Areas
Bond Issue that directed the Commonwealth to acquire
more land for parks and make facility improvements at
existing parks; open the door for other efforts to
remove land from the state park system for non-park
uses; be a breach of trust with the thousands of
Virginians who use our state park system and who
recently voted further bond support for those same
parks.  

The Governors letter contains the following
directives relating to DCR:

-        Speed up construction of the cabins, equestrian
campground, and visitor contact station (totaling $
4.2 million) authorized under the 2002 State Parks and
Natural Areas Bond for Occoneechee State Park.  (They
were initially scheduled for the last phase of Bond
implementation.) 
-        Actively work with the Town and other parties to
explore and evaluate the possibility of locating a
conference/dining facility at the Park.  Any such
facility would need to be constructed and operated
consistent with the Master Plan for the Park, Park
rules and the Parks other uses. 
-        Work with the Town and VDOT to create direct links
for recreation between the Town and the State Park
(including a pedestrian and/or bike link). 

I believe this is a very fair and balanced outcome
that will benefit the Town and the Park and maintain
the integrity of our State Park system.  If you have
any questions, please let me know. Thank you. 
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