Media inquiries: Please contact Dave Neudeck, dave.neudeck@dcr.virginia.gov, 804-786-5053.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: September 03, 2006
Contact:
Draft outdoor recreation, conservation and open space plan to be presented at local meetings
Presentation to include local recommendations
(RICHMOND, Va.) – A new draft of the state’soutdoor recreation, conservation and open space plan, includinglocal recommendations, will be the focus of two public meetingsheld in Fairfax, Wednesday, Nov. 15.
Planners from the Virginia Department of Conservation andRecreation will present the draft Virginia Outdoors Plan at3 p.m. and 7 p.m. meetings at the Northern Virginia RegionalCommission office, 3060 Williams Drive, Suite 510, Fairfax.These are among more than 40 meetings to be held statewideOct. through Dec.
The Virginia Outdoors Plan is the state’s officialconservation, outdoor recreation and open space guide. Alllevels of government and the private sector use it in determiningand meeting land conservation, outdoor recreation and openspace needs. Recommendations in the plan are also used asone of the tools in ranking projects for Virginia Land ConservationFoundation funds.
“The VOP has long been an important tool in meetingVirginians’ outdoor recreational needs,” said DCR Director JosephH. Maroon. “With Gov. Kaine’s commitment to landconservation, this plan takes on added significance.”
The plan is revised every five years. As part of its revision,DCR staff have updated the outdoor recreation resource inventory,conducted a statewide Virginia Outdoor Survey with assistancefrom Virginia Commonwealth University and last fall held aseries of 40 public input meetings statewide. Among the topicsbrought up in those meetings were trails and greenway linkages,water trails and scenic waterways, urban greenspace, eco-tourismand nature deficit disorder. Local outdoor recreation andconservation recommendations also surfaced. Recommendationsfound in the draft plan include:
For the cities of Alexandria, Fairfax, Falls Church and Manassas;Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun and Prince William counties:
- Continue to develop components of the Council of Governments’ GreenSpace Project including priority greenways: Leesylvania StatePark to Prince William Forest Park Connector; Cross Countytrail, the Broad Run Stream Valley, Accotinck Stream Valleyand Potomac River greenways; and W&OD Connectors to White’sFerry and the Appalachian Trail.
- Complete development of the Potomac Heritage National ScenicTrail.
- Identify and secure the best corridor for The East CoastGreenway as it traverses the Northern Virginia region.
- Designate the Route 15 corridor through the region a VirginiaScenic Byway as part of the Journey Through Hallowed Ground.
- Provide additional boating and fishing access along thePotomac and other rivers in the region.
- Coordinate with the National Park Service to implementthe Manassas Battlefield general management plan.
- Continue efforts to protect the natural and scenic resourcesof the Bull Run Mountains.
The draft VOP is also available for review on the DCR website.Go to www.dcr.virginia.gov; click on “Recreation Planning” thenon “Draft 2007 Virginia Outdoors Plan.” Commentswill be accepted through Dec. 15, 2006 and can be sent toVop@dcr.virginia.gov.
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