Department of Conservation and Recreation

Media inquiries: Please contact Gary Waugh, gary.waugh@dcr.virginia.gov, 804-786-5045.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: September 03, 2006
Contact: Gary Waugh, DCR Public Relations Manager, (804) 786-5045, gary.waugh@dcr.virginia.gov

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’s outdoor recreation, conservation and open space plan, including local recommendations, will be the focus of two public meetings held in Fairfax, Wednesday, Nov. 15.

Planners from the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation will present the draft Virginia Outdoors Plan at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. meetings at the Northern Virginia Regional Commission office, 3060 Williams Drive, Suite 510, Fairfax. These are among more than 40 meetings to be held statewide Oct. through Dec.

The Virginia Outdoors Plan is the state’s official conservation, outdoor recreation and open space guide. All levels of government and the private sector use it in determining and meeting land conservation, outdoor recreation and open space needs. Recommendations in the plan are also used as one of the tools in ranking projects for Virginia Land Conservation Foundation funds.

“The VOP has long been an important tool in meeting Virginians’ outdoor recreational needs,” said DCR Director Joseph H. Maroon. “With Gov. Kaine’s commitment to land conservation, 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 assistance from Virginia Commonwealth University and last fall held a series of 40 public input meetings statewide. Among the topics brought up in those meetings were trails and greenway linkages, water trails and scenic waterways, urban greenspace, eco-tourism and nature deficit disorder. Local outdoor recreation and conservation recommendations also surfaced. Recommendations found 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’ Green Space Project including priority greenways: Leesylvania State Park to Prince William Forest Park Connector; Cross County trail, the Broad Run Stream Valley, Accotinck Stream Valley and Potomac River greenways; and W&OD Connectors to White’s Ferry and the Appalachian Trail.

- Complete development of the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail.

- Identify and secure the best corridor for The East Coast Greenway as it traverses the Northern Virginia region.

- Designate the Route 15 corridor through the region a Virginia Scenic Byway as part of the Journey Through Hallowed Ground.

- Provide additional boating and fishing access along the Potomac and other rivers in the region.

- Coordinate with the National Park Service to implement the Manassas Battlefield general management plan.

- Continue efforts to protect the natural and scenic resources of 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” then on “Draft 2007 Virginia Outdoors Plan.” Comments will be accepted through Dec. 15, 2006 and can be sent to Vop@dcr.virginia.gov.

- 30 -