Media inquiries: Please contact Dave Neudeck, dave.neudeck@dcr.virginia.gov, 804-786-5053.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: October 19, 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 Accomac, Wednesday, Nov. 1.
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 Accomack-Northampton PlanningDistrict Commission Office, 23372 Front Street, Accomac. Theseare among more than 40 meetings to be held statewide Oct.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 Accomack and Northampton counties:
- Implement the Eastern Shore of Virginia Bicycle Plan adoptedby Accomack and Northampton Counties in 2004.
- Develop a trail connection between Kiptopeke State Parkand Cape Charles Wildlife Management Area.
- Continue conservation efforts with the Nature Conservancyand DCR on the seaside of Virginia’s Eastern Shore formigratory bird habitat.
- Encourage water trail improvements and linkages with recreational,cultural and natural resource destination resources.
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 to vop@dcr.virginia.gov.
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