The wild birds denoted decisions that Save Crow's Nest activists deemed helpful in preserving the 3,800-acre peninsula. The earth-movers indicated votes they felt encouraged its development.

Overall, the report card said board members took significant steps to buy the property, but they weren't as active when it came to ordinances that would slow the developer's construction of houses.

"The results of the report show that 2006 was a year of cautious hope," said Cecelia Kirkman, a founder of Save Crow's Nest.

The board, she said, has still been unwilling to pass legislation that would protect Crow's Nest, regardless of whether the county purchases it.

Supervisor George Schwartz received blue herons in all categories. Jack Cavalier, chairman of the board, and supervisors Pete Fields and Joe Brito got just one bulldozer, marking decisions considered pro-development. And Mark Dudenhefer, vice chairman of the board, and supervisors Paul Milde and Bob Gibbons earned bulldozers twice.

All board members received blue herons for their unanimous decisions to make offers on the tract and later condemn the property.

The county originally offered $27 million for 2,887 acres last March. It later increased the amount to $30.5 million and then $33.2 million. Officials filed paperwork for condemnation in November.

Milde, whose Aquia District includes Crow's Nest, said those efforts have contributed most to the county's progress.

"We've acted in unison," he said. "There has been no dissension at all."

Supervisors also received straight blue herons for their unanimous approval of an ordinance requiring developers to conduct drain-field tests before filing a subdivision plan. Activists said the requirement would further protect areas, such as Crow's Nest, that have unpredictable soils and challenging terrain.

But marks were more divided on other ordinances.

Dudenhefer, Fields, Gibbons and Milde earned bulldozers for approving the county's six-year secondary road plan. The document included a new road connecting Courthouse and Brooke roads. Activists had asked supervisors to remove the project, saying it would encourage development of the peninsula.

Brito, Cavalier, Milde, Gibbons and Dudenhefer earned bulldozers for voting against an ordinance requiring more and wider buffers around streams, especially those next to steep slopes and highly erodible soils. Activists claimed it would protect waterways and slow development of sensitive lands like Crow's Nest.

Supervisors have not reconsidered that ordinance, which was referred to the Planning Commission. They referred two others, which aim to protect cemeteries and cultural resources, to a committee.

Milde said ordinances that frustrate any development of Crow's Nest can complicate, not aid, the purchase of the peninsula.

He gives the board an A-plus for its efforts last year.

"We started the day I started my first meeting," he said. "We couldn't move any quicker, and anyone who thinks otherwise is wrong."

ON THE NET: Savecrowsnest.org shows the full report card.

To reach MEGHANN COTTER: 540/374-5434
Email: mcotter@freelancestar.com