State putting up more bond money to help preserve more of Crow's Nest

Date published: 8/19/2008

By RUSTY DENNEN and KAFIA HOSH

Though times are tight, the state has come up with another $4 million toward the purchase the rest of Crow's Nest.

But under a plan worked out by Gov. Tim Kaine, conservation groups must raise another $12.2 million by late next year to get the state conservation bond money.

Preston Bryant, Virginia's Secretary of Natural Resources, said in a recent letter to Stafford Administrator Anthony Romanello that the governor set aside $4 million toward Phase II of buying the environmentally sensitive Stafford peninsula.

In January, after years of deliberation, Stafford supervisors agreed to purchase 1,720 acres of Crow's Nest from the landowner, K&M Properties of McLean, for $19 million.

Stafford is buying that tract with a grant from the Department of Conservation and recreation and a low-interest loan from the Department of Environmental Quality.

And it secured a two-year option to purchase another 1,200 acres for $16.2 million--Phase II.

The $4 million would come from $30 million in bond proceeds in the current biennial budget--money earmarked for conservation purposes.

Stafford officials said yesterday that they are ready to meet the challenge.

"We will call upon our many partners once again to help us preserve this unique tract of land for our future generations," George Schwartz, chairman of the Board of Supervisors, said.

"I am thrilled at Gov. Kaine's willingness to assist Stafford," said Supervisor Paul Milde, who represents the Aquia District, in which Crow's Nest lies.

"Perseverance and patience from many of our local, regional, state and federal partners helped us with the purchase of Phase I," he said.

County officials are looking toward funding the next phase, Milde said. "We are optimistic that we can raise those funds."

John Mitchell, chairman of the Trust for Crow's Nest, said the latest contribution is a good start.

"This says a lot about the [Kaine] administration, that has believed in this all the way," he said, "and under the duress of budget cuts."

Mitchell said the local trust plans to meet later this month with its national conservation partners--The Nature Conservancy, the Trust for Public Land, and the Conservation Fund--to lobby for federal money.

In his letter, Bryant said the new state dollars "can serve as significant leverage for additional federal and private support."

He noted that if substantial progress has not been made toward securing the $16.2 million by July 2009, "we will need to re-evaluate this $4 million commitment at that time. "

He said the bond money must be spent by Dec. 31, 2009.

Rusty Dennen: 540/374-5431
Email: rdennen@freelancestar.com

Situated between Potomac and Accokeek creeks in eastern Stafford, Crow's Nest has been described as an environmental jewel, with one of the largest swaths of undeveloped forest along the East Coast. The Phase I parcel is the most significant. Preserving that protects a spawning nursery for 49 species of fish and seven species of mussels. The property is home to rare plants and 60 species of migratory songbirds. Crow's Nest has been a top priority of area conservation groups for years. It's named after the Crow, a black schooner that moored off the property during the 19th century.

Date published: 8/19/2008

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