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Fish & Wildlife Service chips in money toward next phase of Crow's Nest purchase Date published: 12/18/2008
By RUSTY DENNEN Efforts to preserve Crow's Nest have received a boost from Stafford County's congressman. Rep. Rob Wittman, R-Westmoreland, announced yesterday that backers will receive $855,465 toward the Phase 2 purchase of 1,200 acres on the Stafford peninsula. The money comes from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service's National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grant Program. The funds are intended to acquire, restore or enhance coastal wetlands and adjacent uplands. Crow's Nest is considered an environmental jewel, a rare undeveloped tract with significant natural and cultural resources. It's one of the newest Virginia natural preserves. "Since coming to office last December, I have worked extensively with state, local, federal and nonprofit partners to preserve this important historical and cultural resource," Wittman said in a news release. Crow's Nest is the peninsula between Accokeek and Potomac creeks. It's named after the Crow, a black schooner moored off the property in the early 19th century. The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation and Stafford County last spring purchased 1,770 acres on Crow's Nest for $19 million from a Northern Virginia investment partnership, with a two-year option to purchase another 1,200 acres--Phase 2--for $16.2 million. Aquia District Supervisor Paul Milde said parties working to preserve the peninsula are closing in on the money needed to buy the second parcel. "We've had some huge successes in the last six weeks," he said, including another $3.5 million from the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality that could be used for the purchase. Milde said Virginia House Speaker Bill Howell, R-Stafford, was instrumental in getting the project ranked as a top priority for a grant from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. "And we're working with all the [military] bases around the area, trying to see if there's any value for them in helping us," Milde said. "We've got all the right people at the table and we're working overtime to bring this all together." Milde added that none of the money will be coming from county coffers. "A million here, and a million there," he said. "It all adds up and you can go to closing." Rusty Dennen: 540/374-5431
How can I complain about pork barrel spending in other States
and counties? (Guess I'll don my hypocrite hat.)
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