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A bald eagle skims the treetops above Crow's Nest peninsula in eastern Stafford County yesterday, The land is untouched by suburban sprawl.
A blue heron roosts on a downed tree along the shore of the phase two section of Crow's Nest yesterday. |
The stars seem to be aligning for Stafford County to preserve the Crow's Nest peninsula.
Changing circumstances have cleared the way for the county to purchase phase two of the property located between Potomac and Accokeek creeks, adding an additional 1,200 acres to the 1,720 the county purchased for $19 million in January 2008.
When Stafford County bought phase one of Crow's Nest, the contract contained an option to purchase phase two by the end of 2009 for $16.2 million. Stafford Lakes Limited Partnership, which owns the property, has agreed to lower its asking price to $14.2 million, provided the deal closes by July 31.
With a 7--0 vote Tuesday, the Stafford Board of Supervisors authorized County Administrator Anthony Romanello to amend the contract and allow for purchase at the lower price.
For decades, Crow's Nest has been considered a local treasure--a unique ecosystem untouched by suburban sprawl, replete with wetlands and old-growth forests. County residents and officials have spent years trying to protect it from development. Phase one, funded partially with county money, accomplished half of that goal. Phase two will rely solely on state and federal dollars.
Stafford County and the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation have cobbled together various grants to come up with the purchase amount. The price drop has put the goal within reach.
"For over 15 years, national and local organizations tried to protect even the first acre of land," DCR Director Joseph Maroon said. "To accomplish all of this in two years is astonishing."
Attorney Clark Leming, representing Stafford Lakes Limited Partnership, said the recent breakthrough occurred because Supervisor Paul Milde approached the property owners with news of the available funds.
"From the standpoint of the owners, I think going to settlement is beneficial because of the certainty involved," Leming said. "It is a good option in light of the real-estate market. It's a bird in the hand versus two in the bush."
Crow's Nest has also benefited from a national profile in conservation circles--a development that led to the last piece of the financial puzzle.
The Costal and Estuarine Land Protection Act is awaiting approval from the United States Senate. The bill is designed to protect the environmental integrity of undeveloped coastal areas. Crow's Nest is rated as the number one priority, which could mean an extra $3 million for Stafford if it becomes law.
"From the signals we're receiving, we feel very confident that will happen," Maroon said.
Milde has been leading the effort to complete the phase two purchase and is also confident that a deal will be finalized by the July deadline.
"Persistence is paying off," he said. "One way or another, this is going to happen. The money is there."
If the deal goes through, Stafford will direct the deed to the state. Crow's Nest will be operated as a State Natural Area Preserve, one of 55 such areas in Virginia.
"It will certainly be the crown jewel in that system," Maroon said, "deserving of the recognition it will receive nationwide. Paul Milde and Stafford really deserve a lot of credit for moving the negotiations ahead, and the state is proud to be a partner. It would be an astounding accomplishment."
Jonas Beals: 540/368-5036
Email: jbeals@freelancestar.com
