By: Kim Hosen
But despite their many benefits, both our National Parks are threatened by proposed data center development at their borders. At Prince William Forest Park, a new rezoning (and accompanying special use permit) seeks approval to build data centers on property that is within the Park’s Congressional boundary and covers wetlands and streams at the headwaters of Quantico Creek.
Quantico Creek is the keystone to Prince William Forest Park’s ecosystem. Within the park, the stream consistently ranks among the most unspoiled in the Chesapeake Bay region and provides an important source of baseline condition data for environmental monitoring in Northern Virginia.
Without question, water quality in Quantico Creek would decline should this development proposal be approved. This would lead to a decline in forest integrity and resilience within the park and would be a direct impact to the park's natural and cultural resources. For perspective, once the damage is done, costs to restore streams are estimated at $1,000 per linear FOOT (not a typo).
Right now Prince William Forest Park has some of the most intact interior forest bird communities among 17 National Parks in VA, MD, DC, PA, and WV. More than 100 species of birds, 38 species of mammals, 24 species of amphibians, 27 species of reptiles, 23 species of fish, and many invertebrates share the landscape and waterways of the park.
This includes the rare Indiana and Northern long-eared bat as well as 15 bird species of continental concern, including the Wood Thrush with its ethereal song. When intact forest land is broken up by clearing and ground disturbance, forest edges and invasive plants increase.
Prince William County reaps the benefits of these parks and, with partners, we are charged with being good stewards of this nationally significant parkland. Allowing data centers next to and within the Congressional boundary of Prince William Forest Park is irresponsible and unnecessary.
The current development proposal presents a false choice between building data centers to boost our commercial tax base OR protecting our national parks. There is a third choice: property in the Overlay District is available right across the street, where properties included in the Data Center Overlay District are available. This area is characterized by industrial uses that have created an area suitable for data centers.
Prince William County can support data centers AND protect the appeal and sustainability of our valuable natural resources, local communities, and economy.
Learn more about Prince William Forest:
Learn more about our concerns about the replanning:
Without question, water quality in Quantico Creek would decline should this development proposal be approved. This would lead to a decline in forest integrity and resilience within the park and would be a direct impact to the park's natural and cultural resources. For perspective, once the damage is done, costs to restore streams are estimated at $1,000 per linear FOOT (not a typo).
Right now Prince William Forest Park has some of the most intact interior forest bird communities among 17 National Parks in VA, MD, DC, PA, and WV. More than 100 species of birds, 38 species of mammals, 24 species of amphibians, 27 species of reptiles, 23 species of fish, and many invertebrates share the landscape and waterways of the park.
This includes the rare Indiana and Northern long-eared bat as well as 15 bird species of continental concern, including the Wood Thrush with its ethereal song. When intact forest land is broken up by clearing and ground disturbance, forest edges and invasive plants increase.
Prince William County reaps the benefits of these parks and, with partners, we are charged with being good stewards of this nationally significant parkland. Allowing data centers next to and within the Congressional boundary of Prince William Forest Park is irresponsible and unnecessary.
The current development proposal presents a false choice between building data centers to boost our commercial tax base OR protecting our national parks. There is a third choice: property in the Overlay District is available right across the street, where properties included in the Data Center Overlay District are available. This area is characterized by industrial uses that have created an area suitable for data centers.
Prince William County can support data centers AND protect the appeal and sustainability of our valuable natural resources, local communities, and economy.
Learn more about Prince William Forest:
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