We are catching glimmers of progress, however. Last month, the Planning Commission delayed the Stack proposals to allow representatives to meet with Joann Gaskins and work toward a respectful agreement on preserving the cemetery and honoring the historical significance of the land. You can read Joann Gaskins' op-ed here.
Additionally, the Bristow Battlefield data center proposal has been deferred for review. This project falls outside the county’s data center overlay district and, if approved, would contribute to an already massive cluster of eight Stack Infrastructure data centers along Hornbaker and Linton Hall Roads. Approval would lead to ten data centers tightly concentrated near the Regency Apartment Homes on Hornbaker Road, just north and west of the Target shopping center on Nokesville Road.
As I carefully untwisted the metal screw I was not expecting any changes. I’d grown accustomed to the trail in my new duties at Merrimac Farm. So far in my bluebird experience I’d walked under the warm spring sun, jotted down nest building progress, and enjoyed counting speckled eggs. But I’m impatient. When would they hatch into living breathing beings? My thoughts drifted to my teenage and adult children. Were they any different? When would they peck open on their own into a wider world?
As I gently lowered the wooden brown wall my whole world changed. Judgment of loved ones darted away. My breath ceased. My heart skipped. What was I looking at?
Yellow triangles among black fuzz. Could I see into empty cavernous stomachs? Where are the eggs? What is this? This tiny world flooded my being. Then a gentle tenderness flooded my being. They were here! Oh how I wanted to hold and feed them. But I knew better, thanks to the training that I’d received a few weeks ago.
Then it dawned on me that I was staring. I came to my senses and returned the door to its original position. Why was it taking so long? Had time stopped? Were my hands shaking? Had I “done it right?” Oh my goodness ~ could new life be waiting for me?!
And then I realized that I had not “done it right.” In my awe I’d completely forgotten any world beyond the one in the box. I’d forgotten how to count. I’d forgotten how to breathe. The hatchlings had whisked me away from earthly thoughts into the present moment. What wonder! What joy! Bliss. Peace.
I collected my thoughts, took a deep breath, and tried to focus. I opened the door once more to peek inside. They were still there! It seemed impossible that so much life teemed inside the small warm box. This time I silently counted 4 yellow beaks (not triangles after all) and noted damp dark feathers. I dared not breathe. Maybe they would blow away? I snapped a photo and meticulously closed the door.
I emailed our team as soon as I returned to my car. Surely they would share in this world changing event. And how! Over the next two days email replies flew back to me, affirming the delightful discovery.
As I look back I’m a bit embarrassed about how much I gushed to my team over the hatchlings. Have I grown familiar to the thrill, like watching the sun set or feeling the breeze on my face? One thing is for sure ~ I’ll definitely return to the trail next year.
Editor’s Note:
Thank you to first time monitor, Liz Piazza, for writing this wonderful glimpse into the world of bluebird monitoring. If you’d like to get involved next year, please fill out this volunteer form detailing your interest. Find last year's blog post here.
At Merrimac Farm volunteers found 34 bluebird eggs, of which 32 fledged. That's a survival rate of 94%!
Chinn Park Trail saw 63 bluebird eggs leading to 37 fledged and a survival rate of 59%. The Chinn Trail boxes also housed 32 tree swallow eggs, of which 28 fledged with a survival rate of 88%.
Many thanks to Rita Romano and Charles Badal, the outstanding leaders of this year’s crew of volunteers. A hearty thank you to the rest of our spectacular volunteers; Ines Nedelcovic, Val and Billy Ritter, Susan Hunt, Steve Clendenin, Kitty Monroe, Alaura and Grace Thapa, Amy Wilson, Jennifer Moyer, Brett Beckner, Kathleen and Steve Hurst, and Janet Wheatcraft. I would also like to thank Kevin Parker and Valerie Kenyon Gaffney for their support this season.
I am writing to express my concerns regarding the Smith Crossing proposal (REZ2024-00005), which seeks to rezone approximately 235 acres from A-1 Agricultural to PMR Planned Mixed Residential. This proposal envisions a 375-unit residential community, with 117.39 acres remaining as open space, resulting in a density of 1.64 dwelling units per acre. This project, as the first to utilize the newly introduced Conservation Residential land use designation from our updated comprehensive plan, This project, as the first to utilize the newly introduced Conservation Residential land use designation from our updated comprehensive plan, is focused on increased density and not conservation as the classification might suggest.
While the initiative may seem promising, several critical issues need to be addressed:
Lack of Zoning Ordinance: As Smith Crossing is the inaugural project under the Conservation Residential designation, there is a noticeable absence of clear guidelines in our zoning ordinance. Rather than this definition being led by staff, it appears that this proposal will be setting the precedent of Conservation Redisdential moving forward.
Insufficient Public Input: This is the first public hearing dedicated to the Smith Crossing proposal. Prior to this, there have been no community meetings for residents to provide feedback on this project. The absence of a public engagement process undermines the principles of a sound planning and decision-making process
Developer-Driven Process: The development appears to be predominantly driven by the developer's interests rather than a balanced approach that involves input residents. See Lack of Zoning Ordinance.
Environmental and Access Concerns: The proposed "conservation" areas primarily consist of Resource Protection Areas (RPA), which are not suitable for development. Furthermore, these areas will be managed by the Homeowners Association (HOA) rather than being accessible to the public, limiting their ecological and recreational benefits.
Proximity to the PW Digital Gateway: The planned residential area’s proximity to what is anticipated to be the largest data center complex in the world may result in adverse impacts on the quality of life for future residents. This is an incompatible land use and requires additional mitigations and buffers.
Isolation of Open Space: The proposed open space is not contiguous with other green areas, reducing its ecological value and potential recreational use. Effective conservation typically requires connected green spaces to support wildlife and provide meaningful public access.
As you are well aware, our county is navigating a period of significant transition with the recent adoption of the Comprehensive Plan update that has significantly altered our land use policies. In facing the largest land use shift that this county has seen in 30 years, Fairfax Water recommended completing a water study before implementing such sweeping changes—a recommendation that remains unfulfilled. Additionally, the newly adopted Community Energy and Sustainability Master Plan has yet to be fully integrated into our Comprehensive Plan and zoning ordinance, further complicating the development landscape.
This land is within the Agricultural and Arts Overlay District (AAOD), making it a prime area to fund and implement the county’s Purchase of Development Rights (PDR) program to support rural economic growth and make this land more congruent with the surrounding area by reducing density and creating meaningful public open spaces that benefit both PWC residents, visitors to Manassas National Battlefield Park, and local wildlife.
Thank you for considering these concerns. In its current state, the Smith Crossing proposal simply is not ready to move forward.
Sincerely,
Ashley Studholme
Executive Director
Prince William Conservation Alliance
June 24, 2024 – Prince William County, VA: The Prince William Conservation Alliance held its annual “People Who Make a Difference” Awards on Saturday, June 22. This year’s event celebrated four outstanding community members whose dedication and actions have significantly contributed to the preservation and enhancement of our local environment. The awards honor individuals who exemplify one of our core tenets: People who care, make a difference.
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While Fairfax County implemented protective measures, such as downzoning, to protect the reservoir, Prince William County adopted the Rural Crescent in 1998 to limit sewer access and curb development pressure. However, recent changes in the Comprehensive Plan have blurred the line between rural and development areas.
Where data centers are located is still important. But with the rapid increase in projects we are seeing, and this industry’s insatiable demand for power, water and land, we are growing more and more concerned about the cumulative impacts of this industry. Impacts on our electric grid, energy bills, water resources, and climate change goals are all of concern. These impacts are felt not only here in Prince William County, but across the state and the globe.
Dear Chair Wheeler and Members of the Prince William
County Board of Supervisors:
We are writing in advance
of your public hearing tomorrow on the three proposed “Digital Gateway”
rezonings. At the outset, we wish to
emphasize that we strongly oppose all three proposals. Data centers are a fundamental part of the
technology infrastructure that supports the modern economy, and they have a
place in Prince William County and other localities in Virginia. However, given the enormous impacts they can
inflict on the surrounding environment and nearby communities, it is essential
that they be appropriately sited and scaled.
With its broad array of invaluable historic, cultural, and environmental
resources, the landscape immediately west and northwest of Manassas National
Battlefield Park is simply an unsuitable location for a data center and
technology complex, especially of this massive scale.
We acknowledge that some
of you may disagree, as evidenced by the Board’s adoption of the PW Digital Gateway
Comprehensive Plan Amendment (“Digital Gateway CPA”) late last year. However, we trust that you will fulfill your
collective duty to ensure that any rezoning applications proposed in this area:
(1) comply with all pertinent requirements of the Virginia Code and Prince
William County Zoning Ordinance; and (2) are reasonably consistent with the protections
and guidelines in the Digital Gateway CPA. The three proposals coming before you tomorrow
meet neither of those basic marks.
MEDIA ALERT: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 8, 2023
A Call for Conscientious Consideration: Prince
William Digital Gateway Threatens Land, Water, Heritage
Woodbridge, Virginia – The United Tribes
of the Shenandoah, alongside a diversity of community faith leaders, will host
a peaceful prayer ceremony on Tuesday, December 12, at 9 AM at the Sean T.
Connaughton Plaza located between the James J. McCoart Building and Development
Services Building at the county government complex in Woodbridge, VA. The prayer vigil will precede the scheduled
public hearing to consider the Prince William Digital Gateway.
by: Rita Romano
You never know what you are going to find when you peek in the boxes! Is the box empty, or is there a beginning of a nest? If there is a nest, what kind is it? Each species has special characteristics. My favorite is the Tree Swallow nest because they use feathers from other species to curl over the nest opening.
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I’m here today to express support for the Public Works Reforestation Grant Program to be included in the upcoming budget. As we are all aware, we are facing several environmental challenges, such as climate change, maintaining water quality, and habitat loss leaving many species vulnerable. However, reforestation can help us address all these issues.
Forests provide critical environmental services to all residents here in Prince William County. They absorb carbon dioxide, a key greenhouse gas in the atmosphere contributing to climate change. They clean the air by intercepting particulate matter and absorbing other gaseous pollutants. Additionally, trees help prevent soil erosion and promote water quality. They also provide habitats for various wildlife species, making them an integral part of our ecosystem.
Unfortunately, over the years, we have been losing forests at an alarming rate due to human activities such as deforestation and urbanization. This has had a significant impact on the environment globally and locally.
While I think it’s also important to protect the forests that we still have, this program would create opportunities to bring back forests that have been lost. Additionally, it would expand current reforestation efforts and provide an opportunity for private, residential, commercial, industrial, and HOA land to qualify that are currently left out of existing programs.
You might think that it’s not necessary to fund such initiatives. You might think, why don’t we just stop mowing and allow natural processes to return lawn to forest? That may have been true a long time ago. Today, however, the prevalence of invasive plant species that thrive in these early successional circumstances means it’s necessary to be active stewards of reforestation efforts until a native ecosystem has a chance to be established.
This program would provide a critical starting point for native forests to grow and flourish, and would be crucial to a broader strategy to address a wide range of environmental and public health concerns in a cost-effective way. By planting more trees, we can support efforts to mitigate and adapt to climate change, improve air quality, protect water quality in our waterways and reservoirs, and create habitat for wildlife.
Highlights of the December 27th, Nokesville Christmas Bird Count include a Common Loon seen in Quantico and 32 Redheads, which is a count high. Corvids were quite conspicuous with both American Crow and Fish Crow reaching a high for our circle at 491 and 934 respectively. We also saw a few lows for our count including Black Vulture, Red-winged Blackbird, and White-crowned Sparrow.
By: Court Squires
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July 10, 2025 - During the press conference held prior to an open house for the Vint Hill Gas Insulated Substation, Elena Schlossberg, Co-...
