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Trust eyes Crow's Nest
Crow's Nest activists hope $500,000 grant will provide enough money to protect the property
Date published: 12/2/2005 By MEGHANN COTTER By MEGHANN COTTER Crow's Nest preservation advocates are hoping that a $500,000 grant will help them save the ecological sanctuary in Stafford County. The money, awarded yesterday to the Northern Virginia Conservation Trust by the Virginia Land Conservation Foundation, will be combined with a $10 million commitment from the Stafford County Board of Supervisors and a $9.5 million pledge from the state. It will be used to negotiate a buying price with the current owner, K&M Properties of McLean. While some say this latest effort to rescue the 4,000-acre peninsula from development is not promising, others believe the money is an important step toward success. "$20 million is enough to get them to come to the table," said Alison Mize, director of outreach for the Northern Virginia Conservation Trust. Her nonprofit organization has been facilitating the collection of funds necessary to work out a deal with K&M. The developer is working to obtain subdivision approval for 688 homes on a 3,230 acres. The county Planning Commission will consider those plans Wednesday. The company has also been lobbying supervisors and the court system to allow thousands more lots on the property, as it was originally zoned for in 1971. The case is currently on appeal to the Virginia Supreme Court. But preservationists want to turn the property into a state nature preserve. Crow's Nest, which is between the mouths of Potomac and Accokeek creeks, is home to some rare plant and animal species. It is also a portion of the Chesapeake Bay watershed and Stafford's largest expanse of undeveloped land. Michael Nardolilli, president of the Northern Virginia Conservation Trust, said the trust will pursue several other funding sources before approaching K&M. But his organization hopes the company will consider the final offer they make because of the cooling real estate market and difficult development nature of the land. Over the years, however, several groups, including the state and federal governments, have attempted to negotiate a sale of the property without success. Activists have been after the county to prevent the tract from being developed. And supervisors have discussed other options, including a land swap, condemnation of the property or a bond referendum that would authorize the county to borrow money to buy the property.
Read more stories about Stafford Date published: 12/2/2005
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