Connolly to Speak on Opening Wildlife Refuge

Woodbridge, Va. –– Opening the Featherstone National Wildlife Refuge to the public is once again at the center of debate.

Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-Va. 11th) along with a panel of conversationalists  are scheduled to appear for a public meeting and question and answer session on opening the publicly-owned land to the public.

The refuge sits along the Potomac River in Woodbridge, behind Virginia Railway Express’ Rippon station.

Since last year when Connolly urged the National Fish and Wildlife Service to open the refuge to the public, the idea has been gaining ground.

Conservationists are also calling for opening two other federally-owned properties to the public: Dove’s Landing on the Occoquan River and Lake Manassas.

“These three publicly owned properties have one thing in common. Although they are valuable potential resources for recreational and educational uses, they are all closed to the public,” said Prince William Conversation Alliance Director Kim Hosen.

Last month, officials with the fish and wildlife service ended a public comment period for a new plan that will govern Featherstone and the Elizabeth Hartwell Mason Neck Wildlife Refuge for the next 15 years.

But the report details concerns, such as allowing visitors to the area would harm the environment by bringing hikers, pollution would increase as more used cars to get to the refuges, and there remains the threat visitors may do harm to the land either on purpose for by accident, according to a preliminary report from the fish and wildlife service.

Visitors have not been allowed at Featherstone since the land was acquired by the federal government in 1979.

Last summer, the fish and wildlife service invited residents to tour Featherstone for the first time.

The meeting is scheduled from 7 to 9:30 p.m. Monday March 21 at the Prince William County Government Center on Prince William Parkway in Woodbridge.