Whereas, the right-of-way for a Dominion Virginia Power (DVP) high-voltage transmission line follows the W&OD Trail;

Whereas, the extent of removal of trees and other vegetation from sections of the DVP right-of-way in recent months has alarmed residents of nearby neighborhoods and other trail users;

Whereas, the removal of trees along the W&OD Trail will rzeduce shade on the trail, making it hotter for hikers and cyclists in summer;

Whereas, the removal of trees along the banks of Four Mile Run will contribute to degraded stream health, with higher water temperatures due to loss of shade and increased pollution due to streambank erosion;

Whereas, trees cut along the right-of-way included native trees that apparently would not have grown large enough to jeopardize the power lines;

Whereas, most residents of nearby neighborhoods and other trail users were not aware in advance of plans for extensive clearing along the right-of-way; and

Whereas, some meadow areas earlier identified by the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority (NVRPA) as meadows have been damaged by recent maintenance activities and are no longer marked with stakes and ropes;

Therefore, be it resolved, that the Arlington County Civic Federation:

• endorses the County's plans to work with Dominion Virginia Power and the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority to develop an agreed plan for maintenance of the DVP right-of-way along the W&OD Trail;

• favors adopting a management policy of "the right tree in the right place" to reduce the need for future tree cutting along the right-of-way;

• supports the use of environmentally appropriate herbicides to ensure that invasive plants do not advance along the power line right-of-way;

• favors close cooperation between Arlington urban foresters and DVP in identifying and tagging trees that should not be cut in future maintenance cycles;

• supports restoring areas that NVRPA had identified as meadows, temporarily using stakes and ropes, and employing infrequent mowing or alternative techniques to control invasive species;

• urges the County and DVP to provide advance notice to civic associations and other stakeholder groups, and to post notices to alert individual users of the W&OD Trail prior to the start of future maintenance cycles;

• favors establishment of a forum where representatives and members of stakeholder groups can meet with County, NVRPA and DVP officials to discuss planned maintenance activities.

This page was last revised on: April 7, 2004.