Departamento de Conservación y Recreación (DCR) Conservar. Proteger. Disfrutar.
Departamento de Conservación y Recreación (DCR) 
Consultas de los medios de comunicación: Por favor, póngase en contacto con Dave Neudeck, dave.neudeck@dcr.virginia.gov, 804-786-5053.
PARA PUBLICACIÓN INMEDIATA
Fecha: 03de octubre de 2002
Contacto:
Parques y bonos de áreas naturales afectarían al norte de Virginia
(RICHMOND) - La parte norte de Virginia recibiría proyectos de 14 por un total de más de $23 millones si los votantes aprueban una iniciativa de bonos de $119 millones en la boleta electoral en todo el estado el 5de noviembre. Los efectos de la Ley de Bonos de Parques y Áreas Naturales de 2002 se sentirán en todo el estado.
"La aprobación del bono de parques estatales y áreas naturales mejoraría nuestra calidad de vida al preservar los espacios abiertos y las áreas naturales en peligro, y proporcionaría lugares seguros y limpios para que las familias disfruten del aire libre", dijo el director del Departamento de Conservación y Recreación, Joseph H. Maroon. "A nivel estatal, el bono proporcionaría la adquisición de terrenos para tres nuevos parques estatales, 10 nuevas reservas de áreas naturales y financiaría reparaciones y mejoras en cada uno de los 34 parques estatales".
A nivel regional, la aprobación del bono significaría la adquisición de terrenos para un nuevo parque de acceso al agua en North Fork del río Shenandoah y nuevas reservaciones de áreas naturales en el condado de Culpeper y el norte del valle de Shenandoah. La parte norte del estado también vería tierras agregadas a los parques estatales Lake Anna y Sky Meadows. DCR solo trabajará con vendedores dispuestos cuando negocie la compra de terrenos, agregó Maroon. También se financiarán proyectos de construcción en seis parques estatales cercanos y un área natural.
El año pasado, siete millones de visitantes a los Parques Estatales de Virginia contribuyeron con aproximadamente $144 millones a la economía del estado.
"Los parques estatales en la parte norte de Virginia brindan acceso al agua, historia y la oportunidad de disfrutar de la naturaleza", dijo Maroon. "La adquisición de un nuevo parque estatal y dos reservaciones de áreas naturales en la región también ayuda a preservar nuestro precioso espacio abierto".
Regional acquisitions and construction projects include:
- Seven Bends Area River state park - The Virginia Outdoors Plan identified the need to develop a new state park along the Shenandoah in the Seven Bends area to conserve some of this beautiful river's frontage and to enhance recreation opportunities. Increasing demand for river access makes this one of the Commonwealth's top new park priorities. It is expected that in such a setting, future generations of Virginians would enjoy this park with various recreational and overnight facilities.
- Northern Virginia Woodland - A new natural area preserve is proposed in Culpeper County in the Culpeper Basin on Virginia's Piedmont. The flat, eons-old bedrock of this basin provides suitable conditions for mineral rich bedrock glades and the development of rare oak woodland vegetation and a number of rare species.
- Northern Virginia Appalachian Caves - A new natural area preserve in an area known to be rich in caves. Virginia has a plethora of biologically significant cave sites, many of which support unique subterranean species found nowhere else in the world. Few cave sites are protected in the region. The new natural area preserve is proposed for northern Virginia's Ridge and Valley Province to initiate protection of this resource.
- Inholdings (lands partially or wholly surrounded by state park lands) or adjacent properties that would round-out park boundaries and enhance park offerings have been identified at Lake Anna State Park in Spotsylvania County and Sky Meadows State Park in Fauquier County. The state will only acquire lands from willing land sellers.
- Caledon Natural Area - This natural area on the Potomac River in King George County is one of the country's most significant summering spots for the American Bald Eagle. The area is slated to receive funds for improvements to the existing trail system.
- Lake Anna State Park - The bond proposes $4.5 million for new cabins and campsites in this state park located in Spotsylvania County. Lake Anna has long been one of Virginia's most heavily visited day use parks for swimming, boating, fishing, hiking and horseback riding. Cabins and campgrounds have been targeted for this park for more than a decade.
- Leesylvania State Park - This Prince William County state park would receive $300,000 for construction of new boating piers and a picnic shelter. This park's visitor center details the history of Leesylvania, the ancestral home of Virginia's famous Fairfax and Lee families. The park is among Virginia's most visited.
- Mason Neck State Park - This Fairfax County setting on historic Mason Neck is part of a public complex managed by county, state and federal governments. Nearly $1 million is targeted for a new park administrative complex to replace outdated mobile facilities, and for road upgrades to improve access to hiking trails and water.
- Raymond R. "Andy" Guest, Jr.-Shenandoah River State Park - Throughout history the Shenandoah has been among the nation's most legendary rivers. This park was purchased with 1992 bond funds. The 2002 bond proposal targets nearly $6.2 million to build a modern campground, an overnight cabin complex and a visitor center to serve the rapidly growing number of park users. Since the 1930s, state park campgrounds and cabins have served generations of Virginians, and demand for these facilities has grown stronger in recent years.
- Sky Meadows State Park - Renowned philanthropist Paul Mellon gave this Fauquier County property to Virginia's citizens. It serves as Virginia's northern terminus of the Appalachian Trail and includes a historic 1850s farm with scenic mountain and valley vistas. About $450,000 is proposed to expand existing primitive campgrounds, build Appalachian Trail shelters and develop a new picnic area.
- Westmoreland State Park - Located on the Potomac River on the history-rich Northern Neck between Washington's Birthplace and Stratford Hall. The park will receive $1.15 million to replace an aging complex and to build a new visitor and birding center.
Para obtener más información sobre los Parques Estatales de Virginia o el Bono de Parques y Áreas Naturales, visite www.dcr.virginia.gov/bond/.
- 30 -
Comparta este comunicado de prensa:
