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 a Tidewater Virginia
(RICHMOND) - Tidewater recibiría 13 proyectos por un total de $28 millones si los votantes aprueban una iniciativa de bonos de $119 millones en la boleta electoral estatal del 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 acuático en la Península Media. La región de Tidewater también vería la adición de tierras a los parques estatales Chippokes Plantation y Kiptopeke, adiciones a las reservas de áreas naturales en los condados de Virginia Beach y Surry e Isla de Wight. Se adquirirán nuevas reservas de áreas naturales en los condados de Isle of Wight y Matthews. El DCR solo trabajará con vendedores dispuestos a negociar la compra de terrenos, agregó Maroon. También se financiarán proyectos de construcción en cinco parques estatales cercanos.
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 de esta región proporcionan acceso recreativo a la Bahía de Chesapeake y a varios de sus afluentes", dijo Maroon. "El acceso al agua también será una oferta clave del nuevo parque estatal de la Península Media".
Las adquisiciones regionales y los proyectos de construcción incluyen:
- Middle Peninsula area state park - The Virginia Outdoors Plan states the need for a new water access state park in Virginia's Middle Peninsula, an area rich in history and natural beauty. An exact location for the park has not been selected. If the bond passes, DCR will work with local governments, public and private landowners in the area to select and purchase suitable parklands. The state will work only with willing land-sellers.
- 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 Chippokes Plantation State Park in Surry County and Kiptopeke State Park in Northampton County. The state will only acquire lands from willing land sellers.
- Southern Coastal Plain Depression Ponds - A new natural area is proposed to protect natural ponds found south of the James River on the Coastal Plain. These natural wetlands are threatened by drainage and conversion. The ponds of this proposed natural area preserve provide habitat for numerous rare plant and animal species. The proposed area is located in Isle of Wight County.
- Middle Peninsula Wetland - A new preserve is proposed to protect natural pond wetlands threatened by drainage and conversion. The ponds of this proposed natural area provide habitat for numerous rare plant and animal species. The proposed area is located in Matthews County.
- Isle of Wight Addition - An addition to the existing Antioch Pines Natural Area Preserve and Blackwater Ecological Preserve is proposed to protect globally rare sandy pinelands and pine barrens in southeast Virginia. This addition will also enable restoration of rare vegetation found in the sandy region.
- Virginia Beach Addition - The bond proposes acquisition of more land for North Landing River NAP. This would add to and provide buffer for globally rare and highly threatened marsh and swamp vegetation. These wetlands provide habitat for numerous rare plant and animal species.
Surry County Addition - An addition to Dendron Swamp Natural Area Preserve is proposed to protect an old-growth stand of tupelo and bald cypress along the Blackwater River as well as buffer already protected stands. Some of these trees along the river are 1,200 years old. They provide excellent habitat for a globally rare animal.
- False Cape State Park - At the southern end of Virginia Beach, False Cape State Park would receive $750,000 to build a visitor center and administrative complex with modern restroom facilities. Such additions will greatly enhance the park user's visit.
- First Landing State Park - This park on the Chesapeake Bay in Virginia Beach is the system's most visited. It draws nearly two million visitors a year. Improvements totaling $2.52 million include campground water and electric hookups, new bathhouses, improvements to the Chesapeake Bay Center and Amphitheater, and expansion and renovation of the Trail Center.
York River State Park - This day-use park on the banks of the York River in James City County would receive $500,000 to make improvements to the Croaker Landing boat ramp built in 1980. Monies would improve the existing parking lot and make improvements to the boat dock. Portions of the dock would be re-engineered to provide easier access from boats to the dock.
- Kiptopeke State Park - Located on the Chesapeake Bay side of Virginia's Eastern Shore, Kiptopeke is one of the country's most significant bird watching locations. Bond funds would be used to construct several five-bedroom family lodges ($2,500,000). An additional $250,000 would go to improving electrical and water service to the park's existing campground.
- Chippokes Plantation State Park - With bond funds, this state park in Surry County would receive $4.62 million for renovation of historic structures, water system replacement, pool concession facility improvements and campground expansion. With Jamestown's 400th anniversary in 2007, this work must be done before countless visitors from around the world visit Tidewater Virginia.
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:
