Thanks for the info Kim!
I for one have mixed feelings about all of this. I suppose some people argue
that we need to help grassland species by creating more habitat of that type,
while others ask "Just how much of Northern Virginia really should be grassland
from historical perspectives?" The question I would have is, "Who cares?" I'm
as interested in the history of our nation as much as the next guy, but are
there really that many people who are so concerned about what the Battlefield
looks like today vs. what it looked like during the days of battle? I bet
there wasn't a powerline cut, visitor center, and paved roads around during
that time either, but they are certainly there now!
It just seems to be a flimsy reason to want to go in and clear out a bunch of
trees that for right now provide a nice contrast to the significant portions of
the park that are already grasslands. I suppose I would have a different
opinion if seemingly every tree in Prince William County weren't already slated
for cutting. Don't forget about the 935 acres at Possum Point that soon will
be leveled for various purposes. Trees are important for migrants and outside
of the battlefield it is a lot of acreage of everything other than trees.
However, I am glad that the areas in question at least for now aren't slated
for highrises and VRE stations. I'm not even speaking from an environmental
perspective, but one of what I believe is basic common sense.
I'd welcome any discussion to challenge or buttress my thoughts.
Thanks,
Jay Keller,
Arlington
-----Original Message-----
From: Kim Hosen <khosen@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Aug 30, 2007 8:59 AM
To: va-bird@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: Re: [Va-bird] Fw: Manassas Battlefied Bird Habitat
For those that are interested in landscape changes at the Battlefield,
there are additional areas slated for clearing. These are listed in
Management Plan and listed below FYI. We have more information posted
online at http://www.pwconserve.org/issues/conservation/mnbp/
Kim Hosen
Prince William Conservation Alliance
----------------------------
MNBP Management Plan, p. 55
The following historic scene rehabilitation activities would be conducted:
• Approximately 150 acres of woodlands northeast of Brawner Farm, along
the Unfinished Railroad grade, and around Deep Cut would be cleared and
replaced with open fields and grasslands. This would reestablish the
view from Brawner Farm to Deep Cut.
• Approximately 45 acres of woods along the west side of Chinn Ridge
would be cleared and replaced with open fields and grasslands to
reestablish the view between the ridge and the site of the New York
Monuments.
• Approximately 25 acres of woods along the east side of the Chinn Ridge
would be cleared and replaced with open fields and grassland to
reestablish the view between Chinn Ridge and Henry Hill. The riparian
buffer along Chinn Branch would be retained.
• The current Stuart’s Hill clearing would be expanded by approximately
30 acres to the east. The clearing would restore the view from General
Lee’s headquarters towards Centreville during Second Manassas.
Approximately 20 acres of land that is currently open space south of
Stuart’s Hill would be reforested. The historic landscape around the
Cundiff House would be rehabilitated to wartime conditions.
• Approximately 40 acres of trees would be removed and converted to
grassland and/or scrubland. Approximately 15 acres of land that is
currently open space would be reforested.
• Approximately 20 acres along the north-central portion of Dogan Ridge
would be reforested, and a small area of three acres along the curve of
the Sudley-Manassas Road would be cleared and managed as open fields.
• Approximately 35 acres of trees would be removed from Matthews Hill
and the open fields rehabilitated. To the north, an area of
approximately 25 acres would be reforested.
• An additional 5 acres of land along Bull Run to the west of Poplar
Ford would be reforested.
----------------------------------------
Bazuin.John@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx wrote:
All,
I chanced to find out from an acquaintance, Bill Olson, yesterday
that the National Park Service has proposed to clear woods (some of them
covering rather large areas) on the Manassas Civil War Battlefield. The
idea is to return the battlefield to a habitat mix that is more like its
configuration when the battles were fought. Bill, who has been
appointed to a steering committee on viewsheds that is working with
National Park Serviceon this proposal, expressed some concern as to what
impact such a change would have on birds. Knowing that some of you
regularly bird the battlefield, I suggested to Bill that he send me an
e-mail that I could forward to this chat room. I felt that some of you
would probably have useful insights on the impacts fairly extensive
tree-clearing would have on birds of particular interest. If you would
like to give Bill any input on this matter, please contact him at the
e-mail address or phone number below.
John Bazuin
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
----- Forwarded by John Bazuin/DC/USEPA/US on 08/30/2007 08:13 AM -----
CFRSRV@xxxxxxx
08/29/2007 To
03:43 PM John Bazuin/DC/USEPA/US@EPA
cc
Subject
Manassas Battlefied Bird Habitat
John:
This follows our discussion regarding the potential effect of tree
clearing
of some areas the Manassas Battlefield. In some parts this will be
extensive
(140+acre) pieces.
I would be interested in learning of any concerns regarding effect upon
bird
habitat or species. You mentioned that perhaps persons may have
information
or comments that participate in bird watching chat rooms.
My special interest is at this time is that I have accepted appointment
on a
Steering Committee on a study of Viewsheds at the Manassas Battlefield
Park,
and in that role, would like to know of any concerns, if possible with
respect
to specific areas within or close to the park.
The report of the study is due by the end of 2007, and any information
of
opinions should be available for consideration by the study personnel
promptly.
The first public meeting on the study took place yesterday, however
there will
be at least one more public meeting for citizens to present information
or
opinions.
Sincerely:
Bill Olson
703 590 7337
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