Recent Articles from BRMC Newsletters

Silver Lake Resolution

Bull Run Mountains Conservancy (BRMC) is so proud of the Herculean efforts of our members and friends to attempt to establish a 500 acre Silver Lake Natural Recreation Area (SLNRA). First, thanks to their efforts, and those of Sean Connaughton (the Chairman of the BOCS at the time), the developer of Dominion Valley was persuaded to proffer the entire 317 acre Silver Lake parcel to the county—leaving 231 acres for parks, open space and recreation. The original Dominion Valley proffer that was supported by the Planning Commission would have allowed 12 lake front homes to be built and would have all but cut off all public access to the lake. Second, their efforts aided the fight to hold the developer's feet to the fire and complete the environmental remediation of the old quarry site on the property, prior to its conveyance to the County. Without their support, the County would have had to foot that bill. Third, their efforts encouraged our land donor so much that the 268 acres we hoped would be part of SLNRA has been permanently preserved in an open space easement for a one family farm. No suburban homes will be built on that environmentally sensitive land. Fourth, and most important, their past, current, and future vigilance will guarantee that Silver Lake will only be used for passive recreational uses. The complete list of these passive recreation uses can be viewed here.

Bull Run Mountains Conservancy has worked diligently for over 8 years to create a 500 acre Silver Lake Natural Recreation Area. We recently worked with the County Executive and the Prince William County Park Authority (PWCPA) staff on a compromise proposal. After shaking hands on the proposal in principle, the PWCPA staff changed course on August 4, 2008. BRMC continued to seek a compromise proposal in late August. On September 17, 2008 PWCPA Board voted to adopt a resolution, which was strongly recommended by its Executive Director, that rejected all compromise proposals and required all 231 acres to be owned by the Park Authority.

Four members of the Board of County Supervisors have been very supportive of BRMC's efforts, but four remain solidly against creating the 500 acre Silver Lake Natural Recreation Area. This leaves the ownership and operation of Silver Lake in a permanent deadlock position. Michael Kieffer, Executive Director of BRMC, said that "Mr. Covington and Mr. Stewart have stated in meetings that they would not support any proposal if Mr. Stirrup did not support it." Mr. Stirrup has remained steadfast against creating a publicprivate partnership to own and operate a 500 acre Silver Lake Natural Recreation Area.

BRMC only wished to create a 500 acre Silver Lake Natural Recreation Area for the public, for you the citizen to enjoy. We never intended to delay the opening of Silver Lake to the public. At this point, our continued involvement seems to only delay opening the property to the public. Therefore, we regrettably formally remove our offer/proposal. We and our members, eagerly await the Park Authority opening of a 231 acre Silver Lake passive recreation park next spring.

Michael