December 30, 2002

Ms. Barbara Grey
Maryland Dept. of Natural Resources
Resource Planning E-4
Annapolis, MD 21401

Dear Ms. Grey:

The Prince William Conservation Alliance (PWCA) is a grassroots organization working to enhance Prince William County’s livability by preserving and restoring its environment through public education, volunteer action and public policy development. PWCA projects reflect our focus on the strong connections between a quality environment and good quality of life conditions. Our primary area of focus is Prince William County, Virginia, directly across the Potomac River from Chapman Forest.

We submit  this letter to expresses our concern regarding proposed uses for Chapman Forest. Chapman Forest is a significant environmental and historic regional asset.  Although, Maryland has shown considerable understanding of these values in the past, the current uses proposed for Chapman Forest focus on intensive active recreation and are a cause of great concern.

Chapman Forest is an important and protected resource. The community benefits received through the proposed active sport and equestrian uses pale when the conservation values of the land are considered. The Chapman Forest habitats and the species diversity these support, forests, and sensitive soil conditions located along the Potomac River make long term protection for this area a high priority. The rapidly suburbanizing conditions present on both sides of the Potomac River highlight and reinforce the need to ensure long term protection for Chapman Forest. 

A management plan for Chapman Forest that protects historic and natural resource values will benefit both local and regional communities. Noninvasive recreation and educational uses, including photography, hiking, birding and other nature explorations, can promote tourism and protect the conservation values of the land. Passive recreation opportunities are becoming less available throughout the region. Localities that understand and protect natural resource assets will realize long term benefits: once we destroy the conservation value of the land, it is gone. We hope that the Maryland Dept. of Natural Resources continues to actively support the benefits made possible through the protection of natural resource assets and adopts a management plan for Chapman Forest based on these goals.

Thank you for the opportunity to provide our comments. Please feel free to contact us should you have questions or require additional information.

							Sincerely,

							Kim Hosen
							Executive Director