Development of the Cherry Hill Peninsula - Proffer Changes Do Not Address Environmental Concerns

The Cherry Hill Peninsula is widely regarded as the most environmentally sensitive land in Prince William County. The proffer changes are billed as a "kinder, gentler plan." Unfortunately, the changes would merely trade the considerable potential for environmental disaster associated with the existing plan for the long, slow death of a thousand cuts.

Information from a preliminary geotechnical ayalysis conducted by local watershed organizations showed:

• Topographic ground surface elevations range from about 222-feet Mean Sea Level (MSL) to 0.0-feet MSL
• Approximately 80% of the soils on this site are identified as having severe erosion potential
• The entire site is underlain by the Potomac Formation sediments (sometimes called “marine clays”) that consist of interbedded sands and clays that have a history of slope instability. Read more about "marine clays."
• On-site observations show that a massive landslide has occurred adjacent to the cut for the RF&P railroad in the northwestern section of the site
• Jusirdictional wetlands occur in several low-lying areas
• Uplands are vegetated with hardwood forest cover, except where power lines traverse the site.
• The mass grading called for in development plans would result in a situation where reestablishment of vegetation would be difficult because of soil compaction, extremely high acidity and low fertility.

The entire site is underlain by the Potomac Formation sediments (sometimes called "marine clays") that consist of interbedded sands and clays that have a history of slope instability On-site observations showed that a massive landslide had occurred adjacent to the cut for the RF&P railroad in the northwestern section of the site

About 75% of the Cherry Hill/Southbridge development site has 15% or greater slopes More than half of this site has slopes greater than 25%.

About 80% of the soils on Cherry Hill have severe erosion potential, shown in orange. The rezonings include a proffered commitment to submit a Best Management Practices (BMP) Master Plan before the first site plan is submitted. The picture above was taken during construction of the Swann's Creek development on Cherry Hill and shows some of the serious erosion problems that occurred.

All Prince William's tidal waterways are included on Virginia's 2004 Dirty Waters List, shown in red on the map. Taxpayer dollars will fund needed clean up efforts to restore these tributaries to the Potomac River and the Chesapeake Bay.