This is the first and only time I will write in this paper about Merrimac Farm.

When the proposal to acquire Merrimac Farm came to the Prince William Conservation Alliance, the board was entirely in favor of this action. Kim Hosen is the executive director of the Prince William Conservation Alliance and therefore must answer to the board.

As the Conservation Alliance's mission statement makes clear, we work to improve water quality, air quality, and to "increase the local capacity to assume effective, sustainable stewardship of Prince William's valuable natural and cultural resources."

Col. McDowell clearly agreed with these principles. The land that makes up Merrimac Farm was used as a hunting and game preserve.

Theodore Roosevelt was a hunter and conservationist. Indeed, some of the greatest conservationists have been hunters. They realize the value of the land and the resources that exist.

True hunters know how to kill and field dress a deer, leaving the land in the same or better condition than they found it. They put out food for deer to ensure they will not starve. When a deer is shot, the meat is saved to be eaten or donated to a shelter so that it can serve other people. Many tan the deer hide and that is used, as well.

Utilizing all of nature to the benefit of those who follow is what conservationists do. Hunters fit that criterion perfectly. Clearly, Col. McDowell was a conservationist of the highest caliber.

In terms of property rights, permanently preserving Merrimac Farm from development would honor the memory of Col. McDowell after his passing. His family was totally in favor of the Prince William Conservation Alliance's efforts. The open space he had purchased would remain open.

It is not often that someone is allowed to leave such a wonderful legacy to his neighbors. The actions of the Prince William Conservation Alliance to preserve the land would have ensured that legacy. Perhaps the opponents of PWCA do not want to support that legacy.

Beyond preserving the land to open space, a buffer would be created for the Marine Corps. The Department of Defense's letter of support for the Conservation Alliance grant proposal reads, in part, "The Merrimac Farm project is compatible with DoD efforts to reduce encroachment, sustain the training mission, and protect and conserve wetlands and forest habitat around Marine Corps Base Quantico ... this project represents a partnership model that will create opportunities for effective conservation action and public benefit in a count that is experiencing rapid growth."

This was the ultimate win-win situation. Perhaps the opponents of the PWCA do not want to support the military.

The Virginia Land Conservation Foundation was given roughly $9 million to be used to preserve open space in Virginia . The commonwealth sets the money aside to be dispersed throughout Virginia .

State revenues that come from Prince William County help to fund this worthwhile effort. Any grant that is awarded to our area can be seen as a local return on our tax dollars. The money that was set aside will not remain in the commonwealth's coffers, but will be used to maintain open space in a different part of Virginia .

The loss of this grant can be seen as redirecting local tax money to other parts of Virginia and frankly that bothers me. Perhaps the opponents of this effort want other counties to benefit from their tax dollars.

Anyone who has a brain realizes that the amount of open space in Prince William County is shrinking. This particular piece of land is a headwater for the Occoquan Reservoir and includes 100 acres of forested wetlands. Simply put, the water from this piece of land will end up in Prince William County 's water supply.

Since our county is mandated to fight to meet Chesapeake Bay requirements, this grant was one way of funding that mandate.

The habitat that would be preserved would also be an asset to our schools. Freedom High School has a Center for Environmental and Natural Science component that states the students will become involved in partnerships that enhance their understanding of their understanding of environmental and natural science. Merrimac Farm would certainly be an excellent site for just such a partnership.

Citizens interested in bird-watching, horticulture and studying wetland habitat would be enriched. Living in Nokesville, I for one am sure the economy would be enriched by people coming to visit such a beautiful site.

As for the price of the property, an offer of well over $8 million was made for a 300-acre parcel not three miles from Merrimac Farm. This is more than twice the price of Merrimac Farm. Only a fool would believe that the property's value will have fallen in five years.

I supported the Merrimac Farm project from the beginning. I would not financially profit from it, although the lessened need for greater infrastructure could shrink my property tax bill.

Had time allowed, I would have gone to Richmond to speak in its favor. I would have coordinated with the Marine Corps, written grants, gotten the support of my local supervisor.

Kim Hosen did all these things. As a planning commissioner, when a vote to remove the property from agricultural designation came before the commission, Ms. Hosen's own ethical standard caused her to recuse herself. Anyone who questions her integrity on this matter loses all credibility.

Recently, the entire Board of County Supervisors voted to support the preservation of Merrimac Farm. Many thanks go to Wally Covington and Maureen Caddigan for their support of this preservation project. Let us hope this worthwhile opportunity to benefit our community has not been lost.

Tim Horn of the Rural Preservation Alliance lives in Nokesville. No matter what Bill O'Reilly says, he wishes everyone a happy Hanukkah, a merry Christmas, a joyous Kwanza , a pleasant Saturnalia and a happy New Year.