The City of Fredericksburg owns an ecologically significant corridor of forested lands along the Rappahannock and RapidanRivers, referred to as the Fredericksburg Watershed Property. Although protected by a conservation easement in 2006, the easement does not address the specifics of various day-to-day land management issues that affect how the overall intent and spirit of the conservation easement will be accomplished. Consequently, the City committed to creating a management plan outlining guidance and policies to balance natural resource protection with continuing public recreational use. Under a grant from the Chesapeake Bay Gateways Network, Friends of the Rappahannock is serving as a consultant to the City to help facilitate the committee process which will deliver a draft plan to City Council for consideration.
In March of 2009 an initial public meeting was held to solicit public input on the direction of the Plan. Approximately 50 people attended and over 100 comments were received at the event and via the web (see below). On February 11th, 2010, a draft plan was released to the public. On February 17, a second public meeting was held to present the highlights of the draft plan, answer questions, and solicit comments from the public and stakeholder groups. Approximately 80 people attended. To download the draft Plan, see below.
A public comment period wash held through March 4. The final draft Plan was presented to Fredericksburg City Council at it May 11, 2010 meeting. City Council has referred to Plan to the Planning Commission. In addition to downloading the draft Plan, copies of the Plan are also available for viewing at the Fredericksburg Planning Office, Room 209 of City Hall, 715 Princess Anne Street, Fredericksburg, Virginia.
The February 17 public meeting was the second of three public events associated with the development of the Plan. A public hearing will be scheduled by Fredericksburg City Council and/or the Planning Commission as part of the formal City process associated with adoption of the Plan. All stakeholders will again have the opportunity to comment, directly to City Council members and Planning Commission Members.
The City invites individuals with remaining questions to contact Senior Planner Erik Nelson at (540) 372-1179.