THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, June 8, 1995 TAG: 9506080469
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B5 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS
DATELINE: RICHMOND LENGTH: Short : 37 lines
Preservationists made it clear Wednesday that they dislike a draft ``memorandum of agreement'' that could lead to construction of a motorsports park at a Civil War battlefield in Culpeper County.
Benton Ventures Inc. wants to build the park, which would include a Formula One race track, on 515 acres at the Brandy Station battlefield. Opponents are concerned that traffic, noise and litter could undermine the historic integrity of the area.
Representatives from 17 government agencies and private groups, including historic preservation and property-rights organizations, discussed the project at a meeting conducted by the Army Corps of Engineers. The corps is considering Benton Ventures' application for a federal wetlands permit.
The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the memorandum draft, which seeks to allow Benton Ventures to develop the property with minimal impact on historic resources.
Andrea Ferster of the Brandy Station Foundation complained that the memorandum considers only impacts on the 515-acre site, not on surrounding battlefield areas. The Civil War battle was fought on about 10,000 acres.
Ferster argued that as the decision-making body that ultimately will determine whether the project is built, the corps is obligated to take a broader look at the impact.
Others participating in the meeting noted, however, that such problems as noise and traffic were considered during the county's regulatory process. by CNB