THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, August 28, 1996 TAG: 9608280003
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A12 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: 48 lines
In your recent report and editorial on the proposed retirement/golf development in Virginia Beach, you neglected to point out one of the most-important aspects of this development. It isn't just below the Green Line. It is south of Indian River Road, below the transition areas and in the rural-preservation area - on the banks of the North Landing River.
The North Landing River Natural Area has been designated by the Virginia Division of Natural Heritage as the most-diverse natural system east of the Blue Ridge Mountains. As the northern limit of one type of habitat and the southern limit of another type, these wetlands and forests have some of the most-unusual combinations of plants and animals to be found anywhere in the country. There are 46 rare and endangered species of plants and animals there. These are the true riches of our country.
The Nature Conservancy has established an 8,000-acre preserve along the North Landing River in partnership with the Virginia Department of Conservation and recreation to assure the long-term health and vitality of these special areas. Virginia Beach has identified this corridor in the Outdoors Plan as a greenway and heritage resource. The waterway and its associated wetlands and riparian buffers are recognized as exceptionally significant through the National Estuary Program, the North American Waterfowl Management Plan and the National Wetlands Priority Conservation Plan.
The majority of wetlands types along the North Landing are decreasing wetlands types - Palustrine Emergent and Palustrine Forested. It is one of the few continuous forested corridors for migrating neotropical birds along the Eastern Seaboard. It is amazing that this system has remained intact and undeveloped all these years, that it is still unique in the richness and diversity of its plant and animal life. It has remained healthy because there has been no development along its banks and buffers.
Over the past decade of implementing the Chesapeake Bay program, we have recognized the vital importance of both buffers and wetlands in maintaining clean water. We have learned that building in wetlands and riparian buffers is the greatest cause of the degradation of our natural resources and water quality. Do you really want to encourage polluting the North Landing after all we've learned?
We can build golf courses and retirement communities anywhere. We can never replace the North Landing River.
MARY M. HEINRICHT, coordinator
Southeastern Association
for Virginia's Environment
Virginia Beach, Aug. 21, 1996 by CNB