Article date: September 26, 2000

Many believe Avtex Superfund Site will be a good addition to western phase of network

By Ben Orcutt

Local government officials and business leaders are excited about the economic impact that a birding and wildlife trail along Interstate 81 could have on the Northern Shenandoah Valley.

They made their comments following a Monday presentation at the Warren County Government Center by David K. Whitehurst, director of the Wildlife Diversity Division of the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries.

Whitehurst urged local governing bodies and all interested parties to send letters of support of the birding and wildlife trail to local members of the state Commonwealth Transportation Board, the major source for state funding for the project.

He also urged local governing bodies to adopt resolutions of support in favor of the western phase of a statewide birding and wildlife network.

The Front Royal Town Council, the Warren County Board of Supervisors, and the Front Royal Warren County Economic Development Authority have all sent general letters of support regarding the statewide birding and wildlife trail concept.

The EDA has adopted a resolution supporting the plan, according to EDA board Chairman Richard M. Novak.

The Avtex Superfund site in Front Royal will submit a nomination to be included in the western phase of the birding and wildlife trail, according to William G. Cutler, remediation project manager for FMC Corp., the major funding source for remediation of the site.

The plans for the 500 acre Avtex site that fronts on Kendrick Lane and extends across the South Fork of the Shenandoah River include a conservancy park that is in the conceptual stage, Cutler said.

Although it will take between three and five years of remediation and redevelopment before the site would be ready to be added to the proposed trail, those involved with the redevelopment of the Avtex site are excited that the site could be added to the trail, Cutler said.

Town Councilman Carson C. Lauder views the proposed trail along the I-81 corridor as a good opportunity for the town. The council may wish to adopt a resolution in support of the plan, he said.

"I don’t see any problem (with adopting a resolution ) right now," Lauder said. "I’m just one man on council.

"Avtex is the core," Lauder added. "You can work out (add more local sites) from there."

Shenandoah District Supervisor Benjamin H. "Ben" Weddle, who also attended Monday’s meeting, said he is a bird watcher himself and also sees the prospect of inclusion of local sites in the proposed western trail as a potential economic benefit to the county.

Weddle said he thinks local sites that are selected for the western portion of the trail can be incorporated into an existing water recreation trail.

"I don’t see any reason why that (proposed trail) can’t fit into the (water recreation trail)," he said.

Like Lauder, Weddle said he agrees that if Avtex is redeveloped as is planned, it would be a good site to include in the proposed birding and wildlife trail.

The birding and wildlife trail should help "to expose our community to the traveling public," Novak added.

Trace Noel, owner of Shenandoah River Trips in Bentonville, said some of the outfitters in the valley would be interested in putting up their own funds to help offset some of the costs of developing the western birding and wildlife trail.

Whitehurst said Virginia is modeling its program after one in Texas.

A costal phase— Eastern Virginia from Interstate 95 east — has been funded and work on that trail should begin October 2001, he said. Planning on the western phase of the statewide trail system will not begin until next fall, and once that phase has been completed, plans can begin for the central part of the state, Whitehurst said.

Statistics from 1994 and 1995 show that birdwatching is of the fastest growing outdoor activity in the United States, according to Whitehurst.

Whitehurst said a Texas survey shows that many of the bird watchers who visited the Texas coastal Birding Trail were from the Northeast, states that are close to Virginia.

"You’re on the doorstep," Whitehurst told the audience of about 25 on Monday.

"If you would like to see this happen, it’s extremely important you support (it)."

• Where: Along the Interstate 81 corridor.

• What: I-81 would be the major trail with highway signs indicating where travelers can exit to view local birds and wildlife, Proposed sites will be evaluated as to their qualifications to be included on the trail. Once travelers have exited I-81, highway signage would indicate a local birding and wildlife loop.

• Nominations: Nominations for the western phase of the statewide birding and wildlife network have to be received by the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries by Jan. 12. To obtain a nomination form call (804) 367-4335 or e-mail the department at birdingtrail@dgif.state.va.us.

• Funding: Federal, state, local and private funding.

• When: The actual planning phase of the western birding and wildlife trail is set to begin next fall.

• Statewide system: The coastal phase of the statewide birding and wildlife trail network has been funded, sites have been nominated, and work on the trail is scheduled to begin next fall. Planning for the central portion of the state will follow.

• Developer: The statewide birding and wildlife trail network is being sponsored and developed by the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries. Virginia’s system will be based on a birding trail in Texas that has been successful.

• Sites: Public and private sites may be included in the Virginia network. Fees may be charged if the landowner desires.

Information: For more information, contact David K. Whitehurst, director of the Wildlife Diversity Division for the department, at (804) 367-0940