Conservation Easement Expands Rappahannock River Refuge

The conservation easement creates a legally enforceable land preservation agreement between the landowner and the Trust for Public Land that restricts real estate development, commercial and industrial uses for the purpose of conservation.

Purchase of the easement from the Rose family was made possible with federal funding from the Land and Water Conservation Fund, secured by the Virginia Congressional delegation and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and from the Virginia Aquatic Restoration Trust Fund.

Virginia legislators from both political parties were happy with the acquisition.

"I am pleased to see the completion of this project as part of the Rappahannock River Valley National Wildlife Refuge," said U.S. Senator John Warner, a Republican. "The acquisition will protect these valuable lands, provide habitat for numerous species, and enhance the overall quality of the refuge."

Wetlands on the Rappahannock River Valley National Wildlife Refuge (Photo courtesy U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service)

"The inclusion of these 90 acres to the Rappahannock River Valley National Wildlife Refuge will further protect Virginia's abundant and diverse wildlife," said U.S. Senator James Webb, a Democrat. "I will continue to support these critical conservation efforts in Virginia, and I applaud The Trust for Public Land and their conservation partners for working with local communities and landowners to advance wildlife refuges."

The refuge now holds a permanent conservation easement on the property, which will help protect important habitat areas while the landowners retain ownership and could continue traditional uses of the property.

"Thanks in large part to The Trust for Public Land's tireless efforts and the foresight of the Rose family, the Rappahannock Refuge will be further enhanced with the inclusion of these 90 acres of pristine land," said Representative Jim Moran, a Democrat and senior member of the House Appropriations Committee.

"As a resident of the Northern Neck, I have spent countless enjoyable days in the field and in the marshes, wetlands and tributaries within the Rappahannock River Valley," said U.S. Representative Robert Wittman, a Republican. "I am proud to offer my support to conservation partnerships like this one that promote wildlife habitat and Chesapeake Bay restoration efforts."

U.S. Representative Jo Ann Davis, who died on October 6, had been a longtime supporter of conservation efforts along the Rappahannock River, and strongly supported this project.

"We are grateful to the Rose family for making the important decision to conserve this property for present and future generations," said Joseph McCauley, refuge manager. "The steep wooded ravines and wetlands of this tract provide outstanding habitat for several species of migratory birds."

This acquisition is the second land conservation success story for the refuge in recent months, according to McCauley. In April, the Service purchased 175 acres on Cat Point Creek in Richmond County from The Conservation Fund. Revenue from federal duck stamp sales supported the purchase.

"The Rose family has been an excellent steward of this land and we are so pleased that they have committed to its permanent protection," said Lynda Frost, program manager for The Trust for Public Land, a national nonprofit land conservation organization.

"We are continuing to work in the area to add more land to the refuge and hope that other landowners will consider selling their land or a conservation easement," Frost said.

Thousands of waterfowl winter in the Rappahannock River corridor adjacent to the Laneview property, including high priority species such as canvasback and scaup.

The upland forest and wooded swamp on the property serve as habitat for migratory bird species of concern including the Louisiana waterthrush, yellow-billed cuckoo, and wood thrush.

Osprey nest on a platform along the property's shoreline and there are several bald eagle nests near the property.

Wild turkeys nest in the open fields, which also provide foraging habitat for many bird species, such as the prairie warbler.

Rappahannock River Valley National Wildlife Refuge is the newest of four refuges that comprise the Eastern Virginia Rivers National Wildlife Refuge Complex. Established in 1996, the goal of the refuge is to protect 20,000 acres of wetlands and associated uplands along the river and its major tributaries.

Trust for Public Land helped establish the Rappahannock River Valley National Wildlife Refuge and to date has protected seven properties totaling 4,150 acres.

To date, including the latest purchase of this conservation easement on 90 acres, over 8,000 acres have been protected as part of the refuge. For more information visit www.fws.gov/northeast/rappahannock.

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