Governor Kaine Lauds Fauquier County Stream Restoration Unveiling
– Bolling Branch restoration a personal mission for Fauquier landowners –
DELAPLANE - Governor Timothy M. Kaine today praised Fauquier County landowners Dennis and Tracey Liberson at the unveiling of their stream restoration project along Bolling Branch. The Libersons restored more than a mile of Bolling Branch and 2,300 additional feet of tributary streams that flow through their property in an effort to improve water quality for people and wildlife in the Chesapeake Bay watershed.
"I am extremely thankful to the Libersons for their care of this property," Governor Kaine said. "As my Administration continues our quest to conserve 400,000 acres of open space in Virginia, I commend the Libersons for setting an example and a high standard for all of us."
Also attending the unveiling were representatives of The Nature Conservancy of Virginia and Fauquier County, who both partnered with the Libersons in the restoration project.
"The health of the Chesapeake Bay is tied to its tributaries," said Michael Lipford, director of The Nature Conservancy of Virginia. "We all can take steps to help the Chesapeake Bay, and the Libersons are showing how regular folks can make a difference."
Bolling Branch is seven miles long and feeds into Goose Creek, a state scenic river, and ultimately into the Chesapeake Bay via the Potomac River. Goose Creek has a 350 square mile watershed, flowing through Fauquier and Loudoun Counties. It is a source for drinking water to Fairfax and parts of Leesburg.
The Libersons purchased their property in 2006. In December 2007 they placed the entire 119-acre property under a conservation easement with The Nature Conservancy. Forty-two acres were restored as part of the stream and associated buffer project.
Within a five mile radius of the Liberson's land are more than 19,000 acres of protected lands, through 82 Fauquier County Open Space and Virginia Outdoor Fund easements.
Funds for the restoration came from the Libersons themselves, and $1.7 million from the Virginia Aquatic Resources Trust Fund. This is the largest Virginia Aquatic Resources Trust Fund restoration project to be constructed to date.
Dennis Liberson said he is looking forward to witnessing the rebirth of the stream and wetlands he and his wife created. He also looks forward to a time when all residents in the area can experience a healthy Chesapeake Bay first-hand.
"We are proud of what has been accomplished here," he said. "It is our hope this encourages others to take similar actions, and look forward to what collectively we can do to help the health of the Chesapeake Bay."
Today's announcement comes as Governor Kaine continues to move his "Renew Virginia" initiative, a series of legislative and executive actions focused on promoting renewable energy, creating green jobs, and encouraging preservation of the environment in the Commonwealth.
For more information on Renew Virginia, please visit www.governor.virginia.gov.
# # #
