Keep Mason Neck State Park Open
 

Grass Roots Action Needed Today – Budget Released on Sunday

Governor Bob McDonnell has submitted a proposal to the legislature to close five State Parks, including Mason Neck State Park and the Elizabeth Hartwell Environmental Education Center.    Your urgent action is needed today to keep Mason Neck State Park open.

  • The proposal calls for only $104,000 in savings but overestimates savings because:

    • It fails to include State estimates of $500,000 in spending by visitors annually to the park, generating state sales tax revenues for the State of $27,500 and more in income tax
    • It fails to recognize private sector contributions to the Youth Conservation Corps and annual Eagle Festival of nearly $15,000
    • It fails to include estimates for stepped up ranger enforcement as once the park is closed mischief, poaching and trespassing will likely increase; and
    • It fails to include the loss of return visitors generated by the annual Eagle Festival which draws an estimated 4,000 to 5,000 attendees each year

     
  • Most of the parks on the list were established as wildlife management and interpretation areas, and Mason Neck, for the preservation of Bald Eagle habitat.   The purpose of the park was passive environmental education, not camping and recreation, but it is being closed as it does not generate substantial revenues:

    • Mason Neck State Park's Elizabeth S. Hartwell Environmental Education Center is the focal point for all environmental education activity of the five area parks on Mason Neck, including the Elizabeth Hartwell Mason Neck National Wildlife Refuge, the Bureau of Land Management Area, Pohick Bay Regional Park and Gunston Hall
    • Northern Virginia is again getting shafted.   While we contribute the largest amount of revenues to the State, we are the most underserved area per capita and in overall Park acreage in the State
    • While Mason Neck does not have active recreation or camping, it falls at about the mid-point of utilization with nearly 89,000 annual visitors and is the shining jewel within a short distance of the Nation's Capitol, Washington, DC

    Please contact, in order, the following political leaders and urge them to keep Mason Neck State Park open!   The proposal won't achieve the savings; it runs contrary to the purpose of the park; it will close down the focal point of environmental education for five area parks; and NOVA is already underserved by our State Park system.

    NAME PHONE FAX EMAIL
    Governor
    Bob McDonnell    		 804-786-2211 804-371-6351 www.governor.virginia.gov
    Secretary
    Doug Domenech    		 804-786-0044 804-371-8333  
    State Delegate
    Dave Albo    		 703-451-3555   DelDAlbo@house.virginia.gov
    DaveAlbo@aol.com
    State Senator
    Toddy Puller    		 703-765-1150   tpuller@sov.state.va.us
    TPuller@aol.com
    State Senator
    Patsy Ticer    		 703-549-5770   district30@senate.virginia.gov
    House Speaker
    Bill Howell    		 540-371-1612   delwhowell@house.virginia.gov
    State Delegate
    Scott Lingamfelter    		 703-580-1294   slingamfelter@comcast.net
    Senator Maj. Leader
    Dick Saslaw    		 703-978-0200   district35@senate.virginia.gov
    State Delegate
    Mark Sickles    		 703-922-6440   msickles1@cox.net
    DelMSickles@house.virginia.gov
    State Senator
    Mary Margaret Whipple    		 703-538-4097   district31@senate.virginia.gov
    State Senator
    Emmett Hanger    		 540-885-6898   district24@senate.virginia.gov
    State Senator
    Chuck Colgan    		 703-368-0300   district29@senate.virginia.gov
    State Senator
    Dave Marsden    		 703-323-4733   district37@senate.virginia.gov
    State Senator
    George Barker    		 703-303-1426   district39@senate.virginia.gov