The chainsaws may have fallen silent, but the battle to protect trees along the Washington & Old Dominion (W&OD) Trail is far from over.
Elected officials, nonprofits, and community organizations are rallying to renew their pressure on Dominion Energy regarding its tree-clearing practices.
Set for Saturday from 10-11 a.m., the gathering will take place at the Vienna Town Green (144 Maple Avenue East).
The rally is being organized by several groups, including the Sierra Club Great Falls Group, Washington Area Bicyclist Association, Fairfax Alliance for Better Bicycling, Coalition for Smarter Growth, Nature Forward, and Fairfax Families for Safe Streets.
Prominent speakers at the event will include Hunter Mill District Supervisor Walter Alcorn, state delegates Holly Seibold, Marcus Simon, and Rip Sullivan, as well as Stella Koch from the NOVA Parks Board of Directors representing Fairfax County.
Ann Bennett, the land use chair for the Sierra Club’s Great Falls group, commented, “Dominion’s plans for tree cutting would have devastating impacts for trail users and the environment.”
She further emphasized that they are urging Dominion to reach an agreement that not only protects the W&OD Trail but also preserves its critical tree cover and ensures the restoration of native habitats in areas that have been cleared.
The extensive tree removal along sections of the 45-mile trail, especially in Vienna and Dunn Loring, has alarmed many.
NOVA Parks has been advocating for months for Dominion to adopt a new vegetation management plan that would restrict future tree cutting to those in direct danger of interfering with power lines. Additionally, this plan would require the reseeding of cleared areas with new trees or native plants.
Dominion initiated tree clearings as part of a project to replace an electric transmission line between the Clark and Idylwood substations.
The utility company withdrew from a voluntary agreement with NOVA Parks, which had been in place since 2005, claiming that more aggressive management was required to ensure the safety and reliability of power lines in light of new federal regulations.
While Dominion recognizes the importance of the W&OD Trail as a community asset, they maintain a responsibility to ensure that the electrical grid remains reliable for “hundreds of thousands of people across Northern Virginia.”
Community and media relations manager Aisha Khan noted that in March, Dominion agreed to reassess its tree-clearing plans in the trail corridor extending from Loudoun County to Arlington under pressure from local officials and residents.
In May, NOVA Parks Executive Director Paul Gilbert expressed optimism over ongoing talks, suggesting both parties were making headway toward a new agreement.
However, in June, Dominion informed the public that it would remove over 100 trees in Herndon, Loudoun, and Arlington that could threaten the electrical grid.
Khan also stated that Dominion’s focus remains on the selective trimming and removal of overgrown, dead, or diseased trees that pose risks to power lines.
“We’ve met with NOVA Parks and county arborists on numerous occasions to review our plans before executing the work, ensuring proactive communication with both the community and local media,” Khan said in her statement.
Despite this, NOVA Parks refuted that their staff had requested or supported the recent tree removals.
The rally aims to raise awareness about the implications of the tree removal, such as the spread of invasive plants in the cleared zones, while also celebrating the significance of the W&OD Trail in the community.
Kevin O’Brien, Virginia Organizer for the Washington Area Bicyclist Association, stated, “The trail is an incredibly important community resource — it’s where thousands of people congregate and recreate each week, it’s how they get to school and to work.”
O’Brien lamented Dominion’s apparent disregard for the trail, expressing hope that the visible community support at the rally will prompt the company to reconsider its actions.
Both Dominion and NOVA Parks confirmed their ongoing negotiations regarding a new vegetation management agreement.
Khan affirmed, “The agreement will include plans to re-plant native trees, shrubs, and pollinator habitats along the Trail.”
She expressed confidence in reaching an agreement that would promote the long-term stewardship of the Trail in the upcoming weeks.
After NOVA Parks sent an initial draft agreement in late April, Gilbert revealed that the organization received feedback from Dominion less than two weeks ago, which he described as a positive step.
While expressing satisfaction at the dialogue, Gilbert stated that the two parties are still quite far apart on some terms of the agreement.
NOVA Parks proposed restoration requirements any time five trees with an 8-inch diameter are cut from a 2,500-square-foot area, but Dominion countered with a requirement of 10 trees measuring 16 inches in diameter — a standard that is likely to be rarely met, according to Gilbert.
Despite the distance still between the two sides, Gilbert emphasized the importance of being in discussions.
“However, we’re not at a point where Dominion’s responses provide meaningful protection for the natural resources, and we are hoping to reach that point,” he added.
Although NOVA Parks did not organize the rally, Gilbert appreciates the community’s involvement.
“We’re thrilled that they have stepped up and want to send a strong message to Dominion that the natural resources must be protected,” Gilbert concluded.
image source from：ffxnow
