PEC has helped landowners permanently protect over 430,000 acres of rural or natural land. Conservation Easements help ensure that the Virginia Piedmont is always characterized by its open spaces, healthy environment, and cultural resources.
The House Finance Committee takes up the bill on Wednesday. Please take a moment to send in a letter!
Dear Supporter,
Last week, we reached out to you about the urgent need for data center reform. Today, we have a historic opportunity to take that conversation a step further—by ensuring the booming data center industry contributes directly to the protection of the Virginia landscapes we love.
Our landscapes and natural resources anchor Virginia’s agriculture, tourism, and forestry industries, and the natural landscapes that shape our history, offer outdoor recreation opportunities, provide clean water and air, and support healthy ecosystems. However, programs in Virginia that protect our great outdoors are chronically underfunded.
For years, Virginia has lagged near the bottom of the nation in conservation funding, with only about 1% of the state budget dedicated to protecting our natural resources. The lack of sufficient long-term funding means the Commonwealth has not kept up with the demand for parks, trails, and open lands. Historic sites have gone unprotected. Farms and forest lands are at risk of development. And more assistance is needed for landowners who want to conserve their properties.
A full 70% of Virginians support increased public spending on conservation—now we just need the General Assembly to act. This landmark legislation would create a tax on data centers to support land conservation, generating at least $250 million annually in dedicated funding. This is a permanent investment in:
State Parks & Public Lands: Addressing deferred maintenance and funding new parks;
Working Lands: Protecting the farms and forests that drive our rural economies;
Historic Preservation: Saving the sites that tell Virginia’s story, including creating a new Virginia Tribal Commitment Fund;
Wildlife: Funding wildlife crossings and protecting critical habitat;
Trails: Expanding the regional trail networks that connect our communities.
The clock is ticking. During their meeting Wednesday at 12 p.m. we expect the House Finance Committee to vote on whether to send their version of the bill (HB641) to the full House. Meanwhile, progress has stalled in the Senate; on Tuesday morning, the Senate Finance Resources Subcommittee voted to “carry over” the Senate version of the bill (SB393), delaying its consideration until next year.
Legislators need to know that their constituents prioritize clean air, clean water, and open space over unchecked development.
From the Piedmont’s open space, to the forests of Southwest Virginia and the coastlines of the Eastern Shore, everyone benefits from statewide efforts to protect more of Virginia’s lands and waters. People and communities are healthier when we have ample, easy access to the outdoors. Together, we have a chance to ensure that access for our children and grandchildren.
Please urge/encourage your legislator to help protect more of Virginia’s lands and waters by supporting this legislation. Thank you in advance for weighing in!
P.S. This effort is part of a broad coalition called Our Virginia Outdoors. Together, we are fighting to ensure that as Virginia grows, our natural heritage is preserved for generations to come.
The Piedmont Environmental Council and the Coalition for Smarter Growth are proud to have co-authored six of the 47 briefing papers in Virginia Conservation Network’s Our 2026 Common Agenda Environmental Briefing Book…
PEC’s Lauria McShane and other members of the Virginia Grassland Bird Initiative team are busy this fall and winter installing kestrel boxes across our landscape.
Nestled on the eastern slope of Saddleback Mountain, a small cottage in the woods has been a family retreat for sisters Gayle and Cathy Soloe for decades, since their father first purchased the 89-acre parcel adjacent to Shenandoah National Park in 1958.
Entering its fifth year, the Virginia Grassland Bird Initiative is a collaborative effort of The Piedmont Environmental Council, Smithsonian’s Virginia Working Landscapes, Quail Forever, American Farmland Trust, and Shenandoah Valley Conservancy working together with landowners and farmers to restore grassland habitat using “regenerative” agricultural practices tested by farmers and researchers alike, proving to benefit both birds and agricultural operations. Funded by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, VGBI provides tools and technical assistance and pays farmers up to $35 per acre in exchange for: 1) delaying the first cut of hay until July 1 or later; and/or 2) rotating livestock out of select fields between April 15 and July 1 or later. Farmers can learn more about the program and apply at: vagrasslandbirds.org/incentives/.
VGBI was formed in response to the 53% decline in the 60 species of native grassland birds that have adopted hayfields and pasturelands as surrogate habitat as native grasslands have suffered more intense impact by humans than any other land-based ecosystem in North America. Since 2021, 57 farmers have formally enrolled over 3,600 acres of land into the financial incentives program, while another 37 have participated voluntarily, without the financial incentives, adding another 3,700 acres of land supporting nesting grassland birds.
“Delayed haying until at least July 1 is a game change for birds, because it allows them to fledge at least one successful clutch of young. But it also lets producers strategically spread out labor requirements during the hay cutting season, and the higher fiber, more mature hay resulting from delayed haying is good for feeding dry cows, horses, and retired animals, as well as for mushroom hay and bedding,” said Lauria McShane, PEC’s VGBI assistant.
Rotating livestock out of certain fields in early spring is called summer pasture stockpiling, and it “bridges the summer dormancy gap by providing standing forage in late summer without the risk and expense of planting summer annuals. Stockpiling also allows fields to rest for fall or winter stockpiling with the goal of reducing the days that hay is fed and, therefore, reducing annual feed cost,” McShane said.
On Francis McGuigan’s farm in Greene County, “the results were dramatic,” he said, pointing out a flock of at least 30 goldfinches perched atop vegetation enjoying seedheads from the field on a recent check-in with McShane that’s part of the incentives program. He said that in the past, he’d only see a couple of goldfinches fly over the field in any given year. “Not only did the bird population increase, but so did the insect, small mammal and amphibian populations. We saw and heard the results all summer. I’m proud that my small farm is supporting ecosystem expansion and resilience through VGBI’s summer pasture stockpiling program,” McGuigan said.
In Albemarle County, Michelle McKenzie enrolled Bellair Farm in both the delayed haying and summer pasture stockpiling programs in 2024. The increase in grassland birds has been so significant that McKenzie has hosted bird walks with the Virginia Society of Ornithology’s Piedmont Bird Club. “I would absolutely recommend this program to others. Interacting with the VGBI staff has also provided networking opportunities and discussions about other programs that we’re getting involved in,” McKenzie said. Those include four kestrel boxes and a barn owl box, which McShan monitors in spring and summer.
Monte Vista Farm in Greene County had 295 enrolled in VGBI’s delayed haying incentive program this summer, while another 40 acres on the outskirts of the hayfields have been converted into pollinator fields. “Happily, the new owners of Monte Vista Farm have the property primarily for wildlife habitat, and they’re already committed to delayed haying for the entire property going forward,” McShane said.
Producers can meet Virginia’s grassland birds and learn more about best management practices for birds, native plantings for quail, nesting boxes for American kestrel, streamside plantings for wildlife and water quality, and more at: https://www.vagrasslandbirds.org/resources/
The Piedmont Environmental Council (PEC) works to protect and restore the lands and waters of the Virginia Piedmont, while building stronger, more sustainable communities. Founded in 1972, PEC is a locally based, community-supported 501(c)3 nonprofit and accredited land trust. At the core of PEC’s approach is a focus on educating, engaging and empowering people to effect positive change in their communities.
his year’s annual gathering on June 8 – Inspiring Conservation – was a particularly special event at a truly magnificent property that is a shining example of how conservation and thoughtful land stewardship can align to support the community, agriculture and biodiversity.
The car in front of me swerved to miss something in the road. I slowed, watching a small creature make its slow, plodding way across the asphalt. As I got closer, I realized it was a tiny baby opossum. Three other babies had already been struck in the road, with no mother in sight.
It was a brisk morning in late January as I stood with a Fauquier County landowner. We leaned against a fence at the end of the site visit, discussing the coming tree planting projects at her property, when she said, “I want you to know that we’re a team. Whether it’s today as we’re standing here, tomorrow, or the next day, we’re in this together.”
Sign the Change.org petition urging VDOT to reconsider its proposal to replace and significantly widen the I-66 bridge at Broad Run, which would put the historic Chapman-Beverley Mill at risk of significant, irreversible damage!
A proposal from the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) would replace and significantly widen the I-66 bridge at Broad Run, leading to potentially disastrous implications for historic Chapman-Beverley Mill, as well as the Broad Run-Little Georgetown Rural Historic District and the surrounding area.
We are urging community members and those who share our concerns about this issue to attend VDOT’s upcoming public hearing on Thursday, May 29, 2025 and/or submit written comments to voice your opinion and commitment to protect these precious historical landmarks and conservation lands from the unnecessary and costly development of VDOT’s proposal.
Scroll down for hearing info and location, as well as how to submit written comments.
Background
Aerial view of I-66 bridge (the ends of which appear as lighter bands of concrete in the photo) at Broad Run and the Chapman-Beverley Mill. Photo credit: Hugh Kenny, PEC
In summer 2023, VDOT approached PEC about its proposed replacement of the bridge “superstructure” for the portion of Interstate 66 that crosses over Broad Run, directly in front of the Chapman-Beverley Mill. (A superstructure is the elevated portion of the bridge where cars drive. Here is another example of a superstructure project in Virginia, and here is more general information about superstructures).
VDOT’s new proposal would significantly widen the shoulders on both sides of the bridge by 30 feet, supposedly intended as pull-off areas for trucks and breakdowns.
Graphic from VDOT presentation showing the widening of the bridge. (Click the image to expand)
That hearing will take place on Thursday, May 29 in Marshall, VA.
VDOT Public Hearing Info
When:Thursday, May 29, 5 – 7 p.m. (Inclement weather date: June 5, 2025) Where: Marshall Community Center, 4133-A Rectortown Road, Marshall, VA 20115 What you can do: 1. Speak at the public hearing if you can, and/or 2. Submit written comments to VDOT by June 9: • Print and fill out the comment form and mail it (mailing address listed on the form). You can also drop off the comment letter at the public hearing. • Email comments to Mr. Kevin Barnholt, Project Manager, Virginia Department of Transportation at [email protected]. Please reference “Interstate 66 Bridge Over Broad Run Comment” in the subject line.
With multiple groups raising concerns and the potential loss of irreplaceable historical landmarks, it’s clear that additional discussions are needed to ensure that this thoroughfare is protected from further harm, both now and in the future.
PEC position: Just the existing bridge structure should be repaired, as originally planned, and the bridge should not be fully replaced and certainly not widened.
Sign the Change.org petitionurging VDOT to reconsider its proposal to replace and significantly widen the I-66 bridge at Broad Run, which would put the historic Chapman-Beverley Mill at risk of significant, irreversible damage!
Talking Points
We urge those who share our concerns to attend the upcoming public hearing on May 29 and/or submit comments to VDOT by June 9, 2025 to express your opposition to VDOT’s new proposal to replace and significantly widen the bridge, which would have potentially disastrous implications for the Chapman-Beverley Mill.
Below are key points you should know about the proposed bridge expansion. In addition, we have provided alink to download more talking pointsfor use when providing input, which include additional details on VDOT’s proposal and our concerns about the potential impacts to the Chapman-Beverley Mill, Broad Run-Little Georgetown Rural Historic District and the surrounding area.
Here’s what you need to know:
Under the original 2023 proposal, all work would have occurred within the existing footprint, and VDOT stated there would not be a significant increase in the bridge’s width. The new plan, which calls for full replacement of the bridge and its support structure, is costly and unnecessary, and would have much more drastic implications. Specifically:
Such a replacement will require new pilings and new foundations to be installed, which may require blasting or other excavation impacts. Foundation work near the fragile Chapman-Beverley Mill structure would create vibrations that could put the Mill at risk of significant, irreversible damage.
Widening I-66 by 60 feet directly in front of the mill will put the mill at risk.
In addition, new shoulders and approaches would be required, all of which will increase the proposed impacts of the new bridge.
VDOT hasn’t addressed the impact on the mill of the construction process and the finished product, as well as vibrations from traffic that will be closer to the Mill once the wider bridge is complete.
Because the VDOT bridge project is federally-funded and has a potential impact on historic properties listed on the National Register of Historic Places, it invokes Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act. Section 106 requires VDOT to identify and assess effects on historic properties, consider alternatives to avoid or mitigate any adverse effects, and designate affected stakeholders as consulting parties to provide public input and recommendations on the project.
VDOT has made a Determination of “No Adverse Effect” and sought agreement from the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR). This determination of no adverse effect is the result of the Section 106 hearing.
PEC asked DHR not to concur with VDOT’s determination and to request that the bridge replacement proposal’s impacts be reevaluated and that lower impact, more cost effective alternatives be pursued. In response, DHR sent this letter to VDOT outlining its concerns about the potential negative impacts of the bridge replacement and related work on the Chapman-Beverley Mill.
Although VDOT sent this letter in response to DHR’s letter and questions, its response does not sufficiently address concerns about the long-term impacts of the wider bridge on the mill or ongoing long-term maintenance requirements and costs as well as other matters.
Furthermore, shoulders on bridges are not preferred locations for vehicles to pull off. The bridge replacement and expansion opens the door to a wider I-66 and for the shoulders to eventually become travel lanes in the future, which would put traffic even closer to the historic Chapman-Beverley Mill.
View/download additional talking points on the Broad Run/Chapman-Beverley Mill bridge expansion by clicking below.
