Wilderness Crossing

aerial of wildnerness crossing property with mine icon overlay
Aerial image of the Wilderness Crossing site across from the Sheetz and McDonald’s at the Rt. 3/Rt. 20 intersection in Orange County. Photo by Hugh Kenny, PEC.


Wilderness Crossing is an approved 2,600-acre rezoning and proposed development in Orange County near the intersection of Rt. 3 and Rt. 20 adjacent to Wilderness Battlefield and across from Lake of the Woods. On April 25, 2023, the Orange County Board of Supervisors voted 4-1 to approve the rezoning request, making it the largest land rezoning in County history.

In addition to concerns about industrial development (data centers and distribution centers), taxes, infrastructure (water and sewer), traffic, and habitat fragmentation, Wilderness Crossing is also the site of numerous unreclaimed gold mines—essentially, mines that have never been closed off and cleaned up of contaminants such as mercury, arsenic, cadmium and lead. The largest mine on the property, called the Vaucluse mine, was at one time considered for potential inclusion as an EPA Superfund site. Since it was never cleaned up, the tailings pit is likely still leaching toxic chemicals into Shotgun Hill Branch today and is an expected source of contamination in Wilderness Run, and ultimately, the Rapidan and Rappahannock rivers. PEC recommends that Orange County seriously consider how the toxic legacy of gold mining at this location could impact the health, safety and welfare of future residents and downstream communities.

PEC has been following the Wilderness Crossing proposal since the application was first submitted by developer KEG Associates III in March of 2021. Along with our partners in the Wilderness Battlefield Coalition, we will continue to monitor this project closely to keep local residents informed and to push the County for rigorous review of any related, future permits or requests as the developer moves forward.

Keep reading…

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screenshot of legal challenge

Piedmont Environmental Council supports legal challenge to Orange County Wilderness Crossing rezoning

On May 24, 2023, the American Battlefield Trust, Central Virginia Battlefields Trust, Inc., Friends of Wilderness Battlefield, Inc., and a number of Orange County and Spotsylvania County residents filed a legal challenge to the recent approval by the Orange County Board of Supervisors of the rezoning of 2,600 acres in ...
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an audience in a board room

Recap of the Wilderness Crossing Vote

Thank you to all who came to speak out against Wilderness Crossing at last Tuesday’s public hearing. It was a great showing of community engagement and democracy in action despite the discouraging outcome ...
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Wilderness Crossing Board of Supervisors Public Hearing Tomorrow

Wilderness Crossing Board of Supervisors Public Hearing Tomorrow

Please consider joining your neighbors and groups like PEC in person to be seen and heard at the public hearing. You can also submit written comments to the Board of Supervisors until noon on Tuesday.  ...
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aerial of wildnerness crossing property with mine icon overlay

Decision Time Nears for Wilderness Crossing Rezoning

On April 6, the Planning Commission voted 3-2 to recommend approval of the project. The decision now rests with the Board of Supervisors, which will hold its own public hearing on the proposed Wilderness Crossing rezoning on April 25 ...
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Planning Commission Defers Vote on Wilderness Crossing to April 6

Planning Commission Defers Vote on Wilderness Crossing to April 6

Thank you to everyone who attended last Thursday’s public hearing on Wilderness Crossing ...
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aerial of wildnerness crossing property with mine icon overlay

March 23: Public Hearing on Wilderness Crossing

It is critically important that County decisionmakers hear from you before they vote on this impactful proposal ...
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aerial of wildnerness crossing property with mine icon overlay

Planning Commission Public Hearing on Wilderness Crossing Set for March 23

Even after 18 months, it is still unclear what the applicant has planned for the 2,618 acres of land included in the Wilderness Crossing rezoning proposal — still unremediated of toxic hazards from historic gold mining activities. The details have continued to change, and most recently, the number of homes ...
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aerial photo of orange county where wilderness crossing is proposed

Orange County Planning Commission Questions Wilderness Crossing Developer at Recent Work Sessions

The Orange County Planning Commission held three work sessions (January 5 and 19, February 9) on Wilderness Crossing. A fourth is scheduled for Thursday, February 16 ...
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SELC & PEC Joint Letter to Orange County Planning Commission

SELC & PEC Joint Letter to Orange County Planning Commission

Read our joint letter with the Southern Environmental Law Center in advance of the Orange County Planning Commission's third work session on REZ 22-03, Wilderness Crossing. While the applicant’s current proffer language agreeing to 'enter' DEQ's Voluntary Remediation Program represents some positive movement (as recently as September, the applicant was ...
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Wilderness Battlefield Coalition Letter to Orange County Planning Commission

Wilderness Battlefield Coalition Letter to Orange County Planning Commission

Read the Wilderness Battlefield Coalition’s letter in advance of the Orange County Planning Commission's third work session on REZ 22-03, Wilderness Crossing ...
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