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Public urges Reston Association to press Dominion over W&OD Trail clear‑cutting
Summary
During member comments and later CEO remarks, community members and Supervisor Walter Alcorn described large-scale tree clearing by Dominion along the W&OD Trail and urged Reston Association to seek outreach, replanting plans and long‑term maintenance measures.
Members of the public and board members pressed Reston Association on March 13 after reports that Dominion Energy is clear‑cutting vegetation along the Washington & Old Dominion (W&OD) Trail corridor through northern Virginia, including sections adjacent to Reston.
At a member‑comment period, Eric Oplarude, a member of Reston’s Environmental Advisory Council and Fairfax’s Environmental Quality Advisory Council, said Dominion “is clear cutting and has planning to clear cut … not only from Vienna to Reston, but probably all the way out nearly to Leesburg,” and that the work so far includes cutting trees “without a commitment at this point for doing anything about what’s gonna happen to the disturbed land.” He said that work creates a corridor vulnerable to invasive species and “a mess that’s being left behind.”
Supervisor Walter Alcorn told the board he and regional officials have raised concerns with Dominion and that, based on meetings, Dominion is exercising its easement rights but appears to be shifting policy from selective trimming to broad clear cutting. “For the first time, Dominion is choosing to clear cut miles along the W&OD Trail, also right through the heart of Reston,” Alcorn said. He added that the county and local jurisdictions are seeking “some reasonable accommodation,” including replanting lower‑growing trees and creating habitat‑friendly plantings where possible.
Board members and residents urged immediate public outreach and mapping of the easement boundaries so adjacent homeowners and Reston Association (RA) staff can verify crews are working only within easements. Board members emphasized the need for Dominion to provide maps and notifications to nearby residents and requested RA staff coordinate communications with county and town officials.
CEO Mac Cummins said RA staff learned of the clearing only shortly before and had begun coordinating communications and outreach; he said staff would work with Supervisor Alcorn’s office and county staff to press for better public notification and to explore options for advocating replanting of native shrubs and low trees to preserve habitat and visual buffers.
The discussion did not include any formal vote or directive to enter into contracts; board members said they expected ongoing coordination with county staff and Supervisor Alcorn’s office and would monitor follow‑up reports from staff in coming weeks.
Ending: Board members asked staff to continue outreach and to report back with any formal requests from Dominion or the county and with recommended next steps for RA involvement in communications and possible replanting advocacy.
