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Arlington Board demands Dominion reconsider clear‑cutting along W&OD Trail; resolution passes unanimously
Summary
After testimony from Nova Parks, the County Board approved a resolution urging Dominion Energy to stop or modify its clear‑cutting along the Washington & Old Dominion Trail and to recommit to the 2005 memorandum of understanding; the board vote was unanimous.
The Arlington County Board on March 18 adopted a resolution asking Dominion Energy to reconsider recent clear‑cutting of trees along the Washington & Old Dominion (W&OD) Trail and to follow past practices of targeted pruning and coordinated replanting.
Paul Ferguson, Arlington—s appointed member to the regional park authority (Nova Parks), told the board that Dominion had previously worked with park staff to prune trees rather than conducting widespread clear‑cuts. "We'd like them to reconsider their policy because, in the past, they've been able to effectively prune the trees … certainly not clear cutting them all," Ferguson said, urging county officials to use their influence.
Ferguson said Nova Parks hopes Dominion will commit to a replanting program if tree removal is necessary and that the authority had tried to negotiate privately before elevating the matter. He described a recent clear‑cutting episode in Loudoun County and warned that similar work was planned to move into Arlington.
Board members voiced alarm and called for quick outreach to Dominion. County staff and Nova Parks said they had already contacted regional officials and planned further briefings. "Although they have every right legally to do this, there's things that they're certainly going to be asking of you as an Arlington County government," one board member said during the discussion.
The clerk recorded a motion to approve the resolution; the board approved it unanimously. Chair Takis Karantonis asked staff to convey the board—s action to Nova Parks and indicated county officials would follow up with Dominion and state legislators as needed.
