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Stafford supervisors direct county to maintain Acquia Landing parcel pending tribal documentation
Summary
After debate about missing tribal records requested in May, the board voted unanimously to have Stafford County Parks maintain a 6.5‑acre parcel near Aquia Landing (approx. $4,500/year) while staff continues to seek documentation from the tribe and returns with new information.
The Stafford County Board of Supervisors voted Nov. 8 to have county Parks and Recreation maintain a 6.5‑acre county parcel near Aquia Landing rather than immediately approve a long lease with a local tribe. Chair Deontay Diggs and parks staff told the board the tribe had previously proposed a 10‑year lease with two five‑year renewals limited to cultural, educational and community purposes and that, under that proposal, the tribe would maintain the site. Parks estimated county maintenance would cost about $4,500 a year.
Board members recalled a May 20 motion that conditioned any lease renewal on the tribe providing specific family, church and land records. Supervisor Allen and others said staff had not received the documentation the board requested in May. After discussion about the procedural limits of returning the item without the requested material, the board approved a substitute motion to have Stafford County assume maintenance and programming of the parcel until staff receives documentation that meets the board's prior direction; the substitute passed unanimously.
Supporters of the county‑maintenance option said it prevents the property from remaining “in limbo” while staff continues to seek records. Supervisor Bohnke noted the county could cover the estimated maintenance cost from the Board of Supervisors budget if needed. Several board members and staff emphasized that if the tribe later provides the documentation required for the May motion, the matter may be brought back for the board to reconsider and potentially authorize a public hearing on a lease.
The action is a management decision rather than a final conveyance or lease. Staff said it will continue outreach to the tribe, document any materials received, and return to the board for further direction if the tribe supplies the records the board previously requested.
The board made the vote on the substitute motion during the Nov. 8 meeting; it was approved unanimously.
