THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, January 17, 1995 TAG: 9501170016
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A10 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Short : 38 lines
I read with interest the article concerning the ``Citizens for Solutions'' workshop to be held in Virginia Beach on Jan. 18 (``Citizens group seeks park-access solution,'' news, Jan. 1). The stated purpose of the meeting is to find a solution to the access issue between False Cape State Park and the Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge. While we encourage all interested Virginians to attend, forgive us if we are a bit skeptical about the outcome.
Virginia's state government has been negotiating with the refuge for nearly 30 years. Contrary to what some would have us believe, this conflict is not of the Allen administration's making. We do hold out hope, however slim, that this workshop will uncover some solutions not previously proposed, researched, discussed, studied again and finally rejected.
That the workshop is being sponsored by the local Sierra Club and Audubon Society chapter also increases our skepticism. It was the national Sierra's and Audubons' agreement with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service that has been cited repeatedly as the reason the False Cape restrictions were enforced.
Obviously, there would be a natural inclination for these groups to side with their national leadership and the federal government on this issue. We trust that their spokesman was correct when he stated that the two groups ``don't have a political ax to grind.'' Their opening the workshop to the general public is a good-faith sign that they are striving to reach a balanced and equitable solution.
H. KIRBY BURCH, director
Department of Conservation and Recreation
Richmond, Jan. 5, 1995 by CNB