SVBF Submits Comments on VDOT's Final Plan for I-81

Letter focuses on incomplete evaluation of impact on historic resources

For immediate release — December 13, 2007
Contact: Howard J. Kittell (SVBF Executive Director): 540-740-4545 x202

NEW MARKET, Va. — Today the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields Foundation submitted comments to the Virginia Department of Transportation regarding its final plan for improving Interstate 81, embodied in its Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) released in the spring and finalized in a record of decision (ROD) issued by the Federal Highway Administration in June.

The Battlefields Foundation’s comments focus on the incomplete evaluation of the impact of the plan on the National Historic District as a whole as well as the individual Civil War battlefields bisected by the interstate.  The Foundation is concerned that the incomplete analysis of the region-wide impact on historic resources will result in a failure to consider less destructive transportation alternatives for the corridor.  The organization is requesting that a supplemental environmental impact statement be prepared to address the inadequate analysis in the FEIS.

A copy of the Foundation’s letter (4 mb) may be downloaded using the link below. For a copy of the enclosures sent with the letter, please contact Elizabeth Stern at the Battlefields Foundation: 540-740-4545 x205 or epstern(at)svbf.net.

--------------------------------

As authorized by the U.S. Secretary of the Interior, the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields Foundation serves as the non-profit manager of the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields National Historic District, partnering with local, regional, and national organizations and governments to preserve the Valley’s battlefields and interpret and promote the region’s Civil War story.

Created by Congress in 1996, the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields National Historic District encompasses Augusta , Clarke, Frederick , Highland , Page, Rockingham, Shenandoah, and Warren counties in Virginia and the cities of Harrisonburg , Staunton , Waynesboro , and Winchester .  The legislation authorizes federal funding for the protection of ten battlefields in the District: Second Winchester, Third Winchester, Second Kernstown, Cedar Creek, Fisher’s Hill, Tom’s Brook, New Market, Cross Keys, Port Republic , and McDowell.

--------------------------------

ON THE WEB:

Shenandoah Valley Battlefields Foundation and
Shenandoah Valley Battlefields National Historic District:
www.ShenandoahAtWar.org

National Park Service 1992 study of the Shenandoah Valley ’s Civil War battlefields:
http://www.cr.nps.gov/hps/abpp/shenandoah/svs0-1.html

VDOT I-81 Information:
www.i-81.org

###

Download the supporting file for this release