|
For
Immediate Release
June 24, 2003
FEDERAL PRESERVATION AGENCY
TO HOLD PUBLIC HEARING AT CHANCELLORSVILLE
(Chancellorsville,
Va.) - On Tuesday, July 1, 2003, the Advisory Council
for Historic Preservation (ACHP) will host a public hearing
to address a controversial development proposal at Chancellorsville
Battlefield. ACHP is an independent Federal agency that promotes
preservation and advises the President and Congress on national
historic preservation policy.
The Army
Corps of Engineers is currently considering a permit that
would allow development of the 273-acre Orrock Tract - the
northern third of the 790-acre Mullins Farm and a key part
of the Chancellorsville Battlefield Historic District. In
March, the Spotsylvania County Board of Supervisors voted
6-to-0 against a plan to develop the entire Mullins Farm.
The Mullins Farm (including the Orrock Tract) was the scene
of the opening clash of the May 1863 battle of Chancellorsville.
Recently,
the Army Corps decided to "terminate consultations"
on the Orrock Tract development permit. This unusual step,
rarely invoked by the Army Corps, slams the door on further
public input about the project. As a result of the Army Corps'
decision, ACHP concluded that a hearing was necessary to keep
the public engaged in the process.
The hearing
will begin at 6:30 p.m. in the Massaponax High School auditorium,
8201 Jefferson Davis Highway (U.S. Route 1), Spotsylvania,
Va. Representatives of the Coalition to Save Chancellorsville
will be available throughout the evening to comment on the
proceedings. For directions and additional information, visit
our website at www.chancellorsville.org.
WHAT:
ACHP Hearing on Chancellorsville Battlefield
WHEN:
Tuesday, July 1, 2003 at 6:30 p.m.
WHERE:
Massaponax High School Auditorium, 8201 Jefferson Davis Highway
(U.S. Route 1), Spotsylvania, Va.
The Coalition
to Save Chancellorsville Battlefield is an informal group
of 12 national and local preservation, conservation and civic
groups representing more than 600,000 members nationwide.
The coalition is dedicated to preserving and protecting Chancellorsville
battlefield. Its website is located at www.chancellorsville.org.
###
Contact:
Jim Campi of the Civil War Preservation Trust at 202-367-1861.
|
