Conservation Group Ends Bid to Oversee Silver Lake

The Bull Run Mountains Conservancy's decision to drop out of negotiations over Silver Lake after a two-year stalemate leaves one option on the table.

The Prince William County Park Authority has the sole proposal to take over the 230 acres of parkland, commonly referred to as Silver Lake. The land, in the western end of Prince William, is often called the county's environmental jewel.

"The cost of getting it open is a budget issue at this point," Supervisor W.S. Covington III (R-Brentsville) said, referring to the county's anticipated $190 million shortfall in the upcoming fiscal year. "The question is, does it become a priority?"

Some preservation groups applaud the authority's decision to resubmit its proposal last month, in hopes that the park could open as soon as this winter. Others say that the authority's rejection of a compromise with the conservancy might cost the county $1.6 million in upfront cost, $215,000 a year in park maintenance expenses and an additional 270 acres of adjacent land.

The Board of County Supervisors has kept the park closed while examining proposals from three recreational entities to care for the land, donated by Toll Brothers in 2006. It is the largest park proffer ever received by the county and is valued at about $3 million.

"We didn't want to be the reason Silver Lake isn't open to the public," said Michael Kieffer, the conservancy's executive director. "So we, regrettably, agreed that the best thing to do would be to withdraw the proposal."

In a letter to the supervisors late last month, Kieffer removed the group's proposal from consideration. Continued involvement by the conservancy would only keep the park closed longer, he said.

In September of last year, supervisors directed the Park Authority and the conservancy to strengthen their proposals and come up with a plan that included more partnerships.

Both groups' proposals focused on passive recreation, such as hiking trails, horse trails, camping, swimming and non-motorized boating. The plans also included environmental education. The Park Authority's proposal called for $215,000 annually from the county for operational costs.

The conservancy's proposal required the county to transfer the land to the group in order to raise matching grant funds. It also committed 270 acres of adjoining property.

In the most recent negotiations, the Park Authority would have received the southern portion of the property, including Silver Lake itself. The northern portion would have been transferred to the conservancy.

But in September, the Park Authority voted to stick with its original proposal, essentially rejecting a compromise.