Sen. Webb Files Bill To Expand Petersburg Park
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Jim Webb (D-Va.) introduced the “Petersburg National Boundary Modification Act” to protect an additional 7,200 acres of historic battlefields. The expansion would more than triple the park’s size and make Petersburg National Battlefield the country’s largest military park. Webb’s press release said the legislation would give the National Park Service (NPS) authority to acquire 12 surrounding battlefields, totaling 7,200 acres. The park’s General Management Plan in 2005 recommended such an expansion. Webb noted that Petersburg saw nearly one quarter of the Civil War fought in its surrounding area. “Next year marks the 150th anniversary of the Civil War, and this legislation serves as an appropriate and timely means to commemorate this significant historical event,” he said. He noted that the 154,000 annual visitors to Petersburg National Battlefield generate more than $9 million in local revenue. “For this reason, the legislation is important to our continuing efforts to spur tourism and new jobs in Petersburg and the surrounding communities.” Webb said much of this Petersburg land is susceptible to industrial and residential development. He is a longtime advocate for Civil War battlefield preservation and federal funding for land preservation. In 2009, he championed the Civil War Battlefield Preservation Act, which renewed The America Battlefield Protection Program. He co-sponsored the Journey Through Hallowed Ground National Heritage Area Act to preserve a 175-mile area from Gettysburg to Charlottesville. Last October Webb introduced legislation to establish a Civil War sesquicentennial commemorative commission.
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