Webb’s Bill On Petersburg Boundary Expansion Heard
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Sen. Jim Webb’s legislation, the Petersburg National Battlefield Boundary Modification Act (S.2953), to expand and preserve Civil War battlefields in Virginia, received a hearing before the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on National Parks on May 19. Noting “The conflicts at Petersburg were the most extensive and complex battles of the entire war,” Webb said that Civil War battlefields have personal significance for him, since he had ancestors on both sides, and he will continue efforts to ensure they are preserved for future generations. Webb’s bill has three components: • Provides Congressional authority to the National Park Service (NPS) for a 7,200-acre boundary expansion of Petersburg National Battlefield as recommended by the National Park Service’s 2005 Final General Management Plan. • Authorizes the Secretary of Interior and the Secretary of the Army to move forward with a small exchange of land (approximately 1.17 acres/each) between the Petersburg National Battlefield and the Fort Lee Military Reservation adjacent to the park to be managed in accordance with all department and agency laws. • Provides authority to the Secretary of Interior to acquire and receive donations of land from willing sellers as authorized by the new 7,200-acre boundary expansion. In a press release Webb said high growth in surrounding counties has led to development projects that threaten the Petersburg National Battlefield. “Significant portions of nationally significant battlefields related to the Petersburg Campaign have already been lost with development of an industrial park, a steel recycling plant and residential housing,” he said. The National Park Service recommended a 7,200-acre boundary expansion to protect significant core battlefield areas. The proposed expansion would make the Petersburg National Battlefield the largest military park in the United States, according to Webb. The NPS presently owns 2,659 acres. Another 2,300 acres have been pre-acquired by partners in the expansion area. Average park annual visitation is more than 154,000 people who spend $9 million. Webb said the park sustains 170 local jobs. Rep. Randy Forbes (R-VA) has introduced companion legislation in the House, H.R. 3388, the Petersburg Boundary Expansion legislation.
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