The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a resolution during its March 18 supervisors meeting that addressed Dominion Energy's clear-cutting of trees on the W&OD Trail. NOVA Parks owns and operates the 45-mile long, 100-foot-wide park, with Dominion Energy transmission lines on 33 of the 45 miles.
Supervisor Walter Alcorn (D-Hunter Mill) read the resolution requesting that Dominion Energy consider selective pruning and replanting.
“The W&OD is a park and one of the most popular parks in our region, with nearly 3 million uses a year,” said Paul Gilbert, Executive Director of NOVA Parks. “We are very concerned that Dominion seems ready to cut most of the trees on all 33 miles of trail that have powerlines overhead. We would like Dominion to stop the cutting now, adopt a selective pruning standard as they have used for decades, and engage in robust habitat restoration where cutting is necessary.”
Beth Meyer, co-owner of Green Lizard Cycling, located steps from the W&OD, said, “I use the trail in Herndon on a daily basis and other parts of the trail on a regular basis. I haven’t read anything about the reasons for the clear cutting rather than selective pruning as outlined in the Resolution. I hope that a compromise can be reached to reduce the number of trees cut. The trees are important for many reasons as noted in the resolution as well as providing shade for trail users.”
“I support the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors’ resolution urging more selective pruning and replanting as the W&OD Trail and its natural elements are vital to Herndon’s beauty, identity, environmental health and community enjoyment. I am closely monitoring Dominion Energy’s plans and am working closely with Town staff regarding any potential impacts,” said Keven LeBlanc, mayor of the Town of Herndon.
Since November 2024, officials have reacted with alarm to Dominion Energy clear-cutting shrubs and trees on a wide swath of the W&OD Trail from Vienna to Dunn Loring.
On Feb. 6, 2025, Del. Holly Seibold sent a letter to Edward Baine, president of Dominion.
Seibold took Dominion Energy to task for its “decision to move forward with extensive tree-cutting along the Washington & Old Dominion (W&OD) Trail without a comprehensive plan to mitigate the environmental and canopy damage this plan has, and will continue to cause.”
“Dominion's rejection of the 2005 Memorandum of Understanding on vegetative management is extremely unfortunate. Even more unfortunate is Dominion’s decision to decline NOVA Parks' proposal to replant native grasses, flowers, and shrubs to establish pollinator habitats, citing the ongoing financial support required to implement this plan,” Siebold added. While Dominion offered a one-time donation, the amount fell “significantly short of what is needed to address the environmental damage caused by these actions.”
Siebold urged Dominion Energy “to reconsider its position and work collaboratively with NOVA Parks to reaffirm a vegetative management agreement and/or approve NOVA Parks’ proposed plan for native replanting with adequate financial support.”