HB 557

Abstract

Northern Virginia Transportation Authority;preservation of public parklands, recreation areas, and wildlifeor waterfowl refuges. Requires the Northern Virginia TransportationAuthority to prioritize the preservation of the natural beauty andthe natural resources of the countryside and public park and recreationlands within the localities embraced by the Authority and prohibitsthe Authority from approving any program or project that requiresthe use of any publicly owned land from a (i) public park; (ii)recreation area; or (iii) wildlife or waterfowl refuge of national,statewide, or local significance as determined by the local governingbody of any locality having jurisdiction over such wildlife or waterfowlrefuge unless (a) there is no feasible and prudent alternative tothe use of such land and (b) such program or project includes allpossible planning to minimize harm to such park, recreation area,or wildlife or waterfowl refuge resulting from such use.