Judging from the previous thread, there’s some interest in discussing Lake Manassas. Go ahead and comment on this thread but I’m going to, hopefully by midweek, post a short history of how we got to where we are – there is a reasonable amount of misinformation out there and I think we need to reset the public debate from that standing.
!!UPDATE!! – The history has been delayed as the City Manager is on vacation. Out of anyone, he is the guy with the most knowledge of this so we’ll wait until he gets back!
August 10, 2009 at 10:46 am
I know having to work with the County and home owners are a stumbling block to access, but there is a history of cooperation with the County on any number of issues, shared services, etc. But for some reason there seems, or appears to be no effort to do that here.
Also, I know it’s slightly off topic, but why is the City not a member of the Northern VA park authority?
August 12, 2009 at 8:51 pm
COM, that is an interesting question about NVPA…even more so when it is turned to why is PWC not part of it? NVPA as many know is made up of the neighboring 3 counties and 3 cities and established (if I recall right) back in the 50s.
As for the City, I ponder if the reason is we are surrounded by “Big Brother” and our parks are relatively speaking on the small side?
August 12, 2009 at 8:55 pm
Raymond,
Yup. It may simply come down to cost. We’ll just have to wait for Andy to provide those answers.
August 13, 2009 at 1:14 pm
True, true…everything is looked at hard for cost. Still, in researching around issues for one of the local Commissions, the history of things makes for interesting discussion.
But back on track about the Lake: Andy, sure am looking forward to what you found out are the various reasons why. In the years since closed off, I have heard the pollution of powered boating issue, zebra muscles, unguarded swimming, and etc. etc. etc.
Hope you have found time to collect all the background! Thanks!
August 14, 2009 at 11:43 am
According to the WaPo:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A2261-2004Oct2.html
Boating and fishing was banned in Lake Manasses due to:
1. Zebra Mussel infestation
2. Terrorism
According to this from DGIF:
http://www.dgif.virginia.gov/wildlife/zebramussels.asp
Zebra Mussels are a potential threat to Lake Manassas. But it also says that that the Zebra Mussel problem at Millbrook Quarry (upstream of Lake Manassas) was confirmed to be eradicated in 2006. Although it’s still possible that someone can bring a boat to Lake Manassas that may cause a Zebra Mussel infestation it appears that banning boats and fishing doesn’t eliminate the threat at all. Infestation of the lake would very likely happen due to a re-infestation of the quarry.
Terrorism . . . not to sound like I have a 9/10 mentality . . . but can someone please explain how banning boating and fishing prevents Al Qaeda from dumping toxins into the Lake? And if this is such a concern then why is boating/fishing allowed in the Occoquan Reservoir?
August 14, 2009 at 5:16 pm
Jeff,
As has been pointed out, those are just convenient excuses used by the City. The real issue I believe, is the City had a falling out with the land owner where the old marina was located on. I think it came down to who was going to pay for the paving of the access road and the sharing of the profits from the marina.
September 3, 2009 at 2:24 pm
Andy,
Is Mr. Hughes still on vacation?
September 7, 2009 at 1:45 pm
I’ve got some new information about the lake on my blog. Hopefully, this is the first step in a solution to gain access to the lake.
September 7, 2009 at 1:46 pm
Sorry, I failed to provide a link.
September 10, 2009 at 6:54 pm
I’ve posted some news about the lake I received from the meeting.
April 9, 2010 at 6:57 pm
I rarly comment on blogs but I really like yours.Its hard to find good bloggers these days … everyone seems to be doing it for the $$:(
November 15, 2011 at 11:55 pm
I used to fish there when the marina was open…lots of nice bass, crappie and scary big catfish. I’m hoping that it opens up again…I enjoyed fishing there a lot.