,
Jzflug@aol.com
Subject: Sparrow Swamp
I contacted Greg Zell, Long Branch Nature Center Director, concerning the
draining of Sparrow Swamp which is at the edge of Barcroft and Arlington
Forest along the Four Mile Run bike path. If you are not already aware,
Sparrow Swamp has been drained due to safety, repair, and liability
concerns. Apparently three different engineering studies all concluded
that water migration from the swamp through the bike path was leaching
soil, potentially causing structural damage to the bike path. Other
utilities in danger besides the power lines include a sanitary sewer and a
major communications cable. It is rumored that the communications cable
carries air traffic control signals for the entire east coast.
There are at least two proposals to reestablish sparrow swamp costing
between $100K and $300K. Greg Zell does not think it is possible to
come up with $300K and is therefore focusing on a $100K solution which
would entail digging a pond away from the bike path. He thinks he can
get the money from the county and the EPA. There is some matching
program with the county in which he is hopping to get $40K. He is
writing an EPA grant for $52K under a Chesapeake bay wildlife habitat
restoration program to get the matching funds.
I personally am interested in helping to reestablish Sparrow Swamp and
plan to present a resolution at the BSCL May meeting aimed at sending
a letter to Jim Hunter in support of providing the funds. Greg Zell
expects the Arlington County Board to address this issue at its May
meeting.
Please let me know if you have any additional information or concerns.
Thanks!
Jim Kerr
This page was last revised on: September 15, 2000.
