Save The Valley For Dummies

January 20, 2015

Now for the big question that everyone has been asking… Is the Valley Saved? In a word… NO! There is immediately threatened land in Beaver Valley that exists on both sides of the state line with large scale development proposals in both Delaware and Pennsylvania. This article will identify the exact location of Beaver Valley, exactly which land is threatened, and the different development proposals on that land.

Recently there has been a lot of talk about the new National Park in Beaver Valley, and rightfully so - the creation of the (then) First State National Monument (in 2013) was a tremendous step forward in the protection and conservation of some of the most beautiful and historically significant land on the East Coast. This 1,100 Acre National Park benefits residents on both sides of the state line.However, the news of the redesignation of this land to a National Historical Park has caused a lot of confusion about whether or not the land in Beaver Valley is actually saved.

Only about 60% of the land in Beaver Valley has actually been protected, while the other 40% is either unprotected or immediately threatened with development plans in the works.

Save the Valley is fighting battles against the Vineyard Commons proposal (321 acres, 171 houses) and the Wilmington University proposal (41 acres, commuter college). More on that later.

Part of the confusion stems from the fact that Beaver Valley is bifurcated by many different borders. It starts in Delaware and branches into Pennsylvania, spanning across New Castle County in Delaware, Chadds Ford Township, and Concord Township in Delaware County Pennsylvania. This fragmentation causes confusion about the status of Beaver Valley because the three sections are under the jurisdiction of the county or township within which it resides. Each township and county has their own priorities and values*. *Chadds Ford and New Castle County advocated strongly to turn their pieces into a National Park, while Concord Twp has never voiced concern over their piece being left out, and in fact seems to welcome the idea of it being turned into a mammoth housing development.

Back in April of 2013, 1,100 acres in Beaver Valley became the First State National Monument (FSNM). The Mount Cuba Foundation purchased this land from the Delaware-based developers, the Woodlawn Trustees Inc. for a reported $20 million. They, in turn, donated the land to the federal government. This parcel of land became the United State’s 400th unit of the National Park System.

Just last month, the status of the park was “redesignated” from “National Monument” to “National Historic Park” (FSNHP) which includes other sites throughout the state that recognize Delaware’s colonial heritage. Beaver Valley has been in the news lately because of this change in designation and NOT because any more land has been saved.

DID YOU KNOW?

The FSNM was designated as a “National Monument” because it was brought into being through the Antiquities Act, where “national parks” are designated through an act of Congress. However, national monuments and national parks are really one in the same. The name (Monument vs. Park) says more about the process by which the land was designated rather than what it contains.

So, what has not been saved? There are about 682 acres of unprotected land in Beaver Valley. Of the 361 acres that are in Delaware, 41 are immediately threatened. All of the remaining unprotected 321 acres on the Pennsylvania side of the State Line, are immediately threatened. Because of the potential destruction, the largest focus is currently in Concord Township.

Take a look at the first map - notice the location of the 40% of unprotected land in Beaver Valley? Not only does this land border the First State National Historic Park, but it also is the gateway to it, and part of what some would call the most beautiful and historically significant land in the region.

Now let’s take a look at the two battles being fought in Beaver Valley. They are very different in nature due to their distinct types of development proposals, their jurisdictions, and the different stages in their procedures.

Now it's time to take action. Here's what you can do that will make a difference immediately.

1. Attend: Now for the Wilmington University proposal. Attend the meeting hosted by the Council of Civic Organizations of Brandywine Hundred (CCOBH) to see development plans presented by the Wilmington University president. There will be an opportunity to voice your concerns and ask questions.
   
                  When: Jan 22, 7pm
                  Where: Talleyville Fire Hall
                  Address:
                  3919 Concord Pike
                  Wilmington, DE 19803
    
2. Talk: Talk about Save the Valley with your friends and neighbors. This is how our message gets spread! - www.savethevalley.org
   
   
3. Donate: Save The Valley is run entirely by volunteers. Your donations are a critical part of keeping this effort going. Please donate today, no amount is too small! 100% of your donation goes to saving Beaver Valley.
   -- Make a Donation!
   
   
4. Stay informed: Make sure you are on the Save the Valley mailing list!
   
   
5. Be proud: Show support with a free Save the Valley bumper sticker!
   
   
   
   
   

Article written by Jason Hoover

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