As many of you know, in April 2004 Dominion Virginia Power announced plans to use its easement on the W&OD Trail to build a new 230-kilovolt electric transmission line. Dominion later decided in September 2004 not to pursue use of the W&OD Trail through downtown Leesburg and west through Hamilton, due to overwhelming public support for the trail.

Now the W&OD Trail is once again being considered. More than 26,000 trees could be cut down if the trail is chosen. The power lines would pass within 500 feet of more than 800 homes. The W&OD Trail as we know it will change forever. What has changed, and why is the Trail being considered?

The State Corporation Commission on October 21, 2005, ordered that the W&OD Trail must be considered as a route for the new line. The Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority wants to make trail supporters aware that the power line issue on the W&OD Railroad Regional Park is far from over. If these lines are constructed on the Trail, one of its most picturesque areas will be lost.

Please take action now to voice your support for the W&OD Trail to the State Corporation Commission. The SCC accepts public comment on Dominion Power's Application until February 6, 2006. To send comments electronically.

Click on "Submit Comment" under Case Number PUE-2005-00018. Or send written comments to Clerk, State Corporation Commission, c/o Document Control Center, P.O. Box 2118, Richmond, Virginia 23218-2118. Your comments must include the Case Number in order to be in the record. You may also speak at public hearings in Loudoun County on February 8, 2006, beginning at 1:30 p.m. and reconvening at 7:00 p.m. and on February 9, 2006, beginning at 9:30 a.m. in the Board of Supervisors Meeting Room, Loudoun County Government Center, 1 Harrison Street, S.E., Leesburg, Virginia and in Richmond on March 27, 2006, at 9:00 a.m., in the State Corporation Commission's Courtroom, Second Floor, Tyler Building, 1300 East Main Street, Richmond, Virginia.

The W&OD Trail needs your support. Make your opinion count. There are groups who believe the W&OD is the best route, what do you think? For additional information please visit: www.nvrpa.org and www.wodfriends.org.

YMCA Loudoun County Leesburg 10K and 20K.