One
local TV station has covered this story, and a few small print outlets, but not the
Washington Post.
But the Civil War Preservation Trust isn't having it. They claim the developers dug a deep trench through historic land owned by the National Park Service and the American people.
"Beginning on the morning of August 19, 2006, a group of local developers moved heavy machinery and work crews onto the Harpers Ferry National Historical Park and proceeded to lay water and sewer pipes on historic land where Stonewall Jackson launched one of the most brilliant tactical triumphs of the Civil War," said CWPT President James Lighthizer. "The developers had neither authority nor the permits necessary to do this."
The purpose of the water and sewer line is to facilitate a planned development of approximately 3,400 houses proposed for construction both inside and adjacent to the Park Service boundary. To date, the developers have not received any local approvals necessary for this development to proceed, the trust says.
It doesn't sound like the federal government is going in to protect the public from this premeditated abuse. In fact, it looks more likey that the developers did it with a wink and a nod from someone.
This should be a golden issue for the Webb campaign. Some in the public may care about the abuse of the public trust that has now become ordinary.
ON EDIT: Woops, much of the park is in West Va., not sure where this is taking place. If it is in WV Robert Byrd may have something to say about this.