George Washington
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“No estate in United America is more pleasantly situated than this.” — George Washington Mount Vernon’s beautiful view is in danger. For more than 200 years, the breathtaking vista that inspired George Washington has remained largely un- spoiled, thanks to the vigilance of the Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association (MVLA). TAKE ACTION AT But now, this protected view, seen by more than one million people each year, mountvernon.org/savetheview may be lost forever. Dominion Energy plans to construct a natural gas compressor station directly HOW TO HELP across the Potomac River from Mount Vernon — an act that could damage the pristine landscape that our nation’s founding father and his contemporaries so Sign our Petition We must demonstrate to our dearly treasured. elected officials that this is a matter of national importance. THE DOMINION ENERGY THREAT Fighting against the location of this natural gas compressor station is a matter Donate to the Cause of national importance, and it is up to all of us to take action. We must preserve As a non-profit organization, George Washington’s view so that it survives to inspire future generations. we need your help taking on a multibillion-dollar energy giant. • The compressor station poses a serious threat to Washington’s view: Your donations are essential to The planned station, to be built in Charles County, Maryland and adjacent to our success. Piscataway National Park, is located in a Rural Conservation Zone, border- ing land that is protected under our conservation easements—a threat to our Receive Updates preservation legacy. Provide your email address so that we can update you on the latest • The emission stacks could be 113 feet or taller: Dominion has provided conflicting information regarding the height of the stacks, which will im- news and actions. pact the stack’s visibility from Mount Vernon. Dominion’s own inconsistent Share the Story documentation includes stack heights of more than 113 feet. Follow our social media channels • The development presents a significant fire risk: Given the rural location for more information, and help us of the station and the lack of nearby infrastructure, a fire or an explosion at spread the word by sharing our the unmanned compressor site could damage homes and scar the landscape. posts. • This project will encourage more industrial development: Approval CONTACT US for this gas compressor station will likely encourage the growth of even more [email protected] industrial development in this sensitive region. We urge you to join us, and others who are committed to preserving Washington’s legacy, as we combat this threat. #SaveGWsView /historicmountvernon @SaveGWsView Artist rendition of what the WHAT ELSE IS AT STAKE stacks could look like from Mount Vernon There’s more at risk than just the remarkable view we share with the more than one million guests who visit Mount Vernon each year. There are real economic concerns. Mount Vernon supports 600 jobs and generates more than $30 million in revenue from visitor spending at our property alone—plus upwards of $150 million or more in annual spending and thousands of additional jobs at nearby hotels, restaurants, and other hospitality industry providers. If one of the region’s premier assets is damaged by this natural gas com- pressor station, it poses a serious threat to the local tourism economy. A CALL TO ACTION As the most visited historic home in America, Mount Vernon relies on the viewshed to educate visitors, schoolchildren, and others about the multi-faceted story of the founder and first president of our country. The MVLA is an independent 501(c)(3) entity that accepts no govern- ment funding. It was founded in 1853 to protect George Washington’s home and his legacy, making it one of America’s oldest preservation organizations. OUR LEGACY, OUR PARTNERS We are at another crucial moment in our preservation history. The Since the 1950s, the Mount Vernon Ladies’ effects of a natural gas compressor station will be witnessed by future Association has worked tirelessly to protect the generations. By supporting this effort, you will do your part to ensure nearby shoreline and view from encroachments that we continue to protect this magnificent and irreplaceable view. that would ruin the vista that George Washington treasured. Visit mountvernon.org/savetheview to take action today. Under Mount Vernon’s leadership and in cooperation with Maryland communities, scenic easements have been placed on 415 Maryland properties Fort Washington Sheridan Park throughout the area. These easements prohibit Point R visible construction or the removal of trees and E Mockley Piscataway Park V Point other flora, thus preserving natural habitats. To R I A C M Bryan protect additional acreage, the MVLA works closely Ferry O Point Point T O with partners including the National Park Service, P Piscataway Park the Accokeek Foundation, the Alice Ferguson Foundation, The Conservation Fund, the Maryland Private Scenic Easements Environmental Trust, and The Trust for Public Land, (Piscataway Park) Piscataway Park as well as Maryland homeowner groups. Greenway Flats Piscataway Park Despite these protective measures, threats to the viewshed continue to materialize. And when these threats arise—as they have today—we must remain Prince George’s steadfast in our resolve to preserve the vista that so Charles inspired George Washington, his contemporaries, Prince George’s and the nearly 90 million guests who have also Charles treasured this view since 1860. ^_ Compressor Station Site Private Easement Private Land Easements Mansion Mount Vernon Proposed Cove Point Easement Dominion Energy Land Public Land Easements #SaveGWsView /historicmountvernon @SaveGWsView.