Lovettsville Wetlands

A new subdivision is coming to the Lovettsville area, and a new road being constructed as part of the project will needlessly destroy wetlands and stream buffers. The developer has been given a viable alternative location for the road (see map below) that is less dangerous and avoids the severe stream and wetland impact. The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is currently assessing the impacts of the project, and your voice is needed to tell DEQ to protect the wetlands!

Virginia Wetlands Protection permit coverage was granted in 2023 for the project, and construction has already started. However, substantial changes have occurred that will have additional negative impacts. Changes were submitted via a “Notice of Planned Changes” and a “State Surface Water Delineation” in fall 2025. The proposed changes detrimentally impact water flow in the immediate area. Despite no longer receiving runoff water, the wetland is still designated as not impacted.

Additional concerns lie with the excessive deforestation of the wetland area. Permanent deforestation is required to meet the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) standards for line of sight on a 90 degree curve at the entrance to the proposed roadway, meaning that it will have to be repeatedly cleared, with no potential for reforestation. Decreasing the buffer and constructing a new road as stated in the plan will bisect the wetlands and destroy a segment of stream. Not only does this present major water quality concerns both during and following construction (from increased water temperature, sediment runoff and erosion), the footprint itself presents an additional concern. These wetlands are prime habitat for the Wood Turtle. The habitat for this State-Threatened species has increasingly faced destruction across the county, making the protection of an area in proximity to where these turtles have previously been observed even more critical.

The developer received approval from Loudoun County and VDOT for the alternative route for the road (see map) avoiding impacts to these wetlands and the 200 linear feet of stream corridor. The alternative also eliminates the safety concerns associated with the blind curve at the current entrance on Lovettsville Road. The alternative route would not increase cost for the developer, and the neighboring landowner has offered an easement at no cost.

This project is needlessly destructive. There is no reason not to avoid impacts to critical wildlife habitat. However, DEQ has not suspended permit coverage or stopped construction in response to the concerns raised. Despite the recent petition that gained nearly 600 signatures, and numerous direct letters sent in by concerned citizens demanding one, DEQ recently denied a public hearing. Now is the time to get louder, and community input is still needed. You can add your name to the petition, and we encourage you to email DEQ staff to again demand a public hearing and further review of this permit and consideration of the alternatives to prevent the negative impacts of the recent changes. Email addresses and suggested language can be found in the public hearing request template.

Loudoun Wildlife has been a stakeholder in this process since it was brought to our attention in summer 2024, and we have signed on alongside other environmental organizations to multiple letters to Loudoun County Building and Development, the Army Corps of Engineers, DEQ and VDOT about the issue. We remain committed to protecting wildlife habitat and see this as a prime opportunity to stop its senseless destruction. You can find more detailed public information and background on the petition web page. Check back here for more updates as this issue progresses.