Dominion Energy is once again at the center of heated debate as it resumes a major tree cutting project along the Washington & Old Dominion (W&OD) Trail. After a two-month pause, Dominion Energy announced plans to restart targeted tree removals in Loudoun County beginning June 16, with the project expected to last three to four weeks. The utility insists these actions are necessary to maintain the safety and reliability of the electric grid, but local park officials and community members are pushing back, arguing for a more selective approach and better restoration plans.
The controversy highlights a growing tension between infrastructure needs and environmental stewardship. Dominion Energy maintains that trees located directly beneath or near transmission lines pose a significant risk, potentially causing outages or safety hazards during severe weather. However, NOVA Parks, which owns and manages the W&OD Trail, has expressed deep concerns about the scope of the project and the lack of clear plans for replanting and invasive species management.
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Dominion Energy’s Plans and Community Response
Dominion Energy has identified 129 trees for removal across Fairfax, Arlington, and Loudoun counties. In the Herndon area alone, 58 cedar, Virginia pine, and mixed hardwood trees will be cut down. Loudoun County will see 67 trees removed, while in Arlington, four dead deodar cedars near South Oxford Street and South Four Mile Run Drive will be taken out. The utility argues that many of these trees have been previously identified as undesirable by NOVA Parks, and selective pruning will be used wherever possible.
Despite Dominion’s claims of collaboration, NOVA Parks Executive Director Paul Gilbert has made it clear that his staff did not request or support the cutting of any trees. Instead, they asked for help managing invasive species and restoring areas already cleared. Gilbert’s recent memo to Dominion highlights frustration over the lack of restoration commitments, noting that a four-mile stretch previously cleared by Dominion is now overrun with invasive plants. He warns that without preventative measures and replanting, future tree removals will have similar negative impacts.
Community leaders in every jurisdiction along the W&OD Trail have backed NOVA Parks, urging Dominion Energy to limit future tree removals and commit to replanting cleared areas. The utility has indicated willingness to discuss a new memorandum of understanding, but so far, no agreement has been finalized. Meanwhile, local officials have emphasized the importance of timing, pointing out that tree cutting during bird nesting season could have serious environmental consequences.
The Broader Impact and Future Steps
The tree cutting issue is not new for Dominion Energy, but the scale and approach have sparked unprecedented pushback. Last fall, Dominion terminated its participation in a 2005 memorandum of understanding that set limits on tree culling, citing increased risks to grid reliability. Since then, the utility has undertaken extensive clear-cutting in some areas, most notably a four-mile section between Vienna and Dunn Loring, which shocked local residents and trail users.
NOVA Parks and local governments are now advocating for a return to selective pruning and removals only when absolutely necessary. They are also calling for robust restoration plans to address the ecological damage caused by previous clear-cutting. Gilbert has reported that Dominion appears receptive to a draft of a new agreement, and meetings to finalize the proposal are expected to begin soon.
The W&OD Trail is a cherished community resource, offering recreation, shade, and wildlife habitat to thousands of residents. The ongoing conflict underscores the challenge of balancing infrastructure needs with environmental preservation. As Dominion Energy moves forward with its tree removal plans, the voices of local officials, environmental advocates, and trail users will continue to shape the conversation.
What’s Next for Dominion Energy and the W&OD Trail?
As the tree cutting project resumes, all eyes are on Dominion Energy and its commitment to environmental stewardship. The utility’s actions in the coming weeks will set a precedent for how it manages vegetation along critical infrastructure corridors. NOVA Parks remains hopeful that continued dialogue will lead to a more selective, restoration-focused approach.
For now, Dominion Energy has not responded to Gilbert’s latest letter urging changes to the plan. The community is watching closely, eager to see whether the utility will address concerns about invasive species, replanting, and the timing of tree removals. The outcome will have lasting implications for the W&OD Trail and the region’s natural landscape.