Controversial plan for large solar farm near Culpeper to be reworked

After sustained opposition from March through late August 2019 by a local group to a utility scale solar project proposed for the agricultural and forested areas surrounding Raccoon Ford, the developer, BayWa, pulled the application. This development occurred shortly after the citizens’ group had gathered in Raccoon Ford to review their efforts and learn more about the area’s significance from a local historian.

Below is an excerpt of an article by journalist Clint Schemmer on the meeting and application withdrawal. The article was originally printed in the Culpeper Star Exponent; a link is provided after the excerpt for a full look at the article.

RAPIDAN — People from across Culpeper County and Virginia came to the Raccoon Ford area Sunday evening to advance their campaign against a 1,600-acre power-generating facility proposed there.

And in less than 24 hours, California-based solar developer BayWa yanked its application for permission to build a multimillion-dollar, utility-scale solar plant on farmland and woodland near the Rapidan River.

Coincidence? Surely. But heartening, still, to members of Citizens for Responsible Solar and their guests, as well as the tour’s hosts — the Foshay family of historic Greenville plantation. They’d come to rally their spirits in anticipation of weeks of intense work before the county planning commission held a public hearing on BayWa’s proposal.

Ron Maxwell, director of the Civil War films “Gettysburg,” “Gods and Generals” and “Copperhead,” encouraged those present to continue their efforts to protect historic lands from incursions such as solar development.

The complete article can be read here.

157th anniversary of the Battle of Cedar Mountain

Each year the Friends of Cedar Mountain commemorate the August 9, 1862 Civil War battle in Culpeper County with a living history event for all ages. The 2019 schedule is below.

Valley Guards, 10th Virginia Volunteer Infantry Regiment at Cedar Mountain
Photo by Buddy Secor, Ninja Pix

Saturday, August 10

11:00 am  Opening shot

11:00 am  Combined arms demonstration I (Infantry and Artillery)

1:00 pm     School of the Soldier (Open to Public)

3:00 pm             Combined arms demonstration II (Infantry and Artillery)

5:00 pm             Camp life: camps open to public

7:00 pm     Ancestors ceremony honoring the fallen at Cedar Mountain

8:00 pm     Battlefield torchlight tours (students free; $5/adult supports battlefield preservation)

Sunday, August 11

10:00 am  Combined arms demonstration (Infantry and Artillery)

12:00 pm  School of the Soldier (Open to Public)

Daytime events are free. Donations are always welcome, and all proceeds benefit preservation efforts of Friends of Cedar Mountain Battlefield (friendsofcedarmountain.org).

Parking: Carver Center, 9433 James Madison Highway; shuttle bus to event every 15 minutes.

Visit the Civil War exhibit at the new Carver Center 4-County Museum. More than 200 African American men from the counties of Culpeper, Rappahannock, Madison and Orange left their homes to join on the side of the Union during the Civil War. Their Sacrifice: Our Freedom, an exhibit curated for the Carver 4-County Museum, highlights some of those men. View original Civil War artifacts and read of soldiers’ devastating experiences documented from pension files. Exhibit open: 10:00 am – 4:00 pm, Saturday & Sunday, August 10-11, 2019.