Dominion Energy Virginia and NOVA Parks Establish New Agreement to Guide Vegetation Management Along W&OD Regional Park
Dominion Energy Virginia and the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority (NOVA Parks) have reached a new cooperative agreement designed to balance electric grid reliability, public safety, and environmental stewardship along the Washington & Old Dominion Railroad Regional Park (W&OD Park). The newly signed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) establishes clear guidelines for vegetation management activities within the park, formalizing practices that have evolved through years of collaboration between the two organizations.
Stretching approximately 45 miles across Northern Virginia, the W&OD Park is a heavily used regional asset that serves as both a major recreational trail and a critical utility corridor. The park is home to high-voltage electric transmission lines that play an essential role in delivering reliable power to homes, businesses, and critical facilities throughout the region. Managing vegetation around this infrastructure is necessary to prevent outages, reduce safety risks, and ensure compliance with reliability standards, while also protecting the park’s natural character.
The new MOU reflects a shared understanding that these objectives are not mutually exclusive. Instead, Dominion Energy and NOVA Parks have committed to working together to ensure that vegetation management activities support the safe operation of the electric grid while preserving the environmental, scenic, and community value of the park.
“We sincerely appreciate NOVA Parks’ partnership on this important effort and their dedication to preserving the W&OD Park,” said Joe Woomer, Senior Vice President of Electric Transmission at Dominion Energy. “By working together, we are balancing the safety and reliability of the grid with the long-term stewardship of this cherished resource. That’s a win-win for our customers and communities.”
From NOVA Parks’ perspective, the agreement represents a proactive approach to managing one of the region’s most beloved public spaces. NOVA Parks Executive Director Justin Wilson emphasized that the MOU reflects a shared commitment to protecting both public safety and environmental health.
“This MOU reflects a shared commitment between NOVA Parks and Dominion Energy to protect both the health of our community and the natural resources that define this region,” Wilson said. “Through Dominion Energy’s partnership, the MOU prioritizes thoughtful pruning to preserve the park’s character while also investing in long-term habitat restoration, including invasive species management, native plantings, and the introduction of pollinators. Together, we can help ensure the W&OD Park, and its 45-mile trail, remains a vibrant and valued community resource for generations to come.”
The agreement is the outcome of a six-month collaborative effort that involved extensive coordination between Dominion Energy, NOVA Parks, and other stakeholders. During this period, both organizations worked to better align their missions and operational needs, recognizing that maintaining a safe and reliable electric system must go hand in hand with preserving the ecological and recreational value of the park.
A central element of the MOU is its recognition of the ongoing need for routine vegetation management. Trees and other vegetation growing too close to transmission lines can pose serious risks, including power outages, equipment damage, and safety hazards for park users. The agreement acknowledges that proactive management is essential to reducing these risks, particularly as extreme weather events become more frequent and severe.
At the same time, the MOU emphasizes that vegetation management should be conducted thoughtfully and with sensitivity to the surrounding environment. Wherever feasible, the agreement promotes selective pruning of existing trees rather than wholesale removal. However, it also recognizes that tree removal may be necessary in certain locations to maintain required safety clearances and ensure long-term reliability of the transmission system.
To support the park’s ecological health, the agreement encourages the planting of low-growing native vegetation that is compatible with utility infrastructure. These plantings help maintain the park’s natural appearance while reducing the likelihood of future conflicts with transmission lines. In addition, the MOU includes provisions for enhanced invasive species management, helping to restore native habitats and improve biodiversity along the corridor.
Pollinator-friendly plantings are another key component of the agreement. By introducing native flowering plants that support bees, butterflies, and other pollinators, Dominion Energy and NOVA Parks aim to contribute to broader regional conservation goals while enhancing the visual and ecological quality of the park.
Transparency and communication are also central to the new agreement. The MOU strengthens existing communication protocols to ensure that local governments, park users, and nearby residents are informed well in advance of major vegetation management activities. Dominion Energy has committed to providing at least 30 days’ advance notice to NOVA Parks, neighboring jurisdiction officials, and residents near transmission projects and significant maintenance work.
This notification will be delivered through mailed notices as well as posted signage along the W&OD trail, giving trail users and community members clear information about upcoming work and potential temporary disruptions. By increasing advance notice and public awareness, the agreement seeks to minimize inconvenience, address concerns proactively, and build trust with the communities that rely on and enjoy the park.
The MOU also reinforces coordination between Dominion Energy and NOVA Parks during planning and execution of vegetation management activities. This collaborative approach allows both organizations to identify opportunities to reduce environmental impacts, adjust work schedules where possible, and incorporate restoration efforts into project planning.
The W&OD Park holds unique significance as both a recreational destination and a working infrastructure corridor. The new agreement reflects a growing recognition that utility operations and environmental stewardship must be closely integrated, particularly in densely populated regions where infrastructure and public spaces increasingly overlap.
As Northern Virginia continues to grow and energy demands rise, maintaining a resilient electric transmission system will remain a priority. At the same time, preserving green spaces like the W&OD Park is essential to quality of life, environmental health, and community identity. The new MOU between Dominion Energy Virginia and NOVA Parks demonstrates how collaboration, clear communication, and shared goals can help achieve both objectives.
By formalizing best practices and strengthening coordination, the agreement sets a framework for responsible vegetation management that supports safety, reliability, and sustainability. For park users, nearby residents, and energy customers alike, the partnership offers reassurance that the W&OD Park will continue to be cared for as both a vital utility corridor and a treasured regional resource well into the future.
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