From the article John linked to above (from the Sentinel):
Continued preservation of the structure is a special concern to those who remember Monkey Island. The historic island near Corolla was given to the county by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to use for an education center.
In 1998, the site reverted to USFWS because the county had failed to live up to its agreement to restore and protect the island, the hunt-club complex that once thrived there and the remaining historic artifacts from the Pamunkey Indian tribe, which is said to have deemed the land sacred.
This county and its government has already demonstrated their unwillingness to restore / maintain historic properties given to them. This is exactly what this back room dealing is trying to do.
Another question that comes to mind is what happens to the 20 year lease the OBC has from the government? Would it automatically be voided by a sleazy conveyance?
I received a somewhat disappointing response from my Congressman, hopefully not indicative of the thought process of the majority of Congress. Whoever wrote the letter for him simply regurgitated the highlights of the legislation, the good things it is trying to accomplish. All too many Members will simply make a glance at the legislation before they vote. Our hope has to be that we can at least make their staff aware of the controversy and pray that because of this they will look past the first paragraph before voting.
Dave
