I respectfully call upon the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) to fulfill its obligations under a Memorandum of Agreement signed by the agency in May 1997 and reaffirmed by the Commonwealth Transportation Board in December 2000 and the Federal Highway Administration in May 2001. The purpose of the agreement is to provide mitigation for the Spotsylvania Court House Bypass, a roadway that is proposed for the Alrich Tract, the scene of heavy fighting on May 12, 1864, during the Civil War battle of Spotsylvania Court House. Part of the Alrich Tract is listed on the National Register of Historic Places; all of the property is eligible for listing on the National Register. As a result, VDOT must comply with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act, as well as Section 4(F) of the U.S. Department of Transportation Act. Complying with the agreement will prevent vehicular road access from the proposed bypass to the northern part of the Alrich Tract. This will facilitate preservation of this unique historic resource, which is currently zoned for agricultural land use. We entreat VDOT to abide by the Memorandum of Agreement and not allow additional vehicular access points along the Court House Bypass. Doing so would not only put the historic Alrich Tract in jeopardy

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