HAMPSHIRE COUNTY, W.Va. — White Horse Mountain was purchased Thursday by Potomac Conservancy, which ends the plans for development of the land into 70 residential lots.
Instead the Hampshire County landmark will be transferred to the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources to become a new conservation area. The property is directly linked to the Potomac River, the source of drinking water for nearly six million Washington, D.C. residents.
Conservationists feared the lots would have had a negative impact on the water quality. Now, the public can use the property for hunting, hiking, wildlife watching and other outdoor activities.
The acquisition came after Potomac Conservancy exceeded their goal of raising $35,000 from a public campaign. Most of the total $3.2 million needed to complete the purchase of the property will come from private donors, foundations and a loan from The Conservation Fund.
The property is not yet open to the public.