Chesapeake Bay Local Assistance Department Challenges Local Vesting Decisions In June of 2004 the Chesapeake Bay Local Assistance Department (CBLAD) sent a letter to the Prince William County Department of Public Works recommending the County revise its vesting policy pertaining to Preservation Area Site Assessments (PASAs) – also known as Resource Protection Area plans in other jurisdictions. CBLAD is challenging the five-year vesting of approved PASAs and is suggesting that Prince William County adopt "some shorter and more reasonable time frame," such as 6 to 12 months from the date of local governmental approval. Discussions with several people within the development and regulatory community have suggested that CBLAD, with the assistance of Virginia's Attorney General, is now following up on this letter and pressuring Prince William County to make this PASA vesting policy change. This is a significant issue for Prince William County landowners who have relied upon the affirmative action of a governmentally approved PASA to make investment decisions and develop site and subdivision plans. It also suggests that vesting policies in other jurisdictions could be at risk. If you are concerned about this potential policy change, you should contact your Prince William County elected officials, as well as your State elected officials, to bring this important issue to their attention. For more information, contact Mike Rolband, P.E., P.W.S.; Mark Headly, P.W.S.; or Dan Lucey, P.E.