For Immediate Release:
July 14, 2017
Contact:
Justin Doyle
Community Conservation Manager
James River Association
(804) 572-4667
jdoyle@jrava.org
Public Invited to Celebrate the Upper James River Water Trail and Scenic River Designation
Richmond, VA – Members of the public are invited to celebrate the recent extension of the Upper James River Water Trail and new Scenic River designation with state and local officials at an event in Glasgow, Virginia. The event will be held Tuesday, July 18th, and begin at 5:30 pm at Glasgow Landing, also known as Locher Landing.
Senate Bill 1196 and House Bill 1454, patroned by Senator Creigh Deeds and Delegate Terry Austin respectively, were passed by the Virginia General Assembly and signed by Governor McAuliffe earlier this year. The bills extended the Scenic River designation on the Upper James River from 14 miles to 59 miles. The 59 miles of Scenic River flows through Botetourt and Rockbridge Counties, and includes the Towns of Buchanan and Glasgow.
The Scenic River designation complements the recently extended Upper James River Water Trail, a 63 mile recreational blueway beginning at the confluence of the Jackson and Cowpasture Rivers and terminating at Snowden. New trailheads were installed at Glasgow Landing and Snowden, public access sites serving the water trail, earlier this year.
Justin Doyle, Community Conservation Manager for the James River Association stated, “The Upper James River Water Trail is a wonderful regional asset offering opportunities for floating, fishing, paddling, and rafting. The new Scenic River designation emphasizes the water trail’s exceptional scenic resources.”
The Virginia Scenic Rivers Program, which began in 1970 when the Virginia General Assembly passed the Virginia State Scenic River Act, identifies, recognizes and provides a level of protection to rivers with significant scenic, historic, recreational, and natural values. Scenic River designations do not impact existing land uses.
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ABOUT JAMES RIVER ASSOCIATION:
James River Association is a member-supported nonprofit organization founded in 1976 to serve as the guardian and voice for the James River. Throughout the James River’s 10,000-square mile watershed, the James River Association works through its core programs – Education, Community Conservation, Watershed Restoration, River Advocacy and the Riverkeeper Program – to help people of all ages enjoy, appreciate and protect the beauty and health of the James River for future generations to enjoy. For more information visit www.jamesriverassociation.org.