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The overall grade of the 2025 State of the James has improved to a B with a score of 68% from its failing health decades ago. Although the pace of progress has slowed, a grade-A James River is possible if we keep up our collective efforts and continue to address key issues together. However, the 2023 American shad stock assessment by the Virginia Institute of Marine Science found that populations of American shad in the James are at an all-time low. Given the dire situation, JRA fought for funding to develop an emergency recovery plan that identified immediate actions that could be taken to improve the American shad fishery in the James River. This plan will be delivered to Virginia Legislators in the fall of 2023 with more actions to follow, but it will take a long-term and sustained effort to bring American shad in the James River back from the brink of collapse.
Advocacy News
Richmond’s FY21 Budget Supports a Healthy James River
On Monday, May 11, 2020, Richmond’s City Council adopted a revised Fiscal Year 2021 budget for the City of Richmond that supports projects that will contribute to a healthier James River. The adopted budget is based on revised revenue projections that were presented...
JRA Joins Conservation Groups to Challenge the EPA’s Clean Water Act Rule
On Wednesday, April 29, 15 leading river conservation groups, including the James River Association (JRA), challenged the EPA's efforts to severely limit what waters are protected by the Clean Water Act. The drastic rollback removes federal protections for the...
