Reprinted with permission from Virginia Water Central
(September 2006, no. 39), a publication of the Virginia Water
Resources Research Center. Written by Amanda Mullins.
(Conservation Currents,
Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District, Winter
2007)
On June 25, 2006, at Gholson Bridge near Lawrenceville in Brunswick
County, Governor Tim Kaine designated a 37-mile portion of the
Meherrin River as a State Scenic River, making it the newest
addition to the Virginia Scenic Rivers Program.  The Scenic Designation Bill signed by the governor
was originally introduced in the 2006 Virginia General Assembly
as House Bill 104 and Senate Bill 527.
In Virginia, the Meherrin River flows southeasterly for over
100 miles before it eventually crosses into North Carolina and
merges with the Chowan River. Largely undeveloped and providing
significant natural habitat, the Scenic River section also includes
two historical sites, Fort Christanna and Gholson Bridge. Such
natural and historical features are key considerations for those
who determine if a river segment merits designation as a Scenic
River. Recreational features are also important, though such
features were not a key factor in the Meherrin’s designation.
The Brunswick County/Lake Gaston Tourism Association coordinated
the Meherrin designation process. Bobby Conner, vice president
of the association, explained why concerned community residents
decided to seek protection for their river: “Our main
reason was to protect the river for future generations,”
he stated in an interview.
Virginia’s Scenic River Program began with the Virginia
Scenic Rivers Act of 1970. Today the Scenic River system spans
over 437 miles, consisting of 17 Scenic Rivers and two Historic
Rivers. According to the program’s web site, designation
as a Scenic River “encourages protection and preservation
of the river; declares the protection of a river’s scenic
values to be a beneficial purpose of water resource policy;
requires appointment of an administering agency, usually the
Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR); and requires
the Virginia Scenic Rivers Advisory Board…to advise the
director of DCR on the federal, state, or local plans that impact
the designated river segment and to give local citizens a voice
in river-related issues.” In addition, dams (or any other
flow impediment) affected a Scenic River cannot be built unless
the General Assembly approves such a project.
According to Lynn Crump, Environmental Programs Planner, the
development along a river is generally not affected; however,
if a project requires state or federal approval, the river’s
designation must be taken into consideration. Also, landowners
do not lose control over their lands if a river is designated
a Scenic River; designation does not give the public access
to a river segment, and the state cannot control private land
use. Moreover, landowners are not responsible for any additional
taxes.
The designation process usually begins at the local level.
Generally, concerned citizens or groups contact the DCR’s
Division of Planning and Recreation Resources and begin a dialogue.
Then, local meetings are held, and a local advisory committee
is formed. After the local board of supervisors or county administrator
sends a letter to the DCR officially requesting evaluation of
a river segment, DCR officials visit the locality and conduct
field studies Then, a final report is prepared, and a designation
recommendation is issued. Landowners, civic groups, local government
officials, and local members of the General Assembly typically
are involved in the process at one point or another.
For more information about the Scenic Rivers Program, contact
Lynn Crump at 804-786-5054, TTY 711 or visit
the program’s web site.
Photo courtesy of Bobby Conner. Reprinted with permission.
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