mg to review other rivers in Rappahannock that meet

mg to review other rivers in Rappahannock that meet the accessibility criteria.

Six other Rappahannock rivers were listed as candidates for the Scenic River system. They were the Covington, Hazel, Hughes, Piney and Rush, as well as part of the Thornton River from Fletcher’s Mill to Route 729.

“We suggest that the county, with input from the local citizen support group, determine what other rivers you would like considered,” Davy wrote. “Then, we could proceed to do a more detailed study on those that are likely candidates.”

But after the effort that went into the Jordan River project, Hunter seemed reluc? tant to risk wasting any more time with the DCR’s Scenic Rivers program.

“I organized and led the local citizen support group. I’m not about to ask the group for anything. Not after this,” Hunter wrote to Davy. “If you would like to review your own list and tell us which rivers pass your own screening criteria, we’ll think about whether we want to go through the Jordan River process again. It may take a while to decide.”

The state’s Scenic Rivers system, which began in 1972, includes 486 miles of rivers on 22 waterways. Qualifying rivers are measured based on several criteria, including visual, historic and environmental considerations.

The Rappahannock River has been in the Scenic River system since 1985.

The designation puts no restrictions on how adjacent landowners can use their land. The program is a voluntary action between local and state governments.

But the designation has several advantages. For example, the state has no eminent domain power in Scenic River areas; riparian landowners can benefit from land-use taxation on acreage next to the river; and dams cannot be built on a Scenic River without approval from the General Assembly.

E-mail the reporter at kallen@timespapers.com