The Virginia Scenic Rivers Program was established in 1970 as a way to celebrate outstanding examples of Virginia’s more than 49,000 miles of rivers and streams. The program celebrated it’s 50th Anniversary in 2020 and continues to expand and protect Virginia’s rivers because:
The program is managed by the state in partnership with citizens and local government and focuses on enhancing the conservation of scenic rivers and their corridors. Recognized for their scenic, recreational, historic and natural characteristics, rivers and streams that gain this designation are honored by community groups, localities, DCR and Virginia’s General Assembly as being Virginia’s finest.
Scenic river designations result from partnerships between local groups, local governments, state agencies and the Virginia General Assembly. The act assigns management responsibilities of the program to the Board of Conservation and Recreation. The board discusses river issues and makes recommendations on the stewardship of existing scenic rivers and expansion of the program with other eligible river segments.
In order to gain this designation, local residents and state representatives evaluate rivers according to program criteria to determine whether or not river segments are worthy. This is done only after each locality adjacent to the river segment requests the study. Once the river is found worthy, the locality must then have its local legislators present a bill to the General Assembly, which then passes a resolution adopting the river into the system of scenic rivers.
The Virginia Scenic Rivers Program protects scenic rivers and streams and provides an opportunity to consider scenic and other resources in planning and design. The program encourages the protection of rivers with scenic, recreational, historic and natural characteristics. If locally adopted, properties along designated scenic rivers may be eligible for a special tax assessment to reduce tax liability.
Scenic river designations result from local partnership initiatives of concerned citizens, local governments, state agencies and the Virginia General Assembly. This partnership begins in the evaluation phase and continues through and after the designation process. The grassroots effort of many citizens ensures the quality and continued success of the program.
A methodology has been established that is used to objectively evaluate potential scenic rivers and determine their eligibility for designation. The same tool is used to monitor changes on system components to ensure each section continues to meet the standards. The evaluation and ranking procedure provides data for formulating goals, objectives and priorities for management of designated scenic river corridors.
The Code of Virginia, §10.1-401 assigns the following duties and powers to the director of DCR:
The Code of Virginia, §10.1-402, provides that DCR may fully review and make recommendations to federal, state and local agencies regarding the planning for use and development of water and related land resources so that scenic rivers resources are protected.
The Scenic Rivers Act prescribes the powers and duties of the administering agency, DCR, in the Code of Virginia, §10.1-405.
The duties include:
The Code of Virginia, §10.1-407, states that after the designation of a scenic river, no dam or other structure that impedes natural flow thereof shall be constructed, operated or maintained in such river unless specifically authorized by an act of the General Assembly.