Department of Conservation and Recreation
Conserve. Protect. Enjoy.
Department of Conservation and Recreation
Media inquiries: Please contact Dave Neudeck, dave.neudeck@dcr.virginia.gov, 804-786-5053.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: March 16, 2021
Contact: Dave Neudeck, Communications and Marketing Director, 804-786-5053, dave.neudeck@dcr.virginia.gov
Open-space easement protects 286 acres on James River in Surry County
RICHMOND — The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation is the holder of a new open-space easement that protects 286 acres at Cedar Fields, a historic property on the James River in Surry County.
The easement was funded from the 2020 Surry-Skiffes Creek Restricted Funds Grant Round which made $1.4 million available for certain historic preservation and land conservation projects to mitigate impacts from the Surry-Skiffes Creek-Whealton Transmission Line Project.
Cedar Fields is located on a bluff above the southern banks of Cobham Bay, directly across the James River from Historic Jamestowne and Jamestown Island.
“The protection of Cedar Fields through an open-space easement ensures that the viewshed from some of the nation’s most important Colonial landmarks remains unspoiled,” Secretary of Natural Resources Matthew J. Strickler said. “The Commonwealth’s ConserveVirginia model is one of the first statewide resources in the nation to map scenic viewsheds, and this site is evidence that the model works.”
The land is identified as a conservation priority under the Scenic Preservation category of ConserveVirginia, Governor Ralph Northam’s land conservation initiative. The Scenic Preservation Category of ConserveVirginia identifies conservation lands that preserve historic and scenic viewsheds. ConserveVirginia includes over 270,000 acres of scenic conservation priorities.
Cedar Fields is mostly forested and situated along the designated scenic portion of the Lower James. Chippokes Plantation State Park, which is owned and managed by DCR, is located less than a mile downstream. “Protecting the viewshed of Chippokes Plantation State Park as well as Jamestown provides a significant benefit to those visiting these popular destinations,” said Virginia State Parks Director Melissa Baker.
“When we preserve scenic viewsheds and vistas, we also preserve the environment,” DCR Director Clyde Cristman said. “This project will result in many environmental benefits including the protection of two globally rare natural communities, a Coastal Plain Calcareous Seepage Swamp and Coastal Plain Dry Calcareous Forest and at the same time preserve a significant natural viewshed for local residents and visitors of nearby historic sites.”
The open-space easement provides for the permanent protection of open space and natural and cultural resources at Cedar Fields. The property will remain privately owned but will be managed according to terms of the easement agreed upon by DCR and the owner. This means the land cannot be subdivided or converted for incompatible uses.
The terms of the easement also protect existing forested buffers on the James River and Cedar Field Creek to protect water quality and wildlife habitat, and require the establishment of additional buffers along swamps and wetlands.
The competitive grant round was administered by the Virginia Land Conservation Foundation. The easement was recorded on Dec. 30, 2020, and was funded through the 2020 Surry-Skiffes Creek Restricted Funds Grant Round.
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