By Sarah Sonies
Capital News Service

State legislators have decided to postpone until next year a bill to designate the section of the Appomattox River flowing into Hopewell as an official “scenic river.”

The House Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources continued House Bill 1281 until 2011. The panel took the action by voice vote last Wednesday, Feb. 10.

HB 1281, sponsored by Delegate Riley Ingram, R-Hopewell, would increase the section of the Appomattox that is included in the Virginia Scenic Rivers System from 6.2 miles to 19.2 miles.
Currently, the Appomattox is classified as a scenic river from the Lake Chesdin Dam to the Route 36 bridge in Petersburg. HB 1281 would extend the designation to the Appomattox’s confluence with the James River at City Point in Hopewell.

Ingram said Chesterfield County officials feared that the scenic river designation would restrict development.

“Chesterfield County had some concerns about … development along the river,” Ingram said. “They are the ones we are waiting on, and it may be another four to five months before they settle on it.”

According to Ingram, the committee members can act on HB 1281 anytime they meet, but a resolution from Chesterfield County will be needed for the bill to proceed.

“In order for a river to be designated a scenic river, the Natural Resources Committee requires all resolutions from all localities that would be effected by the scenic river designation,” Ingram said.

Wayne Walton, a member of the Hopewell City Council, said the legislation would affect five localities: Hopewell, Prince George County, Petersburg, Colonial Heights and Chesterfield County. All but Chesterfield approved resolutions endorsing the scenic river designation, he said.

“We hope to bring this up again next year, and it really would have made a difference for the region in helping us with grants and more attention on the environment and the river,” Walton said. “This would have been a good addition to the scenic river program.”

Walton said that while he is “disappointed” that HB 1281 was continued, he is hopeful it will pass next year.

“We’re hoping it will attract more attention and … we will just have to do a better job of educating the people in Chesterfield,” Walton said.

Ingram also said he is confident the bill will pass next year. He said he hopes the scenic river designation will help tourism in Hopewell and the rest of the Tri-City area.

For more about the Virginia Scenic Rivers Program, visit www.dcr.virginia.gov.