Department of Conservation and Recreation
Conserve. Protect. Enjoy.
Department of Conservation and Recreation
By Ralph Hambrick
A segment of the James River in Richmond was designated by the Virginia General Assembly as “scenic” in 1972 following the establishment of the Virginia Scenic Rivers Program in 1970. It was the first river designated as scenic, although that designation had an asterisk.
In the late 1960s, a small group of citizens formed the Richmond Scenic James Council to fight against the proposed Riverside Expressway that would have decimated a long stretch of the southern shoreline, including the ever-popular Pony Pasture Rapids (a favorite recreational spot long before it became a park). Whether as a result of the vocal and passionate opposition or the realization that the economics were not favorable, or some combination, the expressway plan for the southside was abandoned.
After the expressway worry ended, the leaders of the Richmond Scenic James Council sought a way to prevent future threats to the river. The newly created Scenic Rivers Program seemed to be a promising possibility. Achieving designation as a scenic river, however, required some doing — both political and legal.
Scenic river designation by the General Assembly is only granted if the local governmental jurisdiction approves. The city of Richmond was not willing to approve for fear that such designation would interfere with vital uses of the river, especially water supply and wastewater disposal.
Leaders of the designation effort resorted to some creative problem-solving and proposed that the James River in Richmond be given a special “historic” designation making it technically separate from the state program. City officials concurred and a segment of the river was designated as the Historic Falls of the James Scenic River, shortly followed by the creation of the Historic Falls of the James Scenic River Advisory Committee with five members appointed by the Richmond City Council and four by Virginia’s governor. Although the Richmond designation was separate from the Scenic Rivers Program, it was a close cousin to full scenic river designation.
In 1984, the designated area was extended and the “historic,” which had signified separation from the state program, was officially dropped and the river segment was fully incorporated into the Virginia Scenic Rivers Program. Nevertheless, “historic” is often still used as an informal nod to the designation origin and recognition of the rich history along the James River in Richmond.
The Falls of the James Scenic River Advisory Committee, which the designation created, has worked for nearly 50 years to protect and transform the James River in Richmond. It has continuously sought to keep city officials and others aware of river issues while advocating a balance between economic development and environmental and recreational concerns. The committee has advised, advocated, mediated, supported, facilitated, and sometimes led.
Among many other efforts, the committee has:
In 1995, the Scenic Advisory Committee received national attention with the receipt of the award for Lifetime Achievement in Urban Rivers Restoration given by American Rivers.
The activities of the Falls of the James Scenic River Advisory Committee, along with the efforts of many, many others, are described in some detail in a recently published book, “Transforming the James River in Richmond” (The History Press, 2020).
From abused and neglected to the centerpiece and pride of the city, the James River in Richmond has seen a remarkable transition. The designation as a Virginia Scenic River, both with and without the asterisk, has been an important part of that transformation.
Ralph is a member and former chair of the Falls of the James Scenic River Advisory Committee. He is author of “Transforming the James River in Richmond,” published in spring 2020 by The History Press.
