New Public Boating Access Coming to the Upper James River

New Public Boating Access Coming to the Upper James River

11/30/2012

Fincastle, VA – On Tuesday, November 27, the Botetourt County Board of Supervisors approved three separate agreements to lease property in the Gala community to construct the County’s second new public boating access for the Upper James River Water Trail in the last twelve months.

The two lease agreements for approximately 4 acres and a road easement near Columbia Gas Company and Sinking Creek solidified the County’s plans to strategically locate the new boat launch approximately half way between the existing public access points at Iron Gate and Craig Creek.

“The site is ideal and one that the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries had identified many years ago as a prime location for a boat launch”, stated Pete Peters, Director of Parks, Recreation and Tourism for Botetourt County. “By utilizing Sinking Creek and the existing railroad trestle, we are able to provide a safe passage to the James River and make another section of the river more accessible to recreational paddlers and fishermen.”

Construction of the new Gala site is slated to begin in January 2013 and is expected to be open to the public by April 2013, with the majority of the construction work being conducted by the County’s Parks and Recreation Department with in-house labor and equipment. In addition to providing easy road access from Route 220, the site will contain gravel parking for approximately 20 vehicles and a hand carry boat ramp to place canoes, kayaks and small Jon-boats into Sinking Creek which flows into the James River.

To assist with the financial capital necessary to construct this access point, the County has been actively pursuing grants and donations from a variety of sources. To date, the County has received $5,500 from various local community businesses, including Twin River Outfitters, a canoe livery and river tour company operating in Buchanan, and from NiSource Charitable Foundation, a not-for-profit entity of Columbia Gas Company. Botetourt County was also recently selected to receive a $5,000 grant from The Alleghany Foundation to assist with the development of this site, bringing the total available funds for the Gala project to $10,500.

ABOUT THE ALLEGHANY FOUNDATION
The Alleghany Foundation was established in 1995 with $35 million in proceeds from the sale of Alleghany Regional Hospital. Since then, the Foundation has awarded over $34 million in grants in the areas of healthcare, education, recreation, economic development, arts & humanities, historic preservation and social and community services. To learn more, visit http://www.alleghanyfoundation.org.

ABOUT THE NISOURCE CHARITABLE FOUNDATION
NiSource Charitable Foundation was established to help create strong and sustainable communities where their employees and customers live and work. In close collaboration with NiSource employees and community partners, the Foundation seeks opportunities to provide funding and encourage volunteer support for non-profit organizations in the areas of Community Vitality and Development, Environmental and Energy Sustainability, Learning and Science Education, and Public Safety and Human Services. To learn more, visithttp://www.nisource.com/en/sustainability/communities/corporate-giving.aspx.

ABOUT THE UPPER JAMES RIVER WATER TRAIL
The Upper James River Water Trail is a paddling route along a 45 miles stretch of the James River in Botetourt County that increases recreational opportunities and encourages environmental awareness while also linking communities and land-based attractions such as historic sites and parks. The Upper James River Water Trail was created by Botetourt County to encourage residents and visitors to experience the beauty and history of one of the County’s greatest natural treasures as it begins its majestic journey through the Allegheny and Blue Ridge Mountains on its way to the Chesapeake Bay. To learn more, visit www.upperjamesriverwatertrail.com

For more information see:
http://www.botetourt.org/news_events/news_item_detail.php?press_release_ID=579

Lease Agreement for James River Gala Boat Ramp Approved

Lease Agreement for North County Boat Ramp approved

Botetourt County Board of Supervisors approved a new boat ramp construction lease in North Botetourt on the James River. At the regular board meeting on Nov. 27 the agreement first broached several meetings ago had moved to the lease signing  phase. Property of Bonnie Anderson and others  in the Gala section of  Botetourt will have the first new boat ramp pending approval by the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries. The 3.9 acres of land will be leased for five years with renewals after that. The cost  of the 3.9 access tentatively called the Gala Access will be $100.00 per year. “The county will build the access point,” said Pete Peters, Director of Parks and Recreation.

Jack Leffel made the motion to accept and the lease was approved. Construction will begin in March of 2013.

For more information see Botetourt View article at:  http://blogs.roanoke.com/botetourtview/2012/11/lease-agreement-for-north-county-boat-ramp-approved/

Jackson River Access Points during Renovation

Release Date: Oct 4, 2012  
Contact(s): James River Ranger District at (540) 962-2214

Jackson River Access Construction 

Covington, Va. – Four George Washington and Jefferson National Forest access points along the Jackson River between Lake Moomaw and Covington are under construction.  Petticoat Junction River Access Point will close from approximately October 8 to 19, 2012 for construction of a new ramp.  The existing stairs to the river bank will be removed and replaced with a concrete ramp.  The remaining three access points will remain open during construction, but users are cautioned to be aware of workers and equipment on site.   In addition, all parking areas are being rehabilitated, and are being expanded in two locations.

This project was made possible by the Falling Springs Ruritan Club, who in partnership with the U. S.  Forest Service, has been awarded a grant under the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act.  The Ruritans have also teamed with the Alleghany Highland Chamber of Commerce and Tourism who received a grant from the Alleghany Foundation for this project.  Several Ruritan members are donating their time, expertise, and labor to make this project a reality for the benefit of the community. 

 “These improvements will make river access more convenient for the public, and will help reduce erosion and sedimentation into the Jackson River,” says District Ranger Pat Sheridan.  For additional information contact the James River Ranger District at(540) 962-2214.

-USFS-

See link for full press release: http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5393716.pdf

Alleghany Foundation Awards Blueway Grant

Alleghany Foundation Grant award to the Alleghany Highlands Blueway
COVINGTON, Va. (May 18, 2012)

 The Alleghany Foundation announced today that it has awarded $1,160,732 in 12 grants to 10 area organizations for projects designed to enhance the quality of life for citizens of the Alleghany Highlands, bringing the total grants awarded to more than $37 million in the organization’s 16‐year history. “The focus areas identified a couple of years ago through the Foundation’s strategic planning process reflect opportunities with the greatest impact on quality of life in our region,” says Charlie Kahle, board president. 

“As a board, we strive to work with our community to develop ways to mark progress in these areas of focus: economic transformation, educational attainment, health and wellness, community capacity and leadership and civic vitality. We realize this can be difficult and challenging, and we appreciate the hard work of our applicants and community as we move forward together.” The largest total award was given to the Alleghany Highlands YMCA, which received $446,700 for three projects in the areas of health and wellness and leadership/civic vitality. The grants include the final payment to retire the debt of the organization as well as preschool initiatives and a leadership development program.    “Grant awards from The Alleghany Foundation demonstrate the community's commitment to the Alleghany Highlands YMCA's mission to develop healthy spirit, mind and body for all,” says Jennifer Unroe, chief executive officer, Alleghany Highlands YMCA. “These grants have been essential to advance the Y's focus in the areas of youth development, healthy living and social responsibility for the well‐being of a healthy community.”

The Alleghany Highlands Chamber of Commerce & Tourism received $275,000 over a three‐year period to develop the Alleghany Blueway Initiative, a travel and tourism marketing project that will highlight the region’s lakes, rivers and streams as destinations for outdoor enthusiasts. Funding will allow the organization to promote efforts to enhance public access areas to the Jackson and Cowpasture Rivers.  Enhancements to public access points will begin later this year through funding provided by a grant from Secure Rural Schools to Alleghany County and the Falling Springs Ruritan Club. “The Alleghany Blueway Initiative project is an excellent example of organizations working together to reach a common goal,” says Teresa Hammond, executive director, Alleghany Highlands Chamber of Commerce and Tourism. “The Foundation’s funds will be used to create a website and marketing materials that will promote our natural resources and help bring tourism dollars to the region.”

In addition, Jackson River Enterprises received $177,750 to allow the organization to significantly increase its recycling capacity for Alleghany Highlands residents and corporations. A new recycling truck, scale, storage containers and improvements to the processing facility will allow the organization to streamline operations and improve efficiency. The non‐profit provides training and employment to more than 50 mentally, physically and emotionally‐challenged adults in the community. Other community capacity grants include funds to the C&O Historical Society for restoration of a Shenandoah Pullman Sleeper Car, an updated security system for Safehome System’s home for victims of domestic violence, and a grant to the Alleghany Highlands Arts & Crafts Center to match funds raised by the organization and for software and website upgrades.

The Alleghany Highlands Arts Council was also awarded funds for its Artists‐in‐Residency activities as well as funds to match the non‐profits’ fundraising efforts.An important health and wellness initiative will fund the purchase of 25 automated external defibrillators to be installed in police vehicles in Alleghany County, Covington, Clifton Forge and Iron Gate. The grant, which includes training for 50 area officers, was submitted by the City of Covington on behalf of all area law enforcement agencies. In addition, two of the 12 grants awarded focused on educational projects, including an environmental education grant to the Mountain Soil & Water Conservation District and a grant to help fund the continuation and expansion of the Garth Newel Music Center’s youth string program, the Alleghany Mountain String Project. Mary Fant Donnan, The Alleghany Foundation executive director, recognized the board of directors’ stewardship of Foundation assets and the applicants’ efforts to continually develop ideas to move the community forward. “The future of our region lies in the hopes and dreams of its citizens, businesses, and non‐profits to create the best environment in which to live and work,” Donnan says.  “The difficult challenge of the Foundation and its Board has always been to help bring these dreams to fruition, through financial support as well as the dedication, continuous learning, and hard work that create true community partnerships.”  

The Alleghany Foundation is a nonprofit foundation based in Covington, Va.  Since its formation in June 1995, the Foundation has awarded more than $37 million to 65 organizations for programs to benefit Alleghany Highlands’ residents. These awards total now more than the original $35 million in proceeds from the sale of Alleghany Regional Hospital to HCA. The Foundation awards grants twice annually. Nonprofit, 501(c)(3) tax‐exempt organizations interested in requesting funding from the Foundation should submit an application, following the instructions outlined in the Foundation’s Application Guidelines Brochure available at the Foundation’s office and on its website at www.AlleghanyFoundation.org.

For full article see:  http://www.alleghanyfoundation.org/ALFMay2012Grants_.pdf
Reposted by Twin River Outfitters, for more info about TRO see:  http://canoevirginia.net