Virginia’s abundance of historic places, scenic views and natural resources is internationally renowned. Each year, that richness draws people to the commonwealth to live, work and play.

Nowhere is that more evident than in our Historic Triangle and Tidewater regions. Sadly, the exceptional resources of those areas are in jeopardy.

Following the scheduled decommissioning of its coal-fired Yorktown and Chesapeake Power Stations, Dominion Virginia is proposing to maintain (and expand) its power supply in the north Hampton Roads area with a large-scale transmission line called the Surry-Skiffes Project. Two potential routes were suggested, and each would have devastating impacts on the surroundings: the first on the Chickahominy River and its plentiful natural, scenic and historic assets; the second on the James River and its equally significant resources.

The utility’s preferred plan appears to be high-voltage (500kV) transmission lines atop 16 towers crossing 4.1 miles of pristine James River in James City County. Ranging in height from 160’ to 295’ (10 feet lower than the Statue of Liberty), the towers would be adorned with strobe lights that pulse in the night. Located near the proposed towers are such significant historic and scenic sites as Carter’s Grove Plantation (on the National Register of Historic Places), the Colonial Parkway (which is a designated National Scenic Byway) and Jamestown Island’s Black Point, each with a viewshed that has been preserved much the same since the colonists’ first arrival. For recreational boaters retracing the Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail — along, by the way, a section of a designated Virginia State Scenic River — these towers would dominate the experience.

Certainly, electric service is needed to support a growing population. And, obviously, we cannot hope to save every piece of history and scenic beauty. But we can — and must — advocate for the most positive outcome possible: adequate energy delivered in a way that respects our most significant historic, scenic and natural attributes — resources that stimulate Virginia’s economy, attract visitors from across the globe and lure in potential new residents interested in surrounding themselves with history. It matters what happens to them.

“Once our most exquisite historic and scenic places have been marred or destroyed, there is no turning back.”

 

Virginia’s State Corporation Commission (SCC) is wrestling with this very situation right now. The SCC regulates the commonwealth’s utilities and so must approve a proposal before a utility can proceed. James City County and other participants, including the James River Association and Save the James Alliance, have filed as interveners in the current SCC case. The SCC hearing examiner began the evidentiary phase of the case on April 9. The multi-day hearing is convening experts on both sides to present and rebut filed testimony.

That said, it’s difficult to rebut or respond to what you don’t know. Much of the utility’s information about the project was deemed too “sensitive” to be released publicly prior to the hearing, making it impossible for groups like ours who consider ourselves bridge-builders to be as effective as we might be. This absence of complete data impairs decision-making and undermines the entire public process. As a result, critical decisions about Virginia’s irreplaceable assets are being made in the dark. (Irony noted.)

Preservation Virginia and Scenic Virginia, along with the Chesapeake Bay Conservancy, National Trust for Historic Preservation, National Parks Conservation Association, The Garden Club of Virginia and Virginia Conservation Network, call upon Dominion to work with the localities along this region of the James River for a better solution. We urge the SCC commissioners to consider alternatives that would meet the needs for electric service to the area while respecting its extraordinary historic, scenic and natural resources.

This situation is not unique to this region. It will occur again and again as utilities seek ways to expand. What it requires is thoughtful leadership, creative thinking and the understanding that our historic, natural and scenic assets contribute significantly to the economic, educational and cultural health of our commonwealth.

During the opening remarks last week, we heard the word “reasonable” again and again in the testimony, e.g., “lowest reasonable cost,” “reasonable speed for project completion,” etc. If you ask us, it’s reasonable to preserve Virginia’s extraordinary historic and scenic assets that distinguish us from every other place, and to expect those in charge do everything possible to achieve this outcome.

Virginia is unique. It deserves special considerations. Let’s recognize that, and let’s act now to find solutions. Once our most exquisite historic and scenic places have been marred or destroyed, there is no turning back. We will have failed the Old Dominion, and that will really leave us in the dark.

The word “iconic” is important here.  Richmond has long been tied to its river, from both an economic and an emotional standpoint.  While the city was once prosperous due to the trade that the James River brought, the river has seen a rebirth as an asset to be exploited for recreation and pleasure.  That is why Richmonders were quick to jump, and a national publication quick to name, Richmond the best River Town in America.  And it is why the American Society of Landscape Architects named the Libby Hill overlook one of America’s most iconic landscapes.  It is a view that created history.  It is also why Preservation Virginia named it one of our Commonwealth’s most endangered historic sites.

We stand opposed to this planned development and in favor of preserving this historic vista.  That is why we have partnered with Lord Alan Watson and the Father Thames Trust to initiate the Richmonds Medal, symbolically linking our two historic rivers, towns, and histories.  We have been actively engaging the Richmond City Council, and knocking on doors around our State Capital, advocating, educating, and informing our legislators about the need for this preservation.

If you would like to be a part of this campaign, contact us.  We encourage your support.

• Preserving “The View That Named Richmond”:  In Virginia’s Capital City, we have worked tirelessly to showcase and preserve the historic panoramic vista of the James River from Libby Hill that is the reason Richmond is named Richmond.  Our efforts to garner attention are paying off:  In May of 2012,  Preservation Virginia designated ‘The View’ as a 2012 Endangered Historic Site, and in August 2012 the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) honored it as a National 2012 Iconic Landscape.  On November 26 of the year, our coalition-building paid off with the passage of a new Richmond Riverfront Plan that we believe will be transformational for the entire region.  Thanks to your efforts, language protecting the historic Libby Hill View was included in the final version of the Riverfront Plan. Well done, all!
• Protecting Eastern Henrico County:  We joined forces with Preservation Virginia, Historic Richmond Foundation, and numerous other groups to oppose the wholesale four-laning of the historic New Market Corridor (Route 5), the second-oldest highway in the U.S. and a Virginia Scenic Byway.  The coalition is pushing for a lower-density land-use model that accentuates the area’s rich agriculture and tourism — Virginia’s two largest industries, by the way — while calming traffic and preserving scenic viewsheds.
• Uniting Two Richmonds:  As a result of our work to preserve ‘The View That Named Richmond,’ we were introduced to Lord Alan Watson, CBE of Richmond upon Thames, England.  This new friendship led to our hosting a May 8, 2012 event at the Capitol to celebrate the publication of The Queen and The U.S.A., his beautiful new book that examines our ‘special relationship’ and that was timed to coincide with the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. In honor of Queen Elizabeth II, who has visited our beautiful Virginia more than any other U.S. State, and in celebration of her 60 years as Monarch, Scenic Virginia hosted a special tree-planting (of a London plane tree) that morning in Capitol Square with Lord Watson, Governor McDonnell, Speaker Howell, and other dignitaries.
• Event Fit for a Queen:  A week after the Queen’s visit to Virginia, at Lord Watson’s invitation, Cessie and Bill Howell, Leighton Powell, and incoming Trustee Ellen LeCompte traveled to the U.K. to represent the Commonwealth at an official Queen’s Diamond Jubilee tree-planting event at Richmond Park in Richmond upon Thames.  There, Lord Watson presented us individually to Her Majesty and strongly praised our efforts to preserve the Richmond, Virginia vista that is so strikingly similar to their beloved English view.
• 2013 Virginia Outdoors Plan:  Trustee Richard G. Gibbons, FASLA and Executive Director Leighton Powell were asked to serve on the Technical Advisory Committee for the 2013 Edition of the Virginia Outdoors Plan, our Commonwealth’s planning guide for outdoor conservation and recreation.  Because of Scenic Virginia’s presence on this committee, we have secured additional attention for our Commonwealth’s incredible scenic resources in the upcoming edition, due in Spring 2013.

• Continuing our Virginia Vistas Photo Contest:  Nothing symbolizes the majesty of our Commonwealth like images from around the State.  With several categories spanning farmland, to nature, to some of our historic city and town views, the contest is open to professionals and amateurs alike.  Click Here for more detains about the 2013 Contest.

• Virginia Viewshed Register:  Leading this project are Trustees Barry Starke and Dick Gibbons.  Also known as Areas of Outstanding Scenic Beauty, this initiative will develop a Statewide inventory of the Commonwealth’s scenic beauty.  This program will be the first of its kind in the United States and is modeled after England’s Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
• MillionTreesVirginia:  Set to launch next summer, this program will plant one million trees across the State, enhancing its natural beauty and creating wildlife habitat.

Our deepest appreciation goes out to all who took the time to share their artistic vision with us for the 2013 Virginia Vistas Photo Contest.  Our panel of judges will be reviewing the photos soon, as we’re certain that you’re all anxious to see the winners for all of our categories, and especially Best in Show!

We would like to offer a special heartfelt Thank You to everyone who entered our 2012 Virginia Vistas Photo Contest.  Click here to see our beautiful 2012 Winners and Honorable Mentions.

2013 Virginia Vistas Photo Contest
Made possible through the generosity of the

“Virginia calls to mind two things: history and beauty. Virginians are fortunate that the events that shaped a nation took place against this backdrop of such breathtaking natural beauty. And as we lose ourselves in the frenzy of everyday life, we sometimes forget that this scenic beauty — our common wealth — doesn’t come with a money-back guarantee. Once it’s lost, it’s gone forever.”

-  Leighton Powell, Executive Director

Notable Virginian Thomas Jefferson once said,

“Communities should be planned with an eye to the effect on the human spirit of being surrounded by a maximum of beauty.”

“There is nothing more practical in the end than the preservation of beauty, than the preservation of anything that appeals to the higher emotions in mankind.”

- Theodore Roosevelt

“Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where nature may heal and give strength to body and soul.”  

– John Muir