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Current ProjectsStatewide Viewshed Register Will Document Significant Views and VistasThe dictionary defines viewshed as “an area of land, water and other environmental elements that is visible from a fixed vantage point.” For many of us, it’s more than that. Most of us are passionate about one or more views. They might be important to us merely on a personal level; others are significant to all Virginians for their architectural, historic, natural, cultural, and scenic attributes. Our Commonwealth has numerous vistas that could, and should, qualify for an official scenic designation. Until now, no program has existed to identify these viewsheds on an individual basis. Virginia’s current designation programs recognize stretches of scenic roadways (Virginia Byways program), miles of waterways (State Scenic Rivers program) or historic landmarks (Virginia Landmarks Register). There is no official designation for viewsheds that fall outside the criteria of those existing programs. Scenic Virginia’s new signature project aims to fill that void: We are developing a Virginia State Viewshed Register to bestow an official scenic designation on the Commonwealth’s most significant vistas. The goal of the project is to document and categorize these important sites, and to assist localities in guiding any future development that might have an impact on these views. We are currently developing the project’s work plan and timeline for the first phase. An important first step will be the creation of an expert panel with the charge to review nominated viewsheds and to select the inaugural class of designees. We anticipate that the Virginia Viewshed Register will increase awareness among the state’s localities concerning the aesthetic and economic value of their vistas and views, and we hope to experience a lively and spirited competition as all vie to have their viewsheds recognized with official designation.
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Scenic Virginia, Inc. • 4 East Main Street, Suite 2A • Richmond, Virginia 23219 • |