Governor Kaine Signs Legislation Designating New Virginia Scenic River Site
– Bills establish a section of the Meherrin as a scenic river –
LAWRENCEVILLE – Governor Timothy M. Kaine today signed legislation
that adds a section of the Meherrin River in Brunswick County to
the Virginia Scenic River System. The designation provides the Meherrin
with official recognition of the natural, scenic, historic, and recreational
value of the river.
House
Bill 104 and identical Senate
Bill 527, introduced by Delegate
Thomas Wright and Senator
Frank Ruff, designate the 37-mile segment of the Meherrin
River which runs through Brunswick County as a state scenic river.
“It’s great to see people from across the Lawrenceville community
work together to designate the Meherrin as a Virginia Scenic River,” Governor
Kaine said. “This river is a vital part of the community’s
character, and this partnership will help to see that our children will
enjoy the river for generations to come just as we enjoy it today. These
scenic river designations help localities, like Lawrenceville, increase
ecotourism, promote the area’s natural beauty and quality of life,
and add protections for water quality.”
Virginia’s Scenic Rivers Program is driven by locally submitted requests,
and the designation of the Meherrin was requested by the Brunswick County
Board of Supervisors. County Historian Gay Neale originally petitioned to
have the Meherrin River designated as a Virginia Scenic River, and has spent
over a decade working towards this goal.
Governor Kaine was joined at today’s ceremonial bill signing by Brunswick
County officials at the historic Gholson Bridge, spanning the Meherrin River.
The bridge is listed on both the Virginia Landmarks Register and the National
Register of Historic Places.
The Governor was in Lawrenceville with his family as a part of their participation
in Bike Virginia, a bicycling tour that spans across Southside Virginia
from South Hill to Emporia.
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