August 31, 2020
James River Access for Balcony Falls
The Balcony Falls Project goal is to provide better access to the James River from Rt. 501 through the GW and TJ National Forest and under the CSX railroad for boaters of all types. Better access should increase river and forest use, reduce parking and access conflicts with the Appalachian Trail Conference and others, and eliminate 4 to 5 extralegal public crossings of the CSX railroad.
Here’s the most current update of the Balcony Falls river access project:
- FORVA has obtained approval of a VDOT permit by waiver for a new access road off Rt 501.
- VDOT requires that the Forest Service give its approval of the project before it will sign off on the permit.
- The Forest Service has looked at the FORVA plans and has said it next needs to hold a meeting with all interested parties: USFS, VDOT, CSX and FORVA as a pre-project meeting. This would be prior to starting the NEPA process for approval.
- The Forest Service said it will send a letter to FORVA describing the purpose and content of the meeting. We have been waiting for this letter since July 9, with regular promises of its arrival.
- CSX has indicated it is willing to have its engineering staff evaluate the culvert/tunnel crossing site. It is the only site CSX agreed was acceptable to them. We know that CSX has accepted the use of tunnels for other track crossings as well. The closest one I know of is in Chapel Hill near UNC for a greenway.
FORVA is interested in the Federal Land Access Program (FLAP) funding. We think it is an excellent match with their mission and goals as we understand them.
I have contacted the Forest Service again today and will do so until we get their letter in hand. That should give us further guidance and timing for any application.
FLAP grant - Balcony Falls - summary August 31, 2020 |