Balcony Falls
Takeout Project

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


Click to display the following documents

Balcony Falls - site plan - steps up


Balcony Falls - VDOT permit app 7-15-20

Click on picture below to enlarge.        PRINTABLE PDF

August 31, 2020

Balcony Falls
Takeout Project
Support List

Amherst County
Appalachian Trail Conservancy
Appomattox River Company
Back Country Ski and Sports
Bedford County
Big Island Sportsman’s Club
Blue Ridge Outdoors
Blue Ridge River Runners
Botetourt County
Buchanan, Town of
Campbell County
Coastal Canoeists
Del. Watkins Abbitt (former)
Del. Preston Bryant  (former)
Del. Ben Cline
Del. William Fralin (former)
Del. Morgan Griffith (former)
Del. Albert Pollard (former)
Del. Lacey Putney (former)
Del. Jim Shuler (former)
Del. Onzlee Ware (former)
DCR (Dept. of Conservation and Recreation)
DGIF (Dept. of Game and Inland Fisheries) 
Float Fishermen of Virginia
Franklin County
Friends of the Appomattox River
Friends of the Roanoke River
FORVA (Friends of the Rivers of Virginia)
Glasgow, Town of
Bruce Ingram, Outdoor Writer/Photographer
James River Association
James River Canoe Livery
James River Float Company
Lynchburg City
Outdoor Trails Outfitters
Roanoke County
Rockbridge Area Conservation Council
Rockbridge County
Sen. Brandon Bell (former)
Sen. Creigh Deeds
Sen. John Edwards
Sen. Emmett Hanger
Sen. Charles Hawkins (former)
Sen. Steve Newman
Sen. Roscoe Reynolds (former)
Sen. Frank Ruff
Sweetbriar College Outdoor Program
Tangent Outfitters
Triad River Runners
Trout Unlimited – Roanoke Chapter
Twin Rivers Outfitters

Total:  51 letters of support

Cushaw support list full August 31, 2020
Copies of letters available on request.

Email:  bill.tanger@verizon.net

or call cell 540-266-0237

Access Location Photos:

We need to shoot photos of the informal access points, like Iron Man, Matts Creek I, Matts Creek II and Snowden.  If anyone has a good digital camera and can do this please let me know.

  
Click on maps to enlarge

Google Map

How to Help:

Contact Bill Tanger:

Email address:  info@FORVA.org
Home: 540-366-2228