NEWS
RELEASE
VirginiaDOT.org
RELEASE: IMMEDIATE LYN-5-118
CONTACT: Paula K. Jones (434) 856-8176 Sept. 6, 2005
Pager (434) 856-5859
ROCKFISH
RIVER RESTORATION MOVING FORWARD
LYNCHBURG – Along two miles of the South Fork of
the Rockfish River in Nelson County, the land appears scarred and barren but
things are, as we know., not always as they seem. The dump trucks, backhoes and bulldozers that have rumbled
through this mostly peaceful area since early June are, in reality, there to
make things better.
The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) has
been helping this stretch of the South Fork of the Rockfish River to return to
a more natural state. In addition, the
work has been done to offset damage done to several streams in Amherst County
during the construction of the U. S. 29 Bypass of Madison Heights, as is
permissible by regulation.
The goal of the approximately $1.4 million project is
to lengthen and slow down the stream and to bring it back into one single
channel. Over years the stream has been
changed through various human actions and acts of nature. To improve what time has caused, crews have
been busy laying back the slopes along some sections of the 11,000-foot
project. In addition, vanes of large
rock have been erected at various spots to create pools. These pools will help in times of flooding
and serve as home for native fish.
Once this initial work is complete, VDOT and its
contractor will prepare for the planting of about 22,000 native tree seedlings
along the river banks to help stabilize the ground further and create a more
natural area.
Over twenty area property owners participated in
the program by allowing conservation easements. Many of the residents have taken an active interest in the
project and have looked forward to seeing the changes that are creating the
“new” river.
The Friends of the Rockfish Watershed and the
Agelasto Family are offering tours of the Rockfish River restoration project on
the Agelasto property and Phase One of the Rockfish Valley Loop Trail. The public is invited to join them at the
intersection of Route 151 and the South Fork of the Rockfish River (1.5 miles
south of Nellysford) in Nelson County on Saturday, September 17 between 10:00
a.m. and Noon or Sunday, September 18 between 2:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m.
END