Showing posts with label Potomac River. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Potomac River. Show all posts

Wednesday, August 27, 2014

Governor McAuliffe Affirms Virginia’s Commitment to River, Chesapeake Bay Public Access

Map of .
Map of . (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
RICHMOND — Governor Terry McAuliffe today joined officials from the National Park Service and the Chesapeake Conservancy, as well as local and state partners, on the banks of the Potomac River at Caledon State Park in King George County to affirm Virginia’s commitment to increasing public access to rivers and the Chesapeake Bay.

“Protecting the health and vitality of Virginia’s waterways and promoting their use means we can connect people from all over the world with our Commonwealth’s natural resources and grow our economy as well,” said Governor McAuliffe. “My team and I want to continue to provide Virginia’s residents and visitors more places to swim, fish, put in a canoe and just be in nature. By partnering with the National Park Service, the Chesapeake Conservancy and others to increase access to our waterways in the Chesapeake Bay region, Virginia will create opportunities for more people to enjoy and appreciate the countless natural, cultural and historic treasures found here.”

The Commonwealth of Virginia and the National Park Service have agreed to a memorandum of understanding to advance mutual commitments to the Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail and the Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail. A focus of the trails is to bring to the region new opportunities for public access, recreation, education and heritage tourism.

Today’s event at Caledon State Park dedicated a new canoe-in campground enabling paddlers to rest or stay overnight in a primitive campsite. Development of the campground was a collaborative effort among the National Park Service, the Chesapeake Conservancy, and the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, which manages Virginia state parks.

“Development of this canoe-in site increases people’s access to the river and to one of the country’s most significant summering spots for bald eagles,” said Virginia Secretary of Natural Resources Molly Ward. “This contributes to both the state park’s and the trails’ goals of allowing visitors to experience this area’s unique natural treasures.”

Canoe-in campgrounds were identified as a key need during development of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Public Access Plan. The plan, which calls for adding 300 new public access sites in the bay watershed by 2025, is part of the broad federal, state and nongovernmental strategy to protect and restore the Chesapeake Bay.

Members of Virginia’s Youth Conservation Corps built the campground with financial support from the National Park Service. Each campsite measures 20 feet by 30 feet and offers a picnic table, fire ring and lantern post.


Tuesday, April 1, 2014

Governor McAuliffe Unveils Spring Stewardship Virginia Campaign

English: The state seal of Virginia. Српски / ...
(Photo credit: Wikipedia)
(Richmond, VA)— Governor Terry McAuliffe today announced that Stewardship Virginia, a statewide campaign to encourage and recognize voluntary activities with a tangible impact on Virginia’s natural resources, begins its twelfth spring campaign April 1. With events across the state, the spring campaign runs through May 31. There is also a fall component starting in September.
“Stewardship Virginia gives us all an opportunity to make real contributions to our natural and historic resources. Virginia’s landscapes and waterways are important for their ecological value, scenic beauty and recreational opportunities,” said Governor McAuliffe. “Stewardship Virginia projects give volunteers the tools, guidance and structure to continue to enhance these valuable resources. I encourage all Virginians to get involved.”
Citizens and groups may get help from the state’s natural resource agencies. Participants in Stewardship Virginia events will receive certificates of appreciation signed by Gov. McAuliffe.
“Events will be held throughout Virginia with many opportunities for volunteerism in our parks and natural areas during Stewardship Virginia,” said Joe Elton, interim director of the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation. “We appreciate the many Virginians who have participated to date and hope many others will join in.” DCR coordinates the campaign with help from other natural resource agencies.
Last year, over 300 projects were registered and more than 5,000 volunteers were recognized with certificates of appreciation. Miles of waterways were cleaned and thousands of pounds of trash hauled away.  Volunteers held recycling events and organized community cleanups.  Invasive species were replaced with native plants and many trails were cleared for citizens to enjoy.
Stewardship Virginia promotes waterway adoption, trail improvement, the planting of riparian buffers, invasive species control, habitat improvement and landscaping for conservation. The campaign encourages people to connect with land and water to better understand their value. Many businesses and groups across Virginia have already registered Stewardship events and provided support to promote conservation initiatives. From the friends of the Occoquan along the Potomac River, the volunteers with the Mariners’ Museum and Park in Newport News, the Future Farmers of America  students with the Southern Virginia Botanical Gardens and the state parks friends groups like those of Smith Mountain Lake and the Southwest Virginia Museum Historical State Park. Citizens across Virginia are making a huge difference in their communities.
Individuals, businesses and organizations are encouraged to register their projects with Stewardship Virginia, making details available for those wanting to join in. For more information, including a registration packet, call 1-877-42-WATER (429-2837); in Richmond call (804) 786-5056. Visitwww.dcr.virginia.gov/stewardship/ for more information about volunteer projects and a registration form.
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Tuesday, December 17, 2013

Statement of Governor Bob McDonnell on Retirement of United States Representative Frank Wolf

English: Official Congressional portrait of Co...
English: Official Congressional portrait of Congressman Frank Wolf. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
LYNCHBURG - Governor Bob McDonnell issued the following statement this afternoon following the news that United States Representative Frank Wolf (R-Va) will not seek re-election in 2014.

“Frank Wolf is a Virginia institution. As the longest serving member of our congressional delegation, he possesses a knowledge of the Commonwealth that few can match. As a person, he possesses the kind-of compassion, empathy and understanding that we all only hope to emulate. There is a reason Frank has served so long, and why his retirement is being met with so many expressions of admiration and respect: he has earned it. Frank is a Republican, and he believes deeply in his principles. But he has always been a Virginian first. He has sought out common ground, he has worked across the aisle, he has represented the people of this Commonwealth with distinction and with grace. His public service has never stopped, however, at the Potomac River, or the Atlantic Ocean. Frank is perhaps best known for his human rights work, whether it be standing for peace in the Sudan, or fighting for justice for the victims of human trafficking.

“Finally, I have to say on a personal level, how much I have benefited from the counsel and insights of Frank Wolf. He has never hesitated to help me, first as attorney general and now as governor, better understand the issues facing the 10th District, or any part of Virginia. He has been a constant source of information and ideas. We need a lot more Frank Wolf’s serving in Congress. Today, on behalf of a grateful Commonwealth, I thank Frank for his tireless service to our state and nation. Frank Wolf has a servant’s heart.”
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