Washington County supervisors weigh limited role in reopening Creeper Trail after floods

The Washington County Board of Supervisors discussed on Oct. 29 a narrowly scoped plan to help reopen sections of the Creeper Trail after severe flooding washed out multiple trestles and damaged large portions of the trail that support Damascus’s tourism economy. Supervisor Berry, who briefed the board, said the federal government owns the damaged corridor and the county is considering only a limited, collaborative role.

Berry told the board he had circulated a handout, the "Virginia Creeper Trail Assessment," prepared by Tool Design of West Virginia, and described it as "fully loaded" at about $305,000 to assemble engineers, GIS specialists, landscape architects and project management for design and cost estimates for a temporary trail. "It is fully loaded, is what I call it, at $305,000," he said. Berry framed the study as a way to produce data that would give the county a seat at multi‑agency discussions rather than to supplant federal or state leadership.

The board discussed several conceptual ideas raised by federal staff, including a possible landing zone along Forest Service Road 4555 that could connect to Damascus via roughly 6–7 miles of routing. Berry said the Corps of Engineers and state recovery staff have been involved in debris‑removal assessments and that Chief Ward, the governor's recovery official, has been coordinating state‑level resources. "Not requesting any action of the board tonight," Berry said, adding he intended to continue discussions with state and federal partners and report back.

Supervisors emphasized the local economic stakes. Berry and staff noted that 2024 property and business personal property in zip code 24236 totaled nearly $1.4 million in assessed tax value, and the county has already distributed roughly $311,601.40 in two rounds to 58 local businesses—generally about $5,500 per business—as short‑term assistance. Board members said the county is one of several local actors with funds and private donations already in play and warned against fracturing recovery efforts across multiple groups.

Several supervisors recommended that Washington County act as a facilitator—hiring consultants to produce data and conceptual plans that state and federal agencies could use—rather than assuming primary responsibility for rebuilding the Forest Service–owned trail. One supervisor summarized the approach as "lead from behind," using consultant work to secure the county a credible voice at the table while letting the Forest Service and state agencies retain decision authority.

The board did not take formal action at the meeting. Berry said he will continue to coordinate with Chief Ward and Kim Davis, the DHCD‑assigned point of contact for Friends of Southwest Virginia, and will keep the chair and board apprised of any developments and funding opportunities, including recent ARC announcements that may provide recovery dollars.

Next steps: staff will continue coordination with state and federal recovery officials and the county's consultant; the board expects staff to return with any options that warrant formal consideration.