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Local advocates push for national scenic designation for Nottoway River
Summary
Presenters told the Southampton County Board of Supervisors the Nottoway River meets state and national criteria for scenic designation, citing free‑flowing character, rare biodiversity and potential recreational and funding benefits; organizers plan landowner outreach and public meetings (Aug. 14).
Jamie Craig told the Southampton County Board of Supervisors on June 24 that the Nottoway River in Southampton County is eligible for a National Scenic River designation and could attract tourism and funding without costing the county money. Craig described the river as largely free‑flowing with outstanding scenic and ecological values, including more than 40 documented species in one stretch and significant historic and cultural resources.
Craig said the designation is a hierarchical process — moving from state scenic status toward national listing under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act — and stressed that the effort depends on local landowner and community support. He described plans to add boat ramps spaced every 5–7 miles to create accessible day‑length floats, and suggested implementing a paddling permit similar to existing Department of Wildlife Resources policies to help fund maintenance and access.
Video testimonials from local landowners reinforced the presentation. Richard Raley (speaker S9) said his family’s Shands Tract (about 440 acres) is under a conservation easement to preserve it for future generations. Bruce Phillips (S10) described his family’s 956‑acre farm and existing conservation easements and said residents want to maintain the river’s hardwood forests and working‑land character.
State Delegate Otto Waxman (S12), present for the meeting, told the board he has floated the river and sees potential for environmental tourism; he described coordination with both counties and with state and federal lawmakers as part of the strategy. Craig and supporters said they will hold local public meetings (Craig cited August 14 as a planned meeting date), mail materials to landowners with river frontage, take straw polls, and only advance formal requests to the board if grassroots support is evident.
Craig identified partners he said were already engaged, including the Department of Conservation and Recreation, the Virginia Outdoors Foundation and the Department of Forestry, and noted work with local economic‑development staff. He also said tribal partners and river stewardship groups would be consulted.
The board did not take a formal vote on the scenic designation at the meeting; Craig said he and staff would report back after public outreach and straw polling.
