Friends of the Rivers of Virginia (FORVA) has been following the Cushaw Dam Relicensing Project for some time now, although we have been unable to attend any meetings due to the fact that we are all citizen volunteers and therefore must work during those times scheduled for meetings.

FORVA represents dozens of groups of river users in Virginia. Many of them are boater organizations or include boaters in their groups. We have for years heard from many of them about the negative impacts of the Cushaw Dam on boating related use of the river. One of the biggest problems is the lack of an adequate take-out below the whitewater section of the James we call Balcony Falls.

Currently there are two possible take-outs. Both involve crossing the railroad tracks and one includes crossing Rt. 501, usually carrying a boat. One includes hiking up an extremely steep, slippery-when-wet trail that is impossible for some to even attempt.

In short, we have for years been trying to find a solution to this problem. Recent exploratory research into the matter may have turned up a possible crossing through a culvert, along with a possible parking area and a possible road out to Rt. 501. This would obviously depend on a number of factors, including cooperation from the US Forest Service, CSX and others.

We would like to explore this and any other possible solution to this problem with the Cushaw group looking into relicensing.

 
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