Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, June 20, 1994 TAG: 9407150015
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B6 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: BILL COCHRAN OUTDOOR EDITOR
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Fourteen new launch sites are scheduled to be developed under the agreement, including access along a rugged stretch of the Roanoke River in the Niagara Dam-Explore Park section of Roanoke County. Eight of the sites are on the New River, one of them near Foster Falls, a popular white-water area. Four sites have been proposed for the James River, from Lynchburg downstream for 26 miles.
At least one launch site on each of the three streams should be ready for use by next year, said Gary Waugh of the Department of Conservation and Recreation. That department and the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries are the two state agencies involved.
The partnership, which Waugh believes is the first of its kind, calls for Apco to provide $165,000 and the use of two parcels of company-owned land for the development of the access points. The two state agencies will contribute $295,000 for land purchase and development.
Apco has been in the process of renewing federal permits for several of its oldest hydroelectric projects: at Niagara, on the Roanoke River; Buck and Byllesby, on the New River; and Ruesens, on the James River near Lynchburg. Part of the process involves the utility proposing public recreation improvements in the region of the projects.
``This is the first time I am aware of they have looked up and down the river for public access needs,'' said Waugh. Most often, recreation projects are proposed at the site of the hydroelectric facility, he said.
``Studies show that the No. 1 recreational need in the state is for water-related activities and water access,'' said Waugh.
Included in the partnership package are portages just above and below Niagara Dam near Vinton and Buck and Byllesby dams on the New River in Carroll County.
The Explore launch site will be approximately 11/2 miles downstream from Niagara Dam, which should make for a quick and technical ride through the Roanoke River Gorge for kayakers and accomplished canoers during periods of good flow.
The sites on the New River include portage facilities within a few hundred yards of Buck and Byllesby dams. Other sites are three-quarters and one mile upstream from Byllesby; three miles downstream from Buck Dam near Ivanhoe; seven miles downstream from Ivanhoe; at Foster Falls five miles downstream from Austinville; and at Lone Ash five miles downstream from Foster Falls.
In some instances, the exact location of the facilities has not been established, Waugh said.
by CNB