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by Diana Parker

UPDATE:

PDF: PSG Spearheads Southside Greenway
PDF: EAST COAST GREENWAY: stimulus projects Feb. 20, 2009

Since 2001, Falls of the James Group has commented upon, rallied for, educated the populace and our members and generally provided updates on the progress of happenings of the Southeast High Speed Rail System currently in Tier II EIS status. It is in go pattern. All alternatives being studied will use the Burgess Connection, Epicenter to four major Civil War Campaigns.

Petersburg NBF GMP Epicenters

We have an opportunity to affect the placement of Greenways which will follow the rail placement through Dinwiddie south to NC to ensure that much hallowed ground is protected and opened for Greenway enjoyment. We ask that members and other interested individuals follow the outcome and provide input to the plans-this will ensure that the Petersburg National Park Service General Management Plan to protect outlying viewsheds of the Civil War are also protected. If you miss the public hearings, still provide input to the email address below.

Ragsdale Earthworks

Please review the attached files and photos for some idea of the degree of energy, expertise, and effort that has gone into the saving of these epicenter earthworks by past Dinwiddie Conservation Coordinator Geri Barefoot, Prince George Historian Don Lauter, land holders Zitta family and Patton family, and experts in the National Park Service, Virginia Outdoor Foundation, Virginia Department of Historic Resources, and Pamplin Park, and Virginia Currents which covered the story. (We were able to stop the Quarry at the Burgess Connector, but not the High Speed Rail.)

Hatchers Run

We also greatly appreciate the willingness to view historic viewsheds by the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation, Crater Planning District Commission, Virginia Rail Solutions, NC Rail Project Manager, David B. Foster and his several accompanying experts to the Burgess Connector and Hatcher Run land at Ragsdales, visits to Patton family’s Fort Joseph Davis, and to Mr. Zitta’s unique interior line and Rocky Branch Creek history.

We must hope that we can generate enough interest in greenways to effect a good outcome for protection of these sites.

Additional Info:

PDF: Feb 2009 - Protect Dinwiddie’s Hallowed Ground

PDF: Feb 6, 2009 - Southeast High Speed Rail Update, Richmond to Raleigh

PDF: March 2008 - East Coast Greenway Closing the Gaps in our Southeast Region