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Northern Neck Chesapeake Bay Public Access Authority

SUMMARY

The Northern Neck Chesapeake Bay Public Access Authority (NNCBPAA) was created to identify land---either owned by the Commonwealth or private holdings---that can be secured or purchased for use by the general public as a public access site. With already acquired lands, the Authority determines the appropriate public-use level for each site. Additional background information here. List of current members.

ACTIVITY

 

2011-09

Completion of the Shallow Draft Navigation and Sediment Management Plan (PDF, 3.7MB). The plan is meant to estimate a probable average annual cost for maintaining---via dredging---the 13 federal navigation channels within the geographic boundaries of the Public Access Authority. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' budget used to cover these projects, but expected budget cuts will now require Northern Neck localities to come up with alternative funding mechanisms to do the dredging in the future.

 

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

WHY

The population of the four counties of the Northern Neck stands at around 50,000. Today, natural views, wildlife, open fields, woods, creeks, ponds or rivers surround most residents in the region. And because we live among these abundant natural landscapes, we can easily take them for granted.

In the coming decades, as the population of the Northern Neck grows, it will be vital to maintain and increase access to open fields, parks, boat-launch ramps, fishing, birding, hiking, and any number of natural recreational activities—if we are to maintain the quality of life we currently enjoy.

HOW

Future access to natural settings will take planning, and that was the basis for the creation of the Northern Neck-Chesapeake Bay Public Access Authority, which was established by the Northern Neck Chesapeake Bay Public Access Authority Act, and codified in Chapter 66.1 (§ 15.2-6626 et seq.) of Title 15.2 of the Code of Virginia, in 2005.

GOALS

• Inventory existing public-access sites
• Increase the usefulness of existing sites
• Seek local input on potential new sites
• Determine ownership of proposed sites
• Buy and sell land to fulfill the Authority’s mission
• Develop new public-access sites
• Increase public access for all residents
• Preserve the natural beauty of the Northern Neck

 

PUBLIC ACCESS AUTHORITY - MEMBERS (as of 12/1/2008)

Lancaster County
Lee Ann Washington
William H. Pennell Jr., Vice Chairman
Alternate Member: Roderick C. Barrack

Northumberland County
Kenneth Eades; Chairman
Luttrell Tadlock

Westmoreland County
Woody W. Hynson
Sherman Davis