To the Editor:
There are over 7,100 registered Chesterfield boaters who pay over $1 million a year in personal property taxes to the county on boats valued at over $27 million.
Per state law, Dominion must move the coal ash at Dutch Gap. The boat ramp must be closed. Dominion has agreed to fund $10 million for a replacement ramp. Chesterfield County officials did not consult with the Virginia Wildlife regional river access supervisor or the Chesterfield boaters before deciding to move the only James River access for boaters from Dutch Gap to Falling Creek. It appears their main objective was to use Dominion’s funding to replace the closing Dutch Gap ramp as an opportunity to support revitalization of Jeff Davis. The county decided to use Dominion’s $10 million to fund a park on the river with a boat ramp. Original plans for that location only called for a park with a small dock and kayak launching onto Falling Creek.
So what’s wrong about the Falling Creek location? Everything! First, it is almost 7 miles upriver from Dutch Gap, past Osborne Landing, and less than a mile from the City of Richmond. Most Dutch Gap boaters go downriver. Second, it is not centrally located for a majority of the Chesterfield boaters. From FOIA information from Virginia Wildlife, we counted Chesterfield boaters by Zip code. Only 22 percent of boaters will find Falling Creek more convenient! That’s right, 78 percent of Chesterfield boaters will need more time to drive to this ramp. Third, Chesterfield police recorded 442 calls for service for Falling Creek Apartments and Alfalfa Lane in 2019. The ramp is directly behind these areas. Every boater who has learned of the move says they will not utilize this location out of fear of theft or personal injury! Fourth, this ramp opens directly onto the main James River. With boat traffic, barge traffic, freighter traffic to Deep Water Terminal, and tidal movement, loading is often dangerous. The Osborne Landing ramp has a lagoon for launching and is safer.
The county needs to use the $10 million from Dominion for a ramp downriver for the safety and convenience of a majority of Chesterfield boaters! A lagoon type, downriver ramp would not only work for the pleasure boaters and fishing enthusiasts, but would serve to dramatically draw tourism dollars from local, regional, and national fishing tournaments. Hotels and restaurants are easily accessible at I-95 and Route 10. The new, improved Super 10 traffic road adjacent to a downriver site would bring numerous bass and catfishing tournaments to Chesterfield.
County officials must listen to these citizens and move the Dutch Gap replacement ramp downriver!
Phil Lohr, Mike Zervakis, Concerned Chesterfield Boaters
