Our Land and Water

Water Resources

The Richmond area is home to a number of extremely valuable water resources and lies within the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Six major rivers flow through the Capital Region Land Conservancy’s service area: the James, Appomattox and Chickahominy, which are within the James River watershed, and the South Anna, North Anna and Pamunkey, which are within the York River watershed. In addition to supporting wildlife and recreation, these rivers supply public drinking water to the City of Richmond and the Counties of Henrico, Chesterfield and Hanover. The City of Richmond is one of Virginia’s largest water producers, and its water treatment plant provides water to approximately 500,000 people within the city and in surrounding counties that contract with the city for water. Hanover, Henrico, and Chesterfield Counties also operate water treatment plants, collectively providing water service to over 200,000 customers.

The Role of Land Conservation

Land conservation has a direct impact on water quality. The run-off from developed areas is 16 times greater than the run-off from natural areas. A stream is negatively impacted when impervious cover reaches 10% in its watershed. At 25% impervious cover, a stream becomes damaged. At 60%, it is severely damaged.

Protecting land through conservation easements enables land to act as a natural filter for run-off, preventing sediment, nitrogen, phosphorus, pesticides and other pollutants from reaching streams and rivers. Conservation of strategic parcels can also reduce threat of groundwater contamination and safeguard recharge zones to keep the water table from dropping, so those who draw water from wells also benefit. Protecting our natural lands also helps to protect surface and groundwater resources.

Additionally, protecting land in the James River and York River watersheds also protects water in the Chesapeake Bay. Thus the health of the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries – and all who boat and fish and extract drinking water from them – depends on conserved land within the Richmond area, among many other areas. In May 2009, the Chesapeake Bay Program’s Executive Council, chaired by former Governor Kaine, charted a new course for the Bay’s recovery. Two-year goals will now be used to monitor restoration work, and the Council adopted a new end date for Bay restoration efforts of “No Later Than” 2025. This is the date by which all necessary restoration actions must be fully implemented. Land conservation can play a significant role in this effort. 

Goals of the Campaign

CRLC’s goals for this program for 2010 are as follows:

• Facilitate conservation easements on at least 2 parcels of land.
• Hold at least 8 individual informational meetings with landowners interested in placing conservation easements on their land.
• Reach at least 75 people through speaking engagements and exhibits at community events.
• Attend and have a display booth at 5 community events.
• Organize, publicize and hold two land conservation seminars.
• Form two county advisory councils to help promote conservation easements.

A Consensus on Conservation

Conservation of land makes sense for our community, our environment, and our economy. Virginia Governor Robert McDonnell has committed to continuing the work of his predecessor by conserving another 400,000 acres of land in Virginia during the next four years. Virginians have said repeatedly in surveys, polls, and at the ballot box that they are willing to invest in the protection of open space.

Join others in helping the Capital Region Land Conservancy protect our land and water. Contact us for more information on land conservation or to speak at your civic event, or become a supporter or member today. Protecting our land and water can’t wait -- we must do it for future generations, today.