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HJ 460

Washington County; DCR to study feasibility of establishing a state park in Holston River watershed.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Israel O'Quinn

Directs the DCR to study the feasibility of a Virginia state park at Mendota Trail and Abrams Falls, seek local input, and report findings to the General Assembly by early 2026.

Left in Rules
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Bill Summary · HJ 460

Summary: House Joint Resolution 460 (HJ460)

Overview

HJ460 is a Virginia House joint resolution introduced on January 13, 2025 and left in the Rules Committee. The resolution requests the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) to study the feasibility of establishing a state park in Washington County at the Mendota Trail and Abrams Falls, located within the Holston River watershed. It directs the DCR to gather input from local stakeholders and to report back with its findings and recommendations.

Purpose and intent

  • To determine whether establishing a state park in Washington County at the Mendota Trail and Abrams Falls is feasible and desirable.
  • To examine potential economic, recreational, and conservation benefits for the Wa​shington County area and the broader region.
  • To provide a formal, documented assessment to the Governor and General Assembly.

Key provisions and requirements

  • Scope: The DCR shall study the feasibility of a state park at the Mendota Trail and Abrams Falls in the Holston River watershed.
  • Stakeholder engagement: The DCR must seek and consider the views of local citizens, local governments, and regional organizations as part of the study.
  • Cooperation: All Virginia state agencies shall provide assistance to the DCR upon request.
  • Timeline for the study:
    • The DCR must complete its meetings by November 30, 2025.
    • The DCR shall submit an executive summary and a full report of findings and recommendations to the Governor and General Assembly.
    • The report must be published as a House or Senate document and posted on the General Assembly’s website.
    • The executive summary and report are due no later than the first day of the 2026 Regular Session of the General Assembly, following the procedures of the Division of Legislative Automated Systems.

What would be affected

  • Washington County residents and local governments, particularly those in and around Mendota and Bristol.
  • Mendota Trail Conservancy and stakeholders involved in the rails-to-trails corridor.
  • Local tourism and economic development players leveraging outdoor recreation and natural resources.
  • State agencies that may provide assistance to the DCR for this study.

Status and procedural context

  • Introduced/Prefiled: January 2025; Offered January 13, 2025.
  • Current status: Left in Rules (as of the latest legislative actions).
  • This is a non-binding resolution that initiates a feasibility study; no appropriation or direct creation of a park is authorized by this bill itself.

Practical implications

  • If the study finds feasibility, it could lead to future legislation or actions to establish a Virginia state park at the Mendota Trail and Abrams Falls.
  • The process emphasizes local input and intergovernmental cooperation, with a clear deadline for the DCR’s findings.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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