Tag Archives: James River Association

Dominion’s coal ash polluting James River at Dutch Gap?

Dominion power plant next to Dutch Gap Conservation Area My children and I biked and hiked this past weekend at Dutch Gap Conservation Area and Henricus Historical Park in southeastern Chesterfield County. Both parks offer lovely views of the James River and a departure from our more urban areas around Richmond.

As we drove up, before we began our adventures for the day, my son wondered aloud about the smoke/steam/pollution/discharge billowing out of two towering chimneys at the Dominion Virginia Power plant that is adjacent to the two parks. I had no solid answers in regards to the pollution, but we spent time throughout the day discussing coal ash, fly ash, retention ponds and the residual effects from generating power.  Continue reading

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Lessons learned in outdoor recreation planning from John Smith Trail

John Smith TrailThis past week, my Why, Richmond, Why?!? column in the Richmond Times-Dispatch answered a reader question about the John Smith Trail in Richmond. I was a little curious too and took to my bike on a 30-mile ride to explore it a little more closely.

We’ve got all kinds of trails in Richmond these days. The Virginia Capital Trail, Garden Trail, Liberty Trail and even an RVA Beer Trail. None of them has been around as long as the John Smith Trail. Continue reading

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Rundown provides a chance to see more of the James River

Conditions were perfect for the James River Rundown.

Conditions were perfect for the James River Rundown.

This past weekend, I participated in the James River Rundown, thanks to a push from my friend Justin Doyle of the James River Association. I ran the 20-miler in 4 hours and 26 minutes, which was about the right amount of time to spend on the river. Continue reading

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