Lead, partner and unify the community for the Appomattox and James Rivers

Rivers Bend Conservation Easement

An open space easement agreement was established  between River’s Bend Development Company, L.P., a Virginia limited partnership and the County of Chesterfield in Virginia, and the Friends of Chesterfield’s Riverfront, a private non-profit conservation organization in December 2004..

The 26.5-acre property is located in the Bermuda District of Chesterfield County, Virginia with in the Rivers bend on the James Subdivision.  It is adjacent to and the old river channel of the James River directly across from the Dutch Gap Conservation Area.  This property is contains a mature hardwood forest canopy with holly and mountain laurel understory on the bluff and bottomland hardwood forest in the River’s floodplain, and has a bald eagle’s nest located on the bluff; and

The open space easement will protect the property in its natural state and limit human activity in the area immediately surrounding the eagle’s nest.  Forest resources on the property will be managed in accordance with a forest stewardship plan. The primary objectives of the forest stewardship plan shall include management of woodlands to provide wildlife habitat, forest management to maintain the health, aesthetics and scenic value of the forest, soil and water conservation, and protection of the habitat for bald eagles. 

A bald eagle protection zone has been established as part of the open space easement.  A zone of 750 feet in radius around an occupied nest is protected from all activities.  Additionally, no use of chemicals toxic to wildlife or habitat modification activities may occur in this zone at any time.  Activities such as hiking will be allowed in this zone outside of the breeding/nesting season or if the nest is determined to be inactive or abandoned.  A secondary zone of 1,320 feet in radius around an occupied nest restricts activity during the breeding/nesting season.

As part of the easement agreement, the Friends of Chesterfield’s Riverfront and Chesterfield County will make and annual inspection of the property to insure the condition and integrity of the site is maintained.  It is hoped that in the future property owners will place educational signage at the site to assist with outreach and information about this conservation area in the community.  This easement is the second conservation easement co-held by the Friends of Chesterfield’s Riverfront and is one that contributes to the heritage and integrity of the river environs in Chesterfield County.