Blackwater River Park Project – Public Comments Requested

The City of Suffolk Department of Parks & Recreation has applied to receive federal funding from the National Park Service (NPS) to acquire 338 acres of undeveloped property located adjacent to the Blackwater River and abutting the 3,753-acre South Quay Sandhills Natural Area Preserve, which is owned by the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR).

Following acquisition, the City of Suffolk intends to subdivide the property and gift approximately 200 acres in the southern area of the tract to DCR to expand the Natural Area Preserve. The City of Suffolk intends to develop the remaining 138 acres of the property into a public park (Blackwater River Park) that provides river accessibility.

In accordance with NPS policy, which follows Department of the Interior and Council on Environmental Quality regulations – per Title 43 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 46 and Title 40 CFR Parts 1500-1508, respectively – an Environmental Assessment is being prepared for the proposed action to evaluate any potential environmental consequences. The City of Suffolk is inviting public comment for a period of 30 days beginning with the publication of this notice.

For additional information, or to submit questions, comments and/or requests for a final environmental report, visit the Suffolk Parks & Recreation website at https://www.suffolkva.us/1405/Blackwater-River-Park-Project. Written correspondence may be mailed to 134 S. 6th Street, Suffolk, VA  23434, faxed to 757-514-7275, or e-mailed to mkelly@suffolkva.us. Envelopes or subject lines of faxes or e-mails should be labeled “Blackwater River Park”.