Public Policy and Parks
WASHINGTON, D.C. – To commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Blue Ridge Parkway, U.S. Senators Jim Webb (D-VA) and Mark Warner (D-VA) are joining North Carolina Senators Kay R. Hagan (D-NC) and Richard Burr (R-NC) today to introduce legislation authorizing the National Park Service to acquire up to 50,000 acres of land surrounding the historic roadway. In the House of Representatives, Congressmen Rick Boucher (D-VA), Tom Perriello (D-VA), Heath Shuler (D-NC), and David Price (D-NC) introduced companion legislation. The Blue Ridge Parkway’s anniversary will be celebrated in September.
“The Blue Ridge Parkway is one of the Commonwealth’s most significant tourist attractions, providing economic benefits to communities in Southwestern Virginia,” said Senator Webb. “As a longtime supporter of natural and cultural landmark preservation, I look forward to working with my colleagues in the Senate to pass this legislation.”
Washington has the ability to spend whatever it desires, for whatever it desires. Hopefully, the acquisition of 50,000 acres of land truly suffices to help expand tourism without endangering the real estate market in the Virginia and North Carolina communities where the road passes through. Given the tremendous beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains now, one simply wonders whether there really is a need to expand the park system here.
