The biodiversity of Southwest Virginia’s Clinch River is of global significance. The Clinch River watershed supports more rare species of freshwater mussels and fish than any river system in North America. Communities in the region wish to protect this biodiversity while encouraging economic growth in the region. 
The Institute for Environmental Negotiation, at the University of Virginia, is assisting an innovative and collaborative multi-year planning effort to build local economies in the coalfields of Southwest Virginia, focusing on the Clinch River Valley. Participants represent many Clinch River communities, regional and state officials, and outside experts. Through working at a watershed scale with several local partners, this grassroots effort has developed significant ownership and momentum with applicability for communities in Appalachia and beyond.
Utilizing a consensus-based approach, project partners are articulating and prioritizing goals for connecting downtown revitalization, outdoor recreation, entrepreneurship, water quality and environmental education along the Clinch River, and developing an action plan to realize the prioritized goals as part of the effort. Strategies are being identified to connect downtown revitalization with outdoor recreation along the Clinch River. The project connects to cultural and natural heritage efforts including Heartwood: Southwest Virginia’s Artisan Gateway, Round the Mountain, Crooked Road, and other artisan networks. Finally, the effort builds upon the unique cultural and ecological assets of the Clinch River to distinguish and create new possibilities in the communities along the Clinch as distinctive cultural and ecological areas, particularly around environmental education and entrepreneurship opportunities.
Five action groups are currently working on 5 goal areas as part of the Clinch River Valley Initiative (Click on Each to view most recent meeting summaries):
- Goal 1: Develop a Clinch River State Park
- Goal 2: Develop and Integrate Access Points, Trails, and Campgrounds along the Clinch River
- Goal 3: Enhance Water Quality in the Clinch River
- Goal 4: Develop and Enhance Environmental Education Opportunities for all Community Members in the Clinch River Watershed
- Goal 5: Connect Downtown Revitalization and Outdoor Recreation Efforts along the Clinch River, and Expand Entrepreneurship and Marketing Opportunities
Five large group meetings and one community workshop have been held as part of the Clinch River Valley Initiative (CRVI). Additionally, action groups have been meeting regularly in between larger CRVI meetings. For instance, the Downtown Revitalization and Outdoor Recreation action group will be hosting a meeting on February 29th titled the Clinch River Regional Summit. The next meeting of the Clinch River Valley Initiative will be on April 4th, 2012.
If you have ideas, questions, or would like to be added to the Clinch River contact list for announcements of future meetings, please contact Christine Gyovai at christineg@virginia.edu or 434-982-6464.
Summaries of these meetings are available below:
Special thanks to the Dept. of Forestry, the Dept. of Housing and Community Development/Appalachian Regional Commission, the Blue Moon Fund, and the University of Virginia for supporting this effort.
