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SJ31 • 2026

Washington County; DCR to study feasibility of establishing a state park in Holston River watershed.

<p class=ldtitle>Requesting the Department of Conservation and Recreation to study the feasibility of establishing a state park in Washington County at the Mendota Trail and Abrams Falls located within the Holston River Watershed. Report.</p>

Water
Enacted

This bill passed the Legislature and reached final enactment based on the latest official action.

Sponsor
Pillion
Last action
2026-02-06
Official status
Continued
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source does not specify that local people and groups must share their ideas, but it encourages consideration of their views.

Study to See if a State Park Can Be Built in Washington County

This bill asks the Department of Conservation and Recreation to study whether it is possible to create a state park at Mendota Trail and Abrams Falls in Washington County.

What This Bill Does

  • Asks the Department of Conservation and Recreation to look into making a new state park.
  • The study will focus on an area called Mendota Trail and Abrams Falls, which are near the Holston River.
  • Local people and groups should share their ideas during the study.
  • The department must finish its work by November 30, 2026, and give a report to the government.

Who It Names or Affects

  • Department of Conservation and Recreation
  • People living in Washington County

Terms To Know

feasibility study
A look at whether something can be done or not, like building a new park.
state park
An area of land owned by the state that is open to the public for recreation and enjoyment.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The bill does not say what will happen after the study is done.
  • It's unclear if the government will actually make a new park based on this study.
  • The bill doesn't mention how much money might be needed for the park.

Bill History

  1. 2026-02-06 Rules

    Continued to 2027 in Rules (Voice Vote)

  2. 2026-01-14 Senate

    Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26103987D

  3. 2026-01-14 Rules

    Referred to Committee on Rules

Official Summary Text

Study; Department of Conservation and Recreation; state park in Washington County; report.
Requests the Department of Conservation and Recreation to study the feasibility of establishing a state park in Washington County at the Mendota Trail and Abrams Falls located within the Holston River Watershed.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
Requesting the Department of Conservation and Recreation to study the feasibility of establishing a state park in Washington County at the Mendota Trail and Abrams Falls located within the Holston River Watershed. Report.

WHEREAS, the Department of Conservation and Recreation is charged with the mission to conserve, protect, enhance, and advocate the wise use of the Commonwealth's unique natural, recreational, scenic, and cultural resources; and

WHEREAS, tourism is vital to the economy of Virginia, and it has been the Commonwealth's policy to encourage tourism and travel in Virginia; and

WHEREAS, in 2016, more than 10 million people visited state parks located within the Commonwealth; and

WHEREAS, in 2018, visitors to Virginia's state parks spent an estimated $249 million within the Commonwealth; and

WHEREAS, the Mendota Trail and Abrams Falls was designated by the Nature Conservancy as one of the 39 "Last Great Places," comprising one of the world's most important intact remaining ecosystems; and

WHEREAS, the Mendota Trail was a rails-to-trails project that spans the former Southern Railroad corridor between Bristol, Virginia, and Mendota, Virginia, with a total of 12.5 miles of rail bed; and

WHEREAS, Washington County, the surrounding counties, and the citizens thereof have benefited economically from the former railroad established around 1900; and

WHEREAS, the trails have been fully restored and are now available to the general public for hiking and biking; and

WHEREAS, the new economy for the Mendota Trail is based on recreation and tourism that provide for sustainable and inexhaustible resources that
are
anchored in the natural beauty of Southwest Virginia, consisting of breathtaking mountains, tranquil countryside and forest, and pastoral views in Washington County; and

WHEREAS, the Washington County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved acquisition by donated conveyance from the Mendota Trail Conservancy, the 12.5-mile rails to trails greenway from Mendota to Bristol, along with all related amenities; and

WHEREAS, since 2017 a portion of the Mendota Trail has been open to the public for hiking and biking and officially opened on September 15, 2023, to commemorate the inspiring success of the Mendota Trail Conservancy Board; and

WHEREAS, the nearest state park from Bristol, Virginia, and Mendota, Virginia, is nearly one hour of drive time away from such communities, and research indicates that such communities are more socially vulnerable and disadvantaged than communities where recreational opportunities are available; and

WHEREAS, the Mendota Trail and her supporting cast of unique features and lands all complement and add value that will greatly open the possibility to becoming a premier destination state park in Washington County, Virginia; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the Department of Conservation and Recreation be requested to study the feasibility of establishing a state park in Washington County at the Mendota Trail and Abrams Falls located within the Holston River Watershed.

In conducting its study, the Department of Conservation and Recreation shall seek and consider the views of local citizens, local governments, and regional organizations before making its final recommendations.

All agencies of the Commonwealth shall provide assistance to the Department of Conservation and Recreation for this study, upon request.

The Department of Conservation and Recreation shall complete its meetings by November 30, 2026, and shall submit to the Governor and the General Assembly an executive summary and a report of its findings and recommendations for publication as a House or Senate document. The executive summary and report shall be submitted as provided in the procedures of the Division of Legislative Automated Systems for the processing of legislative documents and reports no later than the first day of the 2027 Regular Session of the General Assembly and shall be posted on the General Assembly's website.