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December 2009 •  Volume 7  •  Number 4

In This Issue:

Online:  www.rrregion.org | www.rrcommute.org | www.thevirginiapiedmont.org

October Ridership Statistics on new Amtrak Route Exceed Expectations PD9 All-Hazards Mitigation Plan Effort Shortly to Get Underway RRRC Regional Tourism Committee 2009 RRRC Annual Meeting and Regional Distinguished Leadership Awardees RRRC Commuter Services Plans for Expanded Outreach Regional Long-Range Transportation Plan Public Meeting To Be Held End of January PD9 Multimodal Freight Study Pending Release Next Steps: RRRC Living Lands Green Infrastructure Planning Workshop Commission to Assist Town of Washington with Income Survey Then & Now: Across the Rappahannock-Rapidan Region Regional Stat: Natural Increase versus Net Migration, 2000-2008

Then & Now in the Region Can you guess which RRRC region town is depicted above? Click the picture for a bird's-eye view of what's changed on the ground

October Ridership Statistics on new Amtrak Route Exceed Expectations

In a recently released report from the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT) to members of the Commonwealth Transportation Board, both ridership and revenues for the month of October following inception of the new Lynchburg and Culpeper to Washington, DC, portion of the Amtrak "Northeast Regional" route, exceeded expectations by 97 and 89 percent, respectively. Demonstrating the popularity of the long-awaited new service to area business travelers and tourists alike, the statistics also attest to the appeal of currently discounted promotional ticket pricing. Moreover, amid continuing concerns about Amtrak's on-time performance, given increased demand for and reservation of privately-owned tracks for more remunerative freight transport, the on-time performance of the new route also exceeded the statewide average by 12.1 percent. For more information about the new Lynchburg and Culpeper to DC portion of the Amtrak Northeast Regional route, or to purchase tickets, please visit:

http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/ContentServer/AM_Route_C/1241245668597/1237405732511

PD9 All-Hazards Mitigation Plan Effort Shortly to Get Underway

The Regional Commission is pleased to announce the receipt of a grant from the Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VDEM). Along with in-kind pledges from RRRC's member jurisdictions, the award will support activities associated with the upcoming mandated 5-year update of the Rappahannock-Rapidan Multi-Jurisdictional All Hazards Mitigation Plan. Teams from each locality will conduct comprehensive hazard analyses, evaluate and update mitigation goals and strategies, and collaborate in drafting the plan revision.

Specific information and assessments provided by emergency services coordinators, planners, zoning and public works officials, GIS specialists, and others will result in a comprehensive evaluation of existing conditions and projected needs, along with the development of an updated plan that focuses on implementation. With the kick-off meeting tentatively scheduled for mid-January, the RRRC looks forward to reconvening old and new members of the Regional Hazard Mitigation Committee, and working with member jurisdictions on this important planning initiative. Further details are set to go out shortly, and material regarding the initiative will be posted on the Commission's website.

RRRC Regional Tourism Committee and Website- TheVirginiaPiedmont.org

The RRRC Regional Tourism Committee met in February, July, and November of this year, and the meetings have been invaluable, both as a means of further strengthening already promising and productive inter-jurisdictional bonds, but identifying strategic next steps with regard to implementation of a regional tourism marketing plan.

The recently developed tourism website continues to be a first-rate tool for promoting the Rappahannock-Rapidan Region, driving Internet traffic as well back to individual town and county websites, and conveying to visitors the beauty and appeal of "the Virginia Piedmont" as area tourism destination. The home page is updated each month with themed special events.

The Committee is continuing to work with the Virginia Tourism Corporation (VTC) to increase yet further the visibility of The Virginia Piedmont on the state tourism website: http://www.virginia.org.

With regard to marketing, the first regional ad has been booked, taking advantage of the VTC co-op offer in the March 2009 issue of Good Housekeeping, and professional design, development, and printing of a companion regional brochure has begun. Local graphic designer Theresa Knight has been hired to design advertisements and a regional brochure that will build upon the brand identification created for the website. The brochure should be complete in early spring in time for dissemination to resulting ad leads.

Future plans include development of a familiarization tour to introduce travel writers to the Virginia Piedmont. May has been discussed, with Laura Overstreet of Rappahannock County, kindly volunteering to help coordinate the effort. In addition, Tracey Gardner, Laura Overstreet, and Beth Burns are all on the planning committee making arrangements for the upcoming celebration of the Shenandoah National Park's 75th Anniversary, along with RRRC Regional Tourism Committee's Karen Beck-Herzog of SNP, and it promises to be a great opportunity to promote the Rappahannock-Rapidan/Virginia Piedmont region, as well.

For questions about these and other efforts of the RRRC Regional Tourism Committee, please contact Sue Hromyak at 540-829-7450 or shromyak@rrregion.org.

2009 RRRC Annual Meeting and Regional Distinguished Leadership Awardees

This year's meeting was held Wednesday, October 7, 2009, at beautiful Sweely Estate Winery in Madison County, and featured Keynote Speaker UVA Professor John Quale, LEED-AP, who provided an informative and timely presentation on the subject of Highly Energy-Efficient and Affordable Modular Housing Design.

Upon the close of dinner, and conclusion of Professor Quale's remarks, the year's Regional Distinguished Leadership- Citizen and Government Awards, respectively, were presented to: Beverly Hunter-for "success in getting local and area residents to think about water resources . . . not only through data collection and related GIS-mapping efforts, but through the founding of the citizen-based RappFLOW organization," and Robert Anderson-for longstanding and commendable service as a member of the Rappahannock County Board of Supervisors, Rappahannock River Basin Commission, and Regional Commission, among other entities, as well as his "integrity, diligence . . . and effectiveness at consensus-building."

"Effective regional planning is about building bridges and working together," said RRRC Executive Director Jeffrey Walker, "and we are grateful to both for their many meaningful contributions over the years."

RRRC Commuter Services Plans for Expanded Outreach

An FY-2011 workplan is being prepared, to be submitted in conjunction with the Commission's upcoming application for annual funding in support of its longstanding Commuter Services Program. Among other components to included in the application, will be the continuation of ridematching services available to area residents, as well as the promotion of further transit and alternative transportation options. In addition, expansions to the growing employer outreach program to facilitate increased participation among area employers, through the offering of free ridesharing benefits, is also envisioned. Coordination with area planners and developers as well is a central feature, as is the continued marketing and promotion of car and van pooling, and related public awareness-building with regard to these and other so-called Transportation Demand Management (TDM) measures, aimed at reducing the amount of congestion and number of single-occupant vehicles on area roadways, at the same time as improving safety for drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians.

Regional Long-Range Transportation Plan Public Meeting To Be Held End of January

For RRRC Rural Transportation Technical Committee (RTC) members--area planning directors, agency and local government officials--who have been working with representatives from the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT), the Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT) and transportation planning consultants from Parsons Group to develop a Regional Long-Range Transportation Plan (RLRP), a draft is now in the final stages of completion, for upcoming presentation to the public. As part of the plan development process, members of the RTC identified priority corridors and intersections in need of analysis and data collection in order to gauge future transportation infrastructure and safety improvement needs. All modes of transportation are included in the long-range plan, inclusive of interstate, primary and secondary roadways, railroads, airports, bicycle and pedestrian facilities and public transportation.

Presently, the RTC is reviewing proposed draft recommendations, forecasts and related transportation study findings. Comments and suggestions received in coming weeks from committee members and other area stakeholders will be incorporated into materials for a public meeting and presentation by the planning consultant to be held in late January in Culpeper. Please check the Regional Commission's online meeting calendar at http://www.rrregion.org/calendar for the date, time and location of the upcoming public meeting.

PD9 Multimodal Freight Study Pending Release

As the Regional Long-Range Transportation Plan (RLRP) is nearing completion, one of its components-- the PD9 Multimodal Freight Study- - is also in final draft, slated for upcoming presentation to stakeholders and area officials at the Regional Commission's regularly scheduled February meeting. Funded by a grant from the Virginia Department of Transportation's Office of Intermodal Planning and Investment, the Freight Study complements the RLRP by specifically addressing the impact of freight traffic in and through the Rappahannock-Rapidan Region.

The study examines the movement of freight by truck, rail, and air originating, destined to, or passing through the Region, finding that more than 96 percent of freight rail and trucks on the primary highways are traveling through the region, while less than four percent originates or terminates here. National data project a three-fold increase in this freight volume by 2035. The results of the study will help local governments identify strategies to best accommodate future freight growth while minimizing adverse impacts on the region's transportation system. The study also examines the economic impact of freight in the region, such as the fact that freight-related industry accounted for over 40 percent of the wages paid in the region in 2008, and potential economic development opportunities associated with current and future freight movement.

Next Steps: RRRC Living Lands Green Infrastructure Planning Workshop

Above: The RRRC Living Lands Workshop included a farmers market with a wide variety of locally produced items

The RRRC's Living Lands Green Infrastructure Planning Workshop held on September 17, 2009, was, by all accounts, an unqualified success! Informative presentations, interesting exhibits, a lively farmers' market and a farm-fresh lunch all combined to make for a worthwhile and enjoyable learning experience. Focused on the importance and value of identifying, preserving and protecting natural and cultural resources as a first step in the planning process, the event included sessions on data acquisition and management, smart conservation, financing green infrastructure plans, and the challenges of balancing resource management with public use. With over one-hundred twenty participants, the workshop attracted interested individuals from across the state, including resource management professionals, landscape architects, planners, engineers, agricultural specialists and elected officials. Since the workshop, the RRRC has been contacted by several member jurisdictions interested in moving forward to develop a local plan and/or participate in a joint regional initiative, and regarding which an implementation meeting is scheduled to be held in the new year. Details concerning the meeting will be posted on the Commission's website (http://www.rrregion.org) as soon as they are available. If interested in being placed on the notification list, please call or email Deirdre Clark at: 540.829.7450 or dbclark@rrregion.org.

Commission to Assist Town of Washington with Income Survey

PD9-member jurisdiction the Town of Washington will soon be working with the Regional Commission to further their efforts to provide affordable wastewater services to local residents. The Town is interested in pursuing grant funding to help offset the costs associated with ongoing implementation of the sewer line project, and in order to do so, is in need of area income data. Beginning in February, RRRC will begin contacting residents via a short, confidential mail-in survey and residents are asked to please promptly complete and return the form to ensure that the data collected is the most complete and accurate possible. Additional information to follow after the holidays.

Then & Now: Across the Rappahannock-Rapidan Region

Warrenton, Virginia area in aerial photographs from 1952 & 2006

Then Source: USGS	Now Source: Virginia Geographic Information Network (VGIN)

The Town of Warrenton is depicted above in 1952 and 2006. Changes include significant build-out on the north and west sides of town, particularly along Broadview Avenue, while two roadway bypasses have also been added - the Route 15/17/29 bypass on the eastern edge of town and the Route 17 bypass on the northern side of town.

If you have historic postcards or photographs that you would like to see in this feature, please contact the Regional Commission at (540) 829-7450 or planinfo@rrregion.org.

Regional Stat: Natural Increase versus Net Migration, 2000-2008

The source of population change is important because it can influence the rate and location of growth - as well as the housing preferences and service needs associated with the new population. Net migration tends to be less predictable than natural increase because the decision to migrate is influenced by many social and economic factors.

Natural increase refers to the difference between the number of births and number of deaths. Net migration refers to the difference between people moving to the region and those moving away.

In the Rappahannock-Rapidan region, from 2000 to 2008, net migration outpaced natural increase by a ratio of more than five to one. Orange and Madison have the largest ratios, while Rappahannock has a positive natural increase, but a negative net migration during that time period.

2000 - 2008
COUNTY	Natural Increase	Net Migration	Ratio
CULPEPER	2,067	11,188	1 : 5.4
FAUQUIER	2,590	9,072	1 : 3.5
MADISON	145	1,168	1 : 8.1
ORANGE	455	6,769	1 : 14.9
RAPPAHANNOCK	61	-119	1: -1..9
REGION	5,313	28,078	1 : 5.3

Source: Weldon Cooper Center

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