2026 SESSION
ENROLLED
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 111
Commending the James River Association.
Agreed to by the House of Delegates, February 11, 2026
Agreed to by the Senate, February 19, 2026
WHEREAS, the James River, designated by the United States Congress as America's Founding River, is Virginia's largest watershed and a vital natural, historic, and economic resource, providing drinking water to more than one-third of Virginians, supporting industries, sustaining diverse wildlife, and offering recreational opportunities and scenic beauty that enrich the Commonwealth's quality of life; and
WHEREAS, founded in 1976, the James River Association (JRA) was established at a time when the tidal James River was severely polluted and fishing was banned due to contamination and, since that time, has served as the guardian and voice of the James River, protecting and restoring its health for present and future generations; and
WHEREAS, JRA is the only nonprofit organization solely dedicated to the protection and restoration of the James River and its tributaries and works across its 10,000-square-mile watershed to protect the James River and connect people to it; and
WHEREAS, over five decades, JRA has led efforts to transform the James River from one of the most polluted rivers in the nation to one of the most improved, advancing water quality protections, restoring habitats for iconic species such as Atlantic sturgeon and bald eagles, and strengthening community and state initiatives to safeguard the river; and
WHEREAS, the health of the James River has steadily improved, as documented in JRA's latest State of the James biennial report, which gave it a grade in the “B” range and rated it as the healthiest major tributary to the Chesapeake Bay; and