Featuring as their number one BIG thing was “River Camp Project”, in a presentation about One Valdosta-Lowndes (OVL), which was far the longest item at 33 minutes at the Lowndes County Commission Work Session on November 8, 2021.

One Valdosta-Lowndes, River Camp Project, Dr. Carvajal, Origins

You may recognize that as Troupville River Camp, for which WWALS submitted an application to the Georgia Outdoor Stewardship Program (GOSP) in 2019. Back then there was no cash match available. Now both Valdosta and Lowndes County have funds to purchase Land Between the Rivers from Helen Tapp, at the Little River Confluence with the Withlacoochee River. Helen sent GA-AL Land Trust to walk the land a month ago, and probably soon a conservation easement will be worked out. Meanwhile, Troupville River Camp and Troupville Nature Park are prominently featured in the WWALS Vision for Water Quality and Access in Lowndes County Georgia 2020-12-02. That Vision was input to the Master Plan Update process for Valdosta-Lowndes County Parks and Recreation Authority (VLPRA), and the resulting VLPRA Master Plan incorporates the River Camp and other river access and facilities as priorities.

Add the possibility of Valdosta buying for parkland the 300+ acres of the Cherry Creek Mitigation Bank. And the potential for Sugar Creek downstream of Baytree as an urban recreational creek.

It’s good to see One Valdosta-Lowndes interested in river and creek access and recreation.

Below are videos by Lowndes Area Knowledge Exchange (LAKE), which also has the rest of the meeting.

• 3. One Valdosta-Lowndes Presentation (part 1)
  

  Video.

  OVL co-chair Scott Purvis, who is with Georgia Power South Region Community Development Manager, revealed that OVL originated from a request from Georgia Power, but it now encompasses many stakeholders.

  
  Co-Chair Scott Purvis of Georgia Power

  
  Origins

• 3. One Valdosta-Lowndes Presentation (part 2)
  

  Video.

  OVL co-chair Valdosta State University (VSU) President Richard Carvajal said younger folks want quality of life before moving to an area.

  
  Co-Chair Dr. Richard Carvajal, VSU President

  OVL will be housed at the Chamber, with a Director, working under the Chamber CEO and President, plus an advisory board of half public sector officials and half business people.

  They will launch a capital campaign to raise funds.

  Top of the OVL project list is Troupville River Camp. That’s at the Little River Confluence with the Withlacoochee River, downstream from Troupville Boat Ramp, just west of Valdosta off of GA 133 (St. Augustine Road).

• 3. Chairman comments on One Lowndes-Valdosta
  

  Video. Chairman Bill Slaughter mentioned he had forwarded a related document to Commissioners and asked them to review it.

Troupville River Camp, center of the WWALS Withlacoochee and Little River Water Trail (WLRWT).

 -jsq, John S. Quarterman, Suwannee RIVERKEEPER®

You can join this fun and work by becoming a WWALS member today!

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