Bipartisan investment in the Blue Ridge's future

This year marks the 75th anniversary of the creation of the Blue Ridge Parkway, and a bipartisan group of lawmakers has come up with a fitting way to commemorate the occasion - investing $75 million to help protect its breathtaking views and expand its recreational offerings.

Sen. Richard Burr, a Republican from North Carolina, recently introduced a measure calling for the purchase of up to 50,000 acres of land from willing sellers along the 469-mile route. Sen. Kay Hagan, D-N.C., and Virginia's senators, Democrats Jim Webb and Mark Warner, have signed on as co-sponsors.

The parkway, started as a public works project during the Great Depression, has grown into a major economic power for communities in both states. It generates an estimated $2.3 billion in annual revenues and draws nearly 20 million visitors a year, making it the most-visited attraction in the entire National Park Service system.

In recent years, large homes and housing developments have popped up within sight of the parkway, which stretches between the Shenandoah National Park in Virginia and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina.

The legislation cites surveys of parkway visitors - including drivers, hikers and hunters - indicating they're less likely to return if the spectacular vista is not maintained. The purchase of land also would help preserve farms, wildlife habitat and drinking water supplies near the parkway.

Besides the $75 million, supporters of the measure hope to acquire acreage through land swaps and financial support from foundations and environmental groups. Eminent domain would not be used.

The timing of the proposal isn't ideal, given the dismal state of the economy and the daunting size of the federal deficit. But the money, spread out over five years, would likely buy more land today than it would when the nation emerges from the recession and property values begin to rise.

The Blue Ridge Parkway is testament to the value of investing in public assets, even in difficult times. A renewed investment would help secure the future of a regional and national treasure.