In Charles City County, historic plantations, recreational boating and a wildlife refuge coexist along the James River as it meanders past Hopewell.

Now a company is asking to moor barges near the plantations and the refuge, sparking opposition from environmental and preservation groups and state agencies.

The application is from Vulcan Materials Co., a large producer of crushed stone, sand and gravel.

The plantations have lined up in opposition to the mooring with the James River Association, the Virginia Department of Historic Resources and the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries.

Vulcan Materials spokesman Tom Carroll says a company review of five or six sites found this one to be the most practical.