There are a number of rumors and unanswered questions flying around about the Permanent Public/Private Dredge Spoils Transfer Station being located at our beloved LBR&BF.

Previously we reported the results of our FOIA requests.

Some reports are not yet posted on the Official Project Page. Some analytical reports were just started & some completed only recently even though it was recommended back in 2006 the LBR&BF was the top choice for being available, for free, to handle all the dredge spoils from public and private dredging operations in the entire Lynnhaven Watershed. Note: The transfer station will be a permanent facility that can be used for the municipal project along the Western Branch, as well as along Crab Creek, the Eastern branch, and for various private dredging projects. [Quote from Official Project Page.]

Some of the rumors we believe need to be substantiated one way or the other, and also should be clarified publicly:

the winning bidder – the dredge company, will be responsible for
all safety related issues including operations at the LBR&BF & the
barges running near the Lesner Bridge, and for contacting the
appropriate emergency responders in the event of any type of
accidents.
[Currently there are no minimum requirements we know of.]

there will not be any contractual requirements specifically
placed on the operations of the barges such as no weather
restrictions, no restrictions on the number of tenders pushing/pulling
the barges, age of the tenders, number of personnel required to be on
the tenders, etc.
[Again, no contractual requirements.]

drug testing will not be required for any employees or
sub-contractors of companies operating at the facility.
[Remember…heavy equipment will be in use nearby families with children.]

background checks will not be required for any employees or
sub-contractors operating at the facility.
[Again, no requirements made public about sharing this recreational
facility.]

there will be no limit placed in the contract on the number of dump
trucks used per day, and therefore no limit placed on the number of
barges used per day.
[Unlimited dump trucks & barges is current plan.]

One rough draft slide from a presentation being put together addressing real & serious safety concerns re: barge strike on the Lesner Bridge if appropriate safety measures are not contractually required of dredging companies.

We’ve been assured that we will receive the data Clark-Nexsen is working from on their risk assessment. We’ve also been in contact with various agencies including the US Coast Guard, Homeland Security & others who are charged with protecting federal/state/local infrastructure from catastrophic failures.

Note: This risk assessment was only started in April 2008. Safety measures contractually required from assessment that would obviously also add to the cost of the operation are not part of any economic estimates for the use of the transfer station at the LBR&BF including estimates made at various meetings including March 19th 2008, nor are they included at the Official Project Page yet.

New info posted at the Official Page entitled “Contractor’s Responses to Citizen’s Concerns for Lesner Bridge Impacts”.
Risk assessment & safety plans not posted yet.