From Todd:

December 12, 2008

Department of the Army
Norfolk District, Corps of Engineers
Attn:  Mr. Mark Mansfield
Chief, Planning and Policy Branch
803 Front Street
Norfolk, VA 23510-1096

Subject: Support for increased oyster restoration and aquaculture activities in the Chesapeake Bay using native Crassostrea virginica oysters only.

Dear Mr. Mansfield,

I am sending this letter on behalf of the Shore Drive Community Coalition (SDCC), an umbrella organization of civic and community associations representing approximately 8000 homes in the Bayfront area of Virginia Beach.  At its November 24th general meeting, the SDCC voted unanimously to support Lynnhaven River NOW’s position for increased oyster restoration and aquaculture activities in the Chesapeake Bay using native Crassostrea virginica oysters only.

SDCC members concur with the Lynnhaven River NOW position that our native oyster, Crassostrea virginica, is better suited to our ecosystem than C. ariakensis for the following reasons:

  1. C. ariakensis is more susceptible to low dissolved oxygen events than is C. virginica, and according to the most recent DEQ 303d Report, 90% of the Lynnhaven is considered impaired for dissolved oxygen.
  2. One of the commercial growers in the Lynnhaven who has participated in the Virginia Seafood Council study recently reported to us that he has found the native C. virginica oyster to be superior to C. ariakensis.
  3. C. ariakensis harbors human pathogens more so than our native oyster, posing greater risk for human consumption.
  4. C. ariakensis is more susceptible than our native oyster to several oyster predators that we have in the Lynnhaven, including polydora worms, which decrease the desirability of oysters for market.

Thank you for your time and for listening to our concerns.  If you have any questions, I can be reached at 667-8533 Cell or todd@sdcc.info.

Sincerely,

Todd R. Solomon
Shore Drive Community Coalition, President

Distribution:
Mayor Oberndorf
Mr. Clay Bernick
Laurie Carroll Sorabella, LRNOW
Mr. Kal Kassir, BAC Chairman
SDCC Officers
Bayfront Advisory Committee Members

ACOENativeOysterSupport.pdf [2pg PDF]