“Save the Lynnhaven Boat Ramp and Beach Facility / Say NO to the City of Virginia Beach plan to put a Dredge Materials Transfer Station here.”
Link to petition.

Sample letter:

Mr. Mayor and Honorable Council Members, Members of the Beaches and Waterways Commission, Members of the Bayfront Advisory Committee:

In the January 2012 Neighborhood Dredging Program Report prepared by the Beaches and Waterways Commission it states that “the Neighborhood Dredging Program should achieve the same benefits as in the Old Donation neighborhood which “increased property values and provided enhanced recreational opportunities via adequate water depths for the largest of their boats.”

(I am/we are) writing this letter to express our strong opposition to the proposed plan of the City of Virginia Beach to build a permanent Dredge Spoils Transfer Station at the Lynnhaven Boat Ramp and Beach Facility. (I/we) believe that the City of Virginia Beach is not justified in enhancing the property value and recreational opportunities for a select group of homeowners while undermining the quality of life and property value of others. (I/We) believe that the City of Virginia Beach has a fiduciary responsibility to all citizens. It is not appropriate for the City of Virginia Beach to financially enhance property values for 2500 residents at the expense of the 154,837 annual users/patrons of the Lynnhaven Boat Ramp and Beach Facility as well as the hundreds of property owners in the Ocean Park Community whose property values will be adversely affected. (I/We) also feel it is inappropriate for the city, as stated in the Commission’s report, to “cost share” a project that will achieve “enhanced property value for the participating homeowners.”

(I/We) fully agree with the Beaches and Waterways Commission report when it states the proposed location at the Lynnhaven Boat Ramp and Beach Facility (Crab Creek) “will have some level of adverse impacts on the bordering neighborhoods, recreational fishing, and the boating communities.” The report is alarming when the Commission specifically states that Crab Creek will “have issues associated with barge travel and there are concerns for safety and the industrialization of a serene natural area.” (I/We) also believe that the potential harm to the Lynnhaven River, the marine life and commercial oyster beds has not been fully assessed. To date, (I am/we are) not aware of any recent environmental studies that the City of Virginia Beach can use to substantiate the claim of improvement to water quality as a result of the proposed dredging.

(I/We) believe that the placement of a Dredge Materials Transfer Station at the Lynnhaven Boat Ramp and Beach Facility is inconsistent with the City of Virginia Beach Shore Drive Beautification Plan which is the City of Virginia Beach’s concept of a gateway to the Resort Area. The proposed location at Crab Creek is also not aligned with the Pleasure House Point preservation plan. The Crab Creek location violates the agreement between the City of Virginia Beach and the Virginia Marine Resources Commission which funded the construction of the Lynnhaven Boat Ramp and Beach Facility. That agreement clearly specified that the Lynnhaven Boat Ramp and Beach Facility was intended for recreational use only. The location is also inconsistent with the City of Virginia Beach’s own Comprehensive Plan which designates and describes the Lynnhaven Boat Ramp and Beach Facility as a park and recreational site.

The Beaches and Waterways Commission report did call out the potential risk associated with loaded barges in close proximity to the Lesner Bridge. However the report made no reference to public safety. Last year the Lynnhaven Boat Ramp and Beach Facility had over 150,000 users/patrons. The users/patrons were comprised of individuals and families with children. (I/we) are very concerned for public safety with the introduction of 30-50 large dump trucks entering and leaving the Lynnhaven Boat Ramp and Beach Facility each day.

The City of Virginia Beach is responsible for maintaining the main channels. Private neighborhoods should continue to do private dredging as they desire.

(I/We) ask that Virginia Beach City Council and Mayor direct the City of Virginia Beach Public Works Department and the Beaches and Waterways Commission to:

Remove the Lynnhaven Boat Ramp and Beach Facility from the city’s Dredge Materials Transfer Station plan.
Ensure that the bulk head necessary to support the Lesner Bridge construction has the minimum length necessary and not the proposed 400 foot length.
Ensure that all permits for and construction staging at the Lynnhaven Boat Ramp and Beach Facility for the Lesner Bridge construction reflect temporary use only, and prohibit permanent structures or permanent permit application.
Ensure that, other than the temporary Lesner Bridge construction staging and the routine clean sand storage from Crab Creek channel sand dredging, no additional use of the Lynnhaven Boat Ramp and Beach Facility be made other than for recreational purposes.

Opposition to a Dredge Materials Transfer Station at the Lynnhaven Boat Ramp and Beach Facility has not changed since 2008 when it was voiced by the Ocean Park Civic League, the Shore Drive Community Coalition, and many other organizations. The Commission’s report states, “It has been our experience that any physical change or introduction of a permanent public facility into an established neighborhood that could impact a settled life style will be resisted regardless of the positive benefit to the general public.” (I/we) are in full support of the staging area necessary to build the Lesner Bridge which is a benefit to the general public. (I/we) are NOT in support of a Dredge Materials Transfer Station at the Lynnhaven Boat Ramp and Beach Facility that enhances some individuals’ property value and uses tax payer dollars to achieve it. (I/We) do not feel this is a benefit to the general public.

The Lynnhaven Boat Ramp and Beach Facility is a clean, safe, quality recreational facility – a Virginia Beach success. Please do not damage the Lynnhaven Boat Ramp and Beach Facility by allowing a permanent Dredge Materials Transfer Station. Please do not damage the quality of life in our homes and in our neighborhood.

Respectfully,