At Pilotonline.com. [Link fixed]
“An explosion on a 20-foot powerboat Monday afternoon at the Lynnhaven Marine Boatel injured boaters, one seriously, and marina workers who tried to help.”
At Pilotonline.com. [Link fixed]
Author Archives: Tim
Come help and/or watch oyster castle reef construction with LRNOW
Here’s a bunch of oyster castle blocks before they go in the water.
From LRNOW.org Facebook photo page
View more oyster castle pics at LRNOW’s Facebook page.
Cool stuff!
If you want the Lynnhaven to stay clean so she can share great oysters, speckled trout and more… consider checking this project out!
From Joe:
Update and Directions:
May 31th, 11:30 am: First day of oyster castle reef construction – this day will start with lots of discussion and planning
June 4th, 2:30 pm: Second day of oyster castle reef construction
Please let me know if you want to help us build on either day (it doesn’t have to be a firm commitment). I would like to get a head count.
For those of you who want to join us to spectate or help move blocks and build, please park at the following location:
– To get to the location, you need to get on West Great Neck Road either from Shore Drive or from Great Neck Road.
– From West Great Neck Road, turn onto Broad Bay Road (this intersection is located on the raised bridge approach above Broad Bay Island.).
– Drive slowly to the bottom of the ramp and make an immediate left onto a shared driveway. This driveway goes to 2 houses located under/between the 2 bridges. Park on the shoulder next to the vacant grass lot under the bridge. Do not park in the driveway or near the houses.
[If there is no more parking spaces, look around. You might have to get back on W. Great Neck heading north toward Shore Drive and park at Capps Boat Works or at Long Bay Pointe Marina, both are just on the other side of the bridge.]
We will probably meet up at the parking area. If you need to walk in on your own, proceed west up the private drive to the last house and walk through the front yard, around the shed and look for some steps that take you down to the beach on Long Creek under the bridge. The homeowner has graciously supported our project from the beginning and welcomes us across his property for this activity. Proceed west along the shoreline until you find us. Please wear appropriate covered-toe footwear. Knee boots, Crocs, old sneakers, water shoes work fine.
CALL MY CELL PHONE # BELOW IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS OR NEED HELP FINDING US.
Thanks,
JoeJoe Scalf
Restoration Project Coordinator
Lynnhaven River NOW
1608 Pleasure House Road, Suite 108
Virginia Beach, VA 23455
(757) 962-5398
www.LRNOW.org
PHP Stakeholder Meeting minutes and break out exercise posted.
Bicyclist claims hit-and-run by small red car on First Court on May 20th
An investigation reveals the bicyclist was traveling north on First Court Road and the suspect was driving in the same direction when the vehicle’s mirror may have struck the bicyclist, causing the cyclist to fall off the bike.
Final photo shoot of Trust for Public Land for PHP Weds 545am. Be at pump station. Looking for paddle boarders, fly fisherman, wade fisherman, kids.
PHP photo shoot this afternoon canceled.
REMINDER – TODAY – AFTERNOON ABOUT 3pm AT END OF DINWIDDIE ROAD plus WEDS MORN AT 515AM PHOTO SHOOT FOR PHP – INCLUDES APPROPRIATE BREAKFAST FOR THE FOLKS AT 515AM
“Pleasure House Point has been selected to be the feature story for the fall issue of Trust for Public Land’s (TPL) Land & People magazine. TPL is doing a photo shoot on Tuesday, May 22nd (or rain date Wednesday, the 23rd) for the article and they are looking for recreational users in the background – doing things such as birding, fishing, kayaking etc…”
Text Tim at 757-287-0320 later today if you need an update about timing for this afternoon.
Meet at end of Dinwiddie Road next to pond and Lochhaven Park.
REMINDER – TUES MORN AT 515AM PHOTO SHOOT FOR PHP – INCLUDES APPROPRIATE BREAKFAST FOR THE FOLKS AT 515AM.
From the Trust for Public Land:
“Pleasure House Point has been selected to be the feature story for the fall issue of Trust for Public Land’s (TPL) Land & People magazine. TPL is doing a photo shoot on Tuesday, May 22nd (or rain date Wednesday, the 23rd) for the article and they are looking for recreational users in the background – doing things such as birding, fishing, kayaking etc… It’s a little up in the air because of weather patterns, but generally they are aiming for Tuesday between 6-8:00 a.m. and 6-8:00 p.m., or these same times on Wednesday.”
Be at Lynnhaven Boat Ramp and Beach Facility and look for Chesapeake Bay Foundation boat.
Help plan what happens on Pleasure House Point! YOU are a stakeholder if you care to be.
“Chic’s Beach seeks to snuff out that problem by asking the City Council to ban smoking on the beach altogether.”
YES! In my humble opinion.
Cigarette littering is absolutely disgusting and revolting for many, many, many reasons.
The Chesapeake Beach Civic League on Thursday voted by a 3-1 ratio in favor of the proposal, which would apply only to city beaches along the Chesapeake Bay, and plans to present the idea to the council next week.
And:
Every year, volunteers remove thousands of cigarette butts from the Bay and its tributaries during the Chesapeake Bay Foundation’s Clean the Bay Day, said Tanner Council, who helps organize the event in Hampton Roads.
“It’s by far and away one of the largest, most egregious offenders that we find out there,” he said of cigarette-butt litter.
I can confirm that as an early member of Clean The Bay Day and “Tim the T-shirt Guy” for years – the number 1 piece of litter was the disgusting cigarette butt that not only is ugly, but kills.
At Fairfax County Website – The Virginia Code says:
According to Keep American Beautiful, Inc., smokers litter about 4.5 trillion cigarette butts yearly. The Department of Forestry reports that in 2001, cigarette butts thrown out of vehicle windows caused 190 fires, resulting in 464 acres of Virginia land being burned.
Littering is illegal. Most people are unaware of littering fines. Section 33.3-346 of the Code of Virginia makes littering or dumping trash a Class 1 misdemeanor, punishable by up to 12 months in jail and/or a fine up to $2,500.
Many of the ignorant people who toss their cigarette butts on the ground might not know how wildlife ingests the plastic filter, can’t pass it, and it kills them.
Here is a video illustrating the effects plastic litter has on wildlife on Midway Island. That is, Midway Island in the middle of the Pacific!
One comment at Pilotonline.com article:
I hate it when smokers think the world is their ashtray, especially those who flick butts while driving or at a stoplight. Disgusting.
Recreation areas become less attractive. Tobacco litter represents nearly 32% of all litter in outdoor recreation areas.¹ Cigarette butt litter on beaches and waterfronts, at ball fields and parks, picnic areas and hiking trails decreases the appeal of these natural escapes. It also creates fire hazards, impacts local wildlife, and eventually contributes to lost tourism and revenue.
Pocket Ashtrays are a solution. I have hundreds that I hand out to anyone who smokes and especially if they litter in front of me.
News from VB Police Crime Prevention Unit about an individual impersonating an Officer.
From an email:
Please pass on:
Good afternoon, you may or may not have seen the news story on this matter, but we have had an individual in our City posing as a police officer and making traffic stops. Two incidents have occurred to date, and in both cases, the man posing as a police officer stopped young women – one was a 17-year old female. As is stated in the following interview, we do not know what this individual’s intentions are, so the best course of action is if you believe you are being pulled over by an officer, make sure it is in a well-lit, safe area with other people around. If you are unsure that the individual attempting to stop you is a legitimate law enforcement officer, you can call the Police from your cell phone to verify that there is an officer making a traffic stop at your location. We are required to call traffic stops in over the radio to our dispatchers so there would be a record of the stop being made if it is legitimate.
MPO Helen Gillespie
Virginia Beach Police Department
Crime Prevention Unit
385-1331
Dominion Power’s feedback to issues in Cape Story’s work on telephone poles
From an email from Empsy:
In response to Cape Story by the Sea inquiries the following information on the replacement of the power/telephone poles on Shore Drive and in Cape Story has been provided by Max Bartholomew of Virginia Dominion Power:
River City Electrical was contracted by Dominion Power to replace the poles and lines to carry a heavier electric load. River City is one of the contractors used for these large projects by Dominion Power and River City has offices in Washington, NC and Round Hill, Virginia. The pole replacement on Shore Drive and in our neighborhood is scheduled to be completed by the middle of June (approximately). The contractors attempt to place notices on the doors of homeowners for notice of the scheduled work and attempt to keep equipment on one side of the roadway. The Northside (bayside) of Shore Drive is scheduled for pole replacement on Oak street next week May 21-24.
Once the new poles are installed, Cox Communications will move their cable to the new poles (July/August), then River City will be back to remove the old poles.
Our American Flags will need to be moved to the New Poles at some point.
Please let me know if you have questions and I will forward to Mr.Bartholomew.Thank you to all to helped answer Cape Story concerns and request for information.
WHAT A GREAT COMMUNITY!!
Remember SPRING FLING in the PARK SUNDAY May 20, 2012 at 4PM- 7PM, see you there.
July 4th Theme to be decided at the Spring Fling. Hula Hoop and Sack racing and other competitions and games provided.Empsy
Empsy Munden, Pres. Cape Story by the Sea
PHP stakeholder meeting notes from Grace
Thanks!
Note: these are not official notes. On the other hand, Grace has mad skills in taking notes!
PHP Stakeholder Meeting #2
The second PHP Stakeholder Meeting convened May 15, 2012, at the Bayside Rec Center, opened by Brian Solis. After thanking the attendees for their participation, he announced that Pete Hangen, of VB Parks & Rec, would serve as facilitator for the meeting. Solis stated that when the City, the Trust for Public Land and the Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) formed the partnership two years ago, they outlined in general terms the vision of what PHP might be, vis a vis low-impact access, educational opportunities, stewardship goals and the like. He enumerated basic groups that the City and CBF were seeking to accomplish long-term, such as establishing “Sustainable Site” guidelines for any improvements, attention to LEED certification, to offer a center for environmental and educational opportunities, as well as natural-history education, and to invest in additional oyster restoration.
The agenda for the Stakeholder’s Meeting was set forth to include a briefing by David Norris, of the VA Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (DGIF), regarding the $1 million dollar grant received by the City toward the purchase of PHP, followed by a breakout session to gather input from stakeholders in creating a vision and guiding principles for PHP. Input from stakeholders and their constituents could be shared via a Wikispaces Website, if they can figure out how to use it.
Following the opening remarks, Mr. Norris explained that the inclusion of the DGIF grant in the financing altered the mission of the City with regard to land use. In ordinary circumstances, “multi-use” applications guided the City in the improvement of public land, but the introduction of DGIF principles allowed the designation to be changed from “multi-use” to “special use.” This is made possible by the mission of the DGIF to protect and restore wetlands. Norris stated that 20 grant applications were received, from which PHP was chosen based on the following criteria:
Lynnhaven Estuary Protection Plan
1. Will the project reverse wetlands loss?
2. Will coastal maritime forests benefit? (Norris stated that points were almost never awarded for this criterion, but that PHP qualified.)
3. Will the project ensure long-term preservation?
4. Will the project accomplish natural resource objectives of one or more formal coastal
eco-system management plans?
5. Will the project protect endangered species?
6. Will the project benefit fish?
7. Will the project benefit local and migratory birds? (Norris noted that although there were
nearby natural areas, including First Landing State Park, PHP is the primary and
preferred stop for migratory birds.)
8. Will the project prevent or reduce contamination of soil and water?
9. Will the project provide a catalyst for future conservation?
10. Will the project produce beneficial partnerships?
11. Will the project enhance federal/state cost sharing?
12. Will the project provide educational/outreach opportunities?
13. Are there other factors to be considered?Norris went on to explain that the site must be managed with conservation goals in mind. Those goals are 1) to maintain habitat values 2) to maintain the coastal maritime forest 3) to maintain water quality
4) to maintain and enhance educational and recreational value while not being detrimental to other aspects. He also mentioned that the existing shoreline trail was a unique amenity for the public to appreciate the coastal environment. A copy of his presentation may be found on the Web at http://www.vbgov.com/pleasurehousepoint. Mr. Norris can be contacted at david.norris@dgif.virginia.gov.Solis then noted that over the next 3 – 5 years, the City would be developing a management plan in co-operation with DGIF, with a timeline for periodic reviews. The short-term goal is to manage access to the property so as to prevent abuse and to initiate restoration wherever possible.
The group then separated into five groups to consider, in rotation, five elements of planning, based on the Plus/Delta method. (A format which identified already known benefits…plus… and areas of possible concern…Delta.)
Natural Area: Pluses included goals to protect the environmental habitat and wildlife; retaining berms to manage trails and run-off; to manage for diversity; to offer educational/environmental opportunities.
Deltas included concerns about abuse by irresponsible dog-walkers and litterers, as well as unauthorized vehicular traffic; effects on nearby shellfish harvests; degradation of berms; concern that excessive foot traffic will “love it to Death.”Land Access: Pluses noted that parking possibilities exist on Marlin Bay Drive and at the Pump Station.
Deltas called for caution in realigning Marlin Bay Drive; access for adjacent property owners of undeveloped plats; negative impacts to street parking in the adjacent community; planning the number of access points; restriction of access for shoreline and fishing; sensitivity to wildlife.Water Access: Pluses praised the restriction of watercraft to non-motorized craft; opportunity to wed the functions of the Lynnhaven Boat Ramp and Beach Facility to PHP as mutual support and not competition.
Delta notes included cautions about using the area as launch for crew teams; ADA access through LBR’s beach wheel-chair (probably should have been listed as a “plus”); concern that proposed operation of a permanent dredge spoils transfer station at Crab Creek would impede water access to PHP and educational activities conducted by both the City and the Chesapeake Bay Foundation; desire that all water access be sensitive to wetlands.Connectivity: (Bringing the public to the site and the site to the public)
Pluses remarked the opportunity for the public to legally transverse the area; the opportunity to educate the public to environmental issues.
Deltas focused on the lack of an HRT bus stop designated for the nearest major intersection; fire and rescue access to the land and the water; access to adjacent property, as yet undeveloped. Deltas also urged caution when addressing how to retain or change berms and suggested that bike racks be installed at access points.Behavior:Pluses want planning to consider “pack in/pack out” approach with the judicious placement of receptacles and/or signage; to consider the dog-owning and non-dog-owning users with regards to the “No Pet/Pets on Leash Only” question; opportunity to develop sense of “ownership” among residents.
High on the Delta list was the potential for criminal activity; irresponsible use by dog-owners; litterers; risk to water quality; 24/7 access.In looking ahead, the next meeting of the PHP Stakeholders Committee will be either June 27/28, from 4-5:30 p.m. A Public Meeting may be planned as early as July 2012, in the evening. An official celebration event could occur in October 2012.
Respectfully submitted,
Grace Moran
PHP’s stakeholder meeting in the news.
The ideas will help form a set of guiding principles the Pleasure House Point Stakeholders Committee will submit to the city to help shape the site’s future, said Brian Solis, a Parks and Recreation planner.
The goal is to allow public access for recreation while limiting environmental impact, he said.
“They want people to be able to use the site and at the same time maintain the site’s ecological purpose,” said Christy Everett, Hampton Roads director of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, an environmental nonprofit group teaming up with the city on the project.
“So I think it will be a really nice balance.”
As David Norris – Wetland Project Leader from Virginia Game and Island Fisheries said:
“…can’t believe there is this kind of habitat in the middle of Virginia Beach”
David also mentioned during his presentation that the rep from US Fish and Wildlife said she:
“never saw a coastal maritime forest on the east coast like on PHP”
So kudos to everyone who saw PHP as the gem it is and worked diligently over the years to protect it until it could be saved.
The community will also have many opportunities to be part of the discussion, planning and most important stewardship of this amazing property.
Anyone else having issues with telephone pole work?
From an email:
Dominion Power apparently has contracted a group from “river city” West VA? Tenn? to replace the telephone poles on Shore Drive from Great Neck to Kendall Street and on the North and South side neighborhood streets to increase the power load for electricity.
For the past two months these large trucks have convoyed from their parking lot at Browning Marina’s fenced off area at 7AM or so and have closed off a lane of Shore Drive Monday-Thur from about 8 AM to 4 PM between Great Neck and Kendall Street for replacement of the power/telephone pole work[.] [T]he men in the trucks have been abrupt or unknowing about scheduling and if old poles would be removed and how far project extended.
My conversation (4 + calls and messages and call backs) to Dominion Power, today 5/14/12, the final answer was to ask the guy in the trucks their schedule that Dominion did not have a current schedule.
Tonight at the Cape Story by the Sea monthly meeting residents of Walke and First Landing Streets indicated that the pole replacements were on their neighborhood streets, completely blocking the streets with no or only a few hours to a day warning that the street traffic would be limited and access to driveways prevented.
NO INFORMATION from Dominion Power, City of Va Beach or Cox Communications was provided to the Civic Association or Residents prior to blocking of the neighborhood streets.
These residents report damage to mailboxes and prolonged parking of work vehicles in the neighborhood and when the “man in the truck, possibly the RED truck” was asked if they would be removing the OLD poles the response was to call Cox Communications.
Very unprofessional, who are these strangers?
Why would Dominion power contract OUT OF STATE?
what happened to Jobs for Bob Virginia?
Does the State Corporation Commission need to be informed?
Why is there no clear markings on the BIG trucks and no one in charge to respond to community questions?Assistance would be appreciated.
Thanks
Empsy
Empsy Munden, Pres. Cape Story by the Sea
Incident on Ketch Ct
From an email:
If you could put out this info it could be helpful. Yesterday my 10 year old grandson was playing on his skateboard in our driveway on Ketch Ct., an elderly woman driving a blue car pulled into the court and asked him to come play with her grandson. There was no child in the car. My grandson told her no and that he didn’t even know her. She then drove away. She may have noticed that his older brother was also in the parking lot.
OpSail 2012 Info. Parade of Sail June 8th right here.
At Pilotonline.com article there’s an excellent slide show of tall ships that are coming:
For example, people will gather on the shore of the Chesapeake Bay near the Lynnhaven River to watch tall sailing ships get under way for the Parade of Sail on June 8.
OpSail General Information at Pilotonline.com.
OpSail will have three parades of sail at Pilotonline.com:
The international fleet of tall ships will begin arriving on June 7. They will anchor in Lynnhaven Roads, just north of the John A. Lesner Bridge on the Virginia Beach waterfront. The Parade of Sail will begin at 7a.m. June 8. The fleet will parade from the Lynnhaven Roads anchorage through Thimble Shoals Channel, past the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel (between Trestles A and B) and past Fort Monroe in Hampton.
OpSail | Ship events June 1-12 at Pilotonline.com:
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
Sea and Air Parade of Military Vessels, Hampton Roads Waterways. Parade start is off Cape Henry (8:30am-1pm)
Thursday, June 7, 2012
Tall Ship Rendezvous, Lynnhaven Anchorage at the Lesner Bridge, Virginia Beach (All Day)
Friday, June 8, 2012
Whistle Symphony, Lynnhaven Anchorage at the Lesner Bridge, Virginia Beach (7am)
OpSail 2012 Ships List at Pilotonline.com including slideshow.
OpSail.org
OpSail2012Virginia.com
The rumor is true
There is a LEED certified fire station being designed and built on Greenwell Road next to the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel entrance.
More info to follow.
Petition and sample letter re: no dredge transfer station at Lynnhaven Boat Ramp & Beach Facility
“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,
RESPONSES TO QUESTIONS CONCERNING THE PROPOSED INDUSTRIAL FACILITY AT THE LYNNHAVEN BOAT RAMP AND BEACH FACILITY (LBR&BF) POSED BY THE OPCL-WATERWAYS DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
DMTS: Dredged Material Transfer Sites
Q & A follows below:
1. What is the process of creating and implementing the DMTS proposed plan? Briefly describe, from start to finish, including who initiated the DMTS proposal and the steps through city departments and any other agencies needed, the approvals required, including the acquisition of permits and award of contracts.
Response:
The Lynnhaven River was reasonably divided into five control areas. Within each control area, the staff selected at least one site which will be able to serve as a public transfer site. Essential to that site selection is its proximity to main transportation routes and a minimal impact to residential areas. The purpose for creating public transfer sites is because many of our residential streets cannot support the load bearing weights of multiple trucks which would result in the destruction of our neighborhood streets. Additionally, these transfer sites will be used for supporting the transfer of material in support of maintaining Coast Guard approved navigation channels whose responsibility for periodic maintenance resides with the city of Virginia Beach.
2. The Virginia Beach application for the dredging of the Western Branch of the Lynnhaven, page 3, notes that spoils will be transported to Thalia Creek. Does that mean that the dredge spoils from the main channels from the Lesner Bridge to Thalia can be handled by the Thalia site?
Response:
No, not without an exception being granted to the control area concept. The Thalia site distance from the Lesner Bridge creates an extraordinary financial burden to the contract costs and is located in a different control area.
3. Who is or was responsible for identifying the potential sites for DMTS locations in
2008 and now?
Response:
The City Water Resources Staff, overseen by the Department of Public Works and Deputy City Manager Dave Hansen, comprise the Neighborhood Dredging SSD Project Delivery Team who undertook the task of identifying potential sites for transfer operations.
4. What other potential sites have been identified and what criteria have been used to evaluate them, especially sites in benefitting neighborhoods?
Response:
In addition to the Thalia site and the Crab Creek Dredge Material Holding site, we are looking at the Pep Boys site to support the dredging program.
5. How can we be assured that the City has conducted a thorough evaluation of alternative sites when you previously failed to identify the Thalia site and Boatel site?
Response:
Staff has spent a considerable amount of time assessing all waterfront properties and has a thorough knowledge of the neighborhood road system as well as the boat ramp accesses within the Lynnhaven watershed.
6. With the citizen identified “Lynnhaven Boatel” site now city approved, why is it necessary to have another spoils site located less than 1.25 miles away?
Response:
At this point we are not pursuing the Boatel site. With City Council’s recent Resolution, we will not pursue the Maple Street to support Neighborhood Dredging SSD projects. Whether the Boatel site is finally developed is a future question, but it is nonetheless located within another control area and does not serve the interest of the northern portion of the western branch channel, nor does it serve the interests associated with the inlet itself.
7. A posting on the Virginia Beach city website from 2009 states: “Based upon feedback received at the Public Meeting, alternate sites for a dredged material transfer station were evaluated. The proposed transfer facility has been moved from the Lynnhaven Boat Ramp Facility to a site located near the crossing of Thalia Creek and Virginia Beach Blvd.” Why has the LBR site been added back to the plan?
Response:
Once again, the location of the Thalia transfer site is not felt to be fiscally affordable to support the northern reach of the western branch or the Lynnhaven Inlet itself. The Beaches and Waterways statement that the Thalia site was the Lynnhaven Boat Ramp site being moved is incorrect and without fact.
8. The report prepared by the Beaches & Waterways Advisory Commission in January 2012 states that the decision against using Maple Street was due to the negative impacts on the neighborhood, property values, and quality of life. Why do you believe that those negative impacts would be acceptable in our neighborhood? Particularly, since we will not benefit from this program in any way.
Response:
Use of the LBR for transfer operations will minimally impact the Ocean Park neighborhood, not reduce property values, and will not reduce the quality of life for the neighborhood which already entertains significant public access traffic for using the public boat launch amenity and beach access parking.
9. Why does the city think it’s appropriate for Ocean Park to bear the acknowledged impacts of a DMTS for the benefit of waterfront property owners’ miles away?
Response:
Because the Lynnhaven Boat Ramp is a public site as is the Crab Creek Dredge Material holding site. Creating an ability to support multiple tasks makes it an ideal location without incurring additional costs to our City’s taxpayers.
10. Ocean Park residents and homeowners are major stakeholders in the Crab Creek recreation area and propose DMTS site. How will the city keep an open dialogue on this with the Ocean Park Civic League in the future?
Response:
Just as we have recently done, through our briefings to the Bayfront Advisory Committee and our staff’s attendance at your Ocean Park Civic League meeting, we will remain available to continue the dialogue and have committed to a mid-project review of our performance in operating a construction equipment material and lay down yard in support of the Lesner Bridge Replacement Project.
11. The 150,000+ citizens who use the Lynnhaven Boat Ramp and Beach Facility are also major stakeholders in the DMTS proposal. What is the city plan to create and maintain an open dialogue with them?
Response:
The City will go to great lengths to ensure that LBR is available throughout the construction period of the Lesner Bridge replacement and would create the operational procedures necessary for co-existing while any transfer operations for future missions were underway. Adequate public notices will be key to keeping our citizens and visitors informed.
12. Have you asked the VMRC for their position on turning a state funded boat ramp into an industrial site? (If not, why not? Or What was their response?)
Response:
We do not intend to turn the state funded boat ramp into an industrial site. It will remain a boat ramp facility. Adjacent to it will be the creation of a transfer site with appropriate accesses utilizing the boat launch site.
13. Given the proposed investment and plans of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation for Pleasure House Point, have you contacted them for feedback on the proposed DMTS at LBR? (If so, please share.)
Response:
We have notified the Chesapeake Bay Foundation of our intentions for constructing a transfer site at the Crab Creek dredge material holding area and have not received negative feedback.
14. The Beaches and Waterways report recognizes the concern for decreased property values if a DMTS were to be located at the Lynnhaven Boat Ramp. How will property owners be compensated for the loss of value and/or the increased difficulty in selling?
Response:
We do not believe that the property owners will suffer any loss of value and/or any increased difficulty in selling by the location of a transfer facility at the Crab Creek dredge material holding site.
15. Has an economic study been done that includes the loss of tax base as property values decrease and the loss of revenue as boaters and fishermen go elsewhere?
Response:
We do not believe that property values will decrease as a result of the creation of a transfer site at a location the currently provides for the retention of dredged material. Furthermore, we do not believe that revenue will be lost from LBR because we intend to co-exist.
16. The report states that “the Crab Creek DMTS be restricted from operation for anytime greater than one work segment not to exceed 60 consecutive workable days during any three year cycle”. Does that mean 60 days in three years or 60 days per year for three years?
Response:
Staff does not agree with the Beaches and Waterways Committee that the Crab Creek DMTS should not be used in excess of 60 workable days in any three year cycle, nor has Council endorsed that recommendation.
17. On page 4 of the report it states that the program will operate at Crab Creek from Memorial Day to Labor Day (summer) while page 21 states that it will operate from Labor Day through Memorial Day (winter). Which one is correct?
Response:
Operational periods at the Crab Creek transfer site will be determined through the permitting process and with the approval of City Council. We prefer not to restrict time of use periods because, in any case, the Lynnhaven Boat Ramp will be fully functional at all times.
18. It also states that it may operate during the summer with “special relief’. What specifically is “special relief’? What will be the criteria for granting such relief?
Response:
We do not know what the Beaches and Waterway Committee is referring to by “special relief.” Therefore, no criteria have been established. Please refer to the answer to 17 regarding approvals for use of the transfer site.
19. Why can’t private property owners in private neighborhoods continue to develop and implement their own private dredging plans as previously done?
Response:
Staff’s first preference for locating a dredged material transfer site will be to limit it to that neighborhood in which that neighborhood dredging project is being conducted. As referenced in an earlier answer, many of our city’s roads were not constructed such that large truck traffic can be sustained. In such cases, the destruction of public roads is unacceptable. Establishing publically accessible logistics nodes with limited impact is key to the systems approach necessary for implementing the Neighborhood Dredging SSD Program.
20.Is dredging of privately owned neighborhood canals considered a “core” city service?
Response:
The Neighborhood Dredging SSD Program is a key initiative in support of the City Council’s fourth strategic goal: Revitalize the City’s neighborhoods and plan for the future. The cost sharing partnership establishes an acceptable fiscal arrangement whereby our taxpayers have an opportunity to reclaim the value of their properties while having a positive overall effect throughout their neighborhood. The definition of “core” can be construed many ways; but, the maintenance of navigable waterways could be deemed core.
From an email from Wendy.
#WeLoveShoreDrive 