Category Archives: Environment

Swimming Advisory Lifted – 5/17/2012

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Thursday, May 17, 2012 · 01:30 pm

 

The Virginia Beach Department of Public Health has lifted a swimming and wading advisory that was issued for the Chesapeake Bay between Wake Forest Street and Rockbridge Road.  Lab results showed bacteria levels in the water meet the State Water Quality Standards.

Signs have been removed that previously alerted the public of the advisory.

On May 16, the Virginia Beach Department of Public Health issued a swimming advisory to protect public health following an abnormally high bacteria level reading. The sampling level has returned to an acceptable bacteria level and it is now safe for residents and visitors to enter this area of the bay.

Recreational waters are monitored for bacteria using indicator organisms such as enterococci, the indicator of choice for estuarine and marine waters. Enterococci are a group of organisms used to determine the extent of fecal contamination of recreational waters.

While Enterococci do not cause illness, scientific studies indicate that their presence is closely correlated to the presence of other disease-causing organisms. People swimming or wading in waters with bacteria levels higher than the standard have an increased risk of developing gastrointestinal illness and skin, eye and respiratory infections.

Environmental health officials sample recreational beach water on a weekly basis during the swimming season from May through September.

For additional information on beaches, contact the Virginia Beach Department of Public Health at (757) 518-2700.

Swimming Advisory Issued for the Chesapeake Bay from Wake Forest Street to Rockbridge Road – 5/16/12

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The Virginia Beach Department of Public Health has issued a swimming and wading advisory for the Chesapeake Bay between Wake Forest Street and Rockbridge Road. Recent testing conducted by the Health Department showed that bacteria levels in the water exceeded the State Water Quality Standards. The advisory does not affect the Virginia Beach oceanfront or resort area.

Recreational waters are monitored for bacteria using indicator organisms such as Enterococcus, the indicator of choice in estuarine and marine waters.

“The coastal waters of Virginia are generally very clean, and we test them weekly from May through September,” said Venita Newby-Owens, M.D., Director of the Virginia Beach Department of Public Health.  “On the occasions when waters fail to meet the standards, we need to protect public health by letting residents and visitors know.”

Signs will be posted on the beach between Wake Forest Street and Rockbridge Road to alert the public of the swimming and wading advisory.

The signs will read:

WARNING!  SWIMMING ADVISORY

Bacteria levels do not meet state water quality standards

Swimming and wading are prohibited until further notice

Virginia Beach has conducted these tests since the mid-1970s. Health officials will continue testing the site until the water quality meets the state water quality standards.  When the sampling test results meet the standards, the signs will be removed.

Enterococci are a group of organisms used to determine the extent of the fecal contamination of recreational waters. While they do not cause illness, scientific studies indicate that their presence is closely correlated to the presence of other disease-causing organisms.  People swimming or playing in waters with bacteria levels higher than the standard have an increased risk of developing gastrointestinal illness, as well as skin, eye and respiratory infections.

“We encourage the public to protect their health by complying with this advisory,” said Newby-Owens. “Typically an advisory of this nature is temporary and will be withdrawn once the bacteria levels have returned to safe levels.”

The results of this and all other sampling are located on the Virginia Department of Health Web site at http://www.vdh.state.va.us/epidemiology/DEE/BeachMonitoring.

For additional information, contact the Virginia Beach Department of Public Health at (757) 518-2700.

PHP stakeholder meeting notes from Grace

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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.

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At the Pilotonline.com:

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.

Petition and sample letter re: no dredge transfer station at Lynnhaven Boat Ramp & Beach Facility

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“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

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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.

VBGov.com/PleasureHousePoint – City’s new Official Page

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It doesn’t get much more exciting than this:

VBGov.com/PleasureHousePoint

28 rehabbed Pelicans to be released Saturday at Shellfish Company

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News from an email:

This Saturday 2pm a pelican release is scheduled…this is not a fundraiser. It is an opportunity to see 28 pelicans that were rescued, suffering from frost bite, be released all at one time, back into the wild.
where: Shell Fish Company (next to Bubba’s)
Louie Smith has agreed to entertain us…weather should be beautiful…..

Please promote this to friends and neighbors.

Elyse

Wow!

City Council approves resolution to purchase Pleasure House Point for Open Space

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PLEASURE HOUSE POINT

City Council approves resolution to purchase Pleasure House Point

http://hamptonroads.com/2012/03/virginia-beach-deal-preserves-slice-nature

 After 10 years of work, the preservation of the site has now become reality.  Without the collaboration of the community, CBF, Lynnhaven River Now, Trust for Public Land, City of Virginia Beach and the City Council, this purchase could have never happened. 

Ordinances and Resolution re PLEASURE HOUSE POINT:

a.  AUTHORIZE the City Manager to EXECUTE an Agreement of Purchase and Sale with The Trust for Public Land re acquisition

b.  ESTABLISH  a Capital Improvement Project (CIP) to ACCEPT and APPROPRIATE various grants and TRANSFER funds from “Open Space Site Acquisition – Phase I”

c. Issuance and sale of General Obligation Bonds, not to exceed $6-Million, to the Virginia Water Facilities Revolving Fund

THANK YOU VIRGINIA BEACH CITY COUNCIL!

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Tonight, City Council voted unanimously to preserve Pleasure House Point forever.

Wow!

Thank you.

The New Lesner Bridge. The Official Presentation.

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You’ve heard we’re getting a new bridge.

Check out the Official Presentation from the City. [ 24pg PDF]

20120309-091853.jpg

Lesner Bridge Replacement

    Project fully funded.
    VBGov.com Official Project Page.
    2.168.000: Lesner Bridge Replacement (Partial)

Links to, and screen shots of archived Official Western Branch Lynnhaven River Maintenance Dredging (CIP 8-005) Public Works page at VBGov.com.

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Partial screen shot of Official Page at VBGov.com.

Link to Official Page at VBGov.com thanks to the Internet Archive Wayback Machine:
Western Branch Lynnhaven River Maintenance Dredging (CIP 8-005) October 12, 2008
Note: Links to Official Documents like PDFs, Photos etc in right column of above page do not work.

Partial screen shot of Official Page at VBGov.com.

“Public Involvement

A public information workshop was held on June 5, 2007. A second Public Meeting was held on Wednesday, March 19, 2008. 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. Concept plans have been developed for a multi-use facility that will incorporate the dredged material transfer facility, public access to the Lynnhaven River, a canoe/kayak launch and a crew facility.”

Link to Official Page at VBGov.com thanks to the Internet Archive Wayback Machine:
Western Branch Lynnhaven River Maintenance Dredging (CIP 8-005) March 27, 2009

Note difference in Official Page from October 2008 vs March 2009 in Official Files that were included vs not include in later page.

Note: What happened to this Official Page? It can no longer be found in the current http://www.VBGov.com. Can someone provide the hot link in the new VBGov.com website?

WAVY’s Andy Fox’s Comments on NDP

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VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) – For over a year, Broad Bay Island residents have worked to stop barges full of mud from coming up a creek and crossing in front of their waterfront property.

Tuesday night, they won that battle.

Virginia Beach City Council agreed with the residents and backed down.

“Stop the sludge means we don’t want other people’s sludge on our waterways,” said Broad Bay Island resident Lynn Hume last March.

The city wanted to use hopper barges to dump sludge, dredged from inlets across Virginia Beach, onto a piece of privately owned land. That property, which is zoned as residential, is a 100 yards across the creek from Hume’s home.

Fifteen months after the fight began, it ended with city council pulling the site on Long Creek from consideration.

“With what we’ve gone through, nothing surprises me. When it comes to the City, we have been deceived so many times and misled by city staff so many times, that is why it got out of hand and that’s what upset us,’ said resident Ed Cunningham.

It took Tom Fraim and the Beaches and Waterways Advisory Commission to finally convince Virginia Beach that the Long Creek site isn’t the right location. The Zoning Administration also told the city that, but the city pushed ahead anyway.

“It gets on our plate because it is controversial, and yes, the people of Long Creek were very well organized” Fraim said.

“Stand up and be heard, and the system can work if you get people involved,” exclaimed Broad Bay Island Resident Mike Megge. “We worked that system. It took a lot of hard work, a lot of organization and a lot of dedicated people.”

Getting a little media attention doesn’t hurt.

“A lot of time, you don’t know what happens with a story, but it give people closure to a story when you exposed it. You followed it through to the end, and I think that helped the whole process,” Megge added.

The alternative site for neighborhood dredging is up the creek at a city-owned property, between the Lynnhaven Marine Boatel and the Marina Shores Shoppes.

The land is owned by Gale Levine Higgs who did not want to do an interview, but told 10 On Your Side on the phone, “So much has to happen for this to happen…I gave the strip of land to the City for drainage purposes only…not for a sludge transfer station.”

Higgs made it clear legal action could follow if the city plans on using the site for anything other than drainage.

Crab Creek Lesner Bridge Transfer Site

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Admin at Save the Lynnhaven Boat Ramp and Beach Facility Facebook Page needs pictures of anything to do with this subject including announcements, pictures, etc. The web address is below for that page. Please like that page to receive updates. Looks like several alternate sites have been found already in just 3 days!!! PAGE LINK BELOW!!

—
Andrew R. Broyles
3604 East Stratford Rd.
Va. Beach, Va. 23455
cell 757 621 2082
office 757 460 5678
https://www.facebook.com/SaveTheLynnhavenBoatRampAndBeachFacility

A response from Mayor Sessoms re: turning the beloved Lynnhaven Boat Ramp and Beach Facility into a permanent dredge spoils location for the entire Lynnhaven Watershed.

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People who have been concerned our beloved Lynnhaven Boat Ramp & Beach Facility will essentially close due to overwhelming safety issues if it also becomes a permanent dredge spoils station for the entire Lynnhaven Watershed have been using THIS LINK to write to City Council, The Beaches and Waterways Commission, Bayfront Advisory Committee and Shore Drive Community Coalition.

A response from Mayor Sessoms:

Subject: OPPOSITION TO USING CRAB CREEK FOR PERMANENT DREDGE SPOILS TRANSFER LOCATION

Thank you for your email expressing your opposition to using the Crab Creek site for a permanent dredge spoils transfer location.

Staff briefed the Bayfront Advisory Committee on February 16, 2012, regarding the need to create a transfer facility and material/construction lay down area at the Crab Creek/Lynnhaven Boat Launch dredged material holding area in support of the upcoming Lesner Bridge Replacement Project. This facility would operate for approximately 30 months, during which time the City would collaborate to keep the Lynnhaven Boat Launch facility available for our citizens and visitors to use. Once the co-existence had been in operation for a period of time, staff would seek public input on their performance managing the multiple uses of these public facilities. At that time, a recommendation would be made to City Council for consideration, and we would look at the advantages and disadvantages of converting the temporary use of the transfer station into a permanent facility. We would not expect to have this matter brought to us until approximately the spring of 2014.

Because of limited public accesses to the Lynnhaven to assist in accomplishing various projects, staff feels it is imperative that multiple beneficial uses be made of available properties. Your concerns are understood, and no decisions regarding a permanent spoils transfer site would be made until residents were given the opportunity to provide input.

The time you took to make us aware of your views and your interest in preserving the quality of the Lynnhaven Boat Ramp is greatly appreciated. Please be assured they will be given serious consideration.

William D. Sessoms, Jr.

Mayor

City of Virginia Beach
Office of the Mayor
2401 Courthouse Drive, Building 1, Room 234
Virginia Beach, VA 23456
757-385-4581 (MAIN)
757-385-5699 (FAX)
wsessoms@vbgov.com

START HERE to send your letter to City Council, The Beaches and Waterways Commission, Bayfront Advisory Committee and Shore Drive Community Coalition.

"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." City of Virginia Beach April 2009

It was determined by the City of Virginia Beach the beloved Lynnhaven Boat Ramp & Beach Facility will not become a permanent dredge spoils transfer station for the entire Lynnhaven Watershed in April 2009. Link at SDCC.info.

“It took Tom Fraim and the Beaches and Waterways Advisory Commission to finally convince Virginia Beach that the Long Creek site isn’t the right location.”

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RESOLUTION PASSES – FEB. 28TH

The Resolution to REMOVE the Maple Street site as a potential dredge spoils transfer site for the neighborhood dredge program was unanimously approved by City Council tonight.

The Resolution at SDCC.info.
From LongCreekWetlands.com.
View article and video at WAVY.com.

“He stopped to consider an oyster, one worthy of his soon-to-be trademarked Pleasure House brand.”

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You read that right folks, Pleasure House branded oysters!

Read the entire article at Pilotonline.com:

“Can you imagine what’s in there?” he asked.

Ludford doesn’t have to imagine. Like a growing number of commercial oyster farmers in Virginia, he knows exactly what’s inside his brand of bivalve – in Ludford’s case, a plump mouthful of meat that starts with a bracing blast of brine and finishes with a rich oyster flavor and a speckle of sweet.

Yes we can imagine what’s in there Chris!

Imagine how incredible it is that VB Fireman Captain, and waterman from a family who’s done it for generations, has the entrepreneurial spirit to brand and work his lease for Pleasure House oysters right about the time the City of Virginia Beach is poised to protect Pleasure House Point forever.

Photo Credit: Tim Solanic

“The Assistant City Manager and City Staff were there to present plans for the Lesner Bridge replacement AND Building a Permanent Industrial Site at Crab Creek.”

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From an email posted unedited with permission:

Dear Neighbors,
Sid and I attended Thursday’s Bayfront Advisory Committee meeting. The Assistant
City Manager and City Staff were there to present plans for the Lesner Bridge
replacement AND Building a Permanent Industrial Site at Crab Creek.

There are several distinct issues that you should know about:

1. The Lesner Bridge replacement is vital – the City plans to use the Crab Creek
“spoils” site for construction staging for the bridge over the two or so years
it will take for the project. I feel that we as homeowners should accept that.
The Bridge’s condition is currently rated lower than the one in the Midwest that
fell a few years ago. During the construction there will be up to 100 truck
trips daily through the boat ramp and out to Shore Drive via Piedmont Circle and
E. Stratford Rd. There will be a “temporary” barge docking station built for
barging materials to the site.There will be noise and other usual construction
site impact. Beach access via the boat ramp facility will be curtailed during
the construction. Boat launching will remain open. While this is unpleasant, it
seems to be a necessary , but temporary, inconvenience.

2.Currently, CLEAN sand from dredging of the Crab Creek Channel occurs once
every year or two, or when weather causes sand movement that requires it to keep
the channel open for boaters. Again, I feel that since we, especially homeowners
with boats on the creek, benefit from this, it is a necessary nuisance. The
city stockpiles this sand on the site for future use for sand replenishment
along the bay or elsewhere in the city.We certainly also benefit when sand is
replenished on our nearby beach.

3. THIS IS WHAT WE NEED TO FOCUS ON: The City has renewed its interest (that wefought in 2008) in putting a permanent dredge transfer site with Barge off-loading station at Crab Creek to receive and truck out the MUCK dredged fromneighborhoods such as Witchduck Point, Thoroughgood Manor, Church Point, and Saw Pen Point, who want their channels dug for their boating pleasure, but do notwant the inconvenience of the dredge transfer station in their own backyard.

If this is built, we will experience: barges offloading 40-50 truckloads of
dredge spoils a day, and those 40-50 trucks, averaging THIRTY-FIVE TONS
traveling across the cross-walk between the boat ramp bath house and the
boardwalk to the beach, and out to Shore Drive via Piedmont Circle and E.
Stratford Road. Barges may impede boat traffic in the boat channel. The dredged
muck in this process is thick and foul-smelling, not the clean sand that is
dredged from the Crab Creek channel. Beaches and Waterways Commission has
recommended limiting to 30 trucks per day for no more than two 90-day cycles per
year. It is unclear what the time-of-day restrictions may be for dredge transfer
work. The City said, regarding the Lesner Bridge construction, that time-of-day
work would depend on the contractor proposal…
If the engine noise and beeping you heard during the Crab Creek sand dredging
was troublesome to you, imagine adding the 30 or 50 large trucks per day I
personally found the noise alone to detract from my enjoyment of my porch. I
wonder if those along the creek will be able to use their back decks.

4. THIS ALSO DESERVES OUR ATTENTION:
The City Staff of VIrginia Beach now say they will use the future Permanent Dredge Transfer Station for other uses: possible staging for other construction, docking of working barges that currently moor in the Lynnhaven River for oyster reef work, dredges,etc.

The City, at Thursday’s meeting expressed assurances that they are sensitive to boaters and fishermen. They expressed no concern for homeowners.

I hope you all will join us in opposing a Permanent Dredge Transfer Station at
Crab Creek. Please email City Council and the Beaches and Waterways Commission and the Bayfront Advisory Committee members with your opposition to the proposed Dredge Transfer Station at Crab Creek.
Use my letter (posted below) if you like.

Here are all the email addresses to copy.
Cut and paste these email addresses for sending your letter:
tfraim@masacorp.com,
CMOffice@vbgov.com,
ctycncl@vbgov.com,
David@sdcc.info,
wsessoms@VBgov.com,
lrjones@VBgov.com,
gdavis@vbgov.com,
bdesteph@VBgov.com,
bdyer@VBgov.com,
bhenley@VBgov.com,
juhrin@VBgov.com,
rwilson31@cox.net,
jlwood@VBgov.com,
abarnes@vbgov.com,
kkassir@aol.com,
yiayia223@aol.com,
tanklines@aol.com,
jjma6@aol.com,
joeb@HBAonline.com,
normcarrick@cox.net,
dsparks@wcbeach.com

Thank you,
Wendy Vaughn

Previously at BoatRampClosing.com in 2008/09 when the plan to allow personal and public unknown dredge spoils and other material be barged to, and trucked from our beloved Lynnhaven Boat Ramp & Beach Facility. That plan was officially killed in April 2009.

An example letter to send to City Council, Bayfront Advisory Committee and Beaches & Waterways Commission and click-able email link:

Click here to start email to City Council, Beaches & Waterways Commission and Bayfront Advisory Committee.

### BEGINNING OF SAMPLE LETTER ###

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

    [CHANGE TO APPROPRIATE INFO]> As homeowners in Ocean Park Virginia Beach, adjacent to Crab Creek, we want to express our strong opposition to using Crab Creek for a Permanent Dredge Spoils Transfer Site for the following reasons:
    * Operating barges in close proximity to the recreational boating channel at Crab Creek poses dangers to boaters, kayakers, and paddle-boarders. The channel is narrow. The City Boat Ramp at Crab Creek encourages the use of the channel for these recreational activities. This is a conflict.
    * Use of dump trucks through the boat ramp parking lot, over the pedestrian crosswalk from the bath houses to the beach, and through the residential neighborhood poses dangers to adults and children, bicyclists, fishermen, and motorists.
    * Use of barges in the Lynnhaven Basin creates a danger to the Lesner bridge. Over a year ago a barge did hit the Lesner Bridge.
    * Quality of water at the beaches surrounding the Crab Creek sand berm is jeopardized by unloading of spoils. Quality of the sand the City currently reclaims from the channel for use elsewhere is also jeopardized.
    * Noise pollution from engines, trucks, and beeping disrupts the quiet in the neighborhood. We currently experience this up to three months a year from the Crab Creek channel dredging. And the noise pollution is late at night and early in the morning. It is not equitable for us to be subject to it for many more months because those who will benefit from the dredging in their neighborhoods do not want the spoils transfer to take place in their neighborhoods.
    * Quality of air is jeopardized by diesel equipment and odors from dredge spoils.
    * Potential loss of equity in our home is unfair in order to benefit other neighborhoods.

    Our position has not changed since we voiced our opposition in 2008 along with the Ocean Park Civic League and many other Ocean Park homeowners.

    We ask that you complete the Thalia transfer station before determining the need for additional stations, and that studies be done by an independent third party to evaluate the concerns listed above. We also ask that you review the Ocean Park Civic League objections and citizen response to the 2008 proposal for a spoils transfer station at the Crab Creek site.

    The Lynnhaven Boat Ramp at Crab Creek is a clean, safe, quality recreational facility – a Virginia Beach success. Please consider the risk of damaging the Lynnhaven Boat Ramp. And please consider the risk of damage to the quality of life in our neighborhood.

    Respectfully,

    YOUR NAME
    YOUR ADDRESS

    ### END OF SAMPLE LETTER ###

Click here to start email to City Council, Beaches & Waterways Commission and Bayfront Advisory Committee.

“NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF VIRGINIA BEACH, VIRGINIA: 1. That the City Council hereby directs the City Manager to remove the Maple Street site from consideration as a potential dredge spoils transfer site for the Neighborhood Dredging Program.”

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Read the entire resolution in this PDF [1pg].

 

The resolution is being scheduled for vote at City Council on Tuesday February 28th.

“Ask an Ocean Park resident what they love about their home, and our area’s natural beauty will be at the top of the list.”

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Or… ask any Shore Drive resident what they love about their home, and our area’s natural beauty will most certainly be at the top of the list.

Sabrina of Ocean Park allowed us to post her words, unedited, below:

Today, I found four discarded fluorescent tubes in one of the beach garbage cans, which says to me that someone didn’t feel like taking them to a landfill (or Home Depot or Lowes) where they could be disposed of properly, but instead carried them out on to the beach to leave them for a crew which is unlikely to be equipped for hazardous waste. It also means they didn’t care if the bulbs got broken, thus allowing the [fluorescence’s] mercury lining to leak onto the sand and wash into the Chesapeake.

The garbage that we allow onto our land and into our waterways is not just ugly, it is deadly. Plastic bags, balloons, and shiny wrappers are a significant choking hazard for marine animals such as dolphins and sea turtles. Ocean birds starve to death every day with stomachs full of undigestible, brightly colored plastic that has built up over time; birds cannot pass this through their systems and ultimately have no room to swallow anything that has nutrition.

Ask an Ocean Park resident what they love about their home, and our area’s natural beauty will be at the top of the list. Perhaps we who purport to appreciate our surroundings could take responsibility for our own waste– and maybe even pick up something that was left behind by someone else.

Sabrina originally wrote this in Ocean Park’s Facebook Group yesterday.
Thank you Sabrina.

Photo Credit: KEVIN J O'HARA


Photo taken in your unknown backyard, Pleasure House Point.