A crane on a barge will scoop mud and sand from the bottom of the Lynnhaven River. The dredged material will be brought ashore at the Thalia Dredged Material Transfer Facility, and trucked to a spoils site off Oceana Boulevard.
Category Archives: Quality of Life
Preserving Pleasure House Point “was the wisest move the city has made in decades.”
Be sure to read Candy Hatcher’s piece in the Pilot entitled Treasure at Pleasure House Point.
Now we can walk down a suburban street that becomes a trail that winds along the water, by dunes, through a maritime forest. We can go there to think. Or simply to appreciate the tranquility. It’s why we live here. At least, it’s one of the reasons.
RELATED!
Be sure to be careful traveling around Marlin Bay Drive – road next to Pleasure House Point, and in Pelcian Dunes, around Woodlawn Avenue – there’s a number of young Yellow Crowned Night Heron’s wandering around the streets.
Photo Credit: Kevin O’Hara
Interactive water quality map for beaches
Thanks to CBF for the tip about this site.
In the early 2000s, Virginia expanded the beach monitoring program to include all major beaches in the state. The VDH recognizes that contamination of beachwater due to sanitary sewer overflows, breaks in pipes, boat discharges, stormwater runoff, and wildlife poses a risk to human health. The goal of the program is to inform the public and protect recreational swimmers from contaminated water.
Screenshot of interactive map
Emphasis ours.
ATTEND OUR MEETING MONDAY! “Come hear the City’s interim plan to fix stormwater problems for areas east of the Lesner Bridge. There will also be an $80+ million project that could impact homes and businesses. You will definitely want to attend and learn the study details.”
Meeting at:
Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad
STARTS 730pm
VIEW MEETING AGENDA at SDCC.info
Dave L. Hansen – Deputy City Manager will be making the presentation.
As article below mentions, City Council will be voting on the recommendations in August 2013.
They plan to present the idea to the Shore Drive Community Coalition on Monday before taking it to the council in August, Hansen said…But [Todd Solomon] said the city should explore some less-expensive solutions, such as using inflatable pipe plugs to prevent tidal flooding, like the one installed in Ocean Park before Hurricane Sandy.”
Read entire article at Pilotonline.com:
Solomon, who lives on First Landing Lane in Cape Story, said he thinks it is. He estimates 130 homes could benefit from the interim project, especially in clearing roads for access by emergency vehicles.
But he said the city should explore some less-expensive solutions, such as using inflatable pipe plugs to prevent tidal flooding, like the one installed in Ocean Park before Hurricane Sandy.
3 Comments at article:
As a long time resident of Lynnhaven Colony who is blessed to live on higher ground, I have witnessed my neighbors deal with the annual flooding along Lynnhaven Drive and Cape Henry Drive. These are not high end residences in most cases but one story brick homes built as Virginia Beach developed into a City many years ago. Many of the residents in the flood zone, are older or retired and are unable to simply pick up and move as one poster suggests. Mr. Hanson and his team met with the Civic League some years back and throughly explained the proablem facing residents when double nor’easters back up the tides in Broad Bay causing the flooding in LC and other neighborhoods. These are taxpayers and something needs to be done to help them.
A great deal of the issue is rainwater, but a floodgate would be a huge help in my mind, and it would seem easier. Especially since Lesner is way overdue on replacement anyway
Let them all move. They live/moved there for proximity to water views and waterfront property and now they have it. The bay was there first. The City should NOT spend once cent on helping those who made poor choices in where to live.
Map Credit: Pilotonline.com
Previously at SDCC.info:
City Engineers Present “Eastern Shore Dr. Interim Drainage Improvement Proposal”
On Thursday June 20th at the Bayfront Advisory Committee (BAC), City Engineers presented the “Eastern Shore Drive Interim Drainage Improvement Proposal”. This proposal was the result of an engineering study performed by City engineers and engineering consultant Kimley-Horn. The study was performed as part of the community’s on going request (since 2009) to fix tidal flooding issues in neighborhoods east of the Lesner Bridge. The presentation, studies and recommendations can be found on the City’s Public Works website. Click here to access
The City’s Engineering results on interim flooding fixes has been summarized on Slide 33 of their presentation shown below. This presentaiton will be made to City Council at which point they will decide whether to fund the interim projects. Please note that the housing and garage impacts are based on a 4.0 foot tide occurence.
Return On Investment
- Total Cost of Interim Improvements: $1.2 M
- Benefit is some reduction in flooding frequency for:
– 5 houses
– 15 Garages
– 570 L.F. of Street
- Comprehensive improvements are budgeted and initial phases could begin in 2016
- A decision on whether to fund the Interim Improvements is needed
“The Virginia Beach Department of Public Health has lifted a swimming and wading advisory that was issued for the Chesapeake Bay from Starfish Road to Rockbridge Road. Lab results showed bacteria levels in the water meet the State Water Quality Standards.”
Read entire News Release at VBGov.com:
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.
Learn more about Enterococci at EPA.gov:
Enterococci are a subgroup within the fecal streptococcus group. Enterococci are distinguished by their ability to survive in salt water, and in this respect they more closely mimic many pathogens than do the other indicators. Enterococci are typically more human-specific than the larger fecal streptococcus group. EPA recommends enterococci as the best indicator of health risk in salt water used for recreation and as a useful indicator in fresh water as well.
Human Gut Microbe (Enterococcus faecalis)
“The city’s Department of Public Health has issued a swimming and wading advisory for the Chesapeake Bay between Starfish Road and Rockbridge Road.”
“Crew clubs approached the city about finding a site where they could access Broad Bay. The Virginia Beach Department of Parks and Recreation partnered with First Landing State Park to build a facility on park property.”
“It’s going to be a nice addition,” he said, adding that recreational boaters can tie up to the floating dock and pick up or drop off passengers at the parking lot or use the restrooms. People who have smaller boats such as kayaks and canoes will be able to carry them to the floating dock and launch. Trailer-mounted boats will still use the ramps.
The 2,888-acre state park offers hiking and biking trails, beach access, camping and more. About 1.5 million people visit each year.
CBF milled live oak today.
Remember the lot that was clear cut of its live oaks located on Shore Drive near the Lesner Bridge?
CBF accepted the cut down live oak material.
Today it was milled into lumber to be dried then used inside & around the Brock Center.
Thanks to everyone who helped preserve the live oak material.
Shame the trees couldn’t be preserved but at least their beautiful lumber will live on & may inspire future generations.
Participate in Virginia Beach’s plan to preserve the urban forest
Virginia Beach Parks & Recreation is inviting the public to provide input at two different public information meetings that involve the City of Virginia Beach’s Urban Forest Management Plan. Learn what is in the works to improve the environmental, economic and social benefits of the city through the proper planting, maintenance and preservation of trees.
The first public meeting will discuss the City’s northern watersheds (Lynnhaven River, Elizabeth River, Rudee, Oceanfront, and Little Creek) and takes place at Bayside Recreation Center (4500 First Court Rd) on Wednesday, May 15, 2013…Both meetings take place from 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm.
Ride of Silence May 15th on Shore Drive
From Tidewater Bicycle Association:
We will ride down Shore Drive using the bike lane and shoulders to Atlantic Ave and back in silence.
When
May 15, 2013
7:00 PM – 8:00 PMLocation
Food Lion, Shore Drive & N. Great Neck Rd, Va Beach
Vandalism on PHP
Certainly “grown ups” can’t be responsible for this.
From an email:
The past two weeks we have seen an elevated amount of vandalism at Pleasure House Point. The two dog boxes were ripped from their signs, along the two Marlin Bay trails, last week. We installed new ones and I inspected the site yesterday and found that the same occurred again. Last week we found that a household kitchen bag was dumped on a trail. Mail within the bag was addressed to (redacted). Yesterday, along the same trail I found four very large bags dumped on the trail. I removed the litter and pulled the dog boxes out of the woods from where they were thrown and placed them beside the posts from which they were installed. At this point we are discussing which dog boxes to reinstall. A police report was given and I have a case number pertaining to the issue.
I wanted to keep you posted as well as possibly ask if you wouldn’t mind mentioning something about this in your next OPCL Newsletter.
Please let me know if you need other information or anything on our end. I appreciate your assistance in this matter.
Michael T. Moore; CNMP
Open Space and Resource Manager
Parks and Natural Areas
Virginia Beach Parks & Recreation
Parks and Natural Areas Office | 2289 Lynnhaven Parkway | Virginia Beach, VA 23456
Photo taken at April 20th clean up on PHP.
Ocean Park to get sand now. Chic’s Beach in a few years.
A similar project will add about 200,000 cubic yards of sand at Ocean Park Beach when the Army Corps of Engineers later this year works to clear sand that’s built up in the Lynnhaven Inlet, Roehrs said.
A major beach restoration project for Chic’s Beach also is in the works, although it might take a few years to start while the city obtains agreements from waterfront property owners ensuring public access to the shore, Roehrs said.
Photo Credit: Kevin O’Hara
“Attached you will find our response to the Norfolk District Commander of the Corps of Engineers attesting to the City’s commitment for providing the necessary real estate interests for the project features identified in the Lynnhaven River Basin Ecosystem Restoration Plan. This plan consists of restoring 38 acres of Wetlands, 94 acres of sub~aquatic Vegetation (SAV), the reintroduction of bay scallops on the SAV and the construction of 31 acres of reef habitat.”
Recent correspondence between City of VB & ACOE re: Lynnhaven River Basin Ecosystem Restoration Plan. (9 page PDF)
We understand that concerns exist regarding the City’s ability to accomplish the real estate acquisition that may be necessary for the project. Please be assured that We have reviewed the potential real estate requirements identified in the District’s letter dated March 12, 2013. We acknowledge that the provision of all real estate interests necessary for the construction, operation, maintenance, repair, rehabilitation, and replacement of the project will be the responsibility of the City of Virginia Beach as the Non-Federal Sponsor for this project It is understood that the procurement of real estate interests may include acquiring or terminating existing oyster leases, acquiring permanent real estate interests from private and pubîic property owners for wetlands restoration, and securing permanent easements over state-owned river bottoms to support the parts of the project involving submerged aquatic vegetation restoration, bay scallops reintroduction, and reef habitat creation.
“What captured Kmet was a release of three dozen pelicans that were rescued over the winter. They were freed at the Lynnhaven Boat Ramp.”
View article at Pilotonline.com.
Photo Credit: Kevin O’Hara from Ocean Park
607 acres of the Lynnhaven to close to shellfish harvesting. “Bacteria sources include sewage leaks, animal and pet waste, and stormwater runoff from streets, lawns and parking lots.”
Read the entire article and comment here, or at Pilotonline.com:
In its “state of the river” report for 2012, the environmental group Lynnhaven River Now gave a C+ to efforts at controlling bacteria pollution.
Not sure how this will affect the upcoming popular Lynnhaven River NOW Oyster Roast on April 20th.
Lesner Bridge construction slated to start January 2014, end January 2017
Visit VBGov.com to learn more and watch a video:
Construction will commence January 2014 to replace the bridge in a project that stretches westward from Vista Circle to East Stratford Road on the opposite bank. Two precast concrete bridges will replace the existing span and work is expected to last approximately three years.
“Often unleashed, they stretch their legs on the nature preserve’s sandy trails, mingle with like-minded canines and take care of their evening constitutionals, all with owner Sharon Thoma…”
Read and comment on Pilotonline.com article about unleashed dogs and their threat to PHP:
They also could disrupt the nests of diamondback terrapins or traumatize their hatchlings, she said.
“There needs to be a behavior change,” Everett said. “It’s important to keep dogs on-leash on the site because it’s a preserve area.”
Pet waste also is a major source of harmful bacteria, which degrades water quality, can render shellfish unsafe to eat and make humans and other animals sick, Everett said.
One comment excerpt:
Some dog owners in my neighborhood walk their dogs off leash routinely. Their self-centeredness is similar to what I am reading here. We had a dog attacked by another, requiring extensive vet bills.
PHP not a private dog park
Read Mary Reid Barrow’s new article.
“Pleasure House Point is no longer a private playground for you and your dogs.”
#WeLoveShoreDrive 