Read entire article at Pilotonline.com.
Category Archives: Quality of Life
“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.”
Photos of seals at CBBT by Jet Ski Brian & how to contact the Stranding Response Team
Photo Credit: Jet Ski Brian http://jetskibrian.com/
In case you’ve missed the great pics Jet Ski Brian has been getting here’s his website.
One of the seals seems to have a gill net wrapped around it’s neck:
I went through the pictures I took on Saturday and sure enough it looks like one the poor guys has what looks like part of a gill net tightly around his neck. I emailed and called the Virginia Beach Aquarium and am waiting to here back from them.
I saw several sets of gill net around the Islands of the tunnel.
Stranding Response Program at Virginia Aquarium.
Report a Stranding
ATTENTION ALL BOATERS AND BEACH WALKERS:
When water temperatures drop quickly, cold-blooded reptiles like sea turtles often find themselves in trouble up and down the East Coast. Some of these animals may appear deceased but are actually in a coma, due to the surrounding cold waters. These animals are in need of IMMEDIATE MEDICAL ATTENTION! If you come across a sea turtle swimming, floating or stranded on the beach, please stay with it and call the Virginia Aquarium Stranding Response Team immediately at (757) 385-7575.
Report a StrandingTo report a stranded sea turtle or marine mammal (dolphin, whale, seal or manatee) to the Aquarium’s Stranding Response Program, call (757) 385-7575 (24 hours/7 days).
And, the Virginia Aquarium has a new website up to catalog the deadly balloons that can kill marine life.
“Blipfoto is a community of people from all over the world,” said Giles, a resident of Cape Story by the Sea. “Some people have done this for years, and some are just beginning. I’ve done it for over a year now.”
Check out the Pilotonline.com article about Martha.
Giles’ favorite photo subject is nature, particularly birds. Favorite local sites include First Landing State Park, the Chesapeake Bay and Pleasure House Point.
“You’ll find that many of my pictures are of birds,” Giles said about her online gallery, http://www.blipfoto.com/mmg. “I never set out to take just pictures of birds, but that’s just how it happens.”
2013 Watersheds Forum – SIGN UP NOW
Brought to you by VIMS, LRNow, Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, and Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge.
If you love the magnificent bounty of our local waters – GO.
View Lynnhaven River NOW’s E-News here.
2013 Watersheds Forum
March 21, 9:00-2:30, Virginia Beach Convention CenterOyster Roast 3 The first Virginia Beach Watersheds Forum will be held on March 21, 2013 at the Vriginia Beach Convention Center. Registration will begin at 8:15 AM and presentations begin at 9 AM. The Forum is 9 AM-1 PM and includes a box lunch.
The Forum is being held jointly by Lynnhaven River NOW and the Back Bay Restoration Foundation and is sponsored by the City of Virginia Beach and the Virginia Coastal Zone Management Program.The 2013 Forum will have two panel presentations from regional experts on adapting to Sea Level Rise and how our natural resorces fit into Virginia Beach’s long range planning. Additionally, break-out sessions for the northern and southern watersheds will feature speakers from VIMS, LRNow, Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, and Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge.
Registration is $15 and includes light morning refreshments, a box lunch and all presentations. Add-on workshops will be held at the close of the informational presentations from 1:00-2:30. For an additional fee, participants can build their own rain barrel, learn about gardening with native plants and receive their own native plant, or build their own worm composting bin.
Please register here using PayPal. If you prefer to pay with a check, please contact Mary Tilton at mary.tilton@bbrf.org or 757-619-6429.
For more information, visit our website or contact Karen at Karen@LRNow.org or 757-962-5398.
We hope to see you all on March 21st for an interesting day!
Citizens Invited to Help Participate in Review and Adoption of Community Sustainability Plan
The City of Virginia Beach invites all residents, business owners, community leaders and other stakeholders who have an interest in how the city plans, manages, protects and promotes its current and future sustainability initiatives to participate in the City Council’s review and adoption of “A Community Plan for a Sustainable Future” over the next several weeks.
The City Council will be holding a public comment session on Tuesday, Feb. 12 beginning at 6 p.m. in the City Council Chamber, Building 1, 2401 Courthouse Drive, 2nd Floor.
The City Council will also be holding a public hearing and vote on adoption of the plan on Tuesday, Feb. 26 beginning at 6 p.m. in the City Council Chamber, Building 1, 2401 Courthouse Drive, 2nd Floor.
The draft plan is available for the public to review prior to these meetings at http://www.vbgov.com/government/offices/eso/sustainability-plan/Documents/vb-sustainability-plan-web.pdf. These public input meetings are the final steps in a yearlong public outreach process to seek ideas and direction from citizens to help guide the City in the development of its first comprehensive Community Sustainability Plan.
For additional information, please contact Clay Bernick in the Planning Department/Environment and Sustainability Office at 385-4899 or visit www.VBgov.com/sustainplan.
“SB 926 Wetlands; governmental activity. 01/31/13 Senate: Stricken at request of Patron in Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources”
YEAS–Hanger, Watkins, Puckett, Ruff, McEachin, Petersen, Northam, Marsden, Black, Miller–10.
NAYS–0.
ABSTENTIONS–0.
Thank you.
Members of the Senate Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources:
- Senator Emmett W. Hanger Jr.Republican-District 24
- Senator John C. Watkins Republican-District 10
- Senator Phillip P. Puckett Democrat-District 38
- Senator Frank M. Ruff Jr. Republican-District 15
- Senator A. Donald McEachin Democrat-District 9
- Senator J. Chap Chapman Petersen Democrat-District 34
- Senator Ralph S. Northam Democrat-District 6
- Senator David W. Marsden Democrat-District 37
- Senator Richard H. Black Republican-District 13
- Senator John C. Miller Democrat-District 1
Special thanks to Senator Jeffrey L. McWaters Republican-District 8 for requesting SB926 to be stricken.
Senator Jeffrey L. McWaters Republican-District 8
URGENT NOW: “PLEASE WITHDRAW SENATE BILL SB926” PLEASE CONTACT SENATOR MCWATERS NOW
Please call and/or email Senator McWaters:
Respectfully ask Senator McWaters to withdraw Senate Bill SB 926.
EMAIL Senator McWaters & His Aid
PHONE Richmond Office: (804) 698-7508
Senator McWaters Contact Info
WHY?
Dear Gentleman,
I respectfully request that Senate Bill (SB926) be withdrawn.
Removing local Wetlands Board review of local City projects is unacceptable.
Citizen engagement at the local level must be maintained in order to keep trust in government.
The current review process for “28.2-1302 of the Code of Virginia, relating to the jurisdiction of local wetlands boards” results in State owned wetlands projects being reviewed by State commissions (VMRC) and locally owned wetlands projects being reviewed by local Wetlands Boards.
This is the correct method and must be protected.
Moving review boards out of the local area places an unfair burden on citizens and their rights for public comment.
Additionally, local Wetlands Boards are more familiar with the particulars of local projects and are best suited to review these applications.
Sincerely,
Todd Solomon
Shore Drive Community Coalition-Secretary
Maintaining the Status Quo for Shore Drive, check out http://www.sdcc.info
ALSO:
It could undermine Virginia’s no net loss goals for preservation of wetlands acreage and function.
It could undermine government openness and transparency by imposing additional barriers to public participation in the local public hearing of projects that would impact state-protected wetlands.
PLEASE CONTACT SENATOR MCWATERS NOW
Senator Jeffrey L. McWaters
Republican-District 8
Capitol Office
Senate of Virginia
P.O. Box 396
Richmond, VA 23218
Email: district08@senate.virginia.gov
Phone: (804) 698-7508
Fax: (804) 698-7651
Room No: 310
Legislative Assistant: Cheryl Simmons, Christen T. Smith
District Office
1207 Laskin Road
Virginia Beach, VA 23451
Phone: (757) 965-3700
Legislative Assistant: Cheryl Simmons, Christen T. Smith
1207 Laskin Road
Virginia Beach, VA 23451
Phone: (757) 965-3700
As of the time of this post, this Senate Bill SB926 could be heard Thursday.
UPDATE: read the bill. Start here.
Noticed more files available at replacement for Lesner Bridge CIP Project Page
Added a list of what’s available at our SDCC.info/Hot page. Scroll down to find info about bridge.
Direct link to CIP Project Page for Lesner Bridge.
Landscaping Concept Under Bridge
