Category Archives: Safety

Vandalism on PHP

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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

20130430-190045.jpgPhoto taken at April 20th clean up on PHP.

Ocean Park to get sand now. Chic’s Beach in a few years.

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At Pilotonline.com:

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.

20130429-071331.jpgPhoto Credit: Kevin O’Hara

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.”

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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.

Oysters from LRNow 2012

Lesner Bridge construction slated to start January 2014, end January 2017

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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.

Lesner Bridge Replacement Study

“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…”

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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.

Not an ashtray

Cape Story Residents Concerned About Tidal Flooding – WVEC News Report

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Cape Story residents are concerned that the City’s interim plug is in the wrong spot and will not protect all 40 homes in the tidal flooding zone. 

http://www.wvec.com/news/Cape-Henry-ditch-floods-Wednesday-despite-Citys-effort-to-fix-it-195709471.html

 

Storm Water Plug

Coastal Storm Update from VBGov.com

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Read the entire update at VBGov.com:

The City of Virginia Beach is closely monitoring the developing coastal storm. It is anticipated that the storm will cause higher than normal tide cycles.

    Possible tidal flooding up to elevation +4 feet above sea level

Maps:

COASTAL ACTION STORM PLAN Emergency Response “CASPER” FAMILY DISASTER PREPARATION AND RECOVERY PLAN

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“CASPER” FAMILY DISASTER PREPARATION AND RECOVERY PLAN (24 pagePDF)

Thanks to Dave for having us repost his work! We highly recommend you download it, study it and take action before catastrophic storms are forecasted.

unexpected damage at Lynnhaven Boat Ramp from Sandy Oct 2012

unexpected damage at Lynnhaven Boat Ramp from Sandy Oct 2012

2013 Watersheds Forum – SIGN UP NOW

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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 Center

Oyster 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!

Fatal accident reported on Shore Drive near First Landing State Park – 2/14/13

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It’s very unfortunate, but after almost 3 years without a fatality on Shore Drive (April 2010), another tragic death has occured.

 

http://wtkr.com/2013/02/14/vehicle-accident-reported-on-shore-drive-near-first-landing/#ooid=FzaDVkOTpJky9UGDdDQ_hVkNmZoxpPm4

fatal

The following was taken from WTKR’s website:

UPDATE: As of 4:00pm., Shore Drive remains closed to East Bound traffic from Kendall Street to Fort story.

Virginia Beach, Va. – Police tell NewsChannel 3 one person has died and one has been injured in a vehicle crash on Shore Drive near First Landing.

It happened at 1:15 p.m., Thursday, February 14, 2013, in the 2500 block of Shore Drive near First Landing. Police say a vehicle was heading eastbound in the 2500 block of Shore Drive near First Landing Park, when it crashed.

One person was reported deceased; and a second person was injured.

Eastbound traffic on Shore Drive is closed from Kendall Street to Fort Story.

NewsChannel 3 is working to find more details. Watch starting First at Four for updates.

URGENT NOW: “PLEASE WITHDRAW SENATE BILL SB926” PLEASE CONTACT SENATOR MCWATERS NOW

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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
20130129-195815.jpg
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.

Contractor to Perform Surveys to Support Storm Water Study – Feb 4th to May 31st

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To support a Storm Water study of areas east of the Lesner Bridge, the City has hired Kimley-Horn and NTX to perform field surveys in Cape Story, Cape Henry Shores and Lynnhaven Colony.

Contractors may ask residents to allow a survey markers to be held at an home or garage entrance while the elevation survey is taken.

Please see the attached City of Viriginia Beach letter for more details.  Click here Storm_Water_Survey_Letter

Tree Removal on North Hampton Blvd may delay westbound traffic.

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Possible delays on westbound North Hampton Blvd. between Independence and Jack Frost

from Monday Feb. 4th to Friday Feb. 15th. 

 

Dominion Power will be cutting down the row of trees and vegetation immediately north of Shore Drive to reduce possible damage to power lines. 

Traffic delays may be possible.

Click here to read the public notice Northampton Letter(2)

Noticed more files available at replacement for Lesner Bridge CIP Project Page

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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

Landscaping Concept Under Bridge

Construction Impacts – Lesner Bridge Replacement Project

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Sneak peak of power point presentation pulled from the Official City Project Page.

Construction – Begin July 2013; Complete July 2016

One image from presentation

One image from presentation

Download presentation from VBGov.com. [24 page PDF]

Note: If you are viewing presentation on a Mac in Preview – you can watch in full screen slideshow mode.
You can also view each slide & read notes for each by clicking on small cartoon bubble icon in upper left corner of each slide.

More info about sand replenishment including study by VIMS

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Forwarded from previous OPCL President:

Hope at receiving this you had a festive holiday season and are ready to do great things for our City in 2013. Attached you will find a draft of the legislation Chris Stolle is carrying for the City to set the ground work for a collaborative process of creating a sand replenishment program for the Chesapeake Bay Beaches. Following completion of the Council funded study by VIMS (can be found at http://www.vbgov.com/government/departments/public-works/coastal/Documents/cxb-shoal-report-12-11.pdf )[246 Page PDF]. The study focused on Chesapeake Beach but we are confident the sizeable deposits of suitable material exist offshore of all our Chesapeake Bay Beaches. Please share with your Commission/Board and if you would like Phil and I are more than happy to attend your next meeting to discuss our program initiative. As this has the unanimous support of the City Council we would like to receive both the Beaches and Waterways Advisory Commission and the Bayfront Advisory Committee endorsements. The Norfolk City Manager’s office is endorsing the legislation as well. Also request that once your organizations are behind the initiative that you take the opportunity to let our General Assembly Delegation know of your support. Please call if you have questions. VR Dave

Dave Hansen
Deputy City Manager
City of Virginia Beach
(757)385-4242

Download the VIMS study entitled A Geotechnical Evaluation of Chesapeake Beach for Beach Quality Sand. [246 Page PDF]

VIMS is the Virginia Institute of Marine Science.

One image from VIMS study

One image from VIMS study

Virginia Beach Citizens’ Police Academy info

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From Cape Story neighborhood watch:

Virginia Beach Citizens’ Police Academy

Monday, January 07, 2013 · 10:00 am

​ The Virginia Beach Citizens’ Police Academy provides an excellent opportunity for citizens, ages 21 and up, or 18 and in college, who work and/or live in the City of Virginia Beach, to become familiar with the day-to-day operations of the police department. This will enable participants to gain a better understanding of the procedures, guidelines, responsibilities, demands, personnel, equipment, policies, and laws that guide the department’s decisions. Citizens will hear the accounts and experiences of a wide variety of police personnel and will also engage in hands-on activities. This class is not intended to make citizens into police officers but to allow citizens to learn more about police operations. Citizens will become informed as to the actual role of the police and, in return, the police will benefit from the wealth of knowledge the citizens can give about their community. A police ride-along opportunity will be offered during the session for observation of the officer’s daily duties.

Sponsored by the Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association, the 35th session will run from February 5, 2013 through May 14, 2013, with classes held every Tuesday night from 6:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. The classes will be held at the Law Enforcement Training Academy located at 411 Integrity Way in Virginia Beach. Applications are now being accepted and are available at any Virginia Beach Police Precinct, the Crime Prevention Unit Building #15 at the Municipal Center, or you can print a copy from this address: http://www.vbgov.com/government/departments/police/opsdiv/Documents/PD045.pdf.

Completed applications for this session must be received by the Crime Prevention Office by Friday, January 18, 2013. Please do not drop off completed applications at a police precinct. Seating is limited.

Topics covered in the academy include:

Recruitment, Selection, & Training

A Day in the Life of a Patrol Officer

Firearms Safety & Range Operations

Deadly Force Encounters

Forensics

Basic Criminal Law

Animal Control

History of Law Enforcement

Office of the Commonwealth’s Attorney

Crime Prevention Programs

Crisis Intervention Team

School Resource Officer Program

Criminal Investigations

PhotoSafe Red Light Enforcement Program

Volunteer Opportunities

Jail Tour

K9, SWAT, Bomb Squad, & Helicopter Unit

Media Relations

Law Enforcement Technology

Special Investigations (narcotics, vice, & gangs)

For further information, contact MPO Jeff Eaton at 385-1066, bjeaton@vbgov.com

“The bill would require the Marine Resources Commission, the Department of Environmental Quality and other involved agencies to establish a procedure for approving within 90 days applications for permits to dredge sand from the bay and dump it on adjacent beaches.”

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From Pilotonline.com:

He said Virginia Beach has agreed to pay for sand replenishment along its part of the Chesapeake Bay, which includes Chic’s Beach and the Shore Drive corridor, areas that suffer some of the worst damage from nor’easters and storms like Sandy.

Apparently Ocean Park was hit harder by Sandy than the east side of the Lesner Bridge.

Taken couple days after Sandy. Dinwiddie walkway in Ocean Park. Photo Credit ~ Jen C.

Taken couple days after Sandy. Dinwiddie walkway in Ocean Park. Photo Credit ~ Jen C.

View SB946 at LIS:

SB 946 Public beaches; authorizes MRC and DEQ to establish procedure for sand replenishment.

Introduced by: Frank W. Wagner | all patrons … notes | add to my profiles
SUMMARY AS INTRODUCED:

Sand replenishment for public beaches. Authorizes the Marine Resources Commission and the Department of Environmental Quality to establish an expedited procedure for sand mining and beach replenishment on the public beaches abutting the waters of the Chesapeake Bay. The bill requires the agencies to establish a working group, consisting of representatives from affected localities, to assist in the development of the expedited procedure. The working group is to consider a requirement that the application for the sand replenishment project permit include the submission of a mining plan by the locality for areas within the Chesapeake Bay from which the dredged material will be taken and the location of the beach replenishment project. The bill provides several types of information that such a plan would include, such as the analysis of benthic, marine, and fishery resources; impact on any historical artifacts; and impact on other uses of the state waters and bottomlands at the dredge site.