In case you missed the excellent article on the heroic rescue off our beaches.  Here’s a link to it.  Kudos to all those involved in the effort.

http://hamptonroads.com/2009/02/route-their-rescue-lay-fortuitous-arrival

This is just one person’s review from the Community Input Meeting held on Feb. 12, 2009 regarding the Lesner Bridge Replacement.

Good background information.  Chance to comment on all items, but it appeared the only real decision being made was which alignment should be chosen.  Here’s what I gathered.

Northern costs – 69 million.  Impact to 3556.  They will have to relocate their emergency access and that may not be possible.  City will have to buy some property from Duck-in site.  Crazy little jog in road on western landing point could be a driving hazard.  Covers and impacts Ocean Park beach on Bayside.

Southern costs – 67 million + (5 to 11 million more for power line replacement).  Smooth alignment.  Power line removal needs to happen to get the best visual bridge and they are old.  Might as well make everything new at the same time.  The bridges are designed to hold services so why not use it.  Engineers can make anything happen.  The city has just started talking to Dominion Power about placing lines in the bridge.  Thought they would have had the answered before the CIM.  Also, no impact to residential or business property.  No impact to public beach with this option

SDCC General Meeting – Monday January 26th, 7:30pm to 9:00pm
Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad Hall (parking in back, on side streets and across Shore Drive)

Mini Town Hall Meeting with Vice Mayor Louis Jones and Councilman Jim Wood – Come hear what they have to say about the Federal Economic Stimulus Package and what it means to Virginia Beach.  Ask them about the Lesner Bridge Replacement, Pleasure House Point and NoIndigoDunes, Beach sand replenishment, Dredge Transfer Station or Whatever is on your mind.

The general agenda for the evening will be:
Officer’s Reports – Brief Reports
Secretary – Todd
Treasurer’s Report – Leslie
Vice President -Steve
President –  Grace

Old Business-
Indigo Dunes Project – The United States Army Corp of Engineers (USACE) is reviewing the application for the Joint Permit Application #2 (JPA).  The Shore Drive Community Coalition (SDCC) submitted an opposition report and asked for a public hearing and all information on the project via a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request.  The USACE denied the SDCC FOIA request and has stated that a public hearing is not required.  The SDCC obviously disagrees with this and has appealed.  Also, there has been no date set for the State Water Control Board hearing on JPA #2 or the circuit court appeal of JPA #1 by the City of Virginia Beach.

Update on Lesner Bridge Replacement – A Community Information Meeting (CIM) was held on Feb 11th at Cox High School and attended by about 50 residents.  The main focus of this meeting was to present the 30% design drawings and to have the residents comment on the north or south alignment proposals. The northern alignment is estimated to cost $67 million with a requirement to purchase some of the old Duck-In property, creates a jog on the western side and relocates the emergency driveway of 3556 by the Bay.  The southern alignment is estimated to cost $69 million + $5 to $11 million to relocate the high tension power lines.  This alignment has no property impacts and a smoother route.  City Council needs your input to make the final decision.

Pound Pole Fishing Nets – The Virginia Marine Resource Commission (VMRC) denied the first two applications at their Nov. meeting.  The 3rd application has been withdrawn, but the 4th application has mysterioiusly disappeared from the VMRC website.  If the remaining application is publically posted, the public will have 30 days to comment and then attend a VMRC hearing.  VMRC denied the previous applications by a vote of 9-0 based mainly on the documented deaths of about 4 dolphins per year from these types of nets.

Oyster Restoration Project – The USACE is reviewing a plan on whether or not to allow the introduction of sterile Asian oysters into the Chesapeake Bay.  The SDCC sent a letter to the USACE supporting the Lynnhaven River NOW (LRNOW) and Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) position of native oysters only. The full Senate rejected SJ 411 –  Oysters; sterile non-native; U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to support responsible cultivation by a vote of ejected by (16-Y 22-N).  Thanks to all that took the time to contact our Senators about this important issue.  Senator Stolle voted against the resolution and Senator Wagner voted for it.

New Business –
Bayfront Advisory Committee (BAC) Update – Clay Bernick noted that the Shore Drive improvement projects could not be included the City’s bid for state or Federal monies, as both VDOT and the Feds have as a qualifier that the improvement increase capacity, which these projects do not.  He further stated that since the City’s budget shortfall is so great, it would be more productive to focus on smaller projects that have long been promised, but never fully executed.  An example might be the median near the intersection of Shady Oaks and Shore Drive which is being used illegally as a crossover.  He encourages members of BAC and SDCC to supply him with a list of similar examples.  BAC will also be looking at a Mission Statement for the newly formed Beach Access Subcommittee.  There will be further deliberation on the language recommended for the Open Space portion of the update to the City’s Comprehensive Plan. 

Lesner Bridge Alignment Vote – All member groups are asked to be prepared to vote on their organizations position on the preferred alignment of the new Lesner Bridge.  Northern, Southern or Something Different.  The SDCC will issue a letter of recommendation to City Council and BAC based on this vote. 

Upcoming Meetings of Interest –
Lynnahven River NOW Public Meeting – Thursday March 5, 2009 at 7:00pm at Cape Henry Collegiate School.  http://www.lrnow.org for more information
2009 Civic Engagement Summit – Saturday April 4, 2009 at 8:30am at the Simulation Center in Suffolk.  Sponsored by Hampton Roads Center for Civic Engagement.  Free and open to public.  http://www.hrcce.org to register.

2009 Hampton Roads Civic Engagement Summit – Free and Open to the General Public

Come be part of the solution for our communities!

Date: Saturday, April 4, 2009
Time: 8:30 am – 12:30 pm
Location: Virginia Modeling, Analysis and Simulation Center – 1030 University Blvd. Suffolk VA

For more information and registration, click on the following link
Summit Information and Registration

Hosted by:
Hampton Roads Center for Civic Engagement

With it’s partners:
Future of Hampton Roads
Hampton Roads Partnership
The Planning Council
WHRO

You should attend if you are concerned about:
• Having a high-achieving and well-governed region
• Defining “high-achieving” and “well-governed”
• Responsibility and accountability for our common future

Presentations and Small Group Dialogue facilitated by:
Chris Gates, Executive Director, PACE
Chris Gates is a national leader and advisor to the Obama Administration on the state of our democracy and the interaction between citizens and government.

Bob O’Neill, Executive Director, International City/County Management Assn. – ICMA
Bob O’Neill is well-known in Hampton Roads and in the country as a leading advocate for excellence in government. ICMA is on the frontline of the changing relationship between government and citizens.

Dr. Quentin Kidd, Associate Professor, Christopher Newport University
Quentin Kidd is a frequent speaker and media commentator on politics and the author of multiple surveys organized by the University’s political center, which he manages.

According to Lynnhaven River Now:

State Senate Oyster Bill

The full Senate rejected SJ 411 in a vote Tuesday evening!  Thank you for taking the time to contact your Senators about this important issue.  Senator Stolle voted against the resolution and Senator Wagner voted for it.  Here is the complete information on how all of our Senators voted:

SJ 411 Oysters; sterile non-native; U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to support responsible cultivation.

floor: 02/10/09 Senate: Rejected by Senate (16-Y 22-N)

YEAS—Blevins, Cuccinelli, Hurt, Martin, McDougle, Newman, Norment, Obenshain, Ruff, Saslaw, Smith, Stosch, Stuart, Wagner, Wampler, Watkins—16.

NAYS—Barker, Colgan, Deeds, Edwards, Hanger, Herring, Houck, Howell, Locke, Lucas, Marsh, McEachin, Miller, J.C., Miller, Y.B., Northam, Puckett, Quayle, Reynolds, Stolle, Ticer, Vogel, Whipple—22.

NOT VOTING—Petersen, Puller—2.

Check out the new LRNow.org now.

Monday, February 23, 2009, 7:30 p.m.
Vice-Mayor Louis Jones and Councilman Jim Wood
Shore Drive Community Coalition
Ocean Park Volunteer Fire and Rescue Station

Our elected representatives have accepted our invitation to speak at the February meeting. We expect that they will have information to impart and that they will be able to answer questions we may have about issues of interest to residents along the Shore Drive corridor. In particular these issues include, but are not limited to, the Lesner Bridge replacement design. The City has graciously extended the comment period to accommodate our meeting. The comment period now closes February 25th.

Again, if you have a particular question or comment that you would like them to address, please email me at grace@sdcc.info. If we want to have the full benefit of Mr. Jones and Mr. Wood’s appearance, we need to give them the opportunity to gather the pertinent information before the meeting.

If you don’t agree with what’s going on in the City, you must come and make your opinion known. Otherwise, you have no one to blame but yourself. If you do like something the City is doing, you still must come, to make sure they keep on doing it!

Thanks for all you do to make the Bayfront the best place to live!

Sincerely,

Grace Moran
President, SDCC
757-318-9224

Great news! You’ll start getting telemarketing calls on your cell phone soon unless you register with the federal do not call list.
Official site.

The comment period was just pushed back to allow for your input. Mark your calendar, it is now close of business February 25th.
Thank you.
Be sure to attend the CIM on Feb 11th!

New federal government website, Recovery.gov.
MainStreet Infrastructure “Ready to Go” Economic Stimulus Projects at VBGov.com.

From Erik at First Landing State Park:

Please be aware that First Landing State Park will be burning a brush pile over the next two weeks.  In case anyone spots smoke coming from the park, it is most likely coming from a brush pile that we are intentionally burning.  We will be burning from January 27 – February 15 as weather conditions allow.  Virginia Beach dispatch is aware that we will be burning at the park. 

For additional information contact:

Erik Molleen  
District Resource Specialist
(757) 412-2311
erik.molleen@dcr.virginia.gov

Check new report, Bracing for Change at The Trust for Public Land.
By comparison, much more crowded New York City actually has more parkland than all five of the Hampton Roads cities combined. And even though the five Hampton [Roads] cities cover a much larger area than New York, Boston or the main cities of San Francisco Bay, the other three regions all have more parkland as a percentage of their cities’ land area than Hampton Roads.

What if you gave 5 hours to help your community?
Look for opportunities at Starbucks.com.

Find opportunities with SDCC. “If all of you reading this could offer just one hour per month, we could…”
Read our President’s letter.

From LRNow:

Do you have an interest in public policy that affects the environment in Virginia Beach and across the state of Virginia?  Governor Kaine has made this the year of the Environment and Green Jobs and there is much interest in tackling the challenges ahead of us.  The actions of our elected officials do affect what we are able to accomplish right here in our watershed.  Therefore, LRNow is forming a new Public Policy Committee to help all of our members stay on top of the issues and voice their opinions on important questions and decisions.  As many of you know through your own service on one of our committees, the LRNow committees are vital to the many programs that we offer each year.  We are very fortunate that Dr. Mary Picardi has agreed to chair this committee.  Please contact Karen Forget at kforget@lynnhaven2007.com or 757-962-5398 if you are interested in being a part of this exciting new group.  A kick-off meeting will be planned when we have identified interested participants.

Thank you for considering this new way of working for environmental sustainability in our watershed and across our state.

Many of you know I feel strongly about transparency in government.

Great news from the top:

THE WHITE HOUSE

    Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release                   January 21, 2009

January 21, 2009

MEMORANDUM FOR THE HEADS OF EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES

SUBJECT:          Freedom of Information Act

A democracy requires accountability, and accountability requires transparency.  As Justice Louis Brandeis wrote, “sunlight is said to be the best of disinfectants.”  In our democracy, the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), which encourages accountability through transparency, is the most prominent expression of a profound national commitment to ensuring an open Government.  At the heart of that commitment is the idea that accountability is in the interest of the Government and the citizenry alike.

The Freedom of Information Act should be administered with a clear presumption:  In the face of doubt, openness prevails.  The Government should not keep information confidential merely because public officials might be embarrassed by disclosure, because errors and failures might be revealed, or because of speculative or abstract fears.  Nondisclosure should never be based on an effort to protect the personal interests of Government officials at the expense of those they are supposed to serve.  In responding to requests under the FOIA, executive branch agencies (agencies) should act promptly and in a spirit of cooperation, recognizing that such agencies are servants of the public.

All agencies should adopt a presumption in favor of disclosure, in order to renew their commitment to the principles embodied in FOIA, and to usher in a new era of open Government.  The presumption of disclosure should be applied to all decisions involving FOIA.

The presumption of disclosure also means that agencies should take affirmative steps to make information public.  They should not wait for specific requests from the public.  All agencies should use modern technology to inform citizens about what is known and done by their Government.  Disclosure should be timely.

I direct the Attorney General to issue new guidelines governing the FOIA to the heads of executive departments and agencies, reaffirming the commitment to accountability and transparency, and to publish such guidelines in the Federal Register.  In doing so, the Attorney General should review FOIA reports produced by the agencies under Executive Order 13392 of December 14, 2005.  I also direct the Director of the Office of Management and Budget to update guidance to the agencies to increase and improve information dissemination to the public, including through the use of new technologies, and to publish such guidance in the Federal Register.

This memorandum does not create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.

The Director of the Office of Management and Budget is hereby authorized and directed to publish this memorandum in the Federal Register.

BARACK OBAMA

                                # # #

Is it too late to say Happy New Year? Since we are still witnessing days of transition, I think not. Just as we look for new developments in our City and in the nation’s Capital, we can expect some changes along the Shore Drive Corridor.

Fortunately, much of the good will remain. Todd Solomon stays on as our fearless leader in the quest to protect Pleasure House Point, as well as the media spokesperson for SDCC. He will continue to be ably assisted by Tim Solanic, who also works tirelessly as our Information Officer. Leslie Cornwell has agreed to serve once more as Treasurer. I certainly do not possess the skills and abilities that they embody.

I hope that I will be able to offer a bit of improvement in the area of communication between ourselves, the residents of the Shore Drive neighborhoods, and City leaders and City Staff. I will be supported by and will support the Bayfront Advisory Committee in achieving this goal. Each party to this process of information-sharing has a unique and necessary function.

Kal Kassir, Chairman of the Bayfront Advisory Committee, and I have had preliminary conversations regarding how best to go about this. Fellow Officers of SDCC have provided me with invaluable guidance, since they know the context and contacts to be addressed. We have a wonderful opportunity, in the midst of these trying economic times, to explore new opportunities. Your ideas are solicited and welcomed as we go forward.

We are presently galvanized by the renewed focus on Pleasure House Point. Many of you are passionate about this issue. Like Americans across the country, you are now called to offer your service in this matter, and also other matters, great and small, which affect our daily lives here in our little stretch of Virginia Beach.

Join an SDCC committee:
  * Events (Town Hall, Oyster Roast)
  * Membership/Ambassador
  * Shore Drive Safety and Improvement Projects
  * Planning and Development Issue
  * Pleasure House Point (Indigo Dunes)
  * Communications

Join the SDCC contact list:

Provide us your name, email and phone number for our contact list. Contact list members will be asked to attend hearings or send emails in support or opposition to Shore Drive issues (Planning Commission, Wetlands, Zoning, City Council). Speaking at hearings is not required, willing bodies are needed as a display of force.

If all of you reading this could offer just one hour per month, we could raise an army!

Won’t you please sign up at: http://www.sdcc.info/ee/index.php/site/contact/ or email me at grace@sdcc.info [Editor:email address fixed!] to let us know which of your talents you are willing to share?

Thanks for being a part of this wonderful, vital community.

Sincerely,
Grace Moran

President, Shore Drive Community Coalition

After another study, oyster harvesting was revived in Lynnhaven Bay in Virginia after bacteria pollution caused by boaters, sewer systems, farms and pet waste was reduced.
States Join E.P.A. Study of Pathogens in Ohio River
You may have to subscribe to read entire article. I’ve been a subscriber and never receive spam from them.

SDCC General Meeting Agenda January 2009 [2pg PDF]

SDCC General Meeting – Monday January 26th, 7:30pm to 9:00pm
Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad Hall (parking in back, on side streets and across Shore Drive)

Program/Presentation – Mark Feltner (Virginia Coastal Access Now (VCAN)

VCAN is a non-profit organization working to maintain and enhance the public’s access to Virginia’s beaches and waterways. He will be speaking to issues of concern to Shore Drive Corridor residents.

The general agenda for the evening will be:
Officer’s Reports – Brief Reports
Secretary – Todd
Treasurer’s Report – Leslie
Vice President & President –Introductory Remarks

Old Business-
Indigo Dunes Project – Update to the status of the USACE review of the application for renewal of the existing, but soon to expire JPA. Also, there has been no date set for the State Water Control Board hearing or the circuit court appeal by the City of Virginia Beach.

Update on Lesner Bridge Replacement – City Project Manager David Jarman spoke to the Bayfront Advisory Committee (BAC) and told them about the planned Community Information Meeting (CIM) that will be held on Feb 11th at Cox High School from 5pm to 7pm. The main focus of this meeting will be to present the 30% design and to have the residents comment of the north or south alignment proposals. The public comment period after the CIM has been extended from 10 days to 30 days. So please attend and come to the Feb SDCC meeting to discuss your opinions. SDCC will be formulating a response at our Feb meeting.

Pound Pole Fishing Nets – The Virginia Marine Resource Commission (VMRC) denied the first two applications at their Nov. meeting. The 3rd application has been withdrawn, but the 4th application still remains. If the remaining application is publically posted, the VMRC will hear this application within 30 days of the public notification. VMRC denied the applications by a vote of 9-0 based mainly on the documented deaths of about 4 dolphins per year from these types of nets.

Oyster Restoration Project – SDCC sent a letter to the USACE supporting the LRNOW position of native oysters only. Update to be presented, if available.

Beach Replenishment – Status of city negotiation with property owners along the affected beaches, if available.

2009 SDCC Officers – The following members were elected as 2009 SDCC Officers. President – Grace Moran; Vice President – Steve Kohler; Treasurer – Leslie Cornwell; Secretary – Todd Solomon; Information Officer – Tim Solanic (Honorary Officer)

New Business –

Bayfront Advisory Committee (BAC) Update – SDCC and the Bayfront Advisory Committee have made a commitment to improve the way in which information and comments flow between City Council and Staff and the residents of the Shore Drive Corridor. Suggestions from SDCC members will be solicited.

Review and comment of City’s website regarding Shore Drive issues – The BAC and City staff would like the resident of Shore Drive to review and provide feedback on the City’s website regarding Shore Drive related items. How easy are the sites to use, What is missing? What works and what doesn’t work? The SDCC will be sending an email out with more specifics asking for your input, so stay tuned.

City and BAC Tree Planting Project – City Staff is putting together a map showing City owned property that can be used for landscaping improvements. SDCC members will be asked to review this map and help identify areas they would like improved with tree, bush and flower plantings.

Relocation of Chick’s Beach Fire Station – The City has recently purchased the old Texaco gas station at the corner of Shore Drive and Northampton Blvd. The Fire Dept is working on preliminary designs for the new station, but lacks funding for actual construction. BAC is worried about the size and access of the lot to support a fire station. Two other sites were looked at, North Oliver and just west of the Walgreen’s on Pleasure House Rd., but did not have willing sellers

Possible changes to the bike path intersections in Cape Story – City Councilman Wood and City Staff met with Cape Story and Cape Henry Civic Groups to discuss safety improvements to the bike path intersections in their neighborhoods. Some of the improvements being discussed are adding stop signs on the road ways, adding a traffic circle at all intersections to make cars and bikes slow down, adding a yield sign to the roadways, adding serpentine fencing on the bike path to make pedestrian slow down before crossing the roads.

Next Meeting: February 23: City Council representatives Louis Jones and Jim Wood

View our Bylaws. [5 pg PDF]
Amended November 24, 2003.

Comment period for the ACOE to accept the public’s input ended today at 4:00pm.

No word on our pending FOIA. No word on a scheduled public hearing.

From Wetlands Watch:

We believe that this proposed project will result in irreversible adverse effects constituting a significant adverse impact to the Lynnhaven River watershed, as well as the Chesapeake Bay, when viewed against past impacts and those anticipated in the reasonably foreseeable future.

The applicant proposes to permanently impact 1.37 acres of tidal vegetated wetlands, 1.21 acres of nontidal vegetated wetlands, 2.44 acres of waters of the United States, and 0.77 acres of tidal non-vegetated wetlands. We maintain that these impacts are sufficient to deny the permit application given the significantly impaired state of the Lynnhaven River and the Chesapeake Bay. The avoidance of these impacts is to be considered prior to and independently of any proposed mitigation measures.

Wetlands Watch Comments. [4pg PDF]