Pleasure House Point Wetlands Project City Council Meeting

On January 7 the City Council approved the transfer of funds for the Pleasure House Point Wetlands mitigation project. Here is a video of speakers both in support and in opposition including experts and citizens, also explanatory slides and comments from L.J. Hansen, Director of Public Works who addressed some of the concerns raised about alternate wetland credits at New Mill and other points. VIDEO (starts at 41:50 and runs about 2 hours).

New Points of Information:

  • Wetlands Watch Mary Carson-Stiff stated that WW no longer opposes the project (as they did in 2014) since this is the first wetlands project to include a Sea level Rise Review from the US Army Corps of Engineers (who issues required permits) and will create a wetlands mitigation buffer.
  • Dr. William Duke, geologist, raised questions and concerns about the seawall/berm and sedimentation.
  • Environmental Studies Program Coordinator Chris Freeman related that students had ‘boots on the ground’ Tuesday morning working with the City Arborist and Public Works computer GIS support to collect data on the area: diameter, health and species of trees.
  • In addition to Lynnhaven River Now, Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Friends of Live Oaks, and Wetlands Watch, Jason Barney from the Green Ribbon Committee, which advises the City Council on improving water quality, also spoke in support of the project.
  • Princess Anne Civic League President, George Wall described the devastation that flooding has brought to the Windsor Woods area and the critical need for the flood protection projects to go forward.
  • LJ Hansen, Director of Public Works, explained that since the New Mills Wetlands Credits were not in the Lynnhaven HUC (see below), the US Army Corps of Engineers would almost surely not grant a waiver to use them since PHP exists as a source.
  • 10 people spoke in opposition to the project. 2 spoke in favor, 2 wanted to give information.
  • Reasons for opposition included: need to protect endangered species and tree canopy, sharp increase in project cost from $3 to $12 million, last minute rushed timeline.
From the Pleasure House Point Management Plan showing the whole area, wetlands site and the 80 acres of maritime forest that will remain under conservation.
The New Mill wetlands credits would not be in the Lynnhaven HUC and unlikely to be allowed by the Corps. Further clarification from Public Works:  
The New Mill bank’s tidal wetlands are not in the Lynnhaven River Watershed.  The New Mill bank’s tidal wetlands are in the Elizabeth River Watershed.  As such, the US Army Corps, who will be reviewing the permit application for the WW-PAP-TL project is looking for mitigation within the Lynnhaven River Basin first, so there would be no net loss of wetlands in that watershed.  As Mr. Hansen indicated, he spoke with a representative of the Corps who advised him that the New Mill Bank’s credits will very likely be rejected by the Corps during the permitting process for WW-PAP-TL because the New Mill Bank’s wetlands do nothing to offset the wetland loss in the Lynnhaven River Watershed from the WW-PAP-TL project, whereas the Pleasure House Point Wetland Restoration project would and is therefore much preferred by the Corps.

Leave a comment

Blog at WordPress.com.

Up ↑