The path to the right of the front ramp to the Brock Center has been temporarily closed by COVB Public Works for repairs to the bridge. The bridge maintenance is separate from the wetlands mitigation project. They are fixing a washout below the bridge. The contractor needs about 10 days to complete the work and hopes to be done by March 5. This is weather dependent with the tides and potential snow. The trail from the Brock Center (contractor access) to the bridge will be closed during this construction work.

The projected start date for construction of the Wetlands Project is March 2025. The city will sent out notices two weeks ahead of start date.

The students of the Environmental Studies Program working with the COVB Public Works Dept. and the City Arborist have made progress with the tree/plant survey of the Wetlands project area at PHP. The survey includes: DBH ( diameter 4.5 ft above ground) minimum diameter 1.6 inches (circumference 5 in.), condition (including dead), classification: common name, invasive plant/tree etc. Here is the link to the survey still in progress. Right now you can click on individual dots (trees) to see information for that tree. A summary will follow which will allow counts of categories.

Councilman Schulman has formed a working group to coordinate efforts of environmental and other groups including Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Lynnhaven River Now, Friends of Live Oaks, Environmental Studies Program, Bayfront Advisory Commission, Ocean Park Civic League, Baylake Pines Civic League and volunteers to mitigate impacts on trees and wildlife.

Looking ahead to 2025, Mary Faust has the dates for Pleasure House Point Clean Ups. They are Saturday mornings from 9-12 at the Marlin Bay Trailhead. Bags, gloves and grabbers are provided (and yummy corn bread and chocolate muffins PLUS a little something for the kids! ). Plan to join in! Despite the construction, there is still a very large area to clean up!

• March 15
• April 12
• May 17
• June 14
• Sept. 13
• October 18
• November 15

In response to questions at the January 9 OPCL meeting, here is a list of the contractors for the Pleasure House Point Wetlands Mitigation Project:

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.