On behalf of the community, president Danny Murphy responds to the tragedies this past weekend: “There are no words that can properly express the deep sorrow about the weekend drownings of a 12-year-old boy and a 44-year-old Virginia Beach man. We were very stunned by the news and still can’t believe that it really happened on our bayfront beaches. During this difficult moment, our thoughts and prayers are with all the families, friends and grieved community members. “As you comprehend this profound loss, let yourself cry knowing each tear is a note of love rising to the heavens.”
President Danny Murphy talks about the Beach Replenishment project! https://www.13newsnow.com sand-replenishment-project-underway-ocean-park-virginia-beach
Beach Nourishment Update!
This is the latest update from Jim White, Coastal Section Sr. Project Manager for the City of Virginia Beach: “GLDD is continuing to progress towards the east. Both the Padre Island and the Dodge Island hopper dredge plants are on-site. Using the two dredges allows for a beach building production of approximately 500ft. per day. This is more than double when using only one hopper dredge. GLDD currently intends to be completed by June 30th, 2022 (weather, equipment, other unforeseen conditions dependent).”
The 2022 Louise and George Lyon Memorial Scholarship awarded to Carly Lundgren
Betty Dierstein, OPCL Scholarship Committee Chair, presented Carly Lundgren with the 2022 Louise and George Lyon Memorial Scholarship at the First Colonial High School Awards Ceremony in early June. Carly will be attending Roanoke College in the fall pursuing a degree in Environmental Science. She is graduating with a 4.0 grade point average and was captain of the First Colonial Girls’ Volleyball Team. She will also be playing volleyball for Roanoke College.
One of Carly’s varied volunteer experiences was serving an internship with Lynnhaven River Now last summer. She assisted in developing a curriculum for young campers to help them see the important of caring for the environment.
Carly expressed her sincere appreciation to OPCL for this assistance with her college expenses.
Past Winners of the scholarship include:
- 2021 Taylor McOrmond attending James Madison University
- 2020 Hanna Swickard attending Old Dominion University
- 2019 Amberly Butler attending Virginia Tech
This scholarship provides a yearly grant of $1000 for up to four years to the selected student who must be graduating from a Virginia Beach high school and who will attend a college, nursing program or accredited post secondary career/vocational school in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The scholarship is awarded based on need for financial assisstance, overall qualifications and a record of community service by the applicant. Additional consideration is given to residents of Ocean Park.
The Lyons were lifelong members of the Ocean Park Civic League and dedicated countless hours to serving the community in which they lived. They were especially committed to supporting the Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad, which was the first all volunteer rescue squad established in Virginia Beach and is still in operation today on Shore Drive. The scholarship seeks to recognize and support the importance of making a positive contribution to one’s community through volunteerism.
Another path to information about the beach project? Read our story: Follow us on Instagram! https://www.facebook.com/stories
Beach Work Continues!
Articles about other beach nourishment projects: https://www.constructionequipmentguide.com/crews-restore-south-carolina-beaches-after-storms/44479
Project in Norfolk at Ocean View: http://www.virginiaplaces.org/geology/beaches.html
Beach Project Update
At the General Membership Meeting on Thursday, June 9th at OPVRS, president Danny Murphy gave an update from Jim White, senior project manager for COVB.
Updates from Friday, June 10th : The “current schedule” is for the contractor to be completed by June 22nd. The Padre Island dredge plant is currently on site and the Dodge Island is expected to begin tandem work tomorrow. Here is a weblink to GLDD’s hopper dredge fleet: https://www.gldd.com/gldd-equipment-trailing-suction-hopper-dredges/ . That will speed up their beach building progression.1. Quick explainer on the the Douglas Mackie/Ellis Island Hopper Dredge. Is it ever used for sand nourishment projects (pump slurry setup)? Yes, the Ellis Island has been used for sand nourishment projects. Also, where does it deposit the mined material from the Thimble Shoals Channel? Assuming pit someplace. For the Thimble Shoals Deepening project, the dredge material that is not suitable for beach nourishment is deposited offshore of NAS Dam Neck, in the Atlantic Ocean, at a designated location known as the Dam Neck Offshore Disposal Site (DNODS).2. Also, it looked like there is/was a mechanical dredge working the 1st tunnel channel of the CBBT. Is that part of GLDD or was that CBBT 2nd tunnel construction? Yes, the contractor Weeks Marine is using a clam shell dredge plant to dredge material at the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel. This is part of the Thimble Shoal Deepening project, but is a separate contract.
Sand Project in Ocean Park
Here is the latest from Jim White, Coastal Section Senior Project Manager for City of Virginia Beach Public Works, about the sand nourishment project for Ocean Park.
“The current schedule has Great Lakes Dredge & Dock (GLDD) beginning sand placement operations on Friday, June 3, 2022 (weather, equipment or other unforseen conditions depending). GLDD plans to begin the beach nourishment just north of Albemarle Ave, progressing east towards the Lesner Bridge. (“then they will change direction and go toward Rookery Way”)
“The work area will be fenced off for the public’s safety. Work sections may range around 1,000 ft in length or a similar distance. GLDD will have safety personnel located at each end of the work area to assist beach goers and make sure they remain safe.”
Reminder from Mr. White for residents: “We request property owners to please remove property off of the beach before sand placement begins. Property may include (but not be limited to) sand fences, signs, volleyball posts, kayaks, catamarans, etc.” There are a good number of chairs, ropes, boats, ladders which are at the edge of the dunes and are at risk of being buried.
More information:
PHP Clean Up-Thank you Volunteers!
From Mary Faust: Many many thanks to all who came out this hot and muggy morning to cleanup PHP our Adopt-A-Spot!! Over 50 Pounds and 5 bags of refuse removed! Andrea Lindeman and husband Tim were first out, catching a glimpse of a black rat snake just as we got started! Donna Shephard and Chris Schneider came out soon after and certainly got their workout in, as did Debi Ratliffe and Carol Maurice!! Luke Woldmoe came, with his adorable little baby strapped to him, bringing a friend!! John and Graham Pharr spent quite a bit of time out there (I have one of his gloves!!) picking up. Something we always encourage is to bring the kids! They usually enjoy the activity. It underscores great values such as civic involvement and respect for nature! Ali Fortier, one of our frequent participants helped out, taking a couple baked treats home!! And Jeff Liddington came out to help and retrieved a big cardboard box from down by the Brock Center, full of plastic trash. Thanks to you all!! See you in the fall!! — with Mark Faust at Pleasure House Natural Area.
