Captain Sinclair\u27s Recreational Area Living Shoreline and Oyster Restoration

Presentation report on Captain Sinclair\u27s Recreational Area Living Shoreline and Oyster Restoration project. Project awarded 2023 ASBPA Best Restored Shore awar

Shoreline Erosion in Virginia

Virginia has over 5,000 miles of tidal shoreline. Several different shore types occur in the Tidewater region including the low-lying barrier islands of the Eastern Shore, the ocean front headland-barrier spit of southeastern Virginia, and the shores of the Chesapeake Bay and other estuaries which range from high bluffs to tidal marshes. In order to put shore erosion in proper perspective as a natural phenomenon, one must examine the recent geologic history of the region. Much of shoreline erosion is a direct product of high energy storms like hurricanes and northeasters. The rate and amount of erosion along a specific shoreline may vary from year to year. The rate of erosion will depend upon the following factors: (1) storm frequency; (2} storm type and direction; (3) storm intensity and duration; and (4) resulting wind tides, currents, and waves. Also, the presence of man-made structures (bulkheads, groins, etc.) will modify the erosion process, increasing or decreasing it to a degree depending on the type, location, design, etc., of the structure (O\u27Connor, et al., 1978}. The problem of shoreline erosion is most acute when coastal property with improvements is threatened by a rapidly receding shore bank. Many waterfront properties are bought and developed each year with little or no consideration of the shoreline situation. Consequently, additional money must be spent for erosion protection structures. Shoreline protection structures must be adequately designed and correctly placed to be effective under the severest of storm conditions. Inadequate installation or design may result in failure or deleterious effects to adjacent waterfront properties. In many cases a structure is not needed and protection of a shore bank may be accomplished by vegetative means, such as the planting of appropriate grasses, shrubs or vines to stabilize the bank, beach or nearshore area. Virginia\u27s coast is a dynamic and active environment as well as a beautiful place to live. Sound judgement in coastal development is essential to effective control of shoreline erosion

The Coastal Primary Sand Dune and Beach Act

This document presents the supporting information and justification for the following recommendations: • Adding Middlesex County and Westmoreland County to the list of localities authorized to adopt the model ordinance of the Coastal Primary Sand Dune and Beach Act (Title 28.2, Chapter 14 of the Virginia Code) would result in the inclusion of significant dune resources into Virginia’s tidal shoreline management program. • Adding the localities of Charles City, Essex, Gloucester, Isle of Wight, James City, King and Queen, King George, Middlesex, New Kent, Newport News, Prince George, Richmond (county), Stafford, Surry, Westmoreland, and York to the list of localities authorized to adopt the model ordinance of the Coastal Primary Sand Dune and Beach Act would result in the inclusion of significant beach resources into Virginia’s tidal shoreline management program. This action also would address the lack of oversight for dunes currently excluded from the Coastal Primary Sand Dune and Beach Act for Middlesex County and Westmoreland County. • Modifying the Coastal Primary Sand Dune and Beach Act to include all of Tidewater Virginia as defined in § 28.2-100 of the Virginia Code would eliminate all remaining deficiencies in the regulatory oversight of tidal shorelines, resulting in a fully comprehensive management program

A Guide to Shoreline Management Planning For Virginia’s Coastal Localities

Short pamphlet describing methods for managing and making recommendations for shorelines

Salt Ponds Shore Zone Modeling for Breakwater Placement: Summary Report

The City of Hampton Beachfront and Storm Protection Management Plan (Waterway Surveys, VIMS, and URS, 2011) provides a conceptual plan for the placement of structures along Hampton’s shoreline (Figure 1). The Shoreline Studies Program (SSP) at the Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS) provided the original shoreline modeling used for this plan in 1999. The modeling was used to provide guidance on structure placement for management of the entire beach fronting shoreline. The City has built three of the structures in the Plan along the public beach at Buckroeand presently is planning to design and construct the recommended breakwater in the Salt Ponds Reach. Since much of the original modeling and conceptual planning was performed before structures were placed along the shoreline and existing shore conditions have changed, updating the modeling component is necessary in order to better site the breakwater. Using present conditions, the modeling results can be used as guidance to maximize storm protection, minimize downdrift impacts, and better manage sediment transport. The purpose of this project is to recommend a structure position that will fit with the City’s goals

An Analysis of Shoreline Development Risk for Secondary Dune Systems in Tidewater Virginia with Associated Management Recommendations

This project was done in response to concerns by environmental resource managers of historic and potential adverse impacts to Virginia’s secondary dune ecosystems. Virginia environmental regulatory programs have little decision-making authority over the use of secondary dunes as these areas are not included in the Coastal Primary Sand Dune Act (the Dunes Act). These areas function as estuarine edge habitat and provide natural upland erosion control, and are thus valuable to estuarine and coastal plain fauna and adjacent upland property owners

Shoreline Management In Chesapeake Bay

This document describes and illustrates specific, practical responses to shoreline management issues. We will begin with a look at the evolution of the Chesapeake Bay and its ongoing, long-term processes. We will proceed to a discussion of the daily, physical mechanisms that affect shoreline change and the topics professionals address in evaluating sites. We will then discuss strategies for managing shorelines, such as bulkheads, seawalls, revetments, groins, breakwaters, beach nourishment, and marsh fringes, as well as taking no action. Finally, we will give you a framework to apply these ideas in terms of the physical environment at the site and the applicable shoreline strategies