A survey of the temporary easement for construction of the proposed bridge over the Machipongo River

On April 23 and 24, 1986 a survey was conducted by the Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS) on the temporary easement (3.248 acres) for the construction of the proposed bridge over the Machipongo River in Accomack County, Virginia (Figure 1). The study was done at the request of the Virginia Department of Highways and Transportation, Suffolk, Virginia for Project 0182-001-102, RW-201. The objective of this study was to determine the extent and value of the molluscan resource in· the temporary easement

A Survey in the Lafayette River for Oysters and Shell in the Vicinity of the Lakewood Bridge

At the request of the Department of Highways and Transportation the Virginia Institute of Marine Science made a study of the value of the oyster grounds in the vicinity of the Lakewood Bridge on the Lafayette River in Norfolk. The study included numbers of oysters and amounts of shell, or natural reef, in the area of acquisition and within a buffer area either side of the present bridge. The buffer area, or area of potential construction impact, extended 500 feet upriver of the bridge and 500 feet downriver of the bridge. This buffer area was the maximum distance upriver and downriver for any construction activity

The origin and extent of oyster reefs in the James River, Virginia

The public oyster grounds (Baylor Survey Grounds) in the James River, VA, were studied with respect to bottom type and oyster density from 1978 to 1981. Approximately 10,118 ha (25,000 acres) were investigated using an electronic positioning system to establish station locations. Bottom types were determined using probing pipes, patent tongs, and an acoustical device. About 17.1% of the bottom was classified as consolidated oyster reef, and 47.5% was moderately productive mud-shell or sand-shell bottoms. The remaining 35.4% was rated as unsuitable for oyster culture. The surface configuration of oyster reef areas in the James River is similar to those in coastal lagoons· along the Gulf of Mexico. They are thought to have developed in the James River as they did in the Gulf of Mexico area as sea level rose during the Holocene Period

A resurvey of the Hampton Roads corridor area adjacent to the proposed site of the I-664 bridge-tunnel

On July 2 and 3, 1985, a survey was conducted by the Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS) on Drewery-Register (formerly Melzer) leased bottom (48.37 acres) off Newport News Point, Virginia (Figure 1). The study was done at the request of the Virginia Department of Highways and Transportation, Suffolk, Virginia in relation to the construction of I-664, Project 066!!-121-102, RW-201. The objective of this study was to determine the extent and value of the molluscan resource on the Dewery - Register lease prior to construction activity

An investigation, testing and modifying of gear to harvest oysters and shell : final contract report for the period 1 July, 1973 through 30 June, 1975

During the 1974-75 contract period the hydraulic escalator was modified and tested in the York and Rappahannock Rive r s . The tests showed that the harvester was capable of raising large quantities of oysters from various types of bottoms. Moreover, these oysters were not broken or crushed, were free .of silt or grit , and t he apparatus caused only minima l damage to the bottom . The modification were made from January to April and field testing began in May 1975 in t he York and Rappahannock Rivers on public and leased bottom and on several types of substrate . The device was demonstrated for oyster growers , television companies, the press, representatives of the Virginia Marine Resources Commission, the Maryland Department of Tidewater Fisheries and a representative of the National Marine Fisheries Service. A total of 16 trials or demonstrations were completed which are listed in detail chronologically i n the appendix

The public oyster bottoms in Virginia : An overview of their size, location, and productivity

The location size and extent of Virginia\u27s public oyster grounds was determined using a long pole to probe the bottom , a towed sonic device that detected shell or oysters, and by sampling the bottom with patent tongs for shell and oyster density. Station location was determined using an electronic positioning system (Raydist® ). Bottoms were classed as oyster reefs, mud-shell or sand shell (productive or potentially productive). Areas having mud or sand or those in deep water over 30 ft. (9.1 m) were considered unproductive. Average oyster harvest for seed and market size oysters over the last ten years for various areas is related to size and location of various bottom type. About 203,404 acres out of the total of about 243,000 acres of public bottom were surveyed ; about 21 .8% of the surveyed areas was classed as productive or potentially productive. Average production was low on most of these public bottoms and ranged from 84.4 bushels/acre in the Great Wicomico River to only 1.6 bushels/acre in the York River. The seven areas producing the most seed and market oysters in terms of their average annual production in Virginia bushels were: James River 432,171 ; Rappahannock River 146,999; Pocomoke and Tangier Sounds 86,150; Sea side of Eastern Shore 63,122; Great Wicomico River 41 ,622; Piankatank River and Milford Haven 39,024; and Mobjack Bay 29,730

The 1987 update on leased grounds near the US 17 bridge over Chuckatuck Creek

This report is an update of a study made in June to mid-august 1979. This study was made by the Virginia Institute of Marine Science of the College of William and Mary for the Department of Highways and Transportation, Suffolk, Virginia. The previous study provided: 1) a description of the shellfish resource prior to construction of a new bridge; 2) an estimate of the value of the oysters and shell on leased areas within the right-of-way; and 3) a basis for a later study after construction to evaluate possible environmental changes. Since 1979 the Commonwealth has purchased the right-of-way and the VMRC has opened it to public fishing. There is no shellfish resources in the right-of-way. Therefore, the study describes the present shellfish resource in the adjacent leases, within 600 ft. of the center of the bridge, which might be affected by construction activity

Treatment of shell with Polystream to increase survival of oysters (Crassostrea virginica) in Virginia

Survival of oysters set on shells treated with Polystream* was investigated during 1963 and 1964. Treated and control shells were held in wire bags in the high-salinity intertidal seaside area of the Eastern Shore and in the moderate-salinity subtidal areas of the lower James River. Significantly more spat survived on treated shells than on controls. Differences in survival could not be attributed to absence of drill predation on treated shell