VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. – Some Virginia Beach residents are raising concerns about an environmental project scheduled to begin next year.
The Pleasure House Point Wetlands Restoration Project aims to restore eight hectares of land to its original state through tidal wetlands so that the city can use the area for future public projects.
However, some residents believe the knock-on effects of the project will have a negative impact on their neighborhood.
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“I am the Lorax and I speak for the trees,” said neighbor Howard Weinberg.
John Hood
Weinberg may not look small and furry, but he says he's worried the city might remove trees to restore the wetland.
“This area is primarily wetlands, first of all, and the trees are important to the city’s canopy,” Weinberg said. “We are against it because Ocean Park has seen so much controversy in recent years; We don’t want it to become a big construction site.”
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Before the 1970s, the area was partly forested and included extensive wetlands.
Between 1971 and 1972, dredged material from Lynhaven Inlet was spread over the wetlands, altering their natural state.
The city does not have an exact number of trees that will be removed from the eight acres, but says over 600 trees, including live oaks and water oaks, will be planted during construction.
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City officials assure residents that the area is not for private use and that converting it to a wetland is essential to future city projects.
“They serve as a tool to offset impacts to wetlands elsewhere in the watershed,” said Councilman Joashua Schulman, who represents the area affected by the project.
John Hood
Schulman emphasized the legal obligation to avoid net loss of wetlands in the watershed.
“When that happens, you have to compensate,” Schulman said.
John Hood
There will be a need given the city's growing flood protection projects, such as Bow Creek Stormwater Park.
According to the U.S. Geological Survey, wetlands serve several key functions, including flood control, water quality improvement and coastal erosion control.
As for residents concerned about access, Schulman noted that not all sidewalks and access points will be eliminated.
“Part of the plan is to retain the walkway and possibly add a crossing over the water,” he confirmed.
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If the project moves forward, work could begin as early as February.
Schulman estimated it would take until the end of October next year for the project to be completed and successful.
“We need to finish it during the planting season so that it lasts a year and we can inspect it again and make sure it is working as intended,” he added.
On January 7, the City Council will vote on transferring funds to begin the project.
The project is expected to cost around $12 million.
The project does not include a kayak launch; The city said the concept of a launch needs to be reviewed more thoroughly.