Shore Drive Community Coalition

One pound net application denied by VMRC

Thank you.

Read entire story & comment at Pilotonline.com.

Topics: Chesapeake Bay Shore Drive News Shore Drive Safety Issues

Controversial proposal pound net application for crowded beach front area opposed by SDCC

View map of proposal. [pop up window]
Pound Net Flyer in opposition being circulated. [2pg PDF]

Letter SDCC to VMRC opposing application:

November 24, 2008

Deputy Commissioner Jack Travelstead
VMRC Fisheries Management Division
2600 Washington Avenue, 3rd Floor
Newport News, Virginia 23607

Subject: Opposition to the requests (October 6th and 31st) for 4 new pound pole fishing licenses off the shores of Cape Henry Beach in Virginia Beach.

Dear Mr. Travelstead,

I am sending this letter on behalf of the Shore Drive Community Coalition (SDCC), an umbrella organization of civic and community associations representing approximately 8000 homes in the Bayfront area of Virginia Beach.  At its November 24th general meeting, the SDCC voted unanimously to oppose the 4 new pound pole fishing licenses applied for on October 6th and October 31st for nets located off the shores of Cape Henry Beach (between the Lynnhaven Inlet and the Atlantic Ocean).

The community bases this opposition on the following concerns:
·      Adverse impact to the recreational use of these waters.
·      Increased safety concerns for boaters and kayakers.
·      Increased potential to harm or kill protected marine life.
·      Potential to overfish an area that already has restrictions on existing pound nets.

In addition to opposing these new licenses, the SDCC requests the VMRC to change legislation and code to prohibit any future licenses from being acquired off the shores of Virginia Beach.  This request is based on the fact that the Virginia Beach shorelines are the most densely populated sections in the City of Virginia Beach and that any new pound nets in these areas will result in the same problems mentioned above.

Thank you for your time and for listening to our concerns.  If you have any questions, I can be reached at 667-8533 Cell or todd@sdcc.info

Sincerely,

Todd R. Solomon
Shore Drive Community Coalition, President

Distribution:

Mayor Oberndorf
Mr. Clay Bernick
City Council Members
Mr. Kal Kassir, BAC Chairman
Mr. Jim Spore

Topics: Chesapeake Bay Shore Drive News Shore Drive Safety Issues

BAC Meeting Minutes from October Meeting

Thanks to Grace for forwarding them.

10-16-08 BAC Minutes.pdf [4pg PDF]

Note: received as Word Doc file, reformatted, unedited into PDF file.

Topics: Meetings/Minutes Shore Drive News

Bring your canned goods to SDCC Meeting for Food Bank

Stacey from Resort & Conference Center is attending our meeting Monday to pick up your canned goods.

Here’s what they’re looking for:

The Food Bank is in need of many items.  Please see below for the Top Ten Wanted List from the Southeastern Virginia Food Bank:

Most Wanted
·                      Peanut Butter
·                      Chunky Soups
·                      Canned Meats
·                      Canned Tuna
·                      Canned Vegetables
·                      Juice
·                      Cereal
·                      Macaroni and Cheese
·                      Pasta
·                      Pasta Sauces

Emergency Needs
·                      Water
·                      Canned Juice
·                      Snack Foods
·                      Boxed, Canned Powdered Milk
·                      Canned Vegetables
·                      Canned Fruits
·                      Canned Meats
·                      Canned Soups
·                      Spreads (peanut butter, jelly)
·                      Cereal

Senior Citizens
·                      Pudding cups/ Fruit Cups/ Jell-O cups
·                      Crackers
·                      Sugar free snacks
·                      Small packets of dried milk
·                      Small cans of vegetables
·                      Small jars of peanut butter and jelly
·                      Reduced sodium canned soups
·                      High fiber cereal
·                      Canned tuna and chicken
·                      Dried fruit

Thank you as always for your help!

Topics: SDCC News & Info Shore Drive News

Potluck dessert buffet Monday night at 6:45pm

In celebration of our volunteers and the completion of the 7 year tenure of our fearless leader, Todd, we invite you to join us Monday Nov.24 at 6:45pm at the rescue station (prior to our monthly meeting at 7:30pm) for a potluck dessert buffet.

Please bring a bag of your favorite store boughts or make your favorite homemade delight.

Let us celebrate and share the joy of community and give thanks for the time and energy so many people have given to our Coalition.

Topics: Events/Meetings Meetings/Minutes

SDCC General Meeting November 24th 2008 Agenda

SDCC General Meeting Agenda - Monday November 24, 2008

SDCC General Meeting - Monday November 24th, 7:30pm to 9:00pm
Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad Hall (parking in back, on side streets and across Shore Drive)

Program/Presentation –

1.    Oyster Restoration Project – Native or Non-native, which is best?  Mrs. Laurie Sorabella, Assistant Director and Marine Scientist for Lynnhaven River NOW, will discuss the current Army Corp study and explain why LRN, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Oyster Reef Keepers of Virginia, and all of the nearby Mid-Atlantic states are saying “no” to introducing Crassostrea ariakensis (Asian oyster) to the Cheapeake Bay.

2.  Pound pole fishing nets – Should more nets be allowed off the shores of Cape Henry Beaches?  Mr. Mark Swingle, Virginia Aquarium Director of Research and Conservation, will discuss pounds nets, their impact and the recent request to build 4 new nets off Cape Henry..

The general agenda for the evening will be:
Officer’s Reports - Brief Reports
Secretary - Tim
Treasurer’s Report - Leslie
Vice President & President - Daphne & Todd

Old Business-
Indigo Dunes Project – There will be no State Water Control Board hearing in December.  A new hearing date has not been set, but the WCB has told us that a 30 day notice has to be given prior to any hearing.  So the next notification by the applicant would have to be no later than Dec. 6th for a Jan hearing.  SDCC is working with our attorney, Richard Whittemore and some college law students on position statements and possible appeal processes.

City Marina Rezoning – In accordance with the SDCC’s Sept motion, a letter was sent on Oct 27th to Barry Frankenfield requesting that the City withdraw the request for rezoning of the City Marina property.  The SDCC received an email in return stating the request had been withdrawn.  The SDCC has subsequently requested the Bayfront Advisory Committee (BAC) to take the lead on any future plans regarding this property and to ensure that all applicable parties are represented from the start of discussions.

Update on Lesner Bridge Replacement – Figg, the new bridge design consultant, has made a presentation to the BAC at their September meeting.  No contact has been made with the SDCC to go over updates or alignment plans.  Do we want a speaker to come to our January meeting?  Also, what is the groups opinion on the bridge width and possible alignment?

New Business –

Oyster Restoration Project – Should SDCC take a position on this subject?  If so, should we send a letter to the Army Corp of Engineers in support of LRN’s and CBF’s position or a letter supporting the introduction of non-native oysters?

Pound Pole Fishing Nets - Should SDCC take a position on this subject?  If so, should we send a letter to the Virginia Marine Resource Commission (VMRC) in opposition to these 4 specific permits or something broader that asks them to prohibit any new nets off the shores of Cape Henry & Chicks Beaches?  Also, what role should the BAC and the City play in this topic?

Bayfront Advisory Committee (BAC) Update – In an effort to get the BAC more involved in the community’s issues, the SDCC has been identifying concerns and asking the BAC for action.  To date, these are the issues that have been identified to BAC (City Marina Future, Pound Pole Net Licenses, Native vs. Non-native Oyster Restoration Project).  This is just a small number of our issues, the SDCC officers would like to have the group identify all of the additional issues so we can send them to the BAC for similar action.  Some suggestions are Create a future Lynnhaven River dredging plan that eliminates the boat ramp as a transfer site, Create a plan for the purchase or land swap deal to acquire Pleasure House Point (Indigo Dunes) from the Sandlers, Re-evaluate the currently funded 2 phases of the Shore Drive Improvements to reduce costs, Take a position on Sand Replenishment for Cape Henry Beach.

Crab Creek and Long Creek Dredging – According to Mr. Michael Kay, City Public Works, the City is planning to have Crab Creek dredged as well as providing some maintenance dredging to Long Creek in the coming months.  The specifications are under review and a survey of the Crab Creek and Long Creek channels and the associated material placement areas is underway.  It is anticipated that the project will be advertised for bid in late November to early December with award and Notice to Proceed in January.  The project will be packaged to allow either mechanical or hydraulic dredging; the contractors bidding the project will decide how they want to bid the project.  Historically mechanical means has been the preferred method by contractors.  In past contracts signs and notices were posted at the boat ramp as well as notification to the Coast Guard for issuance of a Notice to Mariners when the project is to begin and during construction, these procedures will be used again for this contract.

2009 SDCC Officer Election –  The following people will be running for 2009 SDCC Office.  They are currently unopposed; however, the SDCC by-laws allow nominations to be made from the floor with the nominees consent.  All members are eligible to vote. President – Grace Moran; Vice President – Steve Kohler; Treasurer – Leslie Cornwell; Secretary – Todd Solomon; Information Officer – Tim Solanic (Honorary Officer)

Printable Agenda [PDF file]

Topics: Meetings/Minutes

Happy Holidays, Indigo Dunes not on SWCB December agenda

The official word is:

Indigo Dunes is not on the agenda for the Water Board December meeting.

Topics: PHP Alternative Ideas Pleasure House Point [PHP] Shore Drive News

LRNow opposed to introducton of non-native oysters in Ches Bay & why

From Laurie Sorabella:

Dear Lynnhaven River NOW members,

Everyone is looking at the Lynnhaven River’s recovering native oyster population with tremendous excitement.

Over the last 10 years, thousands of students and citizens have worked together with non-profits and governmental organizations to build oyster reefs in the Lynnhaven and to stock millions of reproductive oysters to the reefs.  These community-raised oysters reproduce in the river, thus their babies also contribute to the Lynnhaven’s impressive developing oyster population.  After only a decade of restoration activities, I am delighted to be able to report that all of this effort is working!  Ten years ago, the Lynnhaven’s oyster population was estimated to be at about 1% of historic abundance, and recent calculations estimate that we may have already increased the Lynnhaven’s population to as much as 10% of historic abundance.  That is a 10-fold increase in 10 years.

But today, there is a major threat to our burgeoning Lynnhaven River oyster population.

There is a heated debate underway right now with some parties favoring the introduction of a non-native oyster species to Chesapeake Bay waters.  The Suminoe oyster, Crassostrea ariakensis, is the oyster species under consideration.  If this asian oyster species is introduced into Chesapeake Bay and invades the Lynnhaven River (a likely scenario if the oyster is introduced), the asian oysters will surely hinder the restoration of our native oysters because the Suminoe oyster interferes with native oyster reproduction, undermining the laudable oyster restoration progress in the Lynnhaven.  In addition to jeopardizing our native oyster restoration efforts, the Suminoe oyster harbors human pathogens moreso than our native oyster, posing more risk for human consumption, and the Suminoe oyster may cause increased oyster disease risks to our existing native oysters.  For these, and several additional reasons, Lynnhaven River NOW, together with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Oyster Reef Keepers of Virginia, and all of the nearby Mid-Atlantic states are saying “no” to introducing Crassostrea ariakensis to the Cheapeake Bay.

Please let the Army Corps of Engineers know that you oppose introducing Crassostrea ariakensis to the Cheapeake Bay.

You can make your position known by attending one of 2 upcoming public meetings or you can send a letter to the Army Corps of Engineers voicing your position.  Public meeting information is as follows:

    1.    Friday, November 7, 2008 from 6 p.m. - 9 p.m.
    Virginia Marine Resources Commission main office, 2600 Washington Avenue, 3rd Floor, Newport News, Va. 23607
    2.    Monday, November 10, 2008 from 6 p.m. - 9 p.m.
    Nandua High School, 26350 Lankford Highway, Onley, Va. 23418 (Eastern Shore)

If you would prefer to send a letter, you can write one of your own and send it to the address below, or you can check your e-mail in the next few days because Lynnhaven River NOW will be circulating a sample letter for you to work from.  Comments may be submitted through December 15, 2008 and mailed to:
          Department of the Army
          Norfolk District, Corps of Engineers
          Attn: Mr. Mark Mansfield
          Chief, Planning and Policy Branch
          803 Front Street , Norfolk, Virginia 23510-1096
or e-mailed to: Mark.T.Mansfield@usace.army.mil

Comments should reference the Draft PEIS. For more information visit http://www.nao.usace.army.mil/OysterEIS/homepage.asp

Topics: Call to Action Chesapeake Bay Lynnhaven River Shore Drive News

Voting at 6am at Bayside Rec Center

Poll volunteers did an outstanding job! Thank you!
Took 51 minutes from getting there to voting.

Topics: Election Info

VOTE - Candidates respond to your questions

Candidates’ written responses to your questions.*

Mayoral Candiates:

John Moss
Will Sessoms

Kempsville:

Andrew Jackson

Rose Hall:

Glenn Davis

At Large:

Lee Shuler
Rosemary Wilson

* All responses are posted.
All responses were reformatted into PDF files whether they were copy/pasted from an email or migrated from a Word file.
Our only goal was to post all responses as fairly & clearly as possible.
SDCC can not support or promote individual candidates.

Topics: Election Info

Crab Creek will be dredged early 2009

Thanks to Lee for the info!

Her email about the dredging needed to open Crab Creek channel:

Subj: Crab Creek Dredging
Dear Mr. Kay:
  On behalf of the fishing and recreational boating communities, would you kindly give me a status report on having Crab Creek dredged this winter since October thru February is the time in which there are no restrictions on dredging for Crab Creek?  Information I would like to report back to the fishing and boating communities is as follows:
1.  Does the City have plans to have Crab Creek dredged between now and February, 2009?
2.  If not, then please explain why not, especially since Crab Creek is suppose to be 50 ft. wide and 5-6 feet at mean low water, and we know that it is less than 15 ft. wide and will continue to narrow if not dredged in a timely manner.  This can, of course, create a hazard to boating when an exiting boat and an entering boat into Crab Creek are forced to pass too closely or try to avoid hitting and end up beaching themselves along side of the Crab Creek Channel shoals.  I believe much of the depth of this channel at low tide is also under 3 feet.  If left undredge for another season, surely the opening of Crab Creek from the Lynnhaven Inlet will close, and an “exception” to the time of year restrictions will have to be applied for from VMRC.  Is it not better to plan ahead knowing the facts of the situation? 
3.  If Crab Creek will be dredged between now and February, 2009, what type of dredging will be performed, i.e., mechanical vs. hydraulic and please provide as much information as you can as to the bidding information, contractor, when will the dredging begin, and how long is the dredging anticipated to last and any other details in which boaters should be aware of when using Crab Creek during this period.
  Thank you for your assistance to this matter.  I look forward to hearing from you so that I may continue to keep our boating community safe and informed on important issues, especially during striped bass season.

Master Captain Leona “Lee” M. Shuler
2008 At-Large City Council Candidate
2448 Rose Hall Drive
Virginia Beach, VA 23454
757-481-5371
757-718-1457
Email:  CaptainShuler@aol.com
cc:  Mr. Justin Worrell, VMRC
Capt. Reese, WTAR Radio Fishing Talk Show Host
City Council
Lee Tolliver, Virginian Pilot

The response from Mr. Kay:

Subj: RE: Crab Creek Dredging
Ms. Shuler,

Yes the City is planning to have Crab Creek dredged as well as providing some maintenance dredging to Long Creek in the coming months.  The specifications are currently under review and a survey of the Crab Creek and Long Creek channels and the associated material placement areas is underway.  Upon completion of the survey the necessary calculations will be performed and incorporated into the specifications.  It is anticipated that the project will be advertised for bid in late November to early December with award and Notice to Proceed in January.  The project will be packaged to allow either mechanical or hydraulic dredging; the contractors bidding the project will decide how they want to bid the project.  Historically mechanical means has been the preferred method by contractors.

In past contracts signs and notices were posted at the boat ramp as well as notification to the Coast Guard for issuance of a Notice To Mariners when the project is to begin and during construction, these procedures will be used again for this contract.

Sincerely,

Michael F. Kay
Coastal Engineering Division
Public Works Engineering
City of Virginia Beach
ph. (757) 385-4511 fax. (757) 385-5783

Topics: Lynnhaven Boat Ramp & Beach Facility Lynnhaven River Shore Drive News

App to rezoned Lynnhaven Marina officially pulled

From Barry:

Todd,

Thank you for your recent letter and email dated October 27, 2008 from the Shore Drive Community Coalition. In response to your request and in our continued efforts to work with community representatives, the Department of Parks and Recreation will withdraw the applications for re-zoning and conditional use permit for the Lynnhaven Marina effective immediately. In addition, we commit to continue to work with you and community representatives to ensure we are providing valued services and facilities.  A signed letter of this same information is attached.

As always, please feel free to distribute or post this information as needed. Should you have any questions or comments, please let me know. I look forward to working with you in the future.

Sincerely,

Barry

J. Barry Frankenfield, FASLA, AICP
City of Virginia Beach
Department of Parks & Recreation
Virginia Beach, VA 23456
757-385-1104 (Phone) - 757-385-1130 (FAX)

bfranken@vbgov.com

Our vision is a balanced, sustainable and value-focused system of parks, recreation and public spaces that creates a sense of community.

SDCC’s letter requesting withdrawal.

Topics: City Marina - Lynnhaven Drive Conditional Use/Zoning Issues Shore Drive News