HAMPTON, Va. -- Scope
The Newmarket Creek watershed in Hampton, Virginia, is subject to flooding from both rainfall and tidal events, and there is a history of flood damage within the watershed.
The City of Hampton has requested the Norfolk District evaluate structural and non-structural measures that could be implemented under the Section 205 Continuing Authorities Program (CAP), to reduce the flood risk in the portion of the Newmarket Creek watershed within the city boundaries.
Authorization
The authority for this project is Section 205 of the Flood Control Act of 1948 (Public Law 80-858), as amended. Under this authority, USACE is authorized to plan, design and construct small flood control projects.
Study Sponsor
City of Hampton
Project Study Area
The Newmarket Creek watershed is located within the cities of Hampton and Newport News, Virginia. The study area (PDF map) includes only the lower portion of the Newmarket Creek watershed located within the City of Hampton, Virginia. The City of Hampton is located on the Lower Peninsula of Virginia, approximately 130 miles south-southeast of Washington, D.C. The study area is bounded on the west by the Newport News/Hampton Corporate limit, the south by Brairfield Road, the north by U.S. Route 258 and to the east Newmarket Creek flows into the Southwest Branch of the Back River after crossing under LaSalle Ave.
Schedule
The CAP process begins with initial efforts of the feasibility phase to identify the problem and study area, and determine if there is a federal interest in proceeding with more detailed work and identifying a federal cost-sharing sponsor. (A NEPA Public Scoping Meeting was held June 14, 2016) The above criteria was met, and with the help of the non-federal sponsor, the City of Hampton, the Norfolk District has completed a Feasibility Phase Project Management Plan and prepared and signed a Feasibility Cost Sharing Agreement. The Norfolk District anticipates the feasibility study will be complete by the fall of 2018.
The following tasks are generally necessary to complete the feasibility study:
1. Data gathering (field studies)
2. Engineering and design studies
3. Environmental resources and evaluations
4. Real estate information
5. Cost estimates
6. Economic work (including benefit-cost optimization analyses)
7. Extensive report preparation
8. Multi-level review
9. Formal agency coordination throughout
Total Feasibility Study Cost
$1 million