Norfolk Coastal Storm Risk Management study reaches milestone

Norfolk District Public Affairs Office
Published March 4, 2019

NORFOLK, Va. – A U.S. Army Corps of Engineers study investigating coastal storm risk management problems and solutions here reached an important milestone last month.  

Lt. Gen. Todd T. Semonite, Chief of Engineers and commanding general of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, signed the Chief’s Report recommending the study’s findings for congressional authorization.

Greg Steele, left, Norfolk District Water Resources Division chief, along with Mike Darrow, right, Norfolk District deputy district engineer for project management, and Col. Patrick Kinsman, Norfolk District commander, hold up the signed Chief's Report for the Norfolk Coastal Storm Risk Management with Lt. Gen. Todd T. Semonite, USACE commanding general.
Greg Steele, left, Norfolk District Water Resources Division chief, along with Mike Darrow, right, Norfolk District deputy district engineer for project management, and Col. Patrick Kinsman, Norfolk District commander, hold up the signed Chief's Report for the Norfolk Coastal Storm Risk Management with Lt. Gen. Todd T. Semonite, USACE commanding general. The signing of the Chief’s Report marks the end of the feasibility (or study) phase, and begins the next phase -- preconstruction, engineer and design. (U.S. Army photo)
Greg Steele, left, Norfolk District Water Resources Division chief, along with Mike Darrow, right, Norfolk District deputy district engineer for project management, and Col. Patrick Kinsman, Norfolk District commander, hold up the signed Chief's Report for the Norfolk Coastal Storm Risk Management with Lt. Gen. Todd T. Semonite, USACE commanding general.
Norfolk CSRM Chief's Report signed
Greg Steele, left, Norfolk District Water Resources Division chief, along with Mike Darrow, right, Norfolk District deputy district engineer for project management, and Col. Patrick Kinsman, Norfolk District commander, hold up the signed Chief's Report for the Norfolk Coastal Storm Risk Management with Lt. Gen. Todd T. Semonite, USACE commanding general. The signing of the Chief’s Report marks the end of the feasibility (or study) phase, and begins the next phase -- preconstruction, engineer and design. (U.S. Army photo)
Photo By: USACE Headquarters
VIRIN: 180214-A-A1401-0001
“This milestone is a tremendous achievement,” said Col. Patrick Kinsman, Norfolk District commander. “For three years, our Norfolk team, along with our city of Norfolk partners, worked tirelessly to develop a solution for one of our nation’s toughest challenges. We’re off to a great start and there’s a lot more work ahead of us.”

The Norfolk Coastal Storm Risk Management Study considered coastal storm risk management and resilience planning initiatives and projects underway by USACE and other federal, state and local agencies. It recommends a $1.4 billion project, including storm-surge barriers, nearly eight miles of floodwall, one mile of levee, 11 tide gates, and seven pump and power stations.

The Chief’s Report will undergo further review by the office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works and Office of Management and Budget before formal submittal to Congress. Congress may choose to authorize the project for construction, commonly accomplished through a Water Resource Development Act. After an authorization, the project cannot be constructed until it's budgeted.

The Chief’s Report signing marks the end of the feasibility (or study) phase, and begins the next phase -- preconstruction, engineer and design. This phase includes project design and typically lasts up to three years.

“Norfolk has a tremendous working relationship with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Norfolk District,” said Norfolk Mayor Kenneth Cooper Alexander, “and we look forward to taking the study’s recommendations to the next phase of planning for construction.”

Economists forecast the project’s estimated annual net benefits at $122 million. This includes a reduction in economic damages from coastal storms to businesses, residents and infrastructure; lower health and safety risks, and the local economy’s improved resilience to impacts. 

The Norfolk CSRM study was the first completed feasibility study in response to a larger North Atlantic Coast Comprehensive Study, which USACE completed following Hurricane Sandy in 2012. The study was authorized by a Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works resolution.