Norfolk Section 408 nourishment project proposed along Ocean View, Willoughby Spit

Norfolk District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Published May 10, 2021
Expiration date: 6/1/2021

Ocean View Beach Renourishment – City of Norfolk, VA

Interested parties are hereby notified that a request for permission to alter a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) project pursuant to Section 14 of the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899 (33 U.S.C. Section 408) has been received and will be evaluated by the Norfolk District. Written comments, including any objections to the proposed alteration, stating reasons therefor, are being solicited from anyone having an interest in the requested alteration. The authority to grant permission for temporary or permanent use, occupation or alteration of any USACE civil works project is contained in Section 14 of the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899, as amended, codified at 33 USC 408 (“Section 408”). Section 408 authorizes the Secretary of the Army to grant permission for the alteration or occupation or use of a USACE project if the Secretary determines that the activity will not be injurious to the public interest and will not impair the usefulness of the project. The proposed action is also subject to the requirements and objectives of Executive Order (EO) 11988, Floodplain Management and has the potential to impact floodplains.  This notice complies with Section 2(a)(4) of EO 11988 and requests advance public comment to determine if there are any public concerns regarding potential impacts on floodplains.

Actions that encroach upon a USACE federal project require a Section 408 review to determine no negative impacts will occur as a result of project implementation.  The City of Norfolk (City), Virginia proposes to construct a beach nourishment project at four beach reaches along its Ocean View and Willoughby Spit shoreline. Hydraulic placement of 393,000 cubic yards of sand material along an estimated 14,400 linear feet of shoreline will tie into existing submerged grade at approximately -5.0 feet to -8.0 feet NAVD88.  The proposed fill will occur at Reach 1 between 24th Bay Street and Bay Point Drive. The proposed fill at Reach 2 is between Chesapeake Boulevard and Atlans Street. The proposed fill at Reach 3 is between 6th View Street and Norfolk Avenue. The proposed fill at Reach 4 is between 12th View Street and 9th View Street.

The purpose of the project is to restore and enhance coastal storm protection to residential, public and commercial structures by increasing beach width (advancing shoreline), and by establishing a beach berm at +4.0 feet NAVD88. The secondary purpose of the project is the beneficial use of sandy material being dredged as part of a Federal navigation improvement project. The project extends into the USACE Willoughby Spit and Vicinity Coastal Storm Damage Reduction Project.

Written comments may be submitted via mail to:

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Norfolk District
803 Front Street
Norfolk, VA 23510-1096
ATTN: Kim Koelsch

Or email to Kimberly.C.Koelsch@usace.army.mil

If you have any questions, please contact Kim Koelsch by telephone at 757-818-3093 or via email at Kimberly.C.Koelsch@usace.army.mil.  

Comments are due by May 31, 2021.