New Craney Island policy welcomes organized civic groups

Posted June 29, 2010
By Brittany Brown
Norfolk District Public Affairs

06/29/2010 - PORTSMOUTH, Va. — Effective immediately, the Craney Island Dredged Material Management Area, or CIDMMA, is implementing a new policy for facility visitation.

In an effort to promote safety and accident prevention, while also accommodating landing zones used during military flight operations, CIDMMA will accept requests for authorized visitation.

CIDMMA, operated and managed by the Norfolk District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, reopened to visitors on a limited basis April 2.

Authorized visitation of Craney Island includes educational activities arranged by public or private academic institutions, environmental and natural resource organizations, birdwatching clubs and other groups established to study nature.

Because of its proximity to the Hampton Roads federal waterways, Craney Island offers a low-cost method to dispose of materials dredged during harbor deepening and maintenance dredging projects. In addition to providing a cost-effective alternative for dredged material, Craney Island stimulates ideal breeding conditions for bird species that are endangered, threatened or of special concern.

Requests for authorized visitation should be submitted to the chief of the Craney Island project office at least two weeks prior to the date of the intended visit. The date and times available for authorized visitation will be determined based on site conditions, construction activity and other operational factors. In most cases, authorized visits will be arranged for weekends to avoid conflict with daily construction operations.

School groups, organizations, associations and clubs interested in visiting Craney Island are encouraged to call CIDMMA's project office at (757) 484-1021 to arrange a visit.