Elizabeth River Environmental Restoration
Hampton Roads, VA
Sediment Remediation at Scuffletown Creek and Paradise Creek and Wetland Restoration at Sites Throughout the River Basin
Contact:Robert N. Pretlow, Jr., P.E. (757) 201-7385
Authorization:
Feasibility and design investigations and the implementation of the sediment remediation projects is being accomplished under the authority of Section 312(b) of the Water Resources Development Act of 1990, as amended. The design and construction of the wetland restoration projects is being accomplished under Section 206 of the Water Resources Development Act of 1996, as amended.
Location and Description:
- Approximately 100 miles southeast of Richmond.
- The project area encompasses the entire Elizabeth River Basin, which includes the cities of Portsmouth, Chesapeake, Norfolk, and Virginia Beach, within the Southside Hampton Roads area of southeastern Virginia. The Scuffletown Creek area, a tributary to the Southern Branch of the Elizabeth River, is located on the east bank approximately two nautical miles from the Eastern Branch/Southern Branch confluence in the City of Chesapeake. The Paradise Creek area is located on the west bank of the Southern Branch directly across the Elizabeth River from Scuffletown Creek.
- The recommended plan (National Ecosystem Restoration Plan or NER) for addressing the environmental problems and needs in the Elizabeth River Basin, as presented in detail in the Final Feasibility Report and Environmental Assessment dated June 2001, is environmental restoration which would involve a combination of both sediment restoration at Scuffletown Creek and wetland restoration at seven different sites throughout the river system. A second feasibility investigation is also being considered for sediment remediation at Paradise Creek, another tributary of the Southern Branch.
- The current concept for sediment remediation at Scuffletown Creek would involve environmental dredging, treatment, and disposal to achieve a medium level of clean up. The medium level of clean up will provide substantial restoration benefits (reduced toxicity, reduced gross sediment contamination, improved bottom community health and related fish and wildlife benefits) as compared to the without project condition and is achievable and sustainable. This concept and other technologies will be evaluated during the design phase. No plan of remediation has been developed at this time for the Paradise Creek area; however, this will be addressed during the feasibility investigation.
- Wetland restoration would involve either removal of fill material to attain inter-tidal salt marsh elevations, grading and replanting with native species; and/or depositing clean fill material, building an elevation for inter-tidal salt marsh, grading, and planting. In higher wave energy environments, protective features such as rock sills would be constructed. These wetlands and restored adjoining areas would provide needed fish and wildlife habitat, and water quality benefits in a largely urban river setting where natural areas are extremely scarce. The project is funded in FY 07 for the continuation of the feasibility phase.
Updated: 10-Sep-2010