Nassawadox Creek Navigation Channel Design
Authorization:
Section 107 River and Harbors Act of 1962, as amended.
Location and Description:
- Chesapeake Bay side of Northampton County. Approximately 50 miles NNE of Norfolk, VA, and 100 miles E of Richmond, VA.
- 2000 Census population (approximately): 13,093 (Northampton County).
- 2020 Forecast population: 11,500 to 14,000 for Northampton County.
- Per Capita Income: $16,591 in 1999.
Shoaling is severe at the entrance of Nassawadox Creek and vessels are having difficult problems accessing the creek. Vessel damages, increased vessel operation and maintenance costs, human safety, and vessel transportation costs are among the concerns attributable to the creek’s shoals. Dredging is needed to provide safe navigational access.
The county contacted the Corps in 1999 asking if the Corps could help. The nature of the project, types of users, and current laws led the Corps and Northampton County to find a cost shared solution to be most appropriate. Following allocation of County and Corps money the Feasibility Phase began in 2000. Level of effort and funding delays postponed completion of the Feasibility report until 2004.
The study found that a 7’ deep channel 10,500 feet long from the public landing facility at Bayford to the Chesapeake Bay to be the National Economic Development and the Locally Preferred Plans. The selected plan requires an initial removal of approximately 85,000 cubic yards of sand material with 25,000 cubic yards of maintenance material to be removed once every 9 years on average. Disposal of the material will be offshore in the Chesapeake Bay along an existing sandbar and will impact about 5-10 acres of bay bottom. An Environmental Assessment (EA) describing the work was coordinated with the public, Federal, State, and local agencies. The EA was finalized in August 2004. All environmental permits are available.
The project is currently in the Design Phase. Design efforts started in 2004 but are now on hold due to lack of funding and a nationwide Congressional moratorium halting the design efforts. The project cannot move forward until the moratorium is lifted and Federal funding is provided.
Five steps must be completed before a dredging contract can be awarded: (1) the Congressional moratorium must be lifted (Congress action), (2) funds to complete the project must be allocated (President and/or Congress action), (3) a Project Cooperation Agreement (PCA) must be signed (a joint Northampton County/Corps action), (4) preparation of contract documents (Corps lead action), (5) solicitation of bids from dredging contractors (Corps lead action). The approved project is currently on hold.
Once the remaining 5 steps are completed the project can proceed from design into construction. The project is cost-shared. The local sponsor funds will be required before a construction contract can be awarded.
Updated: 19-Oct-2010