Ecosystem Restoration

As one of the primary missions of the Norfolk District's Civil Works program, the District performs ecosystem restoration activities to restore significant ecosystem function, structure and dynamic processes that have been degraded.

Ecosystem restoration efforts involve a comprehensive examination of the problems contributing to the system degradation, and the development of alternative means for their solution. The intent of restoration is to partially or fully reestablish the attributes of a naturalistic, functioning, and self-regulating system.

Ecosystem Restoration Project News and Information

Virtual, in-person FNOD RAB meeting scheduled for Dec. 7
12/1/2023 UPDATED
Community members can learn more about restoration efforts at the Former Nansemond Ordnance Depot (FNOD) and hear the latest cleanup progress during a quarterly Restoration Advisory Board (RAB)...
FNOD Restoration Advisory Board scheduled for March 2
2/24/2023
Community members can learn more about restoration efforts at the Former Nansemond Ordnance Depot (FNOD) and hear the latest cleanup progress during a quarterly Restoration Advisory Board (RAB)...
Nansemond project’s Restoration Advisory Board to meet Thursday
9/2/2020
SUFFOLK, Va. — The environmental mission at Former Nansemond Ordnance Depot remains a priority for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The project’s quarterly Restoration Advisory Board meeting is set...
Remedial action plan up for discussion at FNOD virtual public meeting
6/11/2020
NORFOLK, Va. – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will host a virtual public meeting June 24 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. to discuss a proposed remedial action plan for an area of concern at Former Nansemond...
Nansemond project’s Restoration Advisory Board to meet Thursday
3/3/2020
SUFFOLK, Va. — Restoration efforts at Former Nansemond Ordnance Depot remain a priority for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The project's next Restoration Advisory Board meeting is set for Thursday...
Agencies to sign agreement at Nansemond project’s next Restoration Advisory Board meeting
12/2/2019
SUFFOLK, Va. — Federal, state and local agencies tackling restoration efforts at Former Nansemond Ordnance Depot will sign a memorandum of understanding at Thursday's quarterly Restoration Advisory...
Information regarding Lynnhaven River Basin Ecosystem Restoration Project made available
8/7/2019 UPDATED
Norfolk District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the city of Virginia Beach are holding an informational meeting about Phase 1 of the Lynnhaven River Basin Ecosystem Restoration Project, the...
Nansemond project’s Restoration Advisory Board to meet June 6
6/3/2019
SUFFOLK, Va. — Restoration efforts at Former Nansemond Ordnance Depot remain a priority for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The project's next Restoration Advisory Board meeting is set for Thursday...
FNOD Restoration Advisory Board meets March 7, 2019
3/1/2019 UPDATED
Restoration efforts at the Former Nansemond Ordnance Depot (FNOD), remain an ongoing priority for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). Community members can learn more about this Formerly Used...
USACE Norfolk District oyster restoration reaps STEM results
11/6/2018
Norfolk Christian Schools students took part in a science, technology, engineering and mathematics - collectively known as STEM - event held by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Norfolk District...
Virginia Beach, Corps to host open house for Lynnhaven Ecosystem Restoration Project
10/31/2018
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and the City of Virginia Beach are hosting an informational meeting about the Lynnhaven River Basin Ecosystem Restoration Project on Wednesday, September 12...
Virginia Beach, Corps to host open house for Lynnhaven Ecosystem Restoration Project
10/10/2018
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and the City of Virginia Beach are hosting an informational meeting about the Lynnhaven River Basin Ecosystem Restoration Project today, Wednesday, October 10...
Open house for Lynnhaven River Basin Ecosystem Restoration postponed due to Florence
9/10/2018
he public meeting scheduled for Wednesday, September 12, 2018 from 6 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. at the Frank W. Cox High School has been postponed...
Corps to host public meeting for James River Beachfront Site at FNOD in Suffolk
8/28/2018
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers plans to hold a public meeting September 5, 2018 from 6 – 8 p.m. at the Courtyard by Marriott, 8060 Harbour View Boulevard, Suffolk, VA. The purpose of the meeting is...
FNOD Restoration Advisory Board meets June 7, 2018
6/5/2018
Restoration efforts at the Former Nansemond Ordnance Depot (FNOD), remain an ongoing priority for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). Community members can learn more about this Formerly Used...
Corps to sign one-of-a-kind authorization for Living River Restoration Trust to continue restoring the health of the Elizabeth
5/22/2018
A program to be signed by the Corps of Engineers on May 24 will be the first of its kind in the country and will once again allow impacts to healthy river bottom on the Elizabeth River to go forward...
FNOD Updated Public Involvement Plan Released for Public Review May 15, 2018
5/15/2018
The 2018 Public Involvement Plan (PIP) discusses the public involvement activities that will be implemented to both maintain and improve communication efforts between USACE and stakeholders as part of...
FNOD Restoration Advisory Board meets
2/23/2018
Community members can learn more about this Formerly Used Defense Site (FUDS) and hear the latest cleanup progress during the project’s quarterly Restoration Advisory Board (RAB) meeting held at the...
Local Environmental Group Recognizes District as Sustained River Star
2/8/2018
A local environmental group recognized the Norfolk District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, for its environmental stewardship along the Elizabeth River watershed...
Reef building to begin on Piankatank River
5/8/2017
Oysters are receiving a new $2 million, 25 acre reef in the Piankatank River as part of the Chesapeake Bay Oyster Recovery Project...
FONSI Chesapeake Bay Native Oyster Restoration, Piankatank River
9/11/2016
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Norfolk District, has signed a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) on May 17, 2016 for the project titled, Chesapeake Bay Native Oyster Restoration, Piankatank...
Project manager to discuss local Superfund site progress
8/30/2016
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will host their quarterly public meeting regarding restoration efforts at the Former Nansemond Ordnance Depot Thursday...
First quarter FNOD Restoration Advisory Board meeting rescheduled for March 25
3/12/2015
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers invites the public to attend a meeting about restoration efforts at the Former Nansemond Ordnance Depot at 6:15 p.m., March 25...
First quarter FNOD Restoration Advisory Board scheduled for March 5 cancelled due to inclement weather forecast
3/3/2015
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' first quarter Former Nansemond Ordnance Depot's restoration advisory board meeting is cancelled for March 5, due to local area weather forecast of heavy wintry mix of...
First quarter FNOD Restoration Advisory Board meets March 5
2/28/2015
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers invites the public to attend a quarterly meeting about restoration efforts at the Former Nansemond Ordnance Depot, Suffolk, Va., at 6:15 p.m., March 5...
Buckroe Beach Formerly Used Defense Site Comment Period and Public Meeting
11/9/2014
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is proposing placing land use controls, such as signs, training and education materials, for the Buckroe Beach Formerly Used Defense Site in Hampton, Virginia. The...
FNOD Restoration Advisory Board meets June 5
5/30/2014
Community members can learn more about the Formerly Used Defense Site here and latest clean-up progress during the project’s quarterly Restoration Advisory Board meeting on Thursday, June 5, from 6:15...
Lafayette River home to new oyster sanctuary reef
3/18/2014
The Lafayette River-NIT oyster reef, built with approximately 14,000 cubic yards of fossilized shell, will soon become the fourth in a six-sanctuary, 16-acre permanent oyster reef initiative that the...
FNOD Restoration Advisory Board meets March 6
3/5/2014
Community members can learn more about the Formerly Used Defense Site here and latest clean-up progress during the project’s quarterly Restoration Advisory Board meeting March 6...
A river runs free 10 years later
2/23/2014
On the morning of February 23, 2004 the excitement around Fredericksburg, Va., was palpable – school children, dignitaries, and media from around the world converged along the Rappahannock River to...
Norfolk District shines for Elizabeth River restoration
1/24/2014
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. – A 623-square-foot sanctuary oyster reef in the Elizabeth River captured recognition for the Norfolk District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ environmental work yesterday...
Final 2013 FNOD Restoration Advisory Board meets Dec. 5
12/2/2013
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will host its final 2013 quarterly meeting of the Former Nansemond Ordnance Depot Restoration Advisory Board Dec. 5...
New Hoffler Creek resident enhances neighborhood’s quality-of-life
10/21/2013
Around the muddy banks of Hoffler Creek Wildlife Preserve in Portsmouth, Va., a new home for Virginia's eastern oyster took shape Oct. 16...
Going big: district tackles oysters, Lynnhaven
10/11/2013
Contractors for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers are moving mountains of fossil oyster shell from Craney Island in Portsmouth, Va., to build 16 acres of sanctuary reefs in Elizabeth River and some of...
FNOD Restoration Advisory Board meets Sept. 5
8/30/2013
Community members can learn more about the ongoing restoration efforts at the formerly used defense site in Suffolk, during the project’s quarterly restoration advisory board meeting Sept. 5...
Final 2012 FNOD Restoration Advisory Board meets Dec. 6
12/4/2012
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will host its final 2012 quarterly meeting of the Former Nansemond Ordnance Depot, or FNOD, Restoration Advisory Board Thursday, Dec. 6, from 6:15 to 8:15 p.m. The...
Public Invited: FNOD restoration advisory board meets Sept. 6
8/29/2012
SUFFOLK, Va. – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will host its third quarterly meeting of the Former Nansemond Ordnance Depot, or FNOD, Restoration Advisory Board Thursday, Sept. 6, from 6:15 to 8:15...
Benefits of dam removal reach further than expected
8/9/2012
In an area roughly 73 to 93 miles upstream from where Embrey Dam once stood on the Rappahannock River, researchers with the U.S. Geological Survey noticed resurgence in the American eel population in...
ODU's 'smooth sailing' aids in restoring health of Elizabeth River
4/27/2012
Perfect sailing weather awaited the Old Dominion University sailing team, but they chose instead to remain ashore on the banks of the Elizabeth River -- just long enough to celebrate the grand opening...
'Paradise Found' turns out to be a nature park in Portsmouth, Va.
4/4/2012
It began with four folks, sitting around a kitchen table, discussing ways to clean-up their beloved river. That was 1993. On March 29, the Elizabeth River Project – the grassroots non-profit...