FEDERAL PUBLIC NOTICE – SECTION 408
Interested parties are hereby notified that a request for permission to alter a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) project has been received and will be evaluated by the Norfolk District. Written comments, including any objections to the proposed alteration, stating reasons therefore, 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.
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, Virginia, proposes to replace an existing concrete rubble revetment with engineered riprap armor stone and construct a rock apron for scour mitigation along the 200 block of Ocean View Beach between Ocean View Beach Park and Sarah Constant Beach Park. The existing rubble revetment is proposed to be replaced with VDOT Type I riprap armor stone to a crest elevation of +12.0 feet to + 14.0 feet NAVD88, a toe berm elevation of +6.0 feet NAVD88 and slopes of 2.5H:1V.
The action being considered as part of this 408 review (408-NAO-2026-0025) has the potential to impact the Willoughby Spit and Vicinity Hurricane and Storm Damage Reduction Project.
The purpose of the proposed project is to reduce the risk of significant property damage during future storm events. The revetment is to stabilize the slope fronting six homes that exist at the top of a sand bluff landward of the failed rubble slope. The purpose of the bulkhead scour apron is to mitigate the chance of scour at the toe of the bulkhead, when the beach is in a critically eroded condition as it is presently.
Written comments may be submitted via mail to:
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Norfolk District
803 Front Street
Norfolk, VA 23510-1096
ATTN: Gina Dotolo
Or email to gina.m.dotolo@usace.army.mil
Comments are due by May 11, 2026.