In this interview, Kayla Stull, the National Debris Program Manager for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), provides an in-depth look into the complex debris removal operations underway at Claytor Lake in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. She discusses the logistical challenges of managing debris and the collaboration between federal, state, and local agencies. Kayla also highlights the importance of safety, resource management, and community engagement in ensuring the success of this recovery mission. Interview Questions: What are some of the key objectives of this mission and how does it fit into the larger USACE mission to respond to the needs of the community in the wake of Hurricane Helen? What are the unique challenges of managing debris removal in a lake that serves as both a hydroelectric power source and a recreational area? Can you explain how USACE plans to address the dynamic nature of the debris removal process? Could you elaborate on the logistics behind securing these resources and what impact that has had on effectiveness so far? USACE activity at Claytor Lake is part of the larger federal response to Hurricane Helene. Who are the key players in this debris removal mission and what does this partnership look like operationally? What is your number one priority here?

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) began pouring cement into tremie tubes at Deep Creek Bridge in Chesapeake, Virginia on Friday, February 9, 2024. The pour is part of the Deep Creek Replacement project and aims to establish a sturdy sub-base below the water, for the placement of an abutment foundation at a later date. The water in the area shielded by wooden channel fenders is 32 feet deep. The cement, once fully set, will have a substantial thickness of 10 feet from top to bottom, ensuring the structural integrity of the foundation. The purpose of the Deep Creek Bridge Replacement Project is to address and solve historic traffic and safety concerns associated with the current bridge. The new construction will replace the existing two-lane drawbridge with a more expansive five-lane drawbridge upon completion.

In this interview, Becky Gwenn, a Virginia Department Wildlife Resources Deputy Director explains bird tagging and the collaborative efforts between her organization and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers - Norfolk District to ensure a huge and diverse population of birds keeps its local breeding grounds despite increased construction in the Hampton Roads area surrounding their habitat. She further explains plans to use dredged material for the construction of an entirely new habit for them. The birds currently nesting at Fort Wool represent nearly half of the entire population of these species within the territory of Virginia and they nest in very few other places within the commonwealth. Currently, USACE and VDWR are also working together to find construct another suitable location for these birds made from dredged material removed from the Norfolk Harbor and Chesapeake bay. In this video, VDWR is conducting bird tagging in order to track the movement and growth of the laughing gull species.