WEBVTT 00:03.350 --> 00:05.628 at the U . S . Army Corps of Engineers . 00:05.628 --> 00:07.239 We work through partnerships 00:07.239 --> 00:09.183 collaborating on projects that are 00:09.183 --> 00:11.183 meant to satisfy particular needs , 00:11.183 --> 00:13.183 whether that be building a bridge , 00:13.183 --> 00:15.294 harbor dredging , beach replenishment 00:15.294 --> 00:17.406 or the improvement of water quality . 00:17.406 --> 00:19.128 The water resources Reform and 00:19.128 --> 00:21.239 Development Act has called for action 00:21.239 --> 00:23.017 to improve water quality of the 00:23.017 --> 00:24.739 Chesapeake Bay and surrounding 00:24.739 --> 00:27.017 waterways . The Lynn haven River basin . 00:27.017 --> 00:29.072 The ecosystem restoration project is 00:29.072 --> 00:31.128 part of a joint effort to ensure the 00:31.128 --> 00:33.350 health of these local tributaries where 00:33.350 --> 00:33.230 people like you and me frequently 00:33.230 --> 00:35.341 engage in recreational and commercial 00:35.341 --> 00:37.600 activities such as crabbing , fishing , 00:37.610 --> 00:40.920 boating and kayaking . The bottom line 00:40.920 --> 00:43.031 purpose of this ecosystem restoration 00:43.031 --> 00:45.364 project is to improve the water quality , 00:45.364 --> 00:47.364 increase wildlife diversity through 00:47.364 --> 00:49.630 restoration of hard reefs , wetlands 00:49.640 --> 00:51.584 and submerged aquatic vegetation . 00:52.560 --> 00:54.116 Initially , we had met with 00:54.116 --> 00:56.338 stakeholders and partners in the design 00:56.338 --> 00:58.504 charette to come up with a design that 00:58.504 --> 01:00.560 adequately helps us meet our project 01:00.560 --> 01:02.782 goals . Once we have a design in hand , 01:02.782 --> 01:04.893 it gets us through a series of public 01:04.893 --> 01:07.116 meetings and quality control reviews to 01:07.116 --> 01:09.338 ensure it was satisfied Virginia Marine 01:09.338 --> 01:11.671 Resource Commission permit requirements . 01:11.671 --> 01:13.782 The MRC posted our application online 01:13.782 --> 01:15.893 to solicit feedback during the public 01:15.893 --> 01:18.060 comment period of the design process . 01:18.060 --> 01:20.171 Additionally , aside from ensuring we 01:20.171 --> 01:22.171 satisfied permit requirements . Our 01:22.171 --> 01:24.393 office also decided to participate in a 01:24.393 --> 01:26.227 face to face engagement with the 01:26.227 --> 01:28.282 members and leaders of the Broad Bay 01:28.282 --> 01:30.504 Civic League in order to inform them of 01:30.504 --> 01:32.560 our intent , provide them details of 01:32.560 --> 01:34.560 the design and address any concerns 01:34.560 --> 01:37.310 that they had these inputs were 01:37.310 --> 01:39.088 subsequently the motivation for 01:39.088 --> 01:41.199 multiple changes in the design . Over 01:41.199 --> 01:43.254 time . Some of the concerns included 01:43.254 --> 01:45.366 the loss of recreational value of the 01:45.366 --> 01:47.532 area and questions regarding safety as 01:47.532 --> 01:49.699 it pertains to water depth , substrate 01:49.699 --> 01:51.643 material and project distance from 01:51.643 --> 01:53.366 private docks . Other concerns 01:53.366 --> 01:55.366 pertained to the fear that the area 01:55.366 --> 01:57.477 would be used for oyster harvesting . 01:57.477 --> 01:59.588 Ultimately , our design is focused on 01:59.588 --> 02:01.699 incorporating as much public input as 02:01.699 --> 02:03.643 possible while still achieving our 02:03.643 --> 02:05.588 project goals . Currently , we are 02:05.588 --> 02:07.699 still making all possible attempts to 02:07.699 --> 02:09.866 ensure that all feedback is taken into 02:09.866 --> 02:12.032 consideration and address up to date . 02:12.032 --> 02:13.921 All documented concerns have been 02:13.921 --> 02:15.699 addressed either through verbal 02:15.699 --> 02:17.754 communication of the project details 02:17.754 --> 02:19.977 changes in the project design or during 02:19.977 --> 02:21.866 site visits with the Civic League 02:21.866 --> 02:23.921 leadership . There's a little bit of 02:23.921 --> 02:26.143 scar tissue from those other projects , 02:26.143 --> 02:28.088 you know , not to characterize too 02:28.088 --> 02:29.532 bluntly but oversight and 02:29.532 --> 02:31.254 accountability and holding the 02:31.254 --> 02:33.310 standards , the things that Uh , the 02:33.310 --> 02:36.350 Army Corps is known for , right , 02:36.470 --> 02:38.692 that's going to be an important part of 02:38.692 --> 02:42.230 this . To be able to convince folks 02:42.240 --> 02:45.660 that I got it and I feel good about it 02:45.940 --> 02:49.480 as opposed to the ideas of using 02:49.480 --> 02:53.000 substandard materials during the site 02:53.000 --> 02:55.110 visit on October 25 we toured the 02:55.110 --> 02:57.620 proposed reef site and use the onboard 02:57.630 --> 02:59.630 underwater survey equipment to show 02:59.630 --> 03:01.686 actual water depth as we explain the 03:01.686 --> 03:03.630 pro dimensions and other technical 03:03.630 --> 03:05.797 details . We were happy to communicate 03:05.797 --> 03:07.630 that over three different design 03:07.630 --> 03:09.797 iterations . We had completely changed 03:09.797 --> 03:12.019 the reef orientation to accommodate the 03:12.019 --> 03:13.908 preference to fish with the title 03:13.908 --> 03:16.074 current . This also led us to increase 03:16.074 --> 03:18.297 the spacing between the reef stripes to 03:18.297 --> 03:20.074 the same end . We increased the 03:20.074 --> 03:22.241 distance between the site boundary and 03:22.241 --> 03:24.352 private docks to allow more space for 03:24.352 --> 03:26.574 maneuvering and access . We reduced the 03:26.574 --> 03:28.797 overall height of the reef structure to 03:28.797 --> 03:28.790 ensure confidence and the fact that it 03:28.790 --> 03:30.623 will remain completely submerged 03:30.623 --> 03:32.734 underwater and we changed the type of 03:32.734 --> 03:34.123 reef substrate to a more 03:34.123 --> 03:36.123 environmentally friendly material . 03:36.123 --> 03:38.123 Those aboard the vessel with us may 03:38.123 --> 03:40.234 have not noticed that we were also in 03:40.234 --> 03:42.068 the vicinity of an existing reef 03:42.068 --> 03:44.179 structure that we constructed back in 03:44.179 --> 03:46.512 2008 . Since completion of that project , 03:46.512 --> 03:48.512 residents have been safely enjoying 03:48.512 --> 03:50.568 their recreational activities on the 03:50.568 --> 03:52.790 water in that area . Since this reef is 03:52.790 --> 03:54.512 also completely submerged , it 03:54.512 --> 03:56.457 naturally doesn't detract from the 03:56.457 --> 03:58.679 homeowners view of the water . So far , 03:58.679 --> 04:00.734 our engagements with the public have 04:00.734 --> 04:00.720 contributed to the successful 04:00.720 --> 04:03.120 progression of our project design . As 04:03.120 --> 04:04.842 much as we look forward to the 04:04.842 --> 04:06.953 successful completion of this project 04:06.953 --> 04:08.898 to satisfy the requirements of the 04:08.898 --> 04:11.064 water Resources Reform and Development 04:11.064 --> 04:12.953 Act . We also continue to welcome 04:12.953 --> 04:15.176 valuable and constructive feedback from 04:15.176 --> 04:17.287 our local residents who have improved 04:17.287 --> 04:19.509 and shaped our design . This project is 04:19.509 --> 04:21.676 a long one and your voice has actually 04:21.676 --> 04:23.787 had an impact thus far . The benefits 04:23.787 --> 04:25.898 of these restorations are gradual and 04:25.898 --> 04:25.650 it will be most evident in the many 04:25.650 --> 04:28.120 years to come through collaboration to 04:28.120 --> 04:30.064 improve water quality and wildlife 04:30.064 --> 04:32.231 habitat . We ensure that our community 04:32.231 --> 04:34.398 and future generations can continue to 04:34.398 --> 04:36.509 enjoy outdoor recreational activities 04:36.509 --> 04:38.676 and our local waterways now and in the 04:38.676 --> 04:38.670 future .