Federal Funding Can Support The
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TIDELINES News & Notes From the Hampton Roads Office of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation SEPTEMBER 2021 Oyster Gardening Season Concludes From the Desk of Christy Everett BF’s Oyster Gardening Program CBF STAFF HAMPTON ROADS gives volunteers an opportunity to DIRECTOR help bring back this vital species Cby growing oysters alongside their People living in low- docks. This summer, CBF hosted 11 oyster lying communities gardening events throughout the region. are the first to feel Volunteers came out to pick up their spat- the impact of rising seas but perhaps on-shell oysters (baby oysters attached to the last to hear about plans to address recycled shells) and two cages to grow them the problem. in. At the same time, last year’s gardeners dropped off the oysters they have been The Coastal Resilience Master Plan is a CBF staff and oyster gardeners pose with mature comprehensive road map for the years nurturing for a year. oysters at our Portsmouth Oyster Gardening workshop this August. ahead, outlining where and which types We collected 95,994 adult oysters which were of projects are funded to safeguard planted locally by CBF and our partners at Beazley Foundation. We were able to tap communities from rising waters—and it the Tides Inn, Nansemond River Preservation into Portsmouth’s history and culture that is needs your input. Alliance, Elizabeth River Project, and Rogue deeply-rooted in the waters that surround it, Oysters in the Lynnhaven River, Lafayette engaging with 52 folks who will nurture 45 There are two ways to make your voice River, Warehouse Creek (on the Eastern batches of baby oysters during the next year. heard: by taking the state’s survey or Shore), Hampton River, Nansemond River, by attending a public meeting to share Elizabeth River, and Rappahannock River. Our oyster gardeners also expressed their your perspectives and concerns (see the That’s a lot of oysters filtering up to 4.8 million desire for clean-water funding. After all, Calendar section for more details on gallons of water a day! without clean water, oysters cannot grow meeting dates and locations). and thrive. Many gardeners posed with their For the 2021-2022 growing season, 468 oyster mature oysters and signs that read, “We’re CBF is urging the state to prioritize gardeners from 218 families and organizations doing our part for clean water. What about nature-based solutions, such as living are fostering 401 batches of oysters. you?” These photos were sent to elected shorelines, wetlands, and vegetated leaders in August when the Virginia General buffers to address flooding. These Additionally, CBF was excited to expand our Assembly convened for a special session to approaches are not only more cost Oyster Gardening Program into Portsmouth, consider funding issues—see the second page effective, but also improve water quality holding our first event there in more than for a recap of how legislators listened to our in tidal reaches and the Bay. a decade, thanks to funding from the oyster gardeners and supported clean water! Sea-level rise and increased flooding will be a constant threat in the years Federal Officials Visit CBF’s Brock Environmental Center ahead but with your input, Virginia’s Coastal Resilience Master Plan can In August, White House National Climate Advisor CBF STAFF safeguard our communities, enhance Gina McCarthy, Congressman Bobby Scott, and our waters, and protect vital coastal Congresswoman Elaine Luria visited CBF’s Brock Environmental Center to discuss adapting to climate change in and around the Chesapeake Bay. Our staff, CBF student leaders, and Brock Classroom students were happy to talk about their research and advocacy Virginia Beach Environmental with our distinguished visitors. Projects that help save Studies Program students chat with White House National Climate the Bay also address climate change challenges. advisor Gina McCarthy (right). General Assembly Special Session Concludes CBF in the Community During heavy rains, Richmond’s aging CBF STAFF combined sewer system can send millions of ADVOCACY gallons of untreated human sewage into the James River. Coastal Resilience Master Plan Public Meetings and Comments In July, CBF Virginia Executive Director Peggy Sanner joined Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney Tuesday, September 7 in touring one solution toward addressing 5:00–7:00 p.m. this pollution—the 50-million gallon Shockoe Norfolk State University Retention Basin in downtown Richmond, Student Center, Section B which holds the initial surge of stormwater Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney (far left), CBF 700 Park Avenue, Norfolk after rainstorms for treatment. CBF joined the Virginia Executive Director Peggy Sanner (forefront, in yellow hat), and city staff tour the Tuesday, September 14 James River Association, Mayor Stoney, and Shockoe Retention Basin in downtown Richmond. 5:00–7:00 p.m. other elected officials in calling for federal Old Dominion University investment and state support for fixing water in rivers, streams, and the Chesapeake Richmond’s combined sewer system. Bay, including $100 million for the continuing Webb Center modernization of Virginia’s wastewater 5115 Hampton Boulevard, Norfolk The Virginia General Assembly, meeting in a treatment facilities and $75 million to repair, Monday, September 20 special session in early August to decide how upgrade, and improve septic, straight pipe, 5:00–7:00 p.m. and sewer systems that have been leaking to allocate the $4.3 billion the state is receiving Hampton Roads Community from the federal American Rescue Plan Act, pollution to Virginia waterways. Some of this Action Program listened! Legislators allocated $125 million septic upgrade funding will be made available 2410 Wickham Avenue, Newport News toward eliminating the raw sewage overflows as grants to homeowners at or below 200 to the Potomac and James Rivers coming from percent of the federal poverty guideline. Tuesday, September 21 the outdated combined sewer systems in 5:00–7:00 p.m. Alexandria, Richmond, and Lynchburg. These investments not only strengthen Hampton Roads Community Virginia’s economy and environment but will Action Program In addition, legislators approved other also protect community health. We thank 1919 Commerce Drive, Hampton appropriations that will substantially increase Virginia General Assembly members for their investments in programs that lead to cleaner support of these key clean-water investments. Monday, September 27 5:00–7:00 p.m. Corporate Landing Middle School Bay Grasses Survey: Disappointing Results 1597 Corporate Landing Parkway Virginia Beach This summer, the Chesapeake Bay Program In order for us to meet our Blueprint goals— released the results of the 2020 Bay grasses and protect our underwater grassbeds— The state’s Coastal Resilience Master Plan survey, which found a seven percent agricultural lands will need to reduce runoff is being developed right now. Visit decline from 2019. The survey results are by more than 80 percent. surveymonkey.com/r/VACMP-Public to take disappointing and remind us that continued the survey now and attend one of the above effort is needed to meet the 2025 deadline to Increased federal investments in agricultural public meetings to share your flooding implement the Clean Water Blueprint. conservation practices will reduce pollution, experiences and concerns. enhance water quality, support underwater Bay grasses are essential for the health of grasses, secure climate resiliency, and Support Norfolk’s Proposed the Bay and the aquatic species that live improve farmers’ bottom lines. Tree Amendments here. Grasses absorb nutrients, are a source Expanding and protecting existing tree of food for a variety of creatures, and are Please visit cbf.org/take-action to pledge your canopy and other green infrastructure will essential habitat for small blue crabs and fish. support for farmers and increased clean- help address stormwater management in Underwater grasses also slow wave action, water funding, and help us return the Bay’s developed areas, protect shorelines from reducing shoreline erosion. underwater grasses populations to vibrancy. the impacts of sea level rise, mitigate urban heat islands and their health effects (which are often the legacy of now-outlawed HAMPTON ROADS VIRGINIA redlining practices), and more equitably Brock Environmental Center 1108 East Main Street 3663 Marlin Bay Drive Suite 1600 share trees’ other public health and Virginia Beach, VA 23455 Richmond, VA 23219 community benefits. This is why the City of 757-622-1964 804-780-1392 Norfolk is proposing changes to its zoning [email protected] ordinance to increase its tree canopy. If you are a City of Norfolk resident, CBF HEADQUARTERS please reach out to the planning Philip Merrill Environmental Center 6 Herndon Avenue, Annapolis, MD 21403 commission at [email protected] by 410-268-8816 September 23 and request their support CBF.ORG Membership information: 888-SAVE-BAY for the tree preservation, protection, and replacement amendments..