Concerns raised over impacts of Cedar Island Proposal

A proposed coastal resilience project for Cedar Island continues to move through planning and review stages as new funding and renewed public attention bring the effort back into focus on Virginia’s Eastern Shore.

Accomack County Administrator Mike Mason recently reported that the Cedar Island Resilience Project, led by the Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS), has received a $5 million grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. The project is intended to reduce the risk of breaching at the island’s southern end by reinforcing and expanding back-barrier marshes to slow erosion and dampen storm surge. The overall cost is now estimated between $17 million and $20 million, leaving a significant funding gap.

The Army Corps of Engineers announced the plans over a year ago. At that time, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers opened a public comment period for permits related to elevating marsh and intertidal flats behind Cedar Island. Those documents outlined plans to use dredged material to convert low marsh into higher, vegetated marsh and stabilize a historic breach area near Wachapreague. Accomack County applied for those permits on behalf of VIMS.

While county officials describe the grant award as a meaningful step forward, the proposal has drawn criticism from an aquaculture farmer. Oyster grower Phillip Valliant of Parksley has raised concerns in an oped on the ShoreDailyNews.com Local Opinion Page about dredging impacts, potential harm to fisheries and aquaculture leases, and whether intervention is necessary. He argues that dredging a large sand bar in Wachapreague Inlet to build marsh behind Cedar Island could disrupt natural wave protection, increase erosion, and harm aquaculture leases and marine species. Valliant said the area appears to be recovering naturally. He has called for closer scrutiny of environmental risks and greater accountability as the project advances.