Project aims to rebuild marsh behind Cedar Island, public comment sought

By Linda Cicoira

The Army Corps of Engineers is soliciting comments for federal and state permits that would allow the elevation and extension of natural marsh and intertidal flats behind the southern end of Cedar Island to improve coastal resiliency.

The proposed project is estimated to cost between $17 and 20 million. If things stay on track, construction could begin in 2025.

Accomack County applied for the permits this week for the Virginia Institute of Marine Science. Once they are obtained, VIMS will solicit grants to cover the cost, according to Accomack’s administrator, Mike Mason.

The Accomack-Northampton Planning District Commission, Stantec, Randolph-Macon College, George Washington University, the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service are also involved in the proposal.

According to a report, the mainland of Virginia’s Eastern Shore is protected from the Atlantic Ocean by 13 ever-changing barrier islands. Deterioration leads to the loss of vital dune, marsh, and lagoon habitats and decreases the islands’ ability to protect the mainland.

Cedar Island is among the most rapidly declining islands and could most benefit from restoration and improvements, the report continued. It is located off the coast of Wachapreague.

Barrier island movement is an expected and natural process, the report stated. However, when the marshes are absent or narrow behind a portion of an island, it creates a vulnerable area where the island can more easily breach during storms, diminishing the island and leaving the mainland unprotected.

The salt marsh also takes up carbon, so marsh stabilization provides positive larger-scale climate benefits, the report stated.

The project would increase the elevation of the western half of the island to expand and enhance the marsh habitat. Native plants will be placed in graded areas and in areas with no existing marsh.

To stabilize the historic breach, much of the low marsh will be raised and converted to vegetated high marsh with dredged materials and plantings. The project would include about 5.90 acres of non-vegetated intertidal, 7.58 acres of vegetated low marsh, 21.26 acres of vegetated high marsh, and 3.93 acres of non-vegetated high marsh. Of the total marsh constructed, 4.69 acres will be new marsh converted from submerged lands. Hydraulically dredged material from about 87.8 acres of subaqueous bottom will be needed.

Alternatives were evaluated including variations of widening the marsh along the entire island and variations of widening the marsh just at the inlet tip. Also considered, was a version that would have required 375,00 cubic yards of dredge material. The applicant proposed restricting dredging or sediment placement to between April and August to protect various species.

A permit from the Accomack County Wetlands Board will also be required.

“All of the proposal’s relevant factors will be considered, including conservation, economics, aesthetics, general environmental concerns, wetlands, cultural values, fish and wildlife values, flood hazards, flood plain values, land use, navigation, shoreline erosion and accretion, recreation, water supply and conservation, water quality, energy needs, safety, food and fiber production, mineral needs, consideration of property ownership and, in general, the needs and welfare of the people.”

Additionally, comments will be used to assess impacts on endangered species, historic properties, water quality, and general environmental effects.

Anyone may request a public hearing by writing to the district commander within 30 days of Dec. 11. Specific reasons must be included. The commander will then decide if a hearing should be held.

Comments should be submitted in writing to [email protected] or the Norfolk District, Corps of Engineers, Attention: CENAO-WRR, 9100 Arboretum Parkway, Suite 235, Richmond, VA 23236 by Jan. 10, 2025.