Federal money awarded for coastal Accomack

By Linda Cicoira

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service awarded $25.7 million to support 28 projects in 11 states to protect, restore, or enhance more than 10,000 acres of coastal wetlands and build coastal resiliency this week.

The figure includes $1 million to acquire and improve 621.4 acres of coastal wetlands and buffering uplands in Accomack County.

Coastal wetlands protect the coastal areas from floods. It helps filter local waters, supports recreation and the economy, and provides habitats for fish and wildlife.

The local project is called the Eastern Shore Saltmarsh Conservation Initiative. It will be administered by The Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources in partnership with The Nature Conservancy, Ducks Unlimited, and the Wildlife Foundation of Virginia, will administer the money.