Public Notice

Title (Project Name): Hampton Roads Beneficial Use of Dredged Material

Description: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (the applicant), in coordination with the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources, submitted a federal consistency certification (FCC) for the beneficial use of dredged material for the creation of seabird colony habitat in the Hampton Roads Harbor. Dredged material from federal channels will be placed in the Hampton Roads Harbor to restore and enhance primary habitat for the existing seabird colony, which has been temporarily displaced as a result of construction on the Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel. The proposed project would involve the creation of an island habitat that would require a maximum volume of 518,100 cubic yards of sand material and maximum weight of 21,630 tons armor stone. The maximum potential surface area of the proposed island would be 7.3 acres, with five of those acres dedicated to and designed as suitable seabird nesting habitat. The location for the proposed island, Hampton Bar, is an existing shoaling area that would be enhanced with dredged material from federal channels. The proposed activity is subject to review for consistency with the enforceable policies of the Virginia Coastal Zone Management Program.

Public comment period: November 18, 2024 to December 13, 2024

Applicant name and project number: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; DEQ #24-199F

Facility name and address: Hampton Bar, Hampton Roads Harbor

DEQ contact (for public comments and additional information): Megan Black, Megan.Black@deq.virginia.gov

HOW TO COMMENT

DEQ accepts comments from the public by email or postal mail. All comments must include the name, address and telephone number of the person commenting and be received by DEQ within the comment period. The public may review the project documents at DEQ’s central office in Richmond.

DEQ Central Office

Office of Environmental Impact Review

1111 East Main Street, Suite 1400

Richmond, Virginia 23219