Greenvale Creek Dredging

[Peeler Crab]

Folks - In my professional life I am the county administrator of Lancaster County, Virginia and have a great deal of interest and time invested in the dredging of Greenvale Creek. I wanted to expand upon some comments Snailman made in his previous posting.

First, Congressman Rob Wittman has been very helpful in this matter. He submitted an earmark earlier this year for the funding to dredge this creek mouth. Unfortunately, the earmark was removed during the House's budget committee deliberations. This may be as much a political move (Rob is a Republican in a Democratic House of Representatives) as it may be a funding issue. I just wanted you to know that Rob Wittman is an ally in this matter.

My recommendation to those of you who have an interest in this project - Contact the two Virginia Senators (Jim Webb and Mark Warner). The also have an obligation to represent you in matters concerning the federal government and, unlike Rob, they are Democrats in a Democratic U. S. Senate.

Lancaster County has been very involved in trying to obtain this funding. Delegate Albert Pollard of the 99th District has also been very helpful in this matter. However, it is the Federal Government funding, not the Corps of Engineers, Virginia State Government, Local Government or anyone else who has the "hammer" in this matter.

Perhaps your contact with Senators Webb and Warner will help tip the scales and get this funding approved. All permits are in place and this is truly a "shovel ready" project.

If you would like to be included on periodic emails I send out regarding this dredging project - please send your email address to wpennell@lancova.com. I will add you to the mailing list.

Peeler Crab

[ALYTAY]

Peeler Crab,

We all know times are tight with the economy! When I was their about 2- weeks ago it was low tide and I estimate the water was maybe 6" to 8" of depth where the sand bar/silt has spilled out blocking any boat traffic in or out of the inlet. I did a search on TF and found Snailmans thread on this very issue; so I replied to bring the topic back to the surface on the NN board. Since I did this I have been PM (Private Message) numerous times on this issue; enough time I had to clear out my inbox on PM. There are alot of people that use Greenvale Creek inlet, also there is a Restuarant witha marina, and the Greenvale Creek Marina that depends on this inlet to conduct business and make a living! If their are any other business owners on the Greenvale Creek, Please speak up so your voice can be heard loud and proud! Property owners too! So I am sure Senators Webb and Warner will be getting some emails on this issue. Thank you, for not letting this fall on dead ears.


All we need now is a email address for Webb and Warner.

Thanks
ALYTAY

[DonQx]

Peeler,
It's unfortunate that you have to drag partisan politics into this, but since you did...don't you think that Congressmen who are repeatedly preaching against "earmarks" would have difficulty showing up to push through one for creek dredging?

[Peeler Crab]

It is/was not my intention to interject partisan politics but rather a statement of fact. It is clear that the two sides of the aisle are not in agreement with recent budget events. My suggestion was to contact the elected officials who have the highest probability of resolving the concern.

[ALYTAY]

Good afternoon to all,

Putting all politics a side, we just need to get this done. With the economy the way it is the business owners who use this artery need it to conduct business to make their lively hood period. Why hurt business owners?

The more I think about it Robertson Creek has shallow water too. I remember the other day reading about the lady who owns BEST Boatyard (sorry I forgot your name is it Bridgette?) was having some type of water problem (maybe low water?)? Maybe she will chime in and let us know. Maybe it's time for all Rappahanock River creeks to be dredged? I wonder if the problem has come from tidal water, storm/hurricane damage, couple of years ago Embrey Dam was taken out in Fredericksburg, I wonder if all the sand/silt finally washed it's way down the lower Rappahanock River? Probably a combonation of everything is starting to fill these inlets in? Could also be regular maintence if it hasn't been dredged in so many years?

All I know is, we need to get this done so people have navigable water access to the River from all points and entrys! If everyone on the Rapp. responds to Webb and Warner... maybe just maybe we can all have accessible waters on the Rappahanock!

A little information about me in case your wondering... I have no personal gain except to spend some money to eat, fuel, launch/retreive my boat. My only interest in this is fishing Rappahanock. FYI

ALYTAY

[Mike G]

Gentlemen - A while back (maybe a year?) when the first of these calls for involvement hit the board I wrote all of the politicians mentioned in this thread. Eventually I was contacted by the guy in Richmond who is in charge of maintaining public boat launches, and approving the dredging in the associated waterways.

We talked for quite a while and, after a lot of bureaucratic doubletalk, he owned up to the fact that there is only so much money to do the work and a constantly shifting list of priorities. He actually said Greenvale had been approved at one point but didn't make the cut in the final budget. I asked how we move it up on that list, especially since there seems to be sufficient justification...a number of homes, a marina, a restaurant and other businesses. His reply in so many words: the squeaky wheel gets the oil.

So, in my humble opinion, there's no sense in getting political with each other here. Both conservative and liberal pols have the same motivation...when it becomes more trouble to avoid negative fall-out than to actually do something they will finally act. And that's only going to happen when concerned citizens (who pay the taxes) demand action. - MG

[Cap't Steve]

Just a thought here but I have been watching the discussion on this matter for a few years now. Have all these business owners & home owners ever gotten together to discuss funding the dredging themselves? If they are in danger of losing their businesses, property values & so on & the government is doing nothing to help, maybe they should look into it themselves. The expense, divided up among everyone involved, should not be insurmountable considering the alternative.

[Tom Powers]

Where is this boat ramp with respect to the saltwater/freshwater fishing license line?

If it is on the saltwater side the county should seek funds from the VMRC to do the dredging. Not to say that they will get it but it is at least worth a shot. Unfortunately you have to move fast. I am pretty sure that the deadline for applications this year is April 15th. They have changed it this year so you should call 757-247-8155 to check. I would bet that the county can submit an simple version of the form to get it in the hopper and follow up in 4 to 6 weeks with a revised application that has all of the details.

Here is a link to the website with the rules.

Virginia Saltwater Recreational Fishing Development Fund (VSRFDF) (http://www.mrc.state.va.us/vsrfdf/application.shtm)

It should be noted (in the tight times with county budgets) that the 25% match for projects is not mandatory.

Since the county already has a feel for the scope and cost of the project it should take no more than one man day to fill out the necessary paperwork to submit the application.

I know that money in the fund is tight this year but it is worth a shot.

Tom

[Allegro]

Just a thought here but I have been watching the discussion on this matter for a few years now. Have all these business owners & home owners ever gotten together to discuss funding the dredging themselves? If they are in danger of losing their businesses, property values & so on & the government is doing nothing to help, maybe they should look into it themselves. The expense, divided up among everyone involved, should not be insurmountable considering the alternative.

The residents of Ewells Prong (Whitehouse Creek- just off the mouth of Corrotoman River) did exactly what Capt Steve is referring to approximately 5 years ago. 60+ - property owners were approached and asked to contribute $500 to pay for the dredging. Most participated, some did not, some paid more than the asked amount. In this case, the waterway is not maintained for navigation by the Coast Guard or any other agency.

Regardless, the majority of property owners saw the need to protect their investments.