Back River Flooding and Shoaling Citizens Committee Back River Flooding and Shoaling Citizens Committee August 15, 2007

Back River Flooding and Shoaling Citizens Committee Why was the Committee established by City Council? In response to citizen concerns about severe flooding and shoaling problems in the Back River, as expressed at the April 17 th Public Listening Session, and at Council meetings To collect and consider as much information as possible on the problems with flooding and shoaling in the Back River, with support from City staff, consultants, and other experts To make recommendations to the City Council on solutions to mitigate these problems to the extent possible

Back River Flooding and Shoaling Citizens Committee Committee Members

Back River Flooding and Shoaling Citizens Committee What is tonight's presentation all about? To present the committee’s findings and recommendations

Back River Flooding and Shoaling Citizens Committee Topics Covered Committee Observations of the Back River – Various Committee Members Storm Forecasting – Bill Sammler, NOAA Emergency Preparedness – Tracy Hanger, Fire Dept. Weather patterns, flood warning – Dr. Boon, VIMS What has currently going on in Back River? – Rebecca Francese, Waterway Surveys and Engineering Tides, Sediment Transport – Rebecca Francese Coastal Floodplain Regulations – Shane Parson, URS Environment/Regulatory Perspectives (Permitting through State/Federal Agencies) – Debra Painter, REMSA Boat Tour of Back River/Factory Point Area – Fire Department What can be done in response to conditions in Back River? – Rebecca Francese.

Back River Flooding and Shoaling Citizens Committee Findings Orientation of the Back River makes it more susceptible to storm surge effects with sustained winds from the northeast.

Back River Flooding and Shoaling Citizens Committee Library of Congress Map 1781 Factory Point

Back River Flooding and Shoaling Citizens Committee The Factory Point Peninsula is a naturally occurring land feature that has been depicted in maps since at least the 1600s. Until the mid-1990’s, this Hampton landmark provided storm protection to the Back River (e.g.- storm surge, wave action, shoaling) Factory Point Background

Back River Flooding and Shoaling Citizens Committee Pictorial Twenty Year History of Breach

Back River Flooding and Shoaling Citizens Committee Pre Breach 1994

Back River Flooding and Shoaling Citizens Committee Post Breach 2005

Back River Flooding and Shoaling Citizens Committee Back River Breach Model Video of Back River Breach Model

Back River Flooding and Shoaling Citizens Committee Findings cont…. All of Hampton’s shorelines are experiencing serious erosion due to wave action. Erosion of shoreline impacts wildlife habitat, recreational facilities, private properties, Grandview Nature Preserve, etc. Rate of shoaling in Back River is increasing primarily from sediment transport, and also from storm water runoff (e.g.– filling channels, impacting boating, and the aquatic environment).

Back River Flooding and Shoaling Citizens Committee Shoaling

Back River Flooding and Shoaling Citizens Committee Findings cont…. Dredging will alleviate a serious problem and aid navigation in the channels of Back River, and it will provide material needed to restore the Factory Point Peninsula. Breakwaters have proven to be successful at preventing beach erosion – local examples are Buckroe and Fort Monroe. The permitting application for dredging at the mouth of Back River and for the restoration of Factory Point Peninsula is already underway by the City of Hampton’s consultants, URS..

Back River Flooding and Shoaling Citizens Committee Findings cont…. There is strong concern in the communities along the southwest branch of the Back River that a flood gate at Mercury Boulevard would have an adverse impact on their neighborhoods. Due to this concern, many citizens at the Community Checkpoint Meeting did not support the flood gate. The Committee feels strongly that repairing the breach will reduce flooding in the entire Back River Watershed, with no adverse impact to any neighborhoods.

Back River Flooding and Shoaling Citizens Committee Recommendations Obtain all necessary state and federal permits as soon as possible Use the dredged material to restore the Factory Point Peninsula, and employ appropriate measures to protect it Install electronic water level measuring devices on the inside/outside of Back River, and record the results before and after the breach repair at Factory Point

Back River Flooding and Shoaling Citizens Committee Recommendations of the Committee Institute 5 mph “No Wake” Zone in the vicinity of Factory Point Strengthen flood plain management efforts of the City (e.g. - FEMA flood plain map update, flood insurance awareness, mitigation grants for raising houses, erosion control) Develop and implement a shoreline management/ protection plan along Hampton’s Chesapeake Bay Shoreline from Factory Point to Fort Monroe, as well as other shoreline areas in the Back River, by using breakwaters and/or other measures as appropriate

Back River Flooding and Shoaling Citizens Committee Recommendations of the Committee Increase maintenance of the City’s storm water system and increase public awareness/education for protecting waterways and drainage systems. Enforce laws for illegal dumping Educate the public on measures to mitigate flooding losses on their property and develop public notification plans for flooding events Educate the public on wetland use and development

Back River Flooding and Shoaling Citizens Committee Recommendations of the Committee Request the Corps of Engineers to develop a regional sediment management plan for the Chesapeake Bay Shoreline Seek all possible outside funding for waterway maintenance/shoreline protection from regional partnerships and/or state and federal sources Continue the Back River Flooding and Shoaling Citizens Committee to monitor the progress of these recommendations, and consider enlarging this Committee, in the future, to address ongoing maintenance and protection of our waterways and shorelines