Source: United States Senator for Commonwealth of Virginia Mark R Warner
WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (D-VA) were joined by Reps. Bobby Scott (D-VA-03) and Elaine Luria (D-VA-02) in sending a letter to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers requesting the inclusion of at least $60 million in funding to start construction on the City of Norfolk’s Coastal Storm Risk Management Project. This funding is being requested as part of the amount made available to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers through the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA).
In their letter, the lawmakers highlighted the importance of this project, which will serve as a much needed solution to help protect the area as the region suffers increased damage and weather-related harm due to climate change.
“The rate of sea level rise within the city and surrounding area is one of the highest along the East Coast, exacerbating the city’s vulnerability to flood events. Recent storms that resulted in significant flood events for Norfolk include Hurricane Isabel in 2003, the November 2009 nor’easter, Hurricane Irene in 2011, and Hurricane Sandy in 2012. For these reasons, USACE identified Norfolk as one of the nine areas of high risk by the North Atlantic Coast Comprehensive Study (NACCS),” the lawmakers wrote.
The Norfolk Coastal Storm Risk Management Project establishes a system of surge barriers, tidal gates, floodwalls, levees, pump stations, and non-structural measures to reduce and manage flooding including:
- The Ghent, Hague / Downtown Structural System – This system includes a 600 linear foot (lf) storm surge barrier with a pump and power station. The surge barrier would tie into approximately 27,236 (lf) of constructed floodwall and 2,582 (lf) of earthen levee. Four pump stations and tide gates would also be constructed and operated for interior drainage. In addition, Natural and Nature Based Features (NNBF) include approximately 7,200 (lf) of living shoreline and 5,250 (lf) of oyster reef. Mitigation includes an additional 3,800 (lf) of living shoreline.
- Pretty Lake Structural System – This system would include a storm surge barrier approximately 114 (lf) long with a pump and power station. This feature would tie into 5,642 (lf) of floodwall. In addition, NNBF include approximately 560 (lf) of oyster reef. Mitigation includes approximately 2,375 (lf) of living shoreline.
- Lafayette River Structural System – This system includes a storm surge barrier of approximately 6,634 (lf) with a power station. The feature would tie into 1,535 (lf) of constructed earthen levee. Three tide gates would be constructed and operated. NNBF includes approximately 6,200 (lf) of living shoreline and 3,290 lf of oyster reef. Mitigation includes 5,150 (lf) of living shoreline and 1,100 lf of wetland.
- Broad Creek Structural System – This system would include a storm surge of approximately 1,291 (lf) with a power station. The storm surge barrier would tie into approximately 8,787 (lf) of floodwall. One pump station and four tide gates would also be constructed and operated for interior drainage.
The lawmakers previously requested funds for the projects as part of Army Corps FY 2020 Work Plan.
Full text of the letter is available here and below.
The Honorable Shalanda Young
Acting Director
Office of Management and Budget
725 17th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20503
The Honorable Michael L. Connor
Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
441 G Street, NW
Washington, DC 20314
Dear Acting Director Young and Assistant Secretary Connor:
We write today concerning the City of Norfolk’s Coastal Storm Risk Management (CSRM) project and funding for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) made available in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). We respectfully request the inclusion of at least $60 million in the IIJA USACE spend plan to initiate the first construction contract of this essential $1.6 billion project for the City of Norfolk.
The City of Norfolk, with a population of approximately 240,000, is highly vulnerable to flooding from coastal storms and rising sea levels. The rate of sea level rise within the city and surrounding area is one of the highest along the East Coast, exacerbating the city’s vulnerability to flood events. Recent storms that resulted in significant flood events for Norfolk include Hurricane Isabel in 2003, the November 2009 nor’easter, Hurricane Irene in 2011, and Hurricane Sandy in 2012. For these reasons, USACE identified Norfolk as one of the nine areas of high risk by the North Atlantic Coast Comprehensive Study (NACCS).
The recommended project is the result of the Final Integrated City of Norfolk Coastal Storm Risk Management Feasibility Study and Environmental Impact Statement, Norfolk, Virginia, that concluded in February 2019 with a Report of the Chief of Engineers. The City of Norfolk CSRM project consists of a system of surge barriers, tidal gates, floodwalls, levees, pump stations, and non-structural measures to reduce and manage flooding for major portions of the city.
The estimated total cost of construction for the Norfolk CSRM project is approximately $1.6 billion, with an estimated Federal cost of $1.043 billion and an estimated non-Federal cost of $562 million. The Norfolk District USACE Office has indicated it is able to begin construction on this project and accept at least $60 million in Federal funding to initiate the Federal share of the Downtown to Harbor Park floodwall element. Utilizing funding from the IIJA to initiate construction of the Norfolk CSRM project would help move the project forward toward reducing risk for our constituents from the threats of ever-increasing storms and sea level rise, while also helping to secure nationally significant economic and military interests located in and around Norfolk.
The City of Norfolk’s CSRM project is a critical priority for the Hampton Roads region and the Commonwealth of Virginia. Rising sea levels and extreme weather events will always be a concern for Norfolk. Each additional year it takes to construct this CSRM project provides another opportunity for the next extreme weather event to wreak havoc on our constituents in Norfolk. By investing in this project, we can help mitigate future risk and save money on future disaster relief, while providing the people of Norfolk with increased assurance of safety in the event of future extreme weather events.
Thank you for your consideration. Please do not hesitate to reach out if you have any questions regarding this request.
Sincerely,
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