VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — The city of Virginia Beach has been unable to begin a major marsh restoration project, even though it is fully funded, due to permitting issues with state agencies, the City Council heard in a meeting Tuesday.
The project in Back Bay was expected to help reduce wind-driven flooding during periods of sustained southerly winds. These winds push water from the Albemarle and Pamlico sounds into Back Bay, causing flooding of homes, businesses and critical roads, city engineer Toni Utterback stated in a presentation to City Council Tuesday.
Back Bay has experienced heavy loss of marsh habitat. In the past century, over 2,000 acres of marshland have transformed into open water due to sea level rise and wave action. It’s believed this loss of marshland is at least partially causing the flooding in Virginia Beach…