As locals and tourists enjoy our beaches - is there cause for concern?

As locals and tourists enjoy our beaches - is there cause for concern?

BE INFORMED! Coast Guard to Hold Meetings on Cape Charles Ship Anchorage

THIS TUESDAY 1-3 PM & 6-8 PM Civic Center, 500 Tazewell Ave, Cape Charles

Documents do not appear to include...potential impact of ship discharge or spills, impact on the tourism economy of 6 beach closures due to fecal indicator bacteria since the anchorage began (with no previous closures since 2004), or the economic value of the acres of shellfish beds east of the anchorage. Local Government Action The Northampton Board of Supervisors, at the July 10, 2018 meeting, will“Consider Resolution to move the current cargo ships' anchorage"

The United States Coast Guard (USCG) is proposing to move and expand a deepwater anchorage near Cape Charles, VA on the lower Chesapeake Bay to support growth in commercial vessel traffic at the Port of Virginia. “Anchorage R” extends from Savage Neck to below Kiptopeke. Link to project details--https://www.regulations.gov/document?D=USCG-2015-1118-0045 The new proposal addresses comments from 2016 public input. Link to comment analysis--www.federalregister.gov/documents/2018/06/22/2018-13439/anchorage-grounds-lower-chesapeake-bay-cape charles-va  Environmental concerns from public led to creation of a USCG Record of Environmental Concern (REC)—which demonstrates that “the potential for impacts to the human environment” have been considered. USCG answered all potential environmental risk questions as “NO”, with no supporting Remarks. Link to REC--https://www.regulations.gov/contentStreamer?documentId=USCG-2015-1118-0041&co... Things to Consider About Proposed Anchorage R: “It’s almost the perfect anchorage,” according to Capt. Kevin Carroll of the U.S. Coast Guard, the captain of the port.(Virginian-Pilot 6/27/18) The Chesapeake Bay, the largest US estuary, is almost 4,500 sq. mi. in area, 30 miles wide at Cape Charles, with 11,684 miles of shoreline—7,200 of those shoreline miles in VA. Northampton County has only about 40 miles of Bay tidal shoreline. The USCG paperwork considers no other options for the new anchorage except the “approximately 18 square miles of anchorage grounds” as shown on the Coast Guard map below. One of the intended effects “of this proposed rulemaking is to protect the environment.” In response to previous public concerns, the USCG has “made a preliminary determination that this action is one of a category of actions that do not individually or cumulatively have a significant effect on the human environment.” Documents do not appear to include modeling of wind and tide for potential impact of ship discharge or spills, impact on the tourism economy of 6 beach closures due to fecal indicator bacteria since the anchorage began (with no previous closures since 2004), or the economic value of the acres of shellfish beds east of the anchorage. How will discharge regulations be enforced? Both the Clean Water Act and Coast Guard regulations prohibit the discharge of untreated waste into United States Territorial Waters—does the Coast Guard have the staff and technology to adequately and continuously monitor the 18 square mile anchorage for sewage spills? How will enlargement of the anchorage affect the multi-million-dollar shellfish industry in case of accidental sewage discharge or oil spill? Anchorage provides no economic benefit to Northampton County, but creates the potential for environmental and financial harm. Is a complete Environmental Impact Statement needed before any anchorage is designated? Is establishment of a “No Discharge Zone” necessary before any anchorage is designated?

Public Comment Period will CLOSE next Tuesday, July 17, 11:59 pm Your comment must include: Docket #USCG-2015-1118                                                                  The document section you’re commenting on (use link below for details of project) The reason for your suggestion or recommendation Submit comments at this link: https://www.regulations.gov/document?D=USCG-2015-1118-0045 then click “Comment Now” box on top right