North Tidewater News

The City of Hampton has secured a federal grant valued at $845,000 to enhance the coastal resilience of the Back River Estuary. The funding is provided by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF), with additional local in-kind matching funds, bringing the project total to $987,800.

The initiative, titled “Developing Nature-Based Solutions to Build Resilience in the Back River Estuary (VA),” aims to implement a series of nature-based solutions. These include thin-layer placement for marsh enhancement, oyster reefs, submerged aquatic vegetation bed restoration, and ephemeral islands. The project's objectives are to increase marsh resilience against wave action and sea-level rise, reduce flood risk in surrounding communities, and improve habitat quality within the estuary.

Interim resiliency officer Olivia Askew stated: “Grandview Nature Preserve and the Back River Estuary are vital ecosystems to the Hampton community. They are home to critical habitat for migratory birds and aquatic species, provide recreational and economic opportunities for the region, and substantially reduce the impacts of coastal storms by slowing down wave energy from the Chesapeake Bay. The City of Hampton is excited to partner with JBLE-Langley and other stakeholders to investigate innovative design approaches to support the future resilience of the Back River Estuary.”

This grant results from ongoing collaboration between the City of Hampton and Joint Base Langley-Eustis focused on enhancing resilience both on military installations and in surrounding areas. This partnership facilitated participation in the Department of Defense (DoD) Readiness and Environmental Protection Integration (REPI) Program. The program supports NFWF’s National Coastal Resilience Fund by funding projects that preserve natural environments while supporting military mission capabilities.