Why Are These Two Areas The Most Critical?

As you can see in Figure 1 at the top of the page, Projects 1 & 2 sit at opposite ends of the Tangier North Channel, which divides the island and provides access to the town. They are the two most extremely vulnerable areas of six critically endangered locations identified by the Accomack County Planning District Commission, county coastal planners, the Mayor, Tangier Town Council members, local scientists, local businesses and non-profit organizations as stakeholders.

Areas of Project 1 are losing 12 meters of land per year. It appears a tidal creek is forming which would compromise the western side of the channel.

Project 2 is losing over 13 meters of land per year. This area provides protection to Tangier harbor, the watermen’s soft crab processing facilities. It is a critical component of the town’s economy.

Dr. Russell Burke answered questions about the urgent need to begin work on both projects and what the significance of raising the needed funds would mean.

Project 1 – Western Entrance to Tangier Channel

(Original Satellite Image: Google Earth™).
X-Reefs (Extents 2, 4, 5, and 7) and Atlantic Reefmaker reefs (Extents 1, 3, and 6) will provide offshore wave energy attenuation to protect the shoreline, and serve as oyster-fish reef habitat. Additional shoreline protection will be provided by longshore barrier reefs that will run the length of the shore NW of the existing rock jetty, and will be flanked by additional sediment control structures/reefs perpendicular to shore. Beneficially-reused/repurposed dredge material will be transported to backfill the area between the longshore/retention reefs and the receding marsh toe – the dredge material will then be covered by 6 to 12 inches of sand, capped with Flexamat for sediment retention, and planted with native marsh grasses.

Critical Issues and Vital Importance to Tangier

Answers provided by Dr. Russell Burke

What is the most dynamic or central element of this plan?

First and foremost, stabilizing the actively-eroding shoreline at this project site is paramount – the concrete buttress reefs will support the sediment-filled GeoTubes, and the Flexamat will ensure containment of the backfilled sand/sediment, along with the planted marsh grasses.

How important is it to reach or exceed the goal of $2.5 million for Project 1?

It is critical that the project receive the requisite funding to procure and install the reinforcing elements of the project design which will stabilize the wetlands at this site, including the placement of sand and/or dredged sediment,

How soon can work begin?

With funding in hand by mid-to-late summer, we could submit the permit application, receive approval, and begin reef fabrication and project material procurement this fall (2025), with construction on site starting spring 2026.

What is the benefit of using natural and nature-based features in this project?

The principal benefits of using natural and nature-based features are (1) nature is able to recover to its previous, undamaged state much faster, and (2) funds only have to be expended once at a project site because the design is specifically geared toward long-term sustainability of wetland habitats

What is the significance of this campaign’s success?

The significance of this campaign’s success is (1) the immediate protection of this portion of Tangier Island and (2) this project will serve as a template for how to preserve, protect, and restore the rest of Tangier Island where marshlands are eroding and land continues to be lost.

Project 2 – Eastern Entrance to Tangier Channel

Critical Issues and Vital Importance to Tangier

Answers provided by Dr. Russell Burke

What is the most dynamic or central element of this plan?

The central element of this plan is wave attenuation (reduction) via concrete reef breakwaters. The precise design reduces the wave energy reaching the wetlands located inshore of the project site and protects the town’s infrastructure on the eastern side of Tangier Island. The secondary benefits will be increased resident oyster/mussel communities on the reefs, and provision of habitat and food for local fishes and crabs

How important is it to reach or exceed the goal of $3.25 million for Project 2?

In order to protect existing wetlands inshore of this project site, offshore reef breakwaters need to be fabricated and installed. Reaching (or exceeding) the fundraising goal is essential for the success of this project due to the large size of the area exposed to wind-generated waves, and the critical town infrastructure currently vulnerable to them during storms.

How soon can work begin?

With funding in hand by mid-to-late summer, we could submit the permit application, receive approval, and begin reef fabrication and project material procurement this fall (2025), with construction on site starting spring 2026.

What is the benefit of using natural and nature-based features in this project?

The principal benefits of using natural and nature-based features are (1) wetland and adjacent upland environments will be able to maintain themselves under a reduced wave energy regime, and (2) funds only have to be expended once at a project site because the design is specifically geared toward long-term sustainability of oyster and fish reef habitats

What is the significance of this campaign’s success?

The significance of this campaign’s success is (1) the immediate protection of this portion of Tangier Island and (2) this project will serve as a template for how to preserve, protect, and restore the rest of Tangier Island while enhancing local fisheries.