| The Elizabeth River Project (ERP) is sponsoring three
projects that will help oysters regain their place in the Elizabeth.
The biggest of the three is also the first oyster reef project for
Paradise Creek, a key recommendation of ERP's plan for restoring the
creek. Forty thousand seed oysters are being placed on shell that is
barges in. Residents of the Craddock neighborhood, including Boy Scout
Troop 222, are also growing oysters in floats to be added later in the
summer. Residents and other members of the public are getting technical
help in ERP workshops.
A second reef will be built alongside Norshipco, and a third just north
of the Jordan Bridge. These reefs will not be seeded but are expected to
populate naturally.
VA Marine Resources Commission is carrying out the construction on
behalf of the Elizabeth River Project and Chesapeake Bay Foundation
donated the oysters. Funding includes a $50,000 grant from Chesapeake Bay
Small Watershed Grant Program., National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, US
EPA, NOAA, Fish America and the American Sportsfishing Association.
The Norshipco project is made possible with Special Environmental Project
funds through the VA DEQ.
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