Bay Creek to remove Concrete Rubble from Beach

The Mirror reported on March 6th that a citizen had discovered chunks of broken concrete lying along Bay Creek Beach. The Town of Cape Charles was alerted, and after inspection, found that no permit was issued, and the work was out of compliance.

The town met with Preserve Communities and they have provided documentation that this material was on the beach prior to their purchase of the property. Preserve stated that they are committed to remediating the property.

Cape Charles said that the town will work with them to review any plans they put forward. Planning and Zoning will continue to follow up with them to make sure the rubble is remediated properly.

In a conversation with a member of the Dune and Wetlands Board, the issue appears to be not the concrete material but what appears to be a violation – a permit for this type of work is required but was not obtained and a shoreline modification that does not conform with state guidelines.

In a nutshell, what went on here is a no-no; it is not permanent and does not meet the standards established by the State’s Living Shoreline nature-based approach for shoreline protection.

A Bay Creek resident told the Mirror, “I can assure you that concrete was put there in the fall of 2021. We anchor our skiff there on a regular basis it wasn’t there last summer.”