"What?!" "They can't build on a lake!" "But there are protections!"

Frequently we hear a version of the same shock and disbelief. And here is the reality... In May 2023, the Supreme Court made a ruling that removed protection on an estimated 83% of the nations wetlands. It reversed a half-century of progress and protection generated by the Clean Water Act of 1972. And here in Virginia Beach, it's resulted in a flurry of wetland properties being purchased for infill development. The Wycliffe Development will fill in the headwaters to Great Neck Lake, pictured. The regulatory agencies have issued permits for the developer to fill in Lake Conrad 2. The DEQ, the EPA, and the Army Corp of Engineers have opened the door to development. And the only chance of protecting this lake (and other wetlands in Virginia Beach) is through a vote by City Council. That vote takes place on Nov 21st, 2023 at 6PM.

The ONLY vote our leadership can make to protect our wetlands is by saying NO to returning this land from Church Use to Residential Housing. 

Our wetlands are crucial for flood control and important for filtering pollution headed for our commercial fishing and recreation waterways. They provide a habitat for fish, birds, insects, and plants, not to mention storing abundant carbons in the vegetation. We rely on this valuable ecosystem.

How will it look when City Council members vote YES on this project?

• YES to filling in a LAKE to build twelve $900,000 houses.
• YES to removing 140 mature trees, when an average tree absorbs 150 gallons of water per day.
• YES to removing a functioning stormwater management facility that is an asset of the Great Neck community.
• YES to overburdening our stormwater systems while simultaneously charging us higher taxes to fix flooding issues through the Ripple Effect Bond Referendum.
• YES to causing more traffic concerns in one of our heaviest traveled corridors in the city.
• YES to serving the interests of one developer over the interest of our residents?
• YES to the permanent and irreversible destruction of the historic structures on this property, not to mention the plant and animal life that make this their home.

Is there ANY reason that can justify saying YES to this application?

It is imperitive that our city leaders institute protections for Virginia Beach wetlands in light of the recent Supreme Court ruling. They can start by prohibiting Lake Conrad 2 from becoming residential housing. Please sign this petition and write CityCouncil@vbgov.com to vote to DENY the Modification of USE on the Wycliffe Development application. And visit www.NoBuildVBWetlands.com for more ways you can help (and learn about other neighborhood infill projects).