No homeowner tax or special assessment is required for this project — just teamwork!

The Little Wicomico River entrance at Smith Point is a federally authorized navigation channel, originally built and maintained by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE).  That means the federal government is responsible for its design, oversight, and dredging — when federal funds are appropriated.

In the past, the U.S. Government regularly funded scheduled maintenance dredging and jetty repair for federally authorized shallow-draft waterways that support economic, emergency response, and public activity like the Little Wicomico. Over time, those funds have shifted toward large commercial ports, leaving smaller waterways to compete for limited dollars. The last dredging was in 2014, and since then, the channel has continued to shoal.

Because federal maintenance budgets have declined, local communities now have to advocate and apply for state grant funding and lobby for federal community project funding — to make sure their federal navigation projects stay on the radar. As the saying goes, the squeaky wheel gets the grease.

Today, Northumberland County and the Northern Neck Planning District Commission (NNPDC) are leading the permit and planning phase — developing engineering studies, identifying dredge material placement sites, and coordinating with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Baltimore and Norfolk Districts).  We also recognize and appreciate the citizen advocates from the Dredge the Little Wicomico River (DTLW) Jetty petition signers, who continue to contribute photos, facts, historical research, and local coordination that help move this effort forward. Their efforts — along with those of residents, marinas, charter captains, watermen, and visitors — demonstrate broad public support and keep the project’s momentum strong.

These steps are essential to make the project eligible to compete for state and federal funding in 2026.

⚓ Teamwork makes the dream work.

Everyone — residents, marinas, charter captains, watermen, and visitors — shares the same goal: to see the Little Wicomico Jetty safely dredged and repaired, protecting access, local livelihoods, and emergency response operations for years to come.  

📍 Numbers matter!  We are at 1,112 signers as of today.  Please encourage every adult in your household to sign and share.

To learn more or add your name in support:
🔗 https://www.change.org/p/dredge-the-little-wicomico-river-jetty-virginia 

No donation is necessary.