Great news: On January 14, 2026, Congressman Rob Wittman raised the Little Wicomico River Jetty at the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee — the committee that controls federal waterway and dredging policy and funding.

He told Congress that the Little Wicomico River is a critical safety and economic lifeline for Northumberland County and the Northern Neck, supporting watermen, marinas, boaters, and Smith Point Sea Rescue. He explained that shoaling now makes the entrance impassable at low tide, blocking emergency response and preventing people from getting to work — “like trying to drive to work when the road doesn’t exist.”

Congressman Wittman asked that this small but essential dredging project be included in this year’s transportation bill and the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA).

🎥 Watch:
Full hearing (Wittman at 1:44:50–1:47:38): https://youtu.be/zcZBlhuNXwM 
Clip of his remarks: https://youtu.be/CrXrr7svz6I 

✅ What you can do right now (2 minutes):
This is real progress — and it deserves immediate reinforcement.  

Please send Congressman Wittman a short thank-you note for raising this issue and pushing it forward. Let him know the community noticed — and that we’re counting on him to keep going.

Example email-Submit at:  https://wittman.house.gov/contact/
Dear Congressman Wittman,
Thank you for raising the Little Wicomico River Jetty before the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. I appreciate your work on behalf of Smith Point Sea Rescue, our watermen, and our local economy, and I urge you to continue pressing this forward until the funding is in place.

Why this matters:  Members of Congress pay attention to what generates feedback. A wave of thank-you messages strengthens his hand and helps keep this project moving forward.

It is a busy time--more soon, and thank you for being part of this.

Dredge the Little Wicomico River Jetty (DTLW)