Dear Dredge the Little Wicomico (DTLW) Advocates,

Thank you for your continued support of the Dredge the Little Wicomico Jetty effort.

This quick update will take about 2 minutes to read and includes three steps you can take to help move this project forward, including important information on federal deadlines that are NOW to request funding for jetty repair.

Community support makes a real difference!  Please see the requests below.

1️⃣ Submit a Permit Comment (2 Minutes)

Northumberland County and the Northern Neck Planning District Commission are completing the final steps of the Joint Permit Application (JPA) for emergency dredging of the Little Wicomico River Jetty.

While $2.6M in funding was approved by the Virginia Marine Resources Commission (VMRC) on January 29, the permit must still be finalized and approved at an upcoming Commission meeting.

Public notice advertisements regarding the permit are now appearing in local newspapers and the VMRC public comment portal is OPEN.

THE ASK

If you have not yet submitted a comment, please take a moment to submit a quick comment in favor of the project.

Many of you have already submitted comments — thank you. If you haven’t yet, this quick step helps show the strength of community support.

We currently have 85 comments in favor and 0 opposed.
Let’s see if we can reach 150 supportive comments so VMRC clearly sees the strong public support for this project.

It takes about 2 minutes.

👉 Submit your comment here:
https://webapps.mrc.virginia.gov/public/habitat/comments

Application #: 20252813

 
2️⃣ Help Secure Federal Funding for the Next Phase-Jetty Assessment for Repairs

Emergency dredging is needed now, but the jetty structure itself also requires evaluation and long-term repair planning.

The next phase includes:

• Jetty structural assessment
• Sediment transport modeling
• Bathymetric surveys
• Engineering plans and cost estimates
• Bid documents for repairs and improvements

Because the jetty is a federal structure, funding for this work can be requested through our federal representatives:

• Congressman Rob Wittman – Community Project Funding (CPF)-- https://appropriations.house.gov/fy27-member-requests/fy27-guidance-overview Needs to be submitted now

• Senators Kaine and Warner – Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS)--  https://www.warner.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/fy27-congressionally-directed-spending Needs to be submitted now

These FY27 funding programs are open now but closing VERY soon.  In order to request this federal funding it is urgent that a request be submitted by the County and NNPDC as soon as possible.  

THE ASK

Please send a quick email asking Northumberland County and the NNPDC that a federal funding request be submitted ASAP for the jetty assessment and repair planning phase.

Contact:

Your Northumberland County Board of Supervisors member
https://www.co.northumberland.va.us/board-supervisors

District 5 Supervisor Chip Williams
chwilliams@co.northumberland.va.us

Jerry W. Davis — Executive Director, Northern Neck Planning District Commission
jdavis@nnpdc17.state.va.us

Even a short email of support helps ensure this request is submitted in time.

Suggested message (feel free to copy and paste):

Subject: Support for Little Wicomico Jetty Assessment Funding

Dear [Supervisor / Mr. Davis],

I want to thank you and your teams for the enormous effort you put forth in securing funding for emergency dredging of the Little Wicomico River Jetty Channel.  

I am writing to express my support for submitting a federal funding request through the Community Project Funding (CPF) and Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS) programs for the assessment and repair planning of the Little Wicomico River Jetty at Smith Point.

While emergency dredging is an important first step, the jetty structure itself also requires evaluation, sediment transport modeling, and engineering plans so that long-term repairs can be designed and funded.

I encourage Northumberland County and the Northern Neck Planning District Commission to submit this request so the Army Corps of Engineers can begin this work and position the project for future federal repair funding. The request portals are closing in a matter of days.  Delays in requesting this funding now will add two years to this project due to the federal funding cycles.

Thank you for your continued work on this important issue for navigation safety, working waterfronts, and Chesapeake Bay access.

Sincerely,
[Name]

 
Project Timeline

State-funded dredging: Late Fall 2026 / Early 2027
Jetty structural evaluation: 2026–2027 (federal funding needed)
Jetty repairs and improvements: 2027–2028 (federal funding needed)

 
3️⃣ Attend the Board of Supervisors Meeting – March 12

📅 Thursday, March 12 — 5:30 PM
📍 General District Courtroom (New Courthouse)
220 Judicial Place, Heathsville, VA

You can attend in person or online to hear the latest update on the permit and next steps.

THE ASK

Encourage the Board to submit the federal funding request As Soon As Possible for the jetty assessment and repair project.

Agenda:
https://go.boarddocs.com/va/nuc/Board.nsf/Public

Meeting information and Zoom link:
https://www.co.northumberland.va.us/board-supervisors/page/board-supervisors-meeting-86

Zoom link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89036460492?pwd=7f3gEoP2O2a7UtEbaaaeFJubgDbaR3.1

Meeting ID: 890 3646 0492
Passcode: 638771

 
Every comment, email, and meeting attendance helps move this effort forward.

2026 is a pivotal year for the Little Wicomico Jetty.  

Let’s dredge — and repair — the Little Wicomico Jetty. ⚓

Every action makes a difference.  Thank you for your help.