The Issue

The Little Wicomico River is a 9-mile tidal waterway with more than 123 miles of shoreline located where the Potomac River meets the Chesapeake Bay. For more than 420 years, the river has provided safe navigation and access to the Bay for families, watermen, businesses, and visitors.

In 1935, the Little Wicomico River entrance was authorized by Congress as a federal navigation channel. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers designed the project with an 8-foot-deep, 150-foot-wide channel protected by stone jetties, providing a vital connection between the Chesapeake Bay and the Little Wicomico River, and an important safe harbor to mariners at a very exposed section of the Chesapeake Bay.

Today, however, the entrance channel at Smith Point is dangerously shoaled. Last dredged in 2014, portions of the channel have been reported at less than 3 feet deep, while much of the authorized channel is no longer navigable.

More than 1,609 supporters—including watermen, oyster growers, charter captains, marina operators, emergency responders, business owners, and Virginians across the Commonwealth—have helped demonstrate the importance of the Little Wicomico River and preserving safe access to the Chesapeake Bay, one of Virginia's greatest natural assets and a cornerstone of the Commonwealth's maritime economy and heritage.

Where the Project Stands

✅ The Commonwealth of Virginia -Virginia Marine Resources Commission has approved $2.6 million in FY2027 for emergency dredging on February 24, 2026
✅VMRC approved Permit Application #20252813 on June 23, 2026, pending additional drawings
✅The Virginia General Assembly Virginia budget specifically identifies the Little Wicomico River project and reserves $2 million within the Virginia Waterway Maintenance Fund (VWMF) for the project.  This does not reduce the $2.6 million in emergency dredging funding previously approved by VMRC. Rather, it formally identifies the Little Wicomico River project in the state budget and reserves funding within the VWMF specifically for this effort, demonstrating continued support from the Commonwealth for moving the project forward.
✅ The federal agency Army Corps of Engineers public comment period for the Joint Permit Application closed on July 22. 
⏳ The application is now under review by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Norfolk District  
Emergency dredging will restore safe navigation through the entrance channel. But it is only the first step.

The long-term reliability of the Little Wicomico River depends on the condition of the federally authorized jetty system. As this project moves forward, our coalition will continue working with local, state, and federal partners to encourage a comprehensive engineering assessment and rehabilitation plan for the jetty so Virginia's investment is protected for years to come.

This effort has always been about more than dredging. It is about protecting public safety, preserving Virginia's working waterfronts, supporting oyster aquaculture and local businesses, and ensuring reliable access to the Chesapeake Bay for future generations.

⚠️ What's at Stake?

•Safe navigation for users of 3+ marinas and approximately 800 docks, ramps, and waterfront facilities serving thousands of homes and visitors

• A critical safe harbor for mariners traveling the Chesapeake Bay.

• Access for local watermen, oyster growers, seafood businesses, and charter boat operators

• Public safety. Smith Point Sea Rescue was forced to relocate its most capable rescue vessel approximately 10 miles away because shoaling prevented reliable access to the Chesapeake Bay.

• Economic impacts to marinas, marine service providers, waterfront businesses, and tourism

• Chesapeake Bay ecology, including more than 650 acres of oyster operations that support both 

 What's at Stake?

Safe navigation for 3 marinas, more than 800 docks, ramps, and waterfront facilities, and thousands of residents and visitors. 

Access for watermen, oyster growers, seafood businesses, charter captains, and recreational boaters. 

Public safety. Smith Point Sea Rescue relocated its primary rescue vessel approximately 10 miles because shoaling prevented reliable access to the Chesapeake Bay. 

Virginia's maritime economy, waterfront businesses, and tourism. 

More than 650 acres of oyster aquaculture supporting both commercial production and Chesapeake Bay restoration. 

Recent vessel groundings and rescue incidents near the entrance channel demonstrate that this remains an active navigation and public safety concern.

Progress Made. More Work Ahead.

Our coalition has helped move this project from awareness to funded emergency dredging. The next phase is ensuring the federally authorized jetty system is assessed and rehabilitated so the channel remains safe and reliable for decades to come.

Every signature demonstrates continued support for public safety, Virginia's working waterfronts, maritime commerce, and reliable Chesapeake Bay access.

Numbers matter because they demonstrate public support.

Please sign today, and share with your friends.  No donation is required.

Signers automatically receive project updates through the Change.org platform. 

⚓ Let's Dredge—and Repair—the Little Wicomico River Jetty!