With the research and planning complete, the Army Corps of Engineers has started building the Oyster Reef Sanctuaries in the Lynnhaven River. The process will take a few weeks but things are really moving along now.
When this part of the project is complete they will have about 30 acres of protected reef in place. The Corps is bringing in shells from a fossilized reef that was buried up in the James River. Barges loaded with shells are brought to several reef sites and the shells are blown into place with water cannons. The video of this is available on our website by viewing the story. The reefs are constructed to a thickness of about one foot.
In the late Spring or Summer of 2008, millions of baby oysters will be seeded along the reef. As they mature, they will help improve water quality in the Lynnhaven and benefit the overall ecosystem.
You can bet we'll be watching and we'll take you back out on the river when they seed the baby oysters.
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