July 14, 2022 — The Virginia Marine Resources Commission mandated that Chesapeake Bay Foundation projects at Pleasure House Creek Oyster Reef, Brown Cove Reef and Keeling Drain Reef be halted due to public safety and environmental issues, according to a letter from the agency dated today.
Inspections of work sites this year, including by dive teams, found material not meant for use on the human-made reefs — such as asphalt and metal wire — was being used, according to the letter.
Commission staff confirmed an “undetermined” amount of concrete rubble had been put on top of a 25-year old oyster broodstock sanctuary reef at Keeling Drain Reef, according to the letter.
At Brown Cove Reef, May inspections found concrete outside the permitted area and asphalt and metal wire at the site, which was also found at the Pleasure House Creek Oyster Reef site. The human-made reef at Pleasure House is also taller than permitted, according to the letter.