Wetlands Board Approves South Port Yacht Center Plans

South Port engineer Don MacLennan points to mitigation area on map. (Wave photo)

November 5, 2012

Cape Charles Wetlands and Dunes Board November 2 approved a request by South Port Investors, LLC, to relocate the wetland mitigation approved in 2008.

The approval brings South Port’s proposed Cape Charles Yacht Center one step closer to construction.

Don MacLennan, president of Engineering Resources Group, LLC, told the Board, “If we get approval tonight, we are ready right away, now, to make it happen.”

The Board approved the application, but there are a few more steps before work begins.

Next, South Port is requesting a conditional use permit at Tuesday’s Planning Commission meeting.

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Town Planner Tom Bonadeo said there is a 10-day period to protest the Wetlands Board’s decision. He noted that the Board and Town staff view the plan as a win-win situation. The new wetlands will be located on a lot leased to South Port by the Town. Previously the property was used as a dump.

In approving the mitigation modification, the Wetlands Board retained a requirement for a performance bond to ensure that the work will be completed.

Final approval is still required from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

The introduction of wetlands and tidal action to the location is hoped to control the phragmites growing there. Pragmites is an invasive wetlands grass that chokes out native plants and creates a fire hazard and mosquito breeding ground.