County agrees in principle to seek Army Corps study for Queens Lake restoration; board accepts MOU with neighborhood association

York County staff told supervisors on June 3 that work to stabilize Queens Lake’s dam and ravines and to study long-term options for reducing siltation in Queens Lake and Princess Pond is moving toward design and permitting, and that the county is seeking a federal feasibility study to scope restoration options.

Public Works staff summarized two project tracks: (1) dam and spillway stabilization, where 100%-complete plans and permits are in hand and county engineers expect to advertise for bids in August; and (2) ravine restoration to slow runoff and reduce sediment loading into Princess Pond. The county’s memorandum of understanding with the Queens Lake Community Association (adopted by earlier board resolution R22-137) assigns the county project management and permitting role; the association agreed to a one-time capital contribution of $110,000 and an annual $20,000 contribution for long-term maintenance and permitting assistance.

Cost and funding: staff said a separate study estimated a full restoration (including dredging to original lake depths) at roughly $17 million in a prior estimate and that county share after potential grant matches could be $4–6 million. Staff noted significant cost drivers: long permitting timelines and the disposition of dredged spoils. Queens Lake officials have already purchased some wetland credits for the dam/spillway work.

Federal study request: supervisors were asked to authorize a nonbinding county letter of intent so the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers can undertake an engineering study (the Corps-funded study itself is federal-funded and the initial study cost would be covered by federal monies; a study acceptance would put the project on the Corps’ consideration list). Staff said the Corps study would clarify technical options, where spoils would go, and provide scope that would support congressional or federal funding requests. Supervisors signaled consensus to proceed with a letter of intent rather than a formal county funding commitment.

Why it matters: Queens Lake is fed by a large drainage area (Interstate 64 right-of-way, National Park Service lands, several neighborhoods). Unchecked erosion and an undersized or damaged spillway could affect downstream public roads (Route 716) and increase maintenance burdens on public infrastructure. Stabilizing the dam/spillway and controlling ravine erosion would reduce risk to road access and reduce future sedimentation that can degrade lake function and habitat.

Procedural next steps

- Staff will provide the county administrator with a draft nonbinding letter of intent to enter the Corps feasibility/study process; the initial engineering study would be funded by federal sources if the Corps accepts the request. - The county expects to bid dam/spillway and ravine work in August if bids and permits remain on schedule. Supervisors were not asked to commit the full capital share; they were asked to support taking the study step that can unlock federal grant/assistance opportunities.

Quotes and context

Public Works staff described the county’s role: "The county would take the lead in project management, permitting, as well as coordination with VDOT and DCR," and noted existing SLAF grant money available for matching funds.

Ending

The board gave staff consensus support to seek a Corps engineering study by providing a nonbinding letter of intent; staff will circulate a draft letter for execution and continue permitting and bid preparations for the dam and ravine work.