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Accomack wetlands board approves Camp Okahannock bulkhead repair and waives small mitigation purchase
Summary
The Accomack County Wetlands Board approved a JPA for repairs to a deteriorated wooden bulkhead at Camp Okahannock and waived the requirement that the applicant purchase mitigation for about 6 square feet of non‑vegetated wetlands from the Virginia Aquatic Trust Fund.
The Accomack County Wetlands Board on Monday approved a joint permit application to repair a failing wooden bulkhead at Camp Okahannock and voted to waive the requirement that the camp purchase mitigation for an estimated 6 square feet of non‑vegetated wetlands.
Staff presented plan and side views showing subsidence behind the bulkhead and described ‘‘sunlight coming through’’ holes that connect wetlands behind the wall to state waters. Staff said their inspection estimated approximately 6 square feet of non‑vegetated wetland affected and recommended the JPA proceed with conditions and a mitigation assessment. The Army Corps had earlier issued a letter saying no permit was required from them, which staff said caused confusion but did not remove the wetlands board’s hearing requirement because the board’s jurisdiction covers wetlands contiguous with state waters.
Joel Coleman, director of Camp Okahannock, told the board the organization had sought emergency repairs but was repeatedly delayed by permitting questions and agency divergence. "Out of concern for our families and the environment, we applied for emergency repair to get things started, and that effort was also stopped," Coleman said, asking the board to consider the camp’s charitable status when weighing mitigation requirements.
Board members discussed whether the camp could be treated as a charitable institution and whether waiving the mitigation purchase would set an undesirable precedent — particularly given similar shoreline issues in Captain’s Cove. One board member moved to approve the JPA as presented and to waive the requirement that the applicant purchase mitigation from the Virginia Aquatic Trust Fund for the 6 square feet of non‑vegetated wetlands; the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote.
Staff said they would expedite processing once required paperwork reflecting the waiver is complete. The permit approval included the plan that places sheathing behind the existing bulkhead to minimize disturbance and a staff note that an overhead plan view be supplied for enforcement and monitoring.
The board did not record a roll‑call vote in the transcript; the motion passed by voice vote. Staff signaled it would continue coordination with VMRC and other agencies to finalize the JPA and permit conditions.
