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Wetlands board renews 2020 permit for Island Motor Inn, requires mitigation credits and discounts
Summary
The Accomack County Wetlands Board approved renewal of the Island Motor Inn bulkhead permit (VMRC MRC 2020-0635), requiring purchase of mitigation credits for 764 sq ft of non‑vegetated wetlands with a 10% commercial discount and 20% reduction for a man‑made basin; VMRC/Army Corps permits remain active under the 2020 number.
The Accomack County Wetlands Board on a unanimous vote approved renewal of a 2020 permit for the Island Motor Inn bulkhead replacement, while imposing mitigation and documentation conditions.
Paul Wasson, deputy director of the county’s code‑violation division, told the board the Joint Permit Application (JPA) was originally filed and heard in 2020 and that the Army Corps of Engineers and the Virginia Marine Resources Commission (VMRC) both maintain active permits under the same case number. "We have a current and valid permit under this number," VMRC representative Claire Gorman said, explaining that issuing a new JPA number would not change the substantive review.
The project proposes a roughly 631‑foot bulkhead around the hotel and closure and filling of a northerly boat basin. Staff and the applicant agreed the basin has silted in and that enclosing it would reduce stress on adjacent bulkheads. Owner/representative Chuck Ward summarized logistics and financing delays since 2020 and asked the board to allow the same plan to proceed now.
Board members and staff settled on mitigation requirements for 764 square feet of non‑vegetated wetlands as the net credit obligation after agreed discounts and adjustments. Paul Wasson said mitigation credits from available providers (Atlantic credits were available; Chesapeake Bay credits were not) would be required and cited a current price that staff used for context: "It's $22.96 — it's my math, per credit," he said. The board applied a 10% commercial discount and a 20% reduction for the man‑made basin, and required that any oysters in the basin be transplanted as part of restoration.
Reginald Stoves, an owner on the project, addressed the board when sworn in: "I just like to see my permit renewed so I can fix my bulkhead," he said, urging timely action so the hotel infrastructure can be repaired.
The board moved to approve the VMRC MRC 2020‑0635 application as presented with the conditions above and with mitigation credits to be obtained from an acceptable provider (staff suggested the Virginia Aquatic Trust Fund as an available source). The permit was approved for a two‑year period from the date of the board's action. Board staff said they would communicate the net credit figure and next steps to the owners.
The board recorded no additional encroachment authority in its determination and noted that VMRC or the Army Corps may issue or modify federal/state permits independent of the board’s action. The board thanked the applicants and closed the item.
