Northumberland County Wetlands Board approves multiple shoreline permits, tables two until Feb. 10

The Northumberland County Wetlands Board unanimously approved several shoreline stabilization projects and re-elected its officers at a regular meeting on Jan. 13, 2026, in Heathsville.

The actions included three-year approvals for riprap revetments and groin repairs at properties along Indian Creek, Jarvis Creek and the Potomac River. The board also tabled two applications seeking revetment or bulkhead work until its Feb. 10 meeting for additional consideration.

The meeting opened with Spencer Headley, identified as chairman, calling the meeting to order and the board approving the Nov. 10, 2025 minutes. The board re-elected Headley as chairman and Albert Fisher as vice-chairman, and approved its 2026 meeting dates and the 5:00 p.m. start time.

On applications, agents described site conditions and reasons for the chosen stabilization method. For Application No. 25-2393, Frank DeThomas proposed installing 155 linear feet of riprap revetment along Indian Creek at 90 Tide Point Lane. "A living shoreline was considered but due to the undercutting of the bank and depth offshore they decided to do riprap," Kelsey Haynie, agent for the owner, said. An adjoining owner, Ed Johnson (89 Tide Point Lane), said he supported the project.

Carol Hurst’s Application No. 25-2518 sought a 102-foot riprap sill plus 70 feet of riprap revetment at 257 Landon Hall Lane on Jarvis Creek. Haynie told the board that the pool and house are close to the shoreline and grading was not possible, and that about 70 feet of the property is severely eroded; the board approved the application for a three-year permit.

Two applications were tabled at the request of an agent. Application No. 25-2653 (David E. Ellis), to install 81 feet of riprap at 426 Balls Hill Road on Balls Creek, and Application No. 25-2662 (Marie Johnson), to remove and replace an 83-foot timber bulkhead at 77 Connies Lane on Taskmakers Creek, were both tabled until the board’s Feb. 10 meeting after agent Roger McKinley asked for more time.

Application No. 25-2629, submitted by owner Sumiko Kohno (trustee) with applicant Hang Pham, proposed repairing an existing groin and repairing and restacking 102 feet of riprap at 375 Pine Shore Lane on the Potomac River. Board members described the area as volatile; the board approved this application as submitted for three years.

Votes at a glance - App. 25-2393 (Frank DeThomas, 90 Tide Point Lane, Indian Creek): approved as submitted for three years (motion by Albert Fisher, seconded by Robert Vanlandingham). - App. 25-2518 (Carol Hurst, 257 Landon Hall Lane, Jarvis Creek): approved as submitted for three years (motion by Robert Vanlandingham, seconded by Albert Fisher). - App. 25-2653 (David E. Ellis, 426 Balls Hill Road, Balls Creek): tabled to Feb. 10, 2026 at the agent’s request (motion by Robert Vanlandingham, seconded by Albert Fisher). - App. 25-2662 (Marie Johnson, 77 Connies Lane, Taskmakers Creek): tabled to Feb. 10, 2026 at the agent’s request (motion by Robert Vanlandingham, seconded by Albert Fisher). - App. 25-2629 (Sumiko Kohno Trustee / Hang Pham, 375 Pine Shore Lane, Potomac River): approved as submitted for three years (motion by Robert Vanlandingham, seconded by Albert Fisher).

There were no objections reported in the minutes to the approvals, and the meeting adjourned after the board completed business.