By KC Filippino, PhD, Senior Water Resources Planner
The Hampton Roads Planning District Commission (HRPDC) is working alongside the City of Chesapeake and private industry to bring environmental renewal to the Elizabeth River. Through a unique collaboration, HRPDC is supporting the restoration of a once-contaminated industrial riverfront—aligning with Virginia’s Chesapeake Bay cleanup goals. HRPDC partnered with Buckeye Terminals, LLC and the Elizabeth River Project to implement pollution-reducing projects on industrial property. These efforts directly support Virginia’s Phase III Watershed Implementation Plan by targeting stormwater runoff from unregulated sites—an often-overlooked source of Bay pollution.
Over the past year, a living shoreline was constructed, creating 16,000 square feet of marsh to reduce erosion, pollution, and support marine life. On Buckeye’s property, old industrial surfaces are being transformed into green infrastructure to filter runoff and improve aesthetics with native plantings. And a nearby 5-acre site is being reforested to support habitat and water quality. Just recently, Buckeye held a volunteer planting event, bringing in employees from all over the country to plant native grasses along the shoreline (in the pouring rain!). This offered an opportunity for team building and to showcase the value of environmental improvements along urban waterways.
This project—supported by funding from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, Wetlands Watch Coastal Resilience and Trees Fund, and DEQ’s Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act —demonstrates what’s possible when local governments, non-profits, and HRPDC collaborate with private partners. HRPDC staff provided technical guidance, connected stakeholders, and ensured projects align with local and state water quality goals. This effort shows how regional planning can bring together localities, state agencies, nonprofits, and private landowners to tackle long-term environmental challenges at these Brownfields sites. It’s a replicable model for other localities seeking to improve water quality and achieve Chesapeake Bay targets.
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The shoreline was barren (left), a rock sill and sand were added for protection (middle), and plants were installed to reduce runoff and provide stabilization and habitat (right).
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Buckeye staff gathering for instructions for planting the living shoreline with the Elizabeth River Project staff.