ISLE OF WIGHT COUNTY, Va. — The Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) is receiving an $8 million grant to restore a rapidly eroding marsh in Isle of Wight County, which covers over 1,500 acres.
The funding, provided by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act, will support the DWR Ragged Island Oyster Restoration and Shoreline Protection Project.
In collaboration with the conservation nonprofit Ducks Unlimited and Christopher Newport University, the project will involve constructing 56 low breakwaters with oyster reef habitats and shoreline plantings. This will create over 2.5 acres of new marsh between the breakwaters and the existing marsh edge.
The Ragged Island Wildlife Management Area (WMA) includes 1,537 acres of brackish marsh and small pine islands along the James River. It is home to various wildlife and plant species such as marsh mallow, smartweed, saltmarsh cordgrass, black needlerush, greenbrier, loblolly pine, and wax myrtle trees.
Research shows that more than 280 feet of marshy shoreline have been lost since 1937 due to erosion.
“Ragged Island WMA offers a great opportunity to restore habitat and improve recreation access in a diverse community,” said DWR Executive Director Ryan Brown. “We are proud of our partnership with Ducks Unlimited and excited about our new collaboration with Christopher Newport University, which will enhance habitats and community awareness.”
The project is set to begin in late fall and is expected to be completed by the end of 2025.