Host Site/Sponsor Update 4-11-14

Dear WeGrO Partner:

Thank you again for your willingness to assist me in my Eagle Scout service project. I have included some important information for you including an update on my progress, the project timeline, and the permitting process required by the state.

Project Progress:

I have been overwhelmed by the amount of support I have received for this project. Nine Waterview residents have signed on to host floats for the summer, and including a float that we’ll deploy at the home of a family friend further down the river (which they will tend), I’ll have a total of 17 floats in the water (the 17^th is one a homeowner already has on hand). The Chesapeake Bay Foundation is providing the oysters – 17,000 of them – and I’m hopeful to have some information from CBF to provide to each homeowner that will explain more about oyster aquaculture. Sponsors for the project (so far) include Bay Mechanical, the Portsmouth Service League, the Portsmouth Children First Lions Club, the Portsmouth Scottish Rite, Crawl Space Door Systems, Ms. Trish Jantzen, and Mr. and Dr. Doug Mueller, and I’m grateful for all of this support.

Timeline:

We will build the floats at 425 Riverside Drive on Saturday, April 19^th beginning at 9:00 a.m. We anticipate completing the 16 new floats that morning and will deploy the floats with the oysters the same day. The oysters will initially be in mesh “grow-out” bags because they are still fairly small, and there will be approximately 1000 oysters per float. All work should be completed around noon and we will provide lunch for the volunteers, also at 425 Riverside. You are welcome to help that day, and please let me know if you plan to also join us for lunch so we have enough food for everyone – you can just email me at waterviewgrowsoysters@gmail.com. Once the baskets are in the water we will tend to them every two weeks, either on a Saturday or Sunday. I’ll put a calendar together so that you know when I’ll be around to check on the floats. Feel free to check on them yourself too – it’s fun to watch the oysters grow! We will conclude the project somewhere around September 20^th, harvesting the oysters and dispersing them on the sanctuary reef near the West Norfolk Bridge. I’ll provide updates as we get closer to harvest day, and we’ll plan and end of project celebration for all hosts and volunteers.

Permissions and Permits:

By signing on to host a float you are providing me the necessary permission to access the float via your pier or the shoreline in front of your property for that purpose only. BSA provides insurance coverage for official Scouting activities, and my project is considered an official BSA activity so I and the project volunteers are covered under that coverage. However, please let me know of any hazards you are aware of either on or around your pier, including hazards that may be submerged. I will have adult supervision any time I access the float.

The Virginia Marine Resources Commission requires General Permit # 3 for any non-commercial oyster aquaculture. I have completed an application on your behalf (enclosed or attached to an email) and need your signature to complete the application. It is critical that I at least have these filed with VMRC by the time we deploy the oysters, so your cooperation in providing your signature is appreciated. You can scan and email the signed application to me at my Gmail address or I will be happy to come by and retrieve it one evening this week. Ideally, I will have all forms no later than Tuesday, April 15^th to allow time for me to get these to VMRC. The permits will be sent directly to your home address – I cannot handle the permits themselves, once issued, per BSA policy.

I think that’s all for now – I’m very excited to get started with the actual project, and I couldn’t do that without your help. Thank you!

Regards,

Cameron Bruce
Life Scout, Troop 207
WeGrO – Waterview Grows Oysters