Become an Oyster Farmer

Bench Donation Program

Road Closure to Heathsville Coming in 2010

Become an Oyster Farmer - (revised 7 Apr  09)

Have you ever stood next to the Great Wicomico and wondered what it would be like to be able to see more than a couple inches into the water?  Are you looking for an inexpensive and physically unchallenging way to contribute to Bay cleanup?  For around $150 (lots less, if you're handy with tools), you can help clean up our portion of the river and the Chesapeake in general by becoming an oyster farmer.

Mallard Bay resident Patrick Murphy has done extensive research into participation in the Oyster Restoration Project for the Bay run by the Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF).  The project entails buying small seed oysters from CBF, placing them in a "Taylor Float" which is basically a mesh bag hanging down into the river from a 4x2' or 8x2' float.  Over the course of the next year, the oyster farmer checks the mesh bag every 2 to 3 weeks during the active growing period of April through September.  This involves shaking the bag to loosen any oysters attaching to the mesh, rinsing off excess algae, and removing any crabs or other predators.  In the dormant periods from October through March, maintenance amounts to just tugging on the rope every month or so to make sure the float is secure.

At the end of the year, the farmer would returnturns the more mature oysters to the CBF to be planted on designated reefs.  During the course of feeding, oysters will actually filter the water and reduce pollution in our section of the Great Wicomico.

These oysters would NOT be intended for human consumption.  The CBF states:

“Most of the oysters grown by our gardeners are in areas that are closed to shellfish harvesting. The pollution issue is fecal coliform bacteria that make the shellfish unsafe for human consumption. This really doesn’t impact the oysters’ growing ability.  Our program is strictly for restoration and participation requires that your oysters be returned to us after the growing year to be placed on sanctuary reefs.”

The Mallard Bay Board has given this idea its enthusiastic support.  Participants with private docks could keep the oysters there.  For those without private docks, the Mallard Bay dock could be used, after coordination with Dockmaster Dolf Wais.

Learning How

The CBF asks that that new Oyster Gardeners attend one of their New Gardener Seminars before gardening their first year.  The seminar will help you learn how to maintain your oyster garden throughout the coming year.  After the seminar you will receive 1,000 native baby oysters (per float) and you’ll be off and running.   

There are at least 2 planned New Gardener Seminars in the Northern Neck.  The dates have not been set for 2009, but are expected in the July time frame when the new seedlings are mature enough to distribute. 

An information packet is available from CBF, by contacting their Hampton Roads Office at 757-622-1964 or at hamptonroads@cbf.org. This packet includes general information about the Citizen Oyster Gardening program, the need for oyster restoration, the materials required, and a required State Registration form.

Equipment

The gardener is responsible for purchasing the “Taylor Floats” which cost around $125 ready made and are available from the following local sources.  Alternatively, you may purchase the parts and build them yourself for much less.

Links

Here are some links detailing the project:

http://www.wvec.com/news/vabeach/stories/wvec_local_011808_oyster_gardening.342f7936.html

http://www.cbf.org/site/PageServer?pagename=state_sub_va_hamptonroads_oysterrestoration

http://www.cbf.org/site/PageServer?pagename=state_sub_va_hamptonroads_oysterrestoration_start  

Here are the contents of the packet of information provided to prospective farmers:

    Application:  Page 1     Page 2    Page 3

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Virginia's Oyster Gardening Program

    Oyster Farmer Suppliers

For further information, please contact:

Mr. Patrick Murphy

637 Mallard Bay Drive

patmmd@aol.com

Mr. Tommy Leggett

Chesapeake Bay Foundation

Virginia Oyster Restoration and Fisheries Scientist

P. O. Box 412 Wicomico VA 23184

Office and Fax 804-642-6639

Mobile 804-815-7982

Ms. Charlene Ihrig

Hampton Roads Office

Chesapeake Bay Foundation

757/622-1964

757/622-7861 fax

hamptonroads@cbf.org

 

Bench Donation Program - (revised 4 Dec 08)

At the annual meeting, MBPOA membership was introduced to a proposal to install park benches in public areas throughout the community.  Architectural Review Committee Chairman Hal Baldwin has identified seven locations for the benches.  Additional bench sites will be identified should the demand dictate.  Interested property owners would select one of the available sites and purchase a bench to donate to the community.  Bench donors would be allowed to affix memorial plaques to their bench if desired.

In order to insure uniformity, it was decided at the meeting of the MBPOA Board on 4 December, 2008, that benches would be unpainted concrete of a style similar to that pictured at the right.  This design combines durability with low cost.  Among other places, benches are available at Curry & Curry in Kilmarnock.

If you're interested in this project, and would like information regarding how to proceed as as well as available sites, please contact Scott McGuire at 580-2529 or on his cellular phone at 703-298-1192.

 

Road Closure to Heathsville Coming in 2010 - (entered 2 Dec 08)

The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) has announced that a portion of Virginia route 201 (Courthouse Road), on the regularly used route from Mallard Bay to Heathsville, will be closed to through traffic for repairs for 75 days sometime in the summer of 2010.

At a public hearing at the Northumberland County Courthouse on December 2, 2008, Mr. Sean Trapani, Administrator of the VDOT Northern Neck Residency Office advised that two culverts on low-lying areas on route 201 between Williams Corner and Heathsville have collapsed and must be replaced.

Using the ordinarily traveled route, the one that will be closed, the distance from the entrance to Mallard Bay into Heathsville is 5.1 miles.  During the construction period, two detour alternatives will be offered:

    1)    From the entrance to Mallard Bay, turn right and take route 642 to Howland, then route 201 to Bryant Corner, then turn right on route 604 to Horse Head, then left on US 360, into Heathsville.  Total distance - 9.3 miles.

    2)    From the entrance to Mallard Bay, turn right and take route 642 to Howland, then route 201 through Bryant Corner to Williams Corner, then left on route 604, then right on 601 to Gillick Corner, then right on route 779 to US 360, then right into Heathsville.  Total distance - 8.4 miles.

During the hearing, the public was offered the opportunity to make verbal or written comments.

Click here for a complete copy of the brochure handed out at the hearing.  It goes into much greater detail.

 

                                    This page was last updated:  Wednesday, April 15, 2009