Paradise Creek 5-year Plan - The Elizabeth River Project, Virginia
Paradise Creek is a small urban tributary of the Elizabeth River, one of the most polluted rivers in the Chesapeake Bay region. Few rivers are more intensely industrialized, and few are more important to American security and economic vitality than the Elizabeth. But, millions of dollars in voluntary environmental improvements are now underway in this great harbor. The Elizabeth River Project is pursuing this effort "one creek at a time" - including Paradise Creek.
Goals
The Elizabeth River Project, a non-profit organization, sought to develop a five-year watershed management plan for Paradise Creek, with specific goals for restoring fish, wildlife and plants, improving water quality, and sustaining a strong local economy. In addition, the Elizabeth River Project wanted to restore a former industrial site by planting an acre of forested buffer and a quarter acre of new tidal marsh.
Process
In 2002, the Elizabeth River Project received a Chesapeake Bay Small Watershed "Community Legacy Grant" from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation to take on the initiative. Developing the watershed management plan began with the establishment of a 35-member steering committee from all areas of expertise - city staff, environmental agencies, community residents, creek-side industrial interests, and a 70-member stakeholder group. It took almost a year to develop the plan. Five different workgroups focused on sediment quality, water quality, living resources, quality of life, and a special work team to make recommendations to the US Navy concerning landfills along the creek. Public sessions were held to get community input and comments; edits to the plan were made to incorporate community concerns. The plan detailed actions for restoring the creek's fish, wildlife, and plants by 2007. Particular emphasis was placed on creating a healthy creek and sustaining a strong economy.
Outcome
A strong-community based commitment was established for the creek through the partners that came together to develop the plan. By December 2003 a one-acre tidal wetland and three acres of riparian buffer had already been restored, and a six acre permanent conservation zone established on a former industrial site along the shoreline.
The Elizabeth River Project received additional grant funds in 2006 for implementing more of the plan, including completing final design of the Paradise Creek Nature Park, and permanently conserving 40 acres of valuable wildlife habitat. The Elizabeth River Project will launch a Capital Campaign to raise the funds for completing purchase of the land and adding the park amenities, with groundbreaking as early as 2008.
More Information
The Elizabeth River Project Barbara Bodenstein, Project Manager, 757-399-RIVR(7487)