Introduction

In response to a request for assistance from the Norfolk District office of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (COE), staff of the Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS) and Virginia Marine Resources Commission (VMRC) have prepared the following atlas of potential Oyster Reef Restoration Sites for the Virginia portion of the Chesapeake Bay. The COE wishes to devote efforts to restoration of oyster stocks in the Chesapeake Bay for environmental and water quality improvement. In tandem, the Chesapeake Bay Program is coordinating the production of The Baywide Comprehensive Oyster Plan for Maryland and Virginia. VIMS and VMRC are preparing the Virginia component of this plan cooperatively. This map atlas illustrates the potential location of future oyster reef restoration projects in Virginia waters under that plan.

The atlas compiles a series of maps enhanced by overlays that summarize diverse historical and current data relevant to oyster distribution and current and projected habitat options. Building from original maps generated by Lt. Baylor of the U.S. Navy in 1894, this atlas incorporates detail describing the most recent substrate maps, limits of public and leased oyster grounds, bathymetry relevant to possible operation of vessels and barges in restoration work, and current and potential restoration sites. Planned additions to maps include seasonal salinity contours (isohalines) as barometers of the potential effect of storm induced freshwater flows from upstream and disease incursion from downstream higher salinity water.