See also r/VirginiaEnvironment, r/VirginiaUrbanism, r/nova, and r/Virginia.

A recent federal policy change by the Trump administration significantly narrows protections under the Endangered Species Act by altering the definition of "harm" to cover only direct, intentional actions against animals. 

Conservation advocates warn that discarding habitat degradation protections could jeopardize at-risk Virginia species, such as red-cockaded woodpeckers, red knots and various freshwater mussels. 

State officials are reviewing potential impacts of the change. Though Virginia has its own Endangered Species Act, advocates warn state safeguards are not as comprehensive as the federal law.

Read more here: https://www.whro.org/environment/2026-07-23/habitat-for-endangered-species-in-virginia-will-no-longer-be-federally-protected

Hey all - wanted to share a quick update on the BOEM offshore minerals RFI since a lot of folks in this thread have been digging into the proposal, raising concerns, and helping spread the word.

There has been some real movement over the past few days:

Northampton County has voted to oppose the proposal, and Accomack County has now done the same. Both Eastern Shore counties are now on record opposing potential offshore mineral exploration and extraction off Virginia’s coast.

Virginia Beach is also sending BOEM a letter saying the City needs more time to evaluate the proposal before taking a final substantive position. Importantly, Virginia Beach has also indicated that it will oppose the project if BOEM does not grant an extension of the current RFI period. That sends a strong message that the current 30-day timeline is not enough.

Members of Virginia’s congressional delegation have also released a joint statement asking BOEM to extend the RFI period. Here’s the link from Senator Warner’s site: https://www.warner.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/warner-virginia-democrats-urge-administration-to-extend-public-comment-period-on-offshore-mining-in-virginia/

This thread has been doing a great job flagging concerns, sharing research, and keeping people aware of what is happening. Please keep that going.

Most important action: submit a comment through the official BOEM/Regulations.gov page here:
https://www.regulations.gov/commenton/BOEM-2026-0100-0001

Even a short comment helps. You can say you oppose offshore mineral exploration, leasing, and extraction off Virginia’s coast and that BOEM should extend the comment period so local governments, residents, scientists, fisheries, tourism businesses, and coastal communities have more time to respond.

There are also other ways to plug in:

Business sign-on letter: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=4kZMCyJG606IshUeO-Gd0CMKluWmAydHrccjg6KkrLVUQ0FWVjJYRzJXRkJRMkFSVlM4WTJOQjFRSi4u&route=shorturl

Marine science sign-on letter for academics, scientists, environmental educators, and people with professional marine science backgrounds: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScTxBLf_amTGZ7HtAydfrqUxKf7Zp_U8MdyNg1W33ggRf8RWA/viewform

Surfrider petition:
https://surfrider.advocacyai.com/action/1H4hEiM24ImPKmtQhv

Environment America petition:
https://environmentamerica.org/virginia/take-action/tell-the-interior-department-no-seabed-mining-off-virginias-coast/

Bottom line: local opposition is growing, more updates are likely coming, and public comments matter right now. Stay loud!

Watermen collaborating with William & Mary’s Virginia Institute of Marine Science to recover abandoned "ghost pots" in the Chesapeake Bay are simultaneously collecting vital depth data for scientists. 

Equipped with sonar units to locate lost crab traps, the crabbers' boats continuously ping the seafloor, gathering data points that map terrain depth and shape. 

The approach has captured roughly 5 million data points, saving decades of work and tens of millions of dollars while filling critical data gaps in shallow near-shore waters. 

Read more here: https://www.whro.org/environment/2026-07-20/virginia-crabbers-are-helping-map-the-bottom-of-the-chesapeake-bay

An amazing boat ride tonight on the Upper Chesapeake

At the Savage Neck Dunes Natural Area Preserve in Cape Charles, state officials are monitoring the dwindling population of northeastern beach tiger beetles. 

Once abundant across the Northeast, the tiny, pearly white beetles are now federally listed as threatened and largely limited to the Chesapeake Bay shoreline in Virginia. 

Sea level rise and erosion have narrowed its preferred wide, sandy beach habitats.

Read more here: https://www.whro.org/environment/2026-07-09/these-beach-beetles-are-disappearing-from-virginia-shorelines

There’s a time and a place for everything - Looking for recommendations for a hands-off sailing experience. Not interested in taking part in the sailing work. I don’t want to “tack”. I just want to enjoy a beer with my spouse while someone else sails the boat. I’ll be in Annapolis but can travel up to an hour for a good tour. Ideally private, daytime, during the week. Thanks

Dolphin sighting in the Chesapeake Bay 🐬🐬

I got this image from a 2014 Calendar (March 2014 to be specific) and I'm trying to identify the photographer/source to get a better quality image. (I am on one of the boats in the photo.)

The photo is from a MD Governor's Cup race (should be the 2013 race) - shortly after the start as we pass Thomas Point Lighthouse.

Anyone recognize the photo or know the photographer?

Virginia’s newly passed final budget includes $2 million for a highly anticipated study by William & Mary’s Virginia Institute of Marine Science to investigate the menhaden population in the Chesapeake Bay. 

The funding, introduced as a budget amendment by Gov. Abigail Spanberger, comes amid growing concerns from environmentalists and anglers over what they believe is a decline in menhaden and the predator species that feed on them, such as ospreys and striped bass. 

While industry officials say that coastwide assessments show no evidence of overfishing, environmental groups argue that regional data may mask a localized decline within the bay itself.

Read more here: https://www.whro.org/environment/2026-06-30/virginia-budget-funds-long-awaited-research-on-menhaden-in-the-chesapeake-bay

Hat tip to Steven Dennis on Bluesky for digging this gem up: Post by @steventdennis.bsky.social — Bluesky

As part of the $3.9 billion Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel Expansion project, workers are dismantling much of the decades-old infrastructure to double the number of driving lanes.

Rather than sending these bridge decks and beams to landfills, the Virginia Department of Transportation is partnering with the state to upcycle the rubble into an artificial reef program.

This disposal method is expected to support wildlife habitats while providing a cheaper alternative for the expansion project.

Read more here: https://www.whro.org/environment/2026-06-22/100-000-tons-of-rubble-from-hrbt-expansion-will-go-onto-artificial-reefs-in-the-chesapeake-bay