Rep. Taylor Lauds Restoration of Lafayette River

Press Release

This week, the city of Norfolk celebrated the restoration of the oyster habitation in the Lafayette River. The Lafayette River is the first to meet the standards of the 2014 Chesapeake Bay Agreement by achieving an oyster density goal of 50 oysters per square meter. Virginia entered this regional agreement in order to prioritize local ecosystem restoration and meet state and federal standards of oyster reefs. Through environmental efforts by the Elizabeth River Project, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, and many other partners, the Lafayette River has increased its fish and wildlife ecosystems, in addition to the oyster restoration. These environmental organizations began restoration efforts in 2010 through extension of the oyster reefs, which occurred through inputting 70 million baby oysters onto the concrete reef extensions in the river.

Monday's celebration signifies the beginning of environmental efforts to better the Chesapeake Bay's tributary rivers. The Eastern Branch of the Elizabeth, Lynnhaven, Piankatank, lower York, and Great Wicomico are other major Virginia Rivers in the Chesapeake Alliance, which has a goal of restoring 10 billion oysters by the year 2025 to restore the land and bodies of water surrounding the Chesapeake Bay through work with local organizations, businesses, and government.

"The restoration of the Lafayette River marks an important achievement for our district. Local organizations and volunteers have worked tremendously hard over the past decade, in accordance with environmental standards, to clean our waterways, restore ecosystems, and build new habitats. The restoration of the Lafayette River is further testament to that work and reflects the priorities of our coastal district. As Representative for Virginia's Second Congressional District, I will continue to be an advocate for safeguarding and restoring the waterways within our district and the Commonwealth at large," said Congressman Scott Taylor.

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