# Virginia shoreline project creates marsh, oyster reef in Chesapeake Bay

2026-08-13T07:48:52+00:00 | World & Diplomacy | Indian Opinion Desk

Corroboration: 1 independent outlet

The Times of India reports that Virginia has completed a major shoreline restoration on Ragged Island, where the James River meets the Chesapeake Bay. With $8 million (about Rs 67 crore) from NOAA Fisheries, project partners installed 62 low rock breakwaters along 1.09 miles of shoreline to protect marsh from erosion. The work has created approximately 2.6 acres of new marshland and 2.2 acres of oyster reef. The breakwaters are expected to prevent more than 500,000 pounds of sediment, 70 pounds of nitrogen and 400 pounds of phosphorus from entering the bay each year. A visit in May 2026 showed baby oysters growing on the reef shelves and cordgrass taking root. The restored habitat is expected to benefit fish, crabs, waterfowl and even endangered Atlantic sturgeon.

## Coverage

- timesofindia.indiatimes.com <https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/in-2025-virginia-spent-8-million-rebuilding-1-09-miles-of-ragged-island-shoreline-the-project-created-2-6-acres-of-new-marsh-and-2-2-acres-of-oyster-reef-while-cutting-hundreds-of-tons-of-sediment-entering-chesapeake-bay/articleshow/133194062.cms>

Tags: Chesapeake Bay, marsh habitat, NOAA, oyster reef, shoreline restoration, Virginia
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