Overview of Erosion Control Information
1. The Governing Documents require that an architectural application be submitted and approved.
2. The City of Virginia Beach considers the lakes (BMP's) in IRP as Non-Tidal Wetlands.
There is no need for a Federal permit. The Architectural Committee Chairman has a letter from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, dated September 27, 2004, stating that "no vegetated wetlands were observed within the identified stormwater BMP's" and "No permit is required from this office". Our Project Number is 04-R2753.
3. However, the City and State require homeowners’ to submit a Joint Permit Application (JPA) to the Virginia Marine Resources Commission (VMRC) prior to any installation of riprap. To obtain this application, log on to the Virginia Beach City, Planning Department web site at www.vbgov.com/planning. See attached directions on "How to Apply for the JPA". A permit application fee may be required.
4. Part of the application requires that drawings of the project be submitted. A Certified professional Engineer MUST do these drawings. (Look under Bulkheads in your local Yellow pages).
5. Questions should be directed to the City of Virginia Beach, Planning Department. The telephone number is (757) 427-8246.
How To Apply for The
Joint Permit Application
1. Log on to the City of Virginia Beach, Planning Department web site at www.vbgov.com/planning.
2. On the left side of the screen, scroll down and locate "Development Services".
3. Locate and open "Waterfront Construction".
4. Under "Important Info", open "DSC Notice # 94" and read all of Topic # 2. It provides information about the Joint Permit Application (JPA).
5. After reading Topic # 2, close the window.
6. Under "Waterfront Construction", open "Joint Permit Application" .
7. Open "Version 2-PDF with fillable forms".
8. This site provides detailed guidance about how to complete the required application.
9. Questions should be directed to the City of Virginia Beach, Planning Department. The telephone number is (757) 427-8246.
Architectural Committee Guidelines
IRP Erosion Control for Lakes
The homeowner shall maintain the slope control area of their lot. No improvements, planting or other material shall be placed so as to interfere with the established slope ratios, create erosion or sliding action.
(Reference: IRP Governing Documents, Article VII, Section 6.02.n)
No improvement, alteration, excavation, or other work, which in any way alters the appearance of the property, shall be made without the prior written approval of the Architectural Committee.
(Reference: IRP Governing Documents, Article VII, Section 6.02.t)
All installation and/or construction shall be in accordance with;
Ø Your application
Ø Architectural Committee Guidelines
Ø Indian River Plantation governing documents
Ø Any applicable building and zoning ordinances for the City of Virginia Beach, and the State of Virginia.
The homeowner/applicant shall be responsible for obtaining all of the necessary permits, licenses and inspections required by the City of Virginia Beach, the State of Virginia or the Federal Government, if applicable. Homeowner/applicants are required to contact Miss Utility for the marking of property, prior to commencing any work that requires digging.
Description/Purpose.
To help prevent the erosion of lake banks, the Architectural Committee recommends the use of riprap. An architectural application is required for the installation of riprap. The size of the rocks should be sufficient to prevent them from migrating into the lakes. The color and type of rock used should be carefully considered so as to be esthetically pleasing and to have minimal visual impact on neighboring properties.
The preferred method of controlling shoreline erosion is through the use of grasses and slope grading. If these methods are not effective against significant erosion, due to wave action, it may be necessary to install some other means of shoreline protection. Riprap is a permanent erosion control method. Riprap uses rock, coarse stone or boulders on the edge of a bank to provide shoreline erosion control. Riprap can be an integral part of a shoreline landscape and has several advantages. Some insects and native plant species can colonize it. It can blend into the shoreline and be partially hidden by reestablished vegetation. It does not act as a barrier for organisms that move in and out of the water. It can prevent the burrowing of animals, such as muskrats or nutria, which can promote bank instability. It also has some disadvantages. It sometimes can be unattractive, attract rodents and snakes, and be difficult to walk on.
It is necessary to install a filter material under the riprap to relieve hydrostatic pressures inside the bank to help distribute the weight of the riprap, to prevent settling, and to prevent fine material in the embankment from being pulled through the riprap by water action. The filter material under the rock can be fabric, gravel, crushed stone or smaller rock. The size of the filter material will also depend on the site. It should be smaller than the riprap. If gravel or other material isn't available, a filter cloth can be used. Many types of cloth are available from Monsanto, DuPont, Celanese and other companies. Check the manufacturer's specifications to choose a cloth that is designed for your application. Both rock and filter material should be available from local landscape firms.
Design Considerations.
Ø The effectiveness of riprap is limited by the steepness of the slope and may be unstable on very steep slopes, especially when rounded rock is used.
Ø Riprap must be durable. Granite has suitable durability. A well-graded mixture of rock sizes should be used instead of one uniform size.
Ø The thickness of the layers should be approximately twice the maximum stone diameter and the size of the riprap installed depends on the site.
Ø Installing a riprap gradation small enough to act as a filter or a protective filter between the riprap and the base material can control leaching.
Ø Riprap should extend to a point where vegetation will satisfactorily control erosion.
Ø When properly designed and installed, riprap can prevent virtually all erosion for the protected area.
Maintenance Considerations.
Riprap should be inspected annually and after each major storm. If riprap has been damaged, repairs should be made promptly to prevent a progressive failure. If repeated repairs are required at one location, the site should be evaluated to determine if the original site design considerations have changed.