Plans to relocate beach access on Assateague move forward

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The public beach access on the Virginia portion of Assateague Island is being relocated 2.5 miles north of its current location. Construction is expected to begin in March 2025 and is expected to be completed around April 2026.

BY JANET BERNOSKY, Eastern Shore Post —

Plans to relocate the public beach of Virginia’s portion of Assateague Island to a new location 2.5 miles north, a move that will change the face of one of the Eastern Shore’s most popular outdoor spaces, are now fully funded and 95% complete. 

A new parking lot would accommodate 961 vehicles, the same number as the existing lot, including handicapped parking with beach access, Accomack County Administrator Mike Mason and Accomack Supervisor Billy Joe Tarr said at a Wednesday, Oct. 16, meeting of the Accomack County Board of Supervisors.

Mason and Tarr attended a Sept. 25 presentation by the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, where the move was explained. 

“They don’t have the money to keep maintaining the old parking lot,” said Tarr, adding that having a parking lot somewhere was better than having none at some point.

Tarr also said he believed residents had fewer concerns about the project at this point.

However, discussion about the topic on social media appears to strongly oppose the move north, with tourists talking about making vacation plans elsewhere if this happens. 

They, along with local residents, also voiced concerns about the future vulnerability of Chincoteague to storms if the lower end of Assateague — where the beach is now — is not maintained.

Concerns were also raised online about why the plan to move the beach — viewed as bad for existing wildlife habitats and to the grazing grounds of the Chincoteague ponies — was chosen over jetties, successfully used in places like Ocean City to address a shifting beach. 

Construction is set to begin in March 2025 and conclude in April 2026.  It will also involve construction of a new access road that will parallel a portion of the existing wildlife loop. 

Queen Sound use

Mason said that Rocket Lab representatives are exploring the possible option of using the Queen Sound Boating Facility on the Chincoteague causeway as a backup method for transporting rocket components via barge to Wallops Island. 

Mason said it appears to be at the fact-finding stage, with Rocket Lab being fully aware of concerns this might have for the Town of Chincoteague.  

Rocket Lab officials plan to have a presentation about the project ready for the next Chincoteague Town Council meeting in November.

Mason said the transports are likely to occur at night, with Rocket Lab possibly placing aerial medical support on Chincoteague when offloading occurs.

The ultimate goal is to have permanent infrastructure in place on Wallops to avoid having to use Queen Sound at some point.  

The landing is actually owned by the Department of Wildlife Resources, which would need to give consent for this use.

Other news

n The board of supervisors voted unanimously to amend the county code to establish a community revitalization fund to award grant money to nonprofits to demolish derelict residential structures in their communities.

Applications will be available on the county’s website and nonprofits are invited to begin applying on Nov. 1.

n The new 911 radio communication system start date has been moved from February 2025 to sometime next spring due to coverage testing delays.

n Mason said the county has hired a firm to conduct a real estate valuation to determine the fair market value of unused land at the Wallops Research Park north of Mill Dam Road for the purpose of future lease or sale options.

n Mike Mason introduced Tina Mears, his new executive assistant, to the board.

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