THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, July 7, 1996 TAG: 9607040256
SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS PAGE: 06 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Editorial
LENGTH: 35 lines
Years of agitation about the future of Craney Island seem to be a thing of the past with all parties expressing satisfaction over the most recent turn of events. And the plans as put forth by the state appear to be logical solutions for everyone involved.
The Virginia Port Authority will get a fourth terminal in a very strategic location near the Hampton Roads channel. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will get many extra years of life for the landfill that is used for the spoils of harbor dredging.
Portsmouth will get a beautiful piece of waterfront land for recreation and open space. Craney Island, no longer an island because of the landfill, has been part of local history for more than three centuries. It is a place that should be used to help residents appreciate and enjoy this historic city.
And the citizens who have worried about past plans to extend the landfill west, cutting off residential areas from the James River, have it written into law that the westward expansion will not happen.
The solutions started to happen when Portsmouth Delegate Billy Moore took it on himself to get the ban on westward expansion. Then the legislature began to look at port expansion plans and passed a bill calling for State Transportation Secretary Robert Martinez to form a study committee which includes representatives not only from the Virginia Port Authority but also from the City of Portsmouth who will work with the state and a Corps of Engineers representative. That committee represents all the people who have a direct interest in the outcome, so there shouldn't be any surprises along the way.
It all makes sense. Everybody is happy. Why did it take so long? by CNB