Learn more about an often overlooked waterfront property benefit in Virginia, the ability of the waterfront property owner to erect a stationary blind on shore and in the public waters for the purpose of hunting ducks or other waterfowl.
Chesapeake Bay Case Examples
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Riparian Rights: Waterfront Property Virginia
Jim Lang and his team at Pender & Coward, P.C. work hard to protect the rights of Virginians who live, work, and play on the 3,285 square miles of water in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Jim and his team have decades of experience taking care of people like you throughout Virginia in all matters related to waterfront (riparian) property rights, maritime & admiralty law, and environmental law.
Are you looking for experienced Waterfront Lawyers to represent you?
Schedule Your Consultation - Our team is ready to help.
Chesapeake Bay Waterfront Property Legal Services in Virginia
Covering an area of over 200 square miles, the Chesapeake Bay is the largest estuary in the United States and one of the largest in the world. Most of the rivers and tributaries in the Commonwealth flow into the Chesapeake Bay. Although it is still a rich source of fish, clams, and oysters, these fisheries have experienced great harm from the pollution created by the 17 million people who live along the Bay. Thankfully, the health of the Chesapeake Bay improved in 2015, marking three years of gains over the past four years. Overall, the water quality in the Bay has improved of late, and the shellfish harvest is once again on the rise. Our teams’ extensive knowledge of waterfront (riparian) property rights law, maritime and admiralty law, and environmental law has helped clients all across Virginia.
Examples Defending Chesapeake Bay Property Owners
Helped Waterfront Property Owner Navigate Chesapeake Bay Preservation Act, Endangered Species Act
Helped a recent waterfront property owner who purchased a 17-acre waterfront property on the Chesapeake Bay whose efforts to develop the property were stymied by environmental issues (Chesapeake Bay Preservation Act, Endangered Species Act) and a property dispute with a neighbor. We helped our client overcome these legal issues, clearing the way for him to construct several beautiful high-end waterfront homes in a manner that is fully protective of the environment.
Do you need help with the Chesapeake Bay Preservation Act or Endangered Species Act?
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Helped Property Owner with Resource Protection Area and Chesapeake Bay Preservation Act
Assisted a waterfront property owner who demolished a residence located within the Resource Protection Area (RPA) of the Chesapeake Bay Preservation Act. Penalties for violating the Act can be severe, with fines up to $5,000 for each day of violation. We assisted the owner in tailoring a design that resulted in approval for re-building without moving entirely outside the RPA.
Looking for legal support with property located in the Resource Protection Area of the Chesapeake Bay Preservation Act?
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Protesting The Installation Of Industrial-sized Floating Oyster Aquaculture Farm
Oyster lease permit hearings at the Virginia Marine Resources Commission (VMRC), including representing riparian property owners protesting the installation of an industrial-sized floating oyster aquaculture farm in Hungars Creek, which flows into the Bay from the Eastern Shore.
Do you have questions about floating oyster aquaculture farms?
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Helped Commercial Client Resolve Environmental Enforcement Action
Helping a commercial client resolve an environmental enforcement action brought by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality after the inadvertent release of 1,700 gallons of toxic chemicals into the Bay during a construction project, in violation of the Virginia State Water Control Law.
Are you a commercial business leveraging Virginia waterways?
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Resolved A Waterfront Property Ownership Dispute Near Historic Fort Monroe
Provided an expert legal opinion to help resolve a waterfront property ownership dispute relating to Old Point Comfort near historic Fort Monroe.
Do you have a property ownership dispute near historic Virginia waterfront land?
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Commercial Fishing Fleet
Represented several commercial fishing fleet owners defending Jones Act claims for personal injuries brought by vessel crew members.
Are you a commercial fishing fleet looking for riparian legal service?
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We Protect Your Chesapeake Bay Waterfront Property, Maritime, and Environmental Rights in Virginia
These represent just a few of the many instances in which Jim and his team have assisted clients on or near Virginia’s waterways. If you have a legal issue pertaining to any Virginia waterway, call Jim Lang and his team at (757) 502-7326 or email him at: jlang@pendercoward.com.
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Waterfront & Riparian Rights Law Experience With Virginia Waterway
We work in one of the longest and most diverse coastlines in the world - 7,213 miles – over three times the distance between Virginia Beach and San Diego. Virginia is also home to numerous rivers and tributaries, and a great variety of wetlands. These waterways include:
Although no two cases are alike, click on the links above to see examples of our work helping Virginians in the waterways of Virginia. We’re standing by and ready to help navigate your unique situation - Schedule Your Consultation Now.
Serving Commercial and Residential Property Owners on the Chesapeake Bay
The Chesapeake Bay is the largest estuary in the United States. The Bay is located in the Mid-Atlantic region and is primarily separated from the Atlantic Ocean by the Delmarva Peninsula (including the Eastern Shore of Maryland / Eastern Shore of Virginia and the state of Delaware) with its mouth of the Bay at the south end located between Cape Henry and Cape Charles. With its northern portion in Maryland and the southern part in Virginia, the Chesapeake Bay is a very important feature for the ecology and economy of those two states, as well as others surrounding within its watershed. More than 150 major rivers and streams flow into the Bay's 64,299-square-mile drainage basin, which covers parts of six states (New York, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia) and all of Washington, D.C. / District of Columbia.
The Bay is approximately 200 miles long. It is 2.8 miles wide at its narrowest (between Kent County's Plum Point near Newtown in the east and the Harford County western shore near Romney Creek) and 30 miles at its widest (just south of the mouth of the Potomac River which divides Maryland from Virginia). The Bay is spanned twice, in Maryland by the Chesapeake Bay Bridge from Sandy Point (near Annapolis) to Kent Island and in Virginia by the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel connecting Virginia Beach to Cape Charles.
Neighboring cities to the Chesapeake Bay - Annapolis, MD; Baltimore, MD; Cambridge, MD; Chesapeake Beach, MD; Chesapeake City, MD; Chestertown, MD; Crisfield, MD; Deal Island, MD; Easton, MD; Havre de Grace, MD; Kent Island/Stevensville, MD; North East, MD; Oxford, MD; Rock Hall, MD; Solomon Island, MD; Smith Island, MD; St. Mary's City, MD; St. Michaels, MD; Tilghman Island, MD; Cape Charles, VA; Hampton, VA; Irvington, VA; Norfolk, VA; Onancock, VA; Portsmouth, VA; Tangier Island, VA; Urbanna, VA and Virginia Beach, VA