Spilling the Tea on TLP: State of the Science and Practice of Thin Layer Placement

Part of the Thin Layer Placement in Virginia: Building a Community of Practice Series

Hosted by the Elizabeth River Project | Presented in Partnership with National Fish & Wildlife Foundation and Chesapeake Bay Foundation

Please join us for the first event in a three-part series focused on advancing the understanding and use of Thin Layer Placement (TLP) as a coastal resilience tool in Virginia. Each session will build on the last, moving from foundational understanding toward real-world applications and collaborative problem-solving. This initial session will introduce the science and current practice of TLP, highlighting ongoing projects and practitioner insights from across the region.

The goal of this event is to develop a community of practice for TLP in Virginia. Speakers will include scientists, managers, and practitioners currently engaged in TLP-related work. It will offer a foundational overview for those interested in learning more about how TLP is being explored and applied. Attendees will gain insight into the status of TLP in Virginia and contribute to early conversations aimed at growing shared understanding and collaboration.

The three-part series will include:

· Spilling the tea on TLP: State of Science and Practice of Thin Layer Placement (9/19)

· TLP & Regulation: A Working Session on Policy and Permitting (TBD)

· TLP in Action: Case Studies and Implementation (TBD)

For questions, contact Elizabeth River Project Environmental Project Manager Ella DiPetto, eDiPetto@elizabethriver.org.

Parking for Brock Environmental Center (3663 Marlin Bay Drive, Virginia Beach, Va. 23455): The site is a designated Natural Area so parking is located off-site, so read the parking info ahead of time if it’s your first time here. There are 27 spaces in the pervious paver parking lot. If it is full (which can happen), please park along Marlin Bay Drive. To get back there from the pervious paver lot, follow Chesterfield Ave back to Marlin Bay Dr and parallel park on either side of the road. Parking is allowed there daily until 11pm. Walk the soft-surface nature path at the end of Marlin Bay Drive through the woods along the white light poles (about a 5-minute walk) to the Brock Environmental Center. Enjoy the walk!

There are handicapped spaces at the building (see attached map). And anyone can be dropped off at the building at any time.

Note about Pleasure House Point conditions: Along Marlin Bay Drive and on the walking path, you will notice a land construction project. It is a City of Virginia Beach project to convert a portion of the site into wetlands to obtain bank wetland mitigation credits. More information on the City of Virginia Beach project is here. If you have questions about that project, please call City of Virginia Beach Engineering Dept. 757/385-4131 or email them at phpwetlands@vbgov.com.