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MONEY POINT restoration

Major projects like these have helped us restore miles of polluted river bottom, shoreline, and wildlife habitat. But we’ve still got miles to go. Do Something Beautiful. Join the Elizabeth River Project.

Multi Million-Dollar Clean Up Brings New Life To Money Point

the challenge

Located in an industrial area not far from Military Highway on the Southern Branch of the Elizabeth River, Money Point was biologically cashed out by 2006. Once home to several large wood treatment plants, the river bottom at Money Point was covered feet-thick with oily creosote – a black tar used to treat everything from telephone poles to shipping docks to railroad ties. The river bottom – the foundation of the food chain – was dead. What little marine life remained at Money Point was prone to alarming levels of cancer. It was one of the most contaminated on the Chesapeake Bay. 

The Problem at Money Point

10k Parts
per million pollution levels
20 acres

of river bottom
$10 million
initial project cost

Our River:

the project

Cleaning up Money Point was going to take, well, money. Lots of it. So when shipping company Maersk-APM wanted to develop a new port facility up river, we worked with regulators to offset the impacts of that expansion by directing $5 million in environmental mitigation funds toward the clean-up effort at Money Point. Thanks to the generous contributions of our members, donors and private partners, the $10 million Goo Must Go campaign to dredge the contaminated river bottom was completed in six years. Guided by expert scientists and technical support, the restoration relied heavily on the cooperation of Money Point’s industrial landowners, who ultimately became such champions of the river clean-up, they added complementary projects of their own. We think that’s beautiful.

Read the Full Money Point Restoration Plan:

Read Now

New Life For A "Dead" River:

26 new
fish species
110 bird

species documented
1 family 

of otters

the PROGRESS

The Money Point Restoration Project represents the nation’s first large-scale sediment remediation project completed by a non-profit organization. It includes 7 acres of lush new tidal marsh, a 3-acre oyster reef, a new forested upland shoreline, and the first-known “living cap” to isolate contaminated sediments and provide critical wetland and oyster habitat. The restoration work is also helping to control tidal and stormwater flooding on area roadways. Cancer levels in fish have returned to normal levels, and researchers have recorded over 26 species of fish, 110 different bird species and at least one otter family at Money Point. In 2019, the project received one of four “Best Restored Shore” awards from the American Shore and Beach Preservation Association.

There’s still more to do!​

The Living River Trust, the Elizabeth River Project and many partners worked together to clean up two areas of Money Point contamination with amazing results. Now, one more area of severe contamination that exceeded the original budget is on our radar to be cleaned up next. With your help, Elizabeth River Project hopes to leverage federal funding through the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for the final clean up at Money Point. Stay with us!

Ryan Resilience Lab Event Request

Thank you for your interest in the Elizabeth River Project’s Ryan Resilience Lab. We’re delighted that our site is in high demand. As the Ryan Resilience Lab is operated by a small non-profit with a big environmental mission, please help us make sure your event is a great fit.

Our priority is to host groups with relevance to our mission: to restore the Elizabeth River through equitable collaboration with diverse communities, governments, and businesses. When space and staff support are available, we are happy to host such groups free of charge, but do request that you consider an organizational membership and allow us to offer the opportunity for individual memberships.

Please fill this form out at least 30 days in advance of the event.

Our maximum for indoor seated events is 85 theater style and 45 classroom style. For standing receptions, the maximum is 100 indoors or 125 indoor-outdoor.
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If given the go-ahead for our event, sponsor organization agrees to these Ryan Lab policies:

Yes, we will offer attendees the option to tour the Ryan Lab(Required)
Yes, Elizabeth River Project can make a 3-5 minute announcement at the start of the event regarding mission and ways to get involved(Required)
Yes, we will consider an organizational membership with Elizabeth River Project to support its mission of restoring the Elizabeth River(Required)
Yes, we agree to sustainable/responsible event practices(Required)

Additionally, sponsor organization agrees to these administrative/liability requirements:

  • ERP maintains insurance for its activities at the Ryan Lab. Sponsoring organizations should ensure that they have appropriate insurance coverage as well.
  • Weapons are prohibited.
  • Open flames generally are prohibited (special permission only).
  • Outdoor guests will be required to exit the Learning Park during thunder, lightning, high winds or any circumstance deemed hazardous by ERP.
  • Waiver of Claims: Sponsoring organizations agree to release, waive all claims, discharge, and covenant not to sue Elizabeth River Project, its officers, employees, volunteers, and agents from liability from any and all claims resulting in personal injury, accidents or illnesses and property loss arising from, but not limited to, participation in the event and related tours, due to the negligence of sponsor, sponsor's employees, or event participants.
  • Notice of Claims: Sponsor agrees to provide immediate notice to ERP if any participant either files, or threatens to file, a claim arising from or related to the event, so that ERP can notify its insurance carriers.
  • COVID Statement: Participants will monitor their own health prior to reporting to any Elizabeth River Project event/activity. If any signs or symptoms of infection are present, the individual must not report to the event.
  • Photo Release: Photos of the event may be shared as part of grant reporting or posted on Elizabeth River Project website/social media unless otherwise specified by the sponsor organization.
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Youth Water Monitoring Results

Entry Data

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Sample Data

Bacteria

Observations

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