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Breakwater System

(Courtesy VIMS)

The Salt and The Earth, Inc. is a Virginia-based erosion control consulting company that provides tidal wetland and marine construction permit procurement and consulting services for waterfront property owners and several large marine contractors in the Northern Neck & Middle Peninsula area of Virginia.  Our services include:

- structural and non-structural erosion control solutions
- marine construction permit drawings
- tidal wetland consulting
- RPA modification consulting
- Agent representation at public hearings
- permit procurement from Army Corp Of Engineers, Virginia Marine Resources Commission, and county wetland's boards for marine construction projects (piers, erosion control structures)

We understand that getting the proper permits for marine construction can be a confusing and cumbersome process that can take weeks even if one knows what they are doing.  So, things can be worse for those who are unfamiliar with the industry regulations, terminology, analyzing and responding to environmental reports, and other facets of the regulatory process in regards to waterways and tidal wetlands. 

We navigate the process for you, and take care of the “headaches”.  All you have to do is give us a call.

What we do

Each year we file approximately 100+ permit applications for piers, tidal erosion control structures, and Resource Protection Area Modifications.  When it comes to knowing the regulations regarding marine construction permits, we would like to think that no one knows more (except the regulators, of course).  So many projects are site specific, and depend largely on local governments that our experience dealing with the entire Northern Neck, Middle Peninsula area gives us a “leg up” on evaluating sites and approximating their ability to receive approval.

Blue Heron

Marsh Sill

(courtesy VIMS)

We offer insight

Our services in consulting also allow you to evaluate your options for shoreline protection.  For example, if you call a bulkhead contractor, he is going to recommend a bulkhead.  If you call us, we are going to explain the different options (from living shorelines all the way to bulkheads) and the possible effects they could have on protecting your property and preserving the environment.

Also, if you already know what you desire in the realm of shoreline protection, we can file the permit for specific parameters of construction that will then allow  you to get an “apples to apples” comparison of contractor’s prices.  Once you have drawings in hand, a much more accurate price estimate can be formulated by bidding contractors.

We get permits!

That’s right!  Our services for obtaining permits can be convenient and lessen the headache for you. 

It’s this easy: You call.  We come to the site.  We discuss your options.  We take all the measurements, photos, etc.  We do the courthouse research.  We draw the permit drawings and fill out the application.  We mail it to you for review and signature.  You send it back to us, and we then send it to the involved government agencies.  We attend local hearings for you, and we speak on your behalf.

We handle the headaches!!