Dredging of the Hole in the Wall channel in Mathews is finally becoming a reality after years of public activism, negotiating by local, state, and federal officials, and planning by government agencies.

The project is almost ready to be put out for bids, said Mathews County Planning and Zoning Director Thomas Jenkins. One of the last steps still needed is for the Mathews County Board of Supervisors to hold a public hearing on appropriating the grant funds to pay for the work. A public hearing is required because the $1.5 million grant awarded by the Virginia Port Authority for the project represents more than one percent of the county’s 2021-2022 budget.

The board agreed during last month’s meeting to hold a public hearing on the matter during the Monday, Aug. 23 board meeting, to be held at 6 p.m. at Mathews High School.

Jenkins said the Virginia Institute of Marine Science Shoreline Study has done the channel survey, core samples and permit drawings for the project, and per...