Eric Engler of Mill Lane in Mathews is glad the county has torn down an old building and cleaned up the site of the East River Boat Yard, which is pretty much in his backyard. He’s not too happy about what the county is proposing to do with it.

For several years now, in keeping with a long-term commitment to providing more water access for county residents and visitors, the board of supervisors has planned to install a fishing dock and boat ramp at the site and offer other amenities if possible.

A recently-awarded $50,000 grant from the state Department of Game and Inland Fisheries is slated to be used for the boat launch and parking area, along with $162,750 in matching funds, while the county has applied for a Virginia Marine Resources Commission grant to build the dock.

Engler questioned the plan during last month’s board of supervisors meeting. He said the one-acre property floods and that Mill Lane becomes impassable at high tide for three to five days every month. ...