Posted on May 26, 2025
According to Accomack County Administrator Mike Mason, the Virginia Port Authority and Rocket Lab USA are moving forward with plans to improve rocket delivery access to Wallops Island. The two have submitted a joint permit application to dredge a channel known as Sloop Gut, connecting to the Old North Dock on the island’s backshore.
The goal is to deepen the channel to allow large rocket components—up to 25 feet wide—to be delivered by barge. Currently, there’s no permanent, reliable way to transport these parts to the site.
The proposed dredging would create a 5,300-foot-long channel, seven feet deep, removing over 59,000 cubic yards of material. That material would be transported to Charles City County for disposal.
The Accomack County Wetlands Board approved its portion of the project on May 5. Other state and federal agencies still need to sign off, but the county’s role in the permit process is now complete.
