Tangier Island: Rising waters, eroding shores, dwindling time

Tangier Island’s future is being squeezed by rising waters and erosion, putting the small Chesapeake Bay community on a fast countdown, according to local officials and environmental advocates. On a windy June morning aboard a boat with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Tangier Mayor James “Ooker” Eskridge described how storms and sea-level rise have removed much of the island’s land, reportedly losing two-thirds since 1850. Figures vary: the 2020 U.S. Census Bureau counted 430 residents, while other sources estimate about 252. Tangier is reached only by boat or plane, and some homes sit just a few feet above sea level. Eskridge argued the island needs greater federal investment to protect a working waterman community and its ecosystems, including marsh habitat that supports crabs, fish, and oysters.