Virginia Coastal Program: 1999 Coastal Grant Project Description and Final Summary
Project Task:
FY1999 Task 12
Grantee:
Virginia Marine Resources Commission
Project Title:
Virginia Oyster Heritage Program
Project Description as Proposed:
The Virginia Oyster Heritage Program is a bold initiative to capitalize on recent advances in oyster restoration. The Program involves construction of 3-dimensional oyster broodstock sanctuary reefs, placement of 2-dimensional cultch surrounding the sanctuary to provide enhanced harvest areas, planting of eelgrass in association with oyster reefs, pre-construction monitoring of water quality and restoration sites, and public education efforts.
Federal Funding:
$500,000
Project Contact:
Jim Wesson, 757.247.2121; Laura McKay, 804.698.4320
Project Status:
Grant Closed
Final Product Received:
Final report, including 14 attachments i.e. maps, lists, and tables, color printed photos and the Virginia Oyster Program bumper sticker, brochure, and children's pop-up activity.
Project Summary Provided by Grantee:
The
Virginia Oyster Heritage Program was a bold initiative to move forward
and accelerate oyster restoration efforts in Virginia's Coastal
Zone. A partnership base was created to implement an oyster restoration
strategy involving the construction and restoration of 3-dimensional,
oyster broodstock, sanctuary areas intermixed with the more conventional
2-dimensional restoration of large areas of historically productive
oyster beds. This Program served as a catalyst for a Baywide commitment
for a 10-fold increase in oyster populations over the next 10 years,
and helped galvanize a Baywide strategy to meet this commitment.
There was a significant new commitment of federal, state, and private
funds for the Virginia Oyster Heritage Program and for Baywide oyster
restoration efforts using a similar model.
Year 1 oyster restoration efforts in the lower Rappahannock River
were extremely successful. Six, one-acre, 3-dimensional broodstock
sanctuary reefs were constructed from shell. More than 99 acres
of 2-dimensional harvest areas were also restored. In total more
than one million bushels of cultch was place on restoration areas
in this area. Monitoring efforts have begun, and an additional 200
acres have been identified as suitable for restoration in Year 2.
Significant progress was also made in rebuilding oyster reefs in
the Coastal Bays of Virginia's Eastern Shore and in developing techniques
for large-scale seagrass restoration.
The value and benefits of oyster and seagrass restoration for improving
water quality, fish and shellfish habitat, and the economy of the
seafood industry have been widely emphasized through presentations
and educational materials to the general public and governmental
decision makers.
Disclaimer: This project summary provides the federal dollars initially awarded to the grantee. Due to underexpenditure or reprogramming of grant funds, this figure may change. For more information on the allocation of coastal grant funds, please contact Laura McKay, Virginia Coastal Program Manager, at 804.698.4323 or email: Laura.McKay@deq.virginia.gov
A more detailed Scope of Work for this project is available. Please direct your request for a copy to Virginia.Witmer@deq.virginia.gov
