Virginia Coastal Program: 2000 Coastal Grant Project Description and Final Summary
Project Task:
FY2000 Task 48
Grantee:
Northern Neck Planning District Commission
Project Title:
Coastal Resources Technical Assistance Program/Coastal Zone Agricultural Conservation Assessment
Project Description as Proposed:
The Northern Neck
Planning District Commission requests support to continue implementation
and enforcement of environmental regulations in an expanded form.
The project will assist in monitoring and managing coastal development,
Chesapeake Bay Act and Resource Protection Area activities, assure
wetlands project review and permit compliance, and provide environmental
enforcement and educational assistance for Lancaster, Northumberland,
Richmond, and Westmoreland Counties, and the six towns; Colonial
Beach, Kilmarnock, Irvington, Montross, Warsaw, and White Stone,
of the Northern Neck Region. Summarized tasks and work categories
include:
Chesapeake Bay Preservation: Inspectors will assist the localities
in administering Chespapeake Bay Act regulations and monitoring
activities within the Resource Protection Area for compliance.
Wetlands: Inspectors will conduct Joint Permit Application reviews;
perform inspections using written and photo documentation; complete
advertising, scheduling, and public notices; and monitor and enforce
permit compliance through routine and follow-up inspections. A pilot
project with VIMS will be undertaken to improve the content of applications
for wetlands board review. This will involve documenting the number
and percent of incomplete wetlands applications received by the
counties, types of improvements requested and any subsequent followup
actions.
Erosion and Sediment Control: The Environmental Inspectors will
assist in conducting plan reviews and site inspections to assure
Erosion and Sediment Control compliance.
Permit Tracking: Inspectors will develop and maintain improved database
formats for permits, inspections, and compliance.
Public Education: Inspectors will create public educational brochures
to distribute within the region. Also, two regional workshops will
be held to educate the public on environmental compliance.
Federal Funding:
$25,000
Project Contact:
Stuart McKenzie, 804.333.1900
Project Status:
Grant Closed
Final Product Received:
Project Summary Provided by Grantee:
Five main tasks were accomplished during this year of Coastal Zone Technical Assistance: Update/Revision of Digital 100 Foot Chesapeake Bay Resource Protection Area Maps for each of the Four Counties; Maps showing the Status of Agricultural Conservation Planning Within the 100 Foot Chesapeake Bay Resource Protection Areas; Maps for the Environmental Portion of the Town of Warsaw's Revised Comprehensive Plan; Northern Neck representation on Virginia's Environmental Committees; and Revision of the Northern Neck Tidewater Low Country Almanac.
Two of the Northern Neck Counties had early versions of digital
100 foot Chesapeake Bay Resource Protection Area (RPA) maps, while
two Counties had no such maps. This subtask created updated and
consistent 100 Foot Chesapeake Bay Resource Protection Area Maps
for all four Counties for use in their Geographic Information System
(GIS). The digital GIS RPA Map data layers were forwarded to State
Agencies for use in their GIS, for consideration in any State Development
Projects in the Northern Neck Region.
Using the above mentioned 100 Foot RPA GIS map layers, and the previous
grant year's Agricultural Conservation Plan Assessment, those agricultural
fields which some portion of the field inside of the 100 foot Chesapeake
Bay Resource Protection Area were separated out. Those agricultural
fields within the RPA were then analyzed to determine which fields
had a farm conservation plan (and those that did not).
To aid the Town of Warsaw (Richmond County) in revising their Comprehensive Plan, the NNPDC created four maps to supplement the Environmental Portion of the Plan. A First Order Watersheds Map was created that shows the smallest units of drainage patterns in and around the Town. Second a State Hydrologic Units map was produced showing the larger drainage patterns, which form stream and river watersheds. These maps will be helpful in planning stormwater control, as well as areas suitable for Low Impact Design. Maps of the towns water infrastructure were digitized from existing paper maps. A water line map, useful for planning in developing areas, and for public (fire) safety was created and proofed by Town staff. A sewer line map was also digitized showing the sewer system in the town. These infrastructure maps will aid the County in steering development to suitable areas in the Town, and will be invaluable in the event of line breaks.
NNPDC staff were active in the Rappahannock River Tributary Technical Review Committee (TRC), the Rappahannock River Educational Summit Planning Group, The Rappahannock River Basin Commission, The Potomac Watershed Roundtable, the Virginia Association of Planning District Commissions Coastal PDC Committee. In addition, NNPDC reviewed Environmental Impact Statements/Reviews for State and Federal projects within its jurisdiction.
The Northern Neck Tidewater Low Country Almanac is a regional guide intended to promote environmentally friendly living on the sensitive coastal watershed of the Northern Neck Peninsula. Originally published in 1996, there were numerous references in the Almanac that made it appear outdated. The 2002 Revision of the Almanac sought to remove those dates, and to update the resources (contacts) section of the almanac. The basic content of the Almanac has not changed, only revised for the 21st century (and beyond). This grant funded the update of a camera-ready version; however, funds are still being sought for printing as of August 2002.
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
