Virginia Coastal Program: 2000 Coastal Grant Project Description and Final Summary
Project Task:
FY2000 Task 93
Grantee:
Hampton Roads Planning District Commission
Project Title:
Southern Watershed Special Area Management Plan
Project Description as Proposed:
The Southern Watershed
Area Management Program is intended to balance protection of coastal
resources with provision of continued opportunities for economic
development in the Southern Watershed Area of Chesapeake and Virginia
Beach, Virginia. The project has five major goals:
1) Refine Development Controls to Protect Water Quality and Preserve
Critical Habitat:
a. Establishment of a Rural Area Preservation Program in the City
of Chesapeake: Management measures include conservation subdivision
design, agricultural preservation measures including a purchase
of development rights program and protection of critical habitat
and water quality.
b. Establishment of a Mitigation Strategy in the Cities of Virginia
Beach and Chesapeake: Achievement of multiple benefits when compensation
for loss of wetlands is necessary.
2) Open Space Preservation: Improve the Effectiveness of Preservation
Districts through the modification of the Definition and Delineation
of the P-1 Preservation District in the Virginia Beach Zoning Ordinance
and the C-1 Conservation District in the Chesapeake Zoning Ordinance.
3) Improve Management of Critical Habitat: A Conservation Plan is
under development. It will identify management measures, including
fire management and eradication of common reed, needed to protect
natural heritage resources in the Southern Watershed. A Conservation
Easement MOA and an Information Exchange MOA will be developed.
4) Preserve Agriculture: A Strategic Plan for Agriculture is under
development. The Plan will identify methods to preserve the viability
of agriculture in the Southern Watershed while protecting water
quality. A MOA will be developed to improve integration of Urban
and Agricultural Storm Water Management.
5) Management of Competing Waterway Uses through the development
of a Waterway Use Conflict MOA. The MOA identifies areas of the
North Landing River best suited for low impact, motorized and high
speed recreation.
Federal Funding:
$125,000
Project Contact:
John Carlock, 757.420.8300
Project Status:
Grant Closed
Final Product Received:
Project Summary Provided by Grantee:
The Southern Watershed Area Management Program (SWAMP) is a partnership between the Virginia Coastal Program, the Hampton Roads Planning District Commission and the Cities of Chesapeake and Virginia Beach. SWAMP is a collaborative effort to integrate protection of natural and cultural resources with continued economic development in the Southern Watershed Area (SWA). The SWA includes the watersheds of the North Landing and Northwest Rivers and Back Bay. Phase VII of SWAMP has been completed and a written report documenting activities and accomplishments under this phase of the project is available. The major accomplishments during Phase VII include the following:
1.Multiple Benefits Conservation Plan Memorandum of Agreement:
The MBCP MOA is intended to improve the coordination and implementation
of the wetlands mitigation process in the Southern Watershed Area.
The MOA was completed and signed during Phase 7 of SWAMP.
2. North Landing River Water Use Conflict Memorandum of Agreement:
The North Landing River MOA is complete and has been signed by the
participating agencies. A survey and educational materials to support
implementation of this MOA are under development.
3. Back Bay Water Use Conflict Memorandum of Agreement: A draft
version of the Back Bay MOA and the associated water use area map
has been developed and the stakeholder involvement process is underway.
4. Development Control Analysis and Site Design Work: Mr. Randall
Arendt analyzed the Comprehensive Plans, Zoning Ordinances and Subdivision
Ordinances employed by the Cities of Chesapeake and Virginia Beach
and offered recommendations on amending these documents to improve
natural resource protection and preservation of rural character.
In addition, Mr. Arendt produced draft site plans employing conservation
design principals for subdivisions in the two cities. Workshops
were held with City staff, commission and board members and elected
officials.
5. 2001 Green Sea Festival: The 2001 Green Sea Festival was held
in Northwest River Park in Chesapeake on September 22, 2001. The
festival continues to grow both in terms of attendance and participation
by natural resource agencies and vendors.
6. SWAMP presentations: Presentations were made to a variety of
different groups and organizations on the structure and mission
of the project.
7. Transfer of SWAMP research materials to Chesapeake and Virginia
Beach: All of the Geographic Information System maps and attribute
data developed through SWAMP and all of the SWAMP consultant reports
have been transferred to the two cities and their consultants in
a digital format to facilitate incorporation of the materials in
their revised Comprehensive Plans and other planning documents.
Both Chesapeake and Virginia Beach are in the process of revising
their Comprehensive Plans.
Copies of the MOAs and technical reports are available for review at the HRPDC and DEQ.
Form C end
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
