Virginia Coastal Program: 2000 Coastal Grant Project Description and Final Summary
Project Task:
FY2000 Task 97
Grantee:
Virginia Department of Environmental Quality - Virginia Coastal Program
Project Title:
Shoreland Planning Initiative
Project Description as Proposed:
DCR, DEQ, CBLAD, MRC, and VIMS will work together to develop a multifaceted shoreland planning initiative to address shoreline erosion, hazards, public access and restoration of vegetated riparian buffers. Funds will be subcontracted to VIMS to complete shoreline situation reports for coastal localities prioritized by a sub-group of the interagency Coastal Resources Policy Team. The shoreline situation reports will form the basis of shoreline management plans required by the Chesapeake Bay Local Assistance Department. CBLAD and VIMS will work with local governments to produce these shoreline management plans and to translate this work into the local comprehensive plans. A Coastal Services Center fellow will be applied for to work with CBLAD and the Policy Team on the hazards, public access and buffer issues. The fellow would also work on general policy guidance to develop model ordinance language and to ensure that these items are properly addressed in local comprehensive plans and future land use plans.
Federal Funding:
$80,000
Project Contact:
Mark Slauter, 804.692-0839; Julie Bixby, 804.698.4333
Project Status:
Grant Closed
Final Product Received:
Project Summary Provided by Grantee:
This project was designed to enhance implementation of non-permit based shoreline erosion management activities. Based on physical constraints to development and proximity to sensitive coastal resources, the Chesapeake Bay Local Assistance Department (CBLAD) desired creation of a suitability index to classify the development potential of land near exisitng shorelines. This "shoreland planning" protocol is being developed as a tool for local governments to comprehensively evaluate the suitability of shorelands for future development and define the degree of suitability in their comprehensive plans. This is to be accomplished in two parts. The first part is conducting a literature search and preparing background materials. The second part is establishing the GIS process for collecting and evaluating appropriate data and validating these GIS protocols. A follow-up project will identify a geographic area in which the entire planning process can be applied.
A literature search has resulted in an extensive annotated bibliography and is forming the basis of a broader background document. It is anticipated that additional resources will be added to the bibliography over time and that it will eventually be developed into an agency "Resource Guide", organized by subject matter. The background document presents information in the following topical areas - 1) indicators of estuarine health, 2) factors that influence tidal habitat and water quality, 3) land characteristics that determine development suitability, 4) characteristics and effect of shoreland development, 5) land management practices for minimizing the impacts of shoreland development, 6) variable pollutant loadings from shoreland development, 7) determining aquatic sensitivity to development, 8) predicting impacts of shoreland development, and 9) using the shoreland planning protocol. Some of this information will be able after completion of phase II of this longer term effort.
In conjunction with this, a guidance document regarding riparian buffers is currently under development. Information on current buffer management practices was compiled through an ongoing workgroup process consisting primarily of local government planners. Technical guidance on buffer management was provided through a separate workgroup of scientific and technical advisors. This guidance document provides information on 1) riparian buffer functions and values, 2) permitted buffer modifications, 3) exemptions in the buffer area, and 4) buffer land use and management.
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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
