Virginia Coastal Program: 2001 Coastal Grant Project Description and Final Summary
Project Task:
FY2001 Task 8
Grantee:
Middle Peninsula Chesapeake Bay Public Access Authority
Project Title:
Dragon Run Acquisition-Brown Tract
Project Description as Proposed:
The Middle Peninsula
Public Access Authority will use these funds to purchase 50% of
a block of land (referred to as the Brown Tract) in the Dragon Run
watershed for permanent protection of the resources, public access
and silviculture. The remaining 50% of the tract will be purchased
the same entity, using Coastal Program funds from FY 00 Task 8.
The entire tract will eventually be divided so that both the Department
of Forestry and the Middle Peninsula Public Access Authority manage
(and hold title to) a portion. The Public Access Authority’s
portion will encompass the land in King and Queen county and a section
of the Essex county land, pursuant to the restrictions on disposition
of the property included in the Terms and Conditions of this contract.
The Brown Tract spans 274 acres in Essex (approximately 212 acres)
and King and Queen (approximately 62 acres) Counties. The site occurs
in a major forest belt on the Middle Peninsula. The Nature Conservancy
classifies this area as an aquatic portfolio site, due to its highly
diverse aquatic system. Historically, the site has been managed
for commercial grade sawtimber, primarily loblolly pine. A small
boardwalk at the end of a short forestry road provides access to
the Dragon Run for cartop boat access. The site is characterized
by sandy, loamy soils with relatively level topography. The majority
of the upland soils are considered prime farmland. Overall, these
soils support forest growth dominated by loblolly pine, Virginia
pine, sweetgum, southern red oak, and tulip poplar tree species.
The Essex County portion of the tract has 4,095 feet of frontage
on the Dragon Run Swamp (and approximately 2,500 feet of frontage
on State Route 604) and the King & Queen County portion of the
tract has 2,498 feet of frontage on the Dragon Run Swamp. There
are 38 acres of open water and scrub/shrub wetlands and 17 acres
of forested wetlands on the site. The forested wetlands consist
largely of mature hardwood communities (>75 yrs old). Of the
remaining upland, the owner recently clearcut 131 acres. Based on
the soils and site visits, it is anticipated that hardwood and pine-hardwood
mix will naturally regenerate on the site. At present, the Essex
portion of the tract contains 34 acres of 15-yr old loblolly pine,
while the King and Queen portion of the tract contains 52 acres
of 25-yr old loblolly pine.
The acquisition of this tract supports the Virginia Coastal Program’s
commitment to protecting geographic areas of particular concern
in the coastal zone. In addition, preservation of this land supports
the goals of the Dragon Run Special Area Management Plan (see http://www.mppdc.com/projects/factsheet2.pdf)
by protecting the natural resources, maintaining traditional uses
and improving public access in the watershed.
This property will be managed in a manner that supports long-term
passive public access, resource protection and sustainable traditional
uses (i.e. forestry and hunting). A management plan will be developed
by the property stakeholders including the Department of Forestry,
Virginia Coastal Program, The Nature Conservancy, Middle Peninsula
Public Access Authority, Middle Peninsula Planning District Commission,
local governments and the public. This management plan will dictate
the specific future uses of this parcel consistent with the objectives
stated in this contract and is incorporated herein by reference.
Federal Funding:
$200,000
Project Contact:
Lewie L. Lawrence, 804.758.2311; llawrence@mppdc.com
Project Status:
Grant Closed
Final Product Received:
Project Summary Provided by Grantee:
The Dragon Run Acquisition, Browne Tract project grant was used to acquire fee simple ownership of the 274-acre Browne Tract, which contains approximately 5,000 feet of frontage on the Dragon Run Swamp. The Browne Tract consists of Parcel A (62 acres) located in King & Queen County and Parcels B and C (212 acres) located in Essex County. The parcel was acquired and managed for passive recreational and educations uses. Fee simple ownership has been recorded in the courthouses of King and Queen county and Essex County with deed language containing required NOAA use language In addition, the Middle Peninsula Chesapeake Bay Public Access Authority (MPCBPAA) used grant funds to design signage at the site that recognizes funding from NOAA and the Virginia Coastal Program, as well as the contributions of other project partners. Finally, the MPCBPAA used grant funding to convene a stakeholder group with the goal of creating a long-term management plan for the tract. The group met to discuss and gather input on issues such as protection of the area's natural resources, management for the provision of public access , recreational enhancements, parking, canoe/kayak put-ins, forestry practices, hunting, and seasonal or periodic use restrictions. These collaborative efforts resulted in the development of the Browne Tract Management Plan, a 27-page document that outlines goals, objectives, and implementation strategies for managing the area's natural, cultural, and recreational resources.
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
