Virginia Coastal Program: 2002 Coastal Grant Project Description and Final Summary
Project Task:
FY2002 Task 9
Grantee:
Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation
Project Title:
Habitat Conservation/Locality Liaison
Project Description as Proposed:
DCR's Locality Liaison program works with local and regional planners to help protect natural heritage resources (rare plants and animals and exemplary natural communities) by improving access to biodiversity information and consultative services from DCR-DNH and its Heritage Data Management System (HDMS). A key service provided will be review of projects to identify and recommend mitigation for potential impacts to natural heritage resources. Products made available to localities and others will include internet access to conservation sites and other natural heritage resource coverages; digital data layers available by subscription for incorporation into local GIS; a catalog of habitat restoration opportunities; assistance and partnership to localities in identifying and implementing habitat conservation projects; and model language for incorporation into comprehensive plans to better address biodiversity issues.
Federal Funding:
$48,000
Project Contact:
Elizabeth Locklear, Locality Liaison, DCR Division of Natural Heritage, 804-692-0984
Project Status:
Grant Closed
Final Product Received:
Project Summary Provided by Grantee:
The
DCR Division of Natural Heritage's Locality Liaison program works
with local and regional planners to improve access to information
and consultative services from DCR-DNH. The Locality Liaison program
works to make natural heritage resource information an integral
part of locality decision-making processes through tools such as
project review, comprehensive plans, project sitings, zoning amendments,
and open space planning. It also assists localities in the development
of habitat conservation and restoration projects through provision
of general habitat stewardship and protection guidelines, facilitation
of locality-led natural area conservation and inventory efforts,
and making connections between localities and state/federal natural
resource assistance (staff, information, and financial).
This year two updated sets of Natural Heritage Resource Maps showing
approximate locations of natural heritage resources within each
county and city were prepared and distributed to all CZMA localities
and PDCs as well as to other natural resource agencies. Information
was also provided digitally and through custom responses to requests.
The Locality Liaison reviewed 1343 CZMA projects submitted by local,
state, and federal agencies and private individuals and consultants
to assess the potential for proposed activities to impact natural
heritage resources and to recommend ways to avoid or minimize these
impacts.
The Locality Liaison made presentations to several coastal Planning
District Commissions, including Hampton Roads, Middle Peninsula,
Northern Virginia, and Accomack-Northampton. More detailed information
was provided to Stafford County to assist in their conservation
planning efforts. Building on participation in comprehensive plan
updates for Virginia Beach, James City, and Northampton, the Locality
Liaison has begun drafting model language for inclusion in comprehensive
plans. The Locality Liaison also served on the Southern Watershed
Mitigation Technical Advisory Committee.
DCR and VDOT have made progress in the development of a catalog
of potential wetland restoration sites, areas identified within
or adjacent to Conservation Sites with restoration potential, that
can guide localities and regulatory agencies to appropriate sites
for various conservation purposes including wetland mitigation.
Candidate sites were identified this year. In the coming year DCR-NH
will evaluate and prioritize these sites, and implement a process
for promoting these sites.
The final report for this project (Natural Heritage Technical Report
04-02) discusses the year's activities and provides recommendations
for further action. The Locality Liaison program continues at DCR-DNH
through a FY2003 CRMP grant from 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
