Virginia Coastal Program: 2002 Coastal Grant Project Description and Final Summary
Project Task:
FY2002 Task 44
Grantee:
Hampton Roads Planning District Commission
Project Title:
Coastal Resources Technical Assistance Program
Project Description as Proposed:
Assist 16 member local governments, other public entities and private organizations on coastal and other environmental issues. The HRPDC will perform: 1) Environmental Impact Review. Review/comment on environmental impact statements for proposals affecting Hampton Roads.2) Regional Coordination Process. The coordination process will address Core Elements of the VCRMP, Chesapeake Bay Program, York River Watershed Forum, Coastal Nonpoint Source Program, Virginia-North Carolina Bi-State Agreement, North Carolina River Basin Councils and related environmental programs. Chair Coastal PDC Committee and represent it on Coastal Resources Policy Team. Specifically, will address development of tributary strategies, regulations, public access, wetlands and related issues. Support and facilitation of Hampton Roads Chesapeake Bay and Ad Hoc Wetlands Committees and special project-specific work groups.3) Special Regional Studies. Policy and technical analysis of VCRMP Core Programs, Chesapeake Bay Program and other local/state/federal environmental programs. Participate in GIS data coordination for the Virginia Coastal Zone with related state agencies, Coastal PDCs and region's localities.4) Technical Assistance. Provide updated information to the localities in the development of comprehensive plans, ordinances, environmental studies and related projects.5) Public Information and Education. Newsletters will be produced. Presentations and workshops will be made or conducted upon request. Monthly program status reports on coastal activities and issues will be provided to the Commission.This project is a continuation of activities undertaken by the HRPDC over the past seventeen years. The Regional Coordination Process is integral to all of the program components: technical studies, program participation, technical assistance and education. Through that process, the HRPDC staff manages local government advisory committees, addressing the VCRMP, Chesapeake Bay Program, including the Virginia CBPA, tributary strategies, shoreline planning, land use and wetlands, and coordinates them with other local aMay 16, 2006 stormwater and wastewater management, that are supported directly by the localities.The Commission itself has identified the foregoing as its highest environmental priorities. In addition to the programs noted above, it is not known which localities may request technical assistance or which state and federal agencies will request local and regional participation. These requests evolve through the course of the project, as local needs are identified and new state and federal initiatives are developed. Historically, several major regional projects and programs have evolved from the Regional Coordination Process with seed money from the VCRMP. More detail on project activities is included in the Products/Deliverables discussion.
Federal Funding:
$50,000
Project Contact:
John Carlock, 757.420.8300
Project Status:
Grant Closed
Final Product Received:
Project Summary Provided by Grantee:
Regional
Coastal Resources Management Program for Hampton Roads: Fiscal Year
2002-2003 Final Report.
This report describes the environmental technical assistance program
conducted by the Hampton Roads Planning District Commission during
FY 2002-2003. It contains representative examples of the reports,
comment letters, newsletters and associated materials generated
and used in assisting the region's sixteen local governments. Hard
copies are available on request. A downloadable PDF version of the
report without appendices will be available at www.hrpdc.org.
Through this Program, the HRPDC provides the following:
Environmental Impact Review. Seventy environmental impact assessments/statements
and coastal zone consistency determinations were reviewed, local
government input coordinated, and comments provided to the DEQ for
inclusion in official state positions.
Participation in State and Federal Programs. The HRPDC staff represented
the region on several state and federal technical advisory committees
ensuring that the localities were aware of the programs, its activities
and direction and ensuring that local input was provided to the
state or federal agency. The HRPDC staff chairs the Coastal PDC
Committee and sits as the PDC representative to Virginia's Coastal
Policy Team.
Regional Coordination Process. The HRPDC facilitates regional advisory
committees addressing wetlands, Chesapeake Bay Program issues, Tributary
Strategies for Nutrient and Sediment Reduction through this grant.
Activities are coordinated with local utilities, stormwater and
general planning programs. Through these programs, the localities
develop regional consensus on state and federal regulatory and legislative
issues coordinated plans addressing these issues and exchange information
(lessons learned) on program activities.
Public Information and Education. The HRPDC staff produces four
quarterly newsletters, maintains information on its website and
provides regular briefings to local elected officials on the HRPD
Commission, local governing bodies and to professional and civic
organizations.
Technical Assistance. Daily assistance is provided to local government
staff, consultants, businesses and citizen environmental organizations
on environmental and planning issues. This includes ordinance and
plan development, provision of technical information, acquisition
and interpretation of aerial photography, and GIS data and maps.
Assistance with organizational development and consideration of
technical, regulatory and policy issues is provided to regional
environmental organizations in order to facilitate informed education
and participation in local, regional and state planning and decision-making.
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
