Virginia Coastal Program: 2002 Coastal Grant Project Description and Final Summary
Project Task:
FY2002 Task 46
Grantee:
Middle Peninsula Planning District Commission
Project Title:
Coastal Resources Technical Assistance Program
Project Description as Proposed:
MPPDC's Coastal
Resources Technical Assistance Program provides ongoing support
to member localities of the PDC: Essex, Gloucester, King and Queen,
King William, Mathews, Middlesex Counties and Towns of Tappahannock,
Urbanna, and West Point, as well as community level groups: Mathews
County Blueways, Middle Peninsula Land Trust, Mattaponi and Pamunkey
River Association, and Friends of the Dragon Run.
For FY 2002, this grant funded work program will consist of four
distinct tasks:
1) MPPDC will provide coastal management support to local government,
local wetlands boards and local planning staff. MPPDC staff will
provide GIS analysis of development proposals, land conversion,
land use plans, and local land use ordinance implementation. Geographic
data distribution and analysis results, as well as maps of wetlands,
land use, floodplains and public access will be available via the
coastal resources data server at www.MPPDCGIS.com. MPPDCGIS will
also assist with GIS data coordination for the Virginia Coastal
Zone as needed.
2) Support of local planning staff development in compatible planning
techniques. MPPDC staff will convene monthly-quarterly meetings
with local community level planners, the Dragon Run Steering Committee,
the Middle Peninsula Water Resource Committee, and other appropriate
committees to assist with coastal planning
3) MPPDC staff will provide direct staff support for the implemtation
on the Middle Peninsula Cheaspeake Bay Public Access Authority Act,
enabled by theVirginia General Assembly.The Middle Peninsula Chesapeake
Bay Public Access Authority Act allows participating localities
by resolution to declare that there is a need for a public access
authority to be created. If an operating agreement is developed
for the purpose of establishing or operating a public access authority
for any such localities, these localities may form the Middle Peninsula
Chesapeake Bay Public Access Authority (Authority).
4) MPPDC staff will investigate and inventory activity within a targeted area the Middle Peninsula.
Public interest in homegrown aquaculture is on the rise and subsequently
consuming an increasing share of public space. As interest in both
recreational and commercial aquaculture activity grows, competition
for public space usage will increase between traditional commercial
fishermen, recreational users, and people who live along the shore
line. In the future this information could be used to develop public
policy and/or mitigate conflicting use. Additionally, this information
can be used by the Marine Resources Commission to determine compliance
with applicable permitting requirements. MPPDC will provide each
owner a copy of MRC's 1998 Guide to Virginia Laws, Regulations and
Requirements for Marine Maritime Aquaculture Activities to further
facilitate compliance with the permitting requirements.
Federal Funding:
$25,000
Project Contact:
Lewie Lawrence, 804.758.2311
Project Status:
Grant Closed
Final Product Received:
Project Summary Provided by Grantee:
MPPDC's
Coastal Resources Technical Assistance Program provides ongoing
direct and indirect support to member localities of the PDC: Essex,
Gloucester, King and Queen, King William, Mathews, Middlesex Counties
and Towns of Tappahannock, Urbanna, and West Point, as well as the
Middle Peninsula Chesapeake Bay Public Access Authority and community
level groups: Mathews County Blueways, Middle Peninsula Land Trust,
Mattaponi and Pamunkey River Association, and Friends of the Dragon
Run.
Coastal Management- The nine local governments of the Middle Peninsula
Planning District use the MPPDC GIS for "quick and urgent"
maps and technical assistance. GIS mapping initiatives include but
are not limited to: Aerial imagery, wetlands, floodplains, preservation
areas, soils, habitat, and population mapping analysis of areas
subject to development pressures, comprehensive land use and watershed
planning. MPPDC GIS is a dynamic analysis assistance service land
use and watershed planning.
Local Planning- The MPPDC Coastal Technical Assistance Program hosts
monthly and quarterly meetings as a forum and information exchange
between the local planning staff and local government appointed
committees. This forum provides for coordination of coastal local
planning efforts and the impetus for leadership in progressive planning
techniques. Topics covered include: Natural Heritage program, coastal
fire hazards, Tributary Strategies, bike planning and compatible
small business development
Public Access Authority Support- MPPDC staff provides direct staff
support for the implementation on the Middle Peninsula Chesapeake
Bay Public Access Authority Act, enabled by the2000 Virginia General
Assembly. The Middle Peninsula Chesapeake Bay Public Access Authority
Act allows participating localities by resolution to declare that
there is a need for a public access authority to be created. The
Access Authority is a dynamic creature of government. Current information
about the Authority can be found at http://www.mppdc.com/project/access.htm
Aquaculture Public Use Inventory- The level of homegrown oyster
aquaculture activity within the Middle Peninsula is for the most
part undocumented. Public interest in homegrown aquaculture is on
the rise and subsequently consuming an increasing share of public
space. This project GPS recorded the location of Aquaculture floats
systems on the Mobjack Bay, Ware, Severn, and Ware River. Of note,
Hurricane Isabel made landfall during the final data collection
phase of the project and fundamentally changed the shoreline of
the Middle Peninsula and resulted in nearly 100% destruction of
piers and mooring devices which served as mooring locations for
aquaculture activities. The database collected can serve as a gauge
for future aquaculture infrastructure.
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
