Virginia Coastal Program: 2002 Coastal Grant Project Description and Final Summary
Project Task:
FY2002 Task 47
Grantee:
Northern Neck Planning District Commission
Project Title:
Regional Environmental Inspections, Compliance and Technical Assistance
Project Description as Proposed:
This proposal requests
funding for a Regional Environmental Inspections and Compliance
Project, containing two Regional Environmental Inspectors focusing
on: Implementation and Compliance of Environmental Regulations,
Education and Outreach, and Database Tracking. Due to high rates
of construction and continued shoreline development and stabilization,
the localities of the Northern Neck Region require continued assistance
to monitor, track and maintain compliance with the Chesapeake Bay
Preservation Act, to protect wetlands surface and groundwater resources
from development impacts, provide review, implementation, and compliance
for shoreline, wetlands, and erosion and sediment control projects,
and provide educational programs.
(1) Both REI positions will focus on shoreline erosion projects
("permitted activities"), assuring RPA guidelines are
met, and that erosion and sediment control remains a priority. Pertinent
site-specific information will be coordinated with other related
regulatory and advisory personnel, and will be used to formulate
future implementation strategies.
(2) It is projected that greater than 1,900 site inspections will
be performed from October 1, 2002 through September 30, 2003. Two
positions allow the Inspectors to work more closely with local staff,
contractors and private citizens. Each REI will provide assistance
to two of the four counties. In Lancaster, Northumberland, Richmond,
and Westmoreland Counties the REIs review, inspect, and provide
recommendations at Wetlands Board Hearings.
(3) Currently, the county wetlands databases are updated and shoreline
projects tracked and monitored, to include tracking incoming Joint
Permit Applications, permits issued, estimated construction costs,
and compliance and/or enforcement activities.
(4)Educational programs for private citizens, contractors, agents,
realtors and schools are valuable tools for informing the public
and gaining support for current environmental programs. The REIs
wMay 16, 2006 sub-regions,
addressing Erosion and Sediment Control, Wetlands, Bay Act requirements,
and local ordinances. The goal is to educate the public on how to
assess shoreline erosion control projects from every perspective.
The Northern Neck PDC with also provide Technical Assistance to
localities with planning on a regional scale by compiling a GIS
Map for the "Vision of the Future" for the Northern Neck.
NNPDC staff (Environmental Planner) will combine the Future Land
Use Plan Maps from each of the four County's Comprehensive Plans
into a single map, with comparable categories to aid in long range
planning for the peninsula of the Northern Neck. Because of inherent
differences in each of County's Future Land Use Plan Map, categories
may have to be combined, and formats revised so that comparisons
can be made. If the data is not in digital form, the NNPDC will
convert it. The Northern Neck Regional Future Land Use Plan Map
will help neighboring counties plan appropriately around its borders
so as to reduce incompatible land uses between Counties. The true
usefulness of such a product will be in the future, when each County
revises their Comprehensive Plans. With this information at their
disposal, it is hoped that land use conflicts between Counties on
the Northern Neck will be minimized. The Technical Assistance element
will also include VA Coastal Program Support and participation in
RRBC activities.
Federal Funding:
$72,933
Project Contact:
Micqui Whiddon, 804.333.1900
Project Status:
Grant Closed
Final Product Received:
Project Summary Provided by Grantee:
The Regional Environmental Inspections and Compliance project provides assistance to the 4 counties and 6 towns of the Northern Neck Region to implement and maintain compliance with environmental regulations. This project consists of two regional environmental inspectors. One inspector works primarily within the Rappahannock River Watershed to aid Lancaster and Richmond counties and their towns; the other inspector works primarily within the Potomac River Watershed to aid Northumberland and Westmoreland counties and their towns.
Duties include monitoring coastal development and shoreline erosion protection projects, working closely with the public, locality staff, wetlands board members, and other agencies to enhance pre-construction planning, monitoring Chesapeake Bay Act and RPA activities, conducting wetlands project reviews, inspecting for permit compliance, assisting with environmental enforcement, monitoring projects for erosion and sediment control compliance, and providing environmental educational programs. Database tracking is used for wetlands permit compliance. More than 1780 CBPA, Wetlands, and Erosion and Sediment Control inspections were performed during the extended Grant Year 2002 (10/1/02-9/30/03).
Both REIs attended PDC quarterly meetings, the DCR Watershed Workshop,
and a Wetlands process review
with DEQ representatives, among other activities. They created Emergency
Wetlands Project Certifications for after Hurricane Isabel. They
met with a new CBLAD staff member for regional orientation, and
presented at several Northern Neck Realtor's Conservation Seminars.
They also created a hands-on "Get Your Feet Wet" activity
for the Belle Isle Family Festival, and created a regional "Save
the Treasures of the Northern Neck" decal (and static window
cling).
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
