Virginia Coastal Program: 2002 Coastal Grant Project Description and Final Summary
Project Task:
FY2002 Task 48
Grantee:
Northern Virginia Planning District Commission
Project Title:
Coastal Resources Technical Assistance Program
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
will coordinate enviroMay 16, 2006 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:
$25,000
Project Contact:
Katherine Mull, 703.642.4625
Project Status:
Grant Closed
Final Product Received:
Project Summary Provided by Grantee:
Technical Assistance included presentation of the Local Government Workshop on Chesapeake Bay Preservation Ordinance Amendments, participation in Chesapeake Bay Local Assistance Department initiatives, including protocols for determination of perenniality of streams and riparian buffer guidance. NVRC performed over 100 Environmental Impact Assessment reviews during the period. Other products include the NVironment newsletter covering coastal issues of importance to Northern Virginia, which is mailed to over 1,000 officials, organizations and the media. NVRC staff members are also serving on the Potomac Tributary Strategies Team.
The project also included development of a Regional Environmental Media Outreach Strategy to target pollution-causing behaviors. This information is being presented to local jurisdictions. Findings are based on secondary research as well as interviews with media, marketing, advertising and consumer research professionals, and media buyers to "ground truth" media plan recommendations and ensure the public receives and acts on pollution-prevention messages. This information is intended to serve as an ongoing resource for future conservation outreach effort of whatever scale. NVRC also participated in the EPA Chesapeake Bay Program's planning efforts for a metropolitan Washington media campaign in order to recommend ways to dovetail local and regional outreach strategies.
For the Virginia Watershed Planning Initiative/Implementation of Chesapeake Bay Agreement, NVRC served on Virginia's Watershed Commitments Task Force and provided extensive review and comment on technical guide development. NVRC also served on the Watershed Management Planning Workshop Committee and participated in the development of a series of watershed planning workshops across the state. NVRC was a presenter at the Virginia Watershed Advisory Committee Watershed Planning Workshop and is assisting the Potomac Watershed Roundtable Nutrient Subcommittee in its efforts to inform homeowners associations of measures to prevent resident-caused pollution. NVRC was also a presenter at a watershed forum in Fairfax County and participated in Chesapeake Bay Program Committees to strengthen the role of local governments in Bay protection and restoration 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
