Virginia Coastal Program: 2002 Coastal Grant Project Description and Final Summary
Project Task:
FY2002 Task 93
Grantee:
Hampton Roads Planning District Commission
Project Title:
Special Area Management Plan for the Southern Watersheds
Project Description as Proposed:
The Southern Watershed Area Management Program is intended to balance protection of coastal resources with continued economic and rural residential development in the Southern Watershed Area of Chesapeake and Virginia Beach, Virginia. Substantial progress has been made towards achieving the program changes outlined at the beginning of the project. Accomplishments include completion of a series of consultant reports on rural area preservation, improving the wetlands mitigation process, agricultural preservation and stewardship of the significant natural resources in the Southern Watershed Area (SWA). Memorandums of agreement (MOA) have been completed on water use conflict issues on the North Landing River and on improvement of the wetlands mitigation process in the SWA. A third MOA on water use conflict issues on Back Bay is currently under development. Both Chesapeake and Virginia Beach are beginning the process of updating their comprehensive plans and intend to use information from the consultant reports in the updated plans. Finally, project staff is working with local developers to foster the development of a conservation subdivision in the SWA.
Federal Funding:
$100,000
Project Contact:
John Carlock or Eric Walberg, 757.420.8300
Project Status:
Grant Closed
Final Product Received:
Project Summary Provided by Grantee:
The
Southern Watershed Area Management Program (SWAMP) is a partnership
between the Virginia Coastal Program, the Hampton Roads Planning
District Commission and the Cities of Chesapeake and Virginia Beach.
SWAMP is a collaborative effort to integrate protection of natural
and cultural resources with continued economic development in the
Southern Watershed Area (SWA). The SWA includes the watersheds of
the North Landing and Northwest Rivers and Back Bay. Phase VIII
of SWAMP has been completed and a written report documenting activities
and accomplishments under this phase of the project is available.
The major accomplishments during Phase VIII include the following:
" Multiple Benefits Conservation Plan Memorandum of Agreement:
A user's guide for the MOA has been developed. The MBCP Technical
Advisory Committee has been working through the process of implementing
the MOA.
" North Landing River Water Use Conflict Memorandum of Agreement:
Educational materials and signs have been developed.
" Back Bay Water Use Conflict Educational Package: An educational
brochure and sign have been developed.
" Inclusion of SWAMP materials in the Chesapeake and Virginia
Beach Comprehensive Plans: Chesapeake is in the process of updating
its Comprehensive Plan and Virginia Beach completed its update in
December of 2003. Both Plans include elements of the SWAMP research.
" Adoption of an Open Space and Agricultural Preservation Program
in Chesapeake: The City of Chesapeake adopted a purchase of development
rights (PDR) program that included prime agricultural lands and
conservation lands identified in the SWAMP research.
" Development of the first Conservation Subdivision in the
Southern Watershed Area: The "Preserve on the Elizabeth",
based on a site plan designed by Randall Arendt as part of SWAMP,
has been approved by the Chesapeake City Council and is under construction.
Copies of the MOAs and technical reports are available for review
at the HRPDC and 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
