Virginia Coastal Program: 2002 Coastal Grant Project Description and Final Summary
Project Task:
FY2002 Task 96
Grantee:
Virginia Insititute of Marine Science - Center for Coastal Resource Management
Project Title:
Enhancement of Wetlands Regulatory Program
Project Description as Proposed:
New protocols and procedures are needed to effectively implement many aspects of the new Virginia nontidal wetlands regulatory program. One goal of the program is to achieve no net loss of acreage or function by requiring effective compensation for all permited wetland impacts. Ensuring that all permits allowing wetland impacts address no net loss of wetland acreage and function will require a protocol for continued monitoring of compensation efforts on a watershed basis and a protocol for adjusting permit requirements such as compensatory mitigation ratios to ensure a no net loss outcome. This project is the second phase of the effort to develop these protocols. The cumulative impact assessment protocol will be tested and revised as necessary to optimize its utility. The compensation monitoring protocol will be drafted and revised, while the supporting data base is under continuing development.
Federal Funding:
$90,500
Project Contact:
Kirk Havens, Center
for Coastal Resources Management/VIMS, 804-684-7387
Project Status:
Grant Closed
Final Product Received:
Project Summary Provided by Grantee:
Enhancement
of Wetlands Management in Virginia - Monitoring Compensatory Mitigation
and Cumulative Impact Assessment
Effective implementation of the Virginia nontidal wetlands regulatory
program charge to assess and consider cumulative impacts of a proposed
project on water quality and fish and wildlife resources requires
a consistent and technically based assessment protocol implemented
on a watershed basis. This project is the second step in development
of the protocol for cumulative impact assessment and includes a
protocol for compensation monitoring and a test of the cumulative
impact assessment protocol. The draft compensation monitoring protocol
was discussed with DEQ personnel and modified to meet specific regional
requirements. A test of the cumulative impact assessment protocol
was conducted on a watershed where a number of DEQ permits have
been issued for wetlands impacts. Modification of the cumulative
impact assessment protocol will continue as a result of analysis
of the test.
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
