Virginia Coastal Program: 2003 Coastal Grant Project Description and Final Summary
Project Task:
FY2003 Task 3
Grantee:
Virginia Department of Environmental Quality - Environmental Impact Review
Project Title:
Environmental Impact Review and Federal Consistency
Project Description as Proposed:
Conduct federal consistency review of activities which can affect Virginia's coastal resources pursuant to the CZMA and the federal consistency regulations. Coordinate Virginia's review of environmental documents for development of federal and state facilities and actions which require federal approvals or assistance. Revise and update Virginia's EIR and federal consistency manuals. Provide interpretation of federal consistency requirements to federal agencies, applicants for federal permits, approvals, or funding, and consultants preparing consistency determinations or certifications. Provide training for state reviewers and local government officials on the use of federal consistency. Ensure public participation in the review of federal consistency documents. Conduct site visits as necessary.
Federal Funding:
$140,500
Project Contact:
Ellie Irons, 804.698.4325, elirons@deq.virginia.gov
Project Status:
Grant Closed
Final Product Received:
Project Summary Provided by Grantee:
During
FY 2003 grant year, the Office of Environmental Impact Review coordinated
the review of 239 development projects for consistency with the
Virginia Coastal Resources Management Program (57 major state projects,
133 federal actions and 49 federally funded projects). All projects
were completed within the established legal time frame. OEIR completed
the Commonwealth's formal review of de minimis activities and general
consistency determinations submitted by the Department of the Navy
on behalf of all Defense Logistics Agency, US Coast Guard, and Department
of Defense Navy, Air Force, Army, and Marine Corps.
On September 17, EIR distributed the revised federal consistency
certification for the King William Reservoir - Regional Raw Water
Supply Plan for Lower Peninsula to agencies administering the enforceable
and advisory policies of the VCP. Because of numerous public requests,
a public hearing was included in the public participation process.
Ninety-two of the 160 people attending the hearing registered to
speak. The public comment period ended on October 29 and the legal
deadline to complete the Commonwealth's review ends on March 17,
2005.
Staff participated in several activities involving federal consistency
issues such as continuing discussions with the Virginia Department
of Aviation and the Federal Aviation Administration the development
of a Memorandum of Agreement to govern general consistency determinations
for repeated activities at airports as allowed under 15 CFR section
930.36 (c). The FAA indicated its wish to postpone further consideration
of this matter because of other priority issues at this time.
OEIR continues to manage and maintain a website for Federal Consistency
for the Commonwealth. The site can be accessed through DEQ's main
webpage or found at http://www.deq.state.va.us/eir. The webpage
is updated weekly.
OEIR staff conducted training sessions (in lieu of formal workshops)
on environmental impact review and federal consistency requirements
for reviewers at the Department of Conservation and Recreation and
the Department of Historic Resources.
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
