Virginia Coastal Program: 2003 Coastal Grant Project Description and Final Summary
Project Task:
FY2003 Task 8
Grantee:
Virginia Department of Environmental Quality - Virginia Coastal Program
Project Title:
Eastern Shore Land Acquisition
Project Description as Proposed:
DEQ Coastal staff will work with state agencies (DCR, DGIF, or VIMS/NERRS) to identify an appropriate site for acquisition. We will rely in part on the assessment of potential land sellers in Northampton County developed by a consultant under FY'96 Task 2 as well as information developed under FY '03 Task 13, the CELCP land acquisition priority plan, to the extent that it may be available before the end of this grant. The Coastal Program will seek a parcel(s) that is in need of protection within the neotropical songbird migratory stopover habitat at the southern tip or bayside of Virginia's Eastern Shore. This area is highly threatened by residential development given the recent reduction of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel toll from $20 round trip to $14 round trip.
Federal Funding:
$200,000
Project Contact:
Larry Smith, 804-371-6205, larry.smith@dcr.virginia.gov OR Laura McKay, (804) 698-4323 - Project Manager, lbmckay@deq.virginia.gov
Project Status:
Grant Closed
Final Product Received:
Project Summary Provided by Grantee:
On September 28, 2006 the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) purchased a 65.66% fee interest in a 285 acre portion of the 491 acre Bull Tract that had been purchased by The Nature Conservancy (TNC) in 2005. This 285-acre property has been dedicated as the Magothy Bay State Natural Area Preserve.
The purchase price paid by DCR for the 100% interest in the 285-acre parcel was determined by averaging the three appraisals that were done on the 285-acre parcel for DCR. That price was $3,846,666. TNC agreed to accept this amount for the sale of the 285 acres. The original Virginia Coastal Zone Management Program Grant had proposed that with these funds, DCR would purchase an undivided partial interest in the entire 491-acre parcel that had been purchased by TNC. However, this plan changed when it was learned that the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service had the desire and funding to acquire a portion of the 491-acre Bull parcel. It was agreed by all parties involved that the State of Virginia would purchase the 285-acre northern portion of the Bull tract and that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service would purchase the southern 206 acres and make it an addition to the Eastern Shore National Wildlife Refuge. A survey was done to locate and plat these sub-parcels. The subdivision was approved by Northampton County. The change has proven to be a good one for conservation. The Fish and Wildlife Service will acquire their 206-acre parcel in November 2006. TNC will sell its remaining interest in the 285-acre parcel to DCR when the remaining funding is obtained in early 2007.
A natural area dedication ceremony was held on site to recognize this project on October 10.
Several funding partners contributed to this initial DCR acquisition. They are:
VA Coastal Zone Man. Grants: $660,791
DCR Bond Funds: $350,000
VA Land Conservation Grant: $1,500,000
Cash Gift from James Taylor: $15,000
$2,525,791
The figure above represents the amount paid for the 65.66% undivided ownership interest in the land. The $260,347 provided by this Virginia Coastal Management Program grant has allowed for the purchase of 6.8% of the 285-acre Bull tract.
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
