Virginia Coastal Program: 2003 Coastal Grant Project Description and Final Summary
Project Task:
FY2003 Task 9
Grantee:
Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation - Division of Natural Heritage
Project Title:
Habitat Conservation/Locality Liaison
Project Description as Proposed:
DCR's Locality Liaison program works with local and regional planners to help protect natural heritage resources (rare plants and animals and exemplary natural communities) by improving access to biodiversity information and consultative services from DCR-DNH and its Heritage Data Management System. A key service provided is review of projects to identify and recommend mitigation for potential impacts to natural heritage resources. Products made available to localities and others include maps showing conservation sites and other natural heritage resource location information, with corresponding digital coverages available by subscription for incorporation into local GIS; a catalog of habitat restoration opportunities; assistance and partnership to localities in identifying and implementing habitat conservation projects; and model language for incorporation into comprehensive plans to better address biodiversity issues.
Federal Funding:
$50,000.00
Project Contact:
Steven Carter-Lovejoy, 804.786.8377, scarterlovejoy@dcr.state.va.us
Project Status:
Grant Closed
Final Product Received:
Project Summary Provided by Grantee:
The
DCR Division of Natural Heritage's Locality Liaison program works
with local and regional planners to improve access to information
and consultative services from DCR-DNH. The Locality Liaison program
works to make natural heritage resource information an integral
part of locality decision-making processes through tools such as
project review, comprehensive plans, project sitings, zoning amendments,
and open space planning. It also assists localities in the development
of habitat conservation and restoration projects through provision
of general habitat stewardship and protection guidelines, facilitation
of locality-led natural area conservation and inventory efforts,
and making connections between localities and state/federal natural
resource assistance (staff, information, and financial).
This year one updated set of Natural Heritage Resource Maps showing
approximate locations of natural heritage resources within each
county and city were prepared and distributed to all CZMA localities
and PDCs as well as to other natural resource agencies. Information
was also provided digitally and through custom responses to requests.
An ArcIMS website featuring conservation sites is intended to replace
these hard copy maps. Though its development by Timmons has been
delayed, it will be completed this fall.
The Locality Liaison reviewed 1419 CZMA projects submitted by local,
state, and federal agencies and private individuals and consultants
to assess the potential for proposed activities to impact natural
heritage resources and to recommend ways to avoid or minimize these
impacts.
The Locality Liaison was instrumental in establishing opportunities
for presenting information on DCR-DNH services as well as the Virginia
Conservation Lands Needs Assessment to coastal Planning District
Commissions, including Hampton Roads, Middle Peninsula, Northern
Neck and Accomack-Northampton.
The Locality Liaison and other DCR-DNH staff worked with Stafford
County to assist in their development of wildlife migration corridors
in the Aquia Creek Watershed and initiated talks with York county
to enter into a digital data subscription. The Locality Liaison
has completed model language for inclusion in comprehensive plans.
The Locality Liaison also served on the James City County Site Planning
Roundtable to participate in strengthening local subdivision codes
and ordinances.
DCR and VDOT have developed a preliminary catalog of potential wetland
restoration sites, areas identified within or adjacent to Conservation
Sites with restoration potential, that can guide localities and
regulatory agencies to appropriate sites for various conservation
purposes including wetland mitigation. Candidate sites were identified
this year. In the coming year DCR-NH will evaluate and prioritize
these sites, and implement a process for promoting these sites.
The final report for this project (Natural Heritage Technical Report
04-02) discusses the year's activities and provides recommendations
for further action. The Locality Liaison program continues at DCR-DNH
through a FY2004 CRMP grant from 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
