Virginia Coastal Program: 2003 Coastal Grant Project Description and Final Summary

Project Task:

FY2003 Task 12.07

Grantee:

The Virginia Eastern Shorekeeper

Project Title:

Seaside Heritage Program: Shorekeeper Protection & Education Efforts

Project Description as Proposed:

The Virginia Eastern Shorekeeper, a member of the Waterkeeper Alliance (www.waterkeeper.org) and a non-profit corporation registered in Virginia, was established in August 2002. A Shorekeeper was hired to conduct year round on-the-water observations to investigate, assess and document citizen allegations of harmful activity, participate in the public process, and to minimize the growing potential for conflict between aquaculture industry and shoreline residents. The Shorekeeper will serve as an advocate and ombudsman for the seaside bays. He will provide an additional set of eyes and ears to alert the Virginia Marine Resources Commission (VMRC) or other appropriate agencies on issues relating to the protection of sensitive natural resources along the Atlantic seaside bays of the Virginia Eastern Shore. The Shorekeeper and his cadre of volunteers will be an effective tool in monitoring sensitive seaside resources, ensuring oyster reef sanctuaries are protected from harvest, eelgrass beds, planted under the auspices of the Seaside Heritage Program, are not damaged and rare beach and colonial nesting birds are not disturbed. The Virginia Eastern Shorekeeper organization has applied for a small watershed grant, which will supplement this effort.

The Shorekeeper and associated volunteers will monitor activities from their own or public property. They will not access privately owned lands unless prior agreements are established with the property owners.

Federal Funding:

$20,000

Project Contact:

Richard Ayers, (757) 678-6182 - shorekeeper@verizon.net

Project Status:

Project Completed

Final Product Received:

Report on the extent of discarded and abandoned plastic aquaculture netting on Virginia's seaside. 2004 Report, R. Ayers, Finding from FY-03 surveys
Final Report PDF

Human impacts to sensitive natural resources on the Atlantic barrier islands on the Eastern Shore of Virginia, 2004 Report, R. Ayers. Finding from FY-03 surveys.
Final Report PDF

Creek Watchers Volunteer Manual for the Eastern Shore of Virginia, 2004, A guide for volunteer Creek Watchers. This 55 page loose leaf binder plus inserts is designed to be a ready reference for volunteers. Topics include; Pollution and the Coast, Being an Effective Creek Watcher, Laws pertaining to Our Waters, Resource listings and Reporting a Problem. Distributed to volunteer Creek Watchers. Available online at www.shorekeeper.org

Project Summary Provided by Grantee:

This project has help launch the Virginia Eastern Shorekeeper as a visible presence patrolling the seaside waters of the Virginia Eastern Shore. Patrols are making a difference both as a deterrent to harmful activities and as a means of public education on our sensitive natural resources. Over 500 hours of on-the water patrols were conducted.

With the publication last spring of the Creek Watchers Volunteer Manual, 8 out of the 22 dedicated Eastern Shore Creek Watchers are now monitoring the seaside waters. The other volunteers monitor their bayside creeks and volunteer for seaside patrols and beach cleanup with the Shorekeeper. Volunteer Creek Watcher's are now a permanent program and should continue to grow as more volunteers are recruited. The next Creek Watcher training session is scheduled for Spring 2005. Two other watershed organizations have contacted the Shorekeeper to develop their own programs.

Working with the aquaculture industry there has been significant progress in addressing the discarded plastic aquaculture netting from seaside waters. More work needs to be done; however growers have recognized the problem and are voluntarily cleaning up there industry. Over 50 miles of barrier island beaches were surveyed for discarded netting. Multiple surveys and samplings monitored the nets impacts and adverse effects. Over 1000 pieces of netting were documented and mapped with widespread distribution form Hog Island south to the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay.

An assessment of human impacts on the seaside is complete. There will be a consolidated effort to bring the primary land managers and local stakeholders together to jointly address public uses issues throughout the Atlantic barrier islands.

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