Virginia Coastal Program: 2003 Coastal Grant Project Description and Final Summary
Project Task:
FY2003 Task 47
Grantee:
Northern Neck Planning District Commission
Project Title:
Regional Environmental Inspectors
Project Description as Proposed:
This Regional Environmental
Inspectors (REIs) project is a continuation of the previous Regional
Environmental Inspections, Compliance and Technical Assistance project
funded in Grant Year 2002. This project will continue to provide
a productive and consistent response to high rates of construction,
shoreline development and erosion control projects, wetlands reviews
and compliance inspections, and Chesapeake Bay Act assessments within
the Northern Neck Region. This proposal consists of two REIs; each
providing assistance to two of the four Northern Neck counties.
Each REI will focus on the implementation of environmental regulations
for permitted activities within jurisdictional wetlands areas, provide
guidance for RPA proposals, prioritize erosion and sediment control
projects, monitor environmental activities for compliance, partner
with other organizations for public education projects, and distribute
related informational literature.
It is anticipated that approximately 1700 site visits will be performed
from October 1, 2003 through September 30, 2004. Maintaining both
REI positions takes into account time and travel constraints to
allow for the most cost effective means of assuring consistent compliance
with environmental regulations and close working relations with
local staff, contractors, agents, and the public. Site specific
documentation will be used to coordinate with other regulatory and
advisory personnel to perform comprehensive reviews of site plans
and permit applications.
The REIs will participate in environmental workshops and/or community
activities within each watershed to continue emphasizing the urgency
of implementing Erosion and Sediment Control measures, and assuring
Wetlands protection and Resource Protection Area preservation. They
will provide Chesapeake Bay Preservation Act guidance, and perform
inspections and reviews to maintain compliance with environmental
regulations, on a regional basis, at the local level.
One REI will assist Lancaster and Richmond Counties (primarily within
the Rappahannock River watershed), and the other REI will assist
Northumberland and Westmoreland Counties (primarily within the Potomac
River watershed). The REIs will continue to track and monitor wetlands
projects and update county wetlands databases, to include tracking
incoming Joint Permit Applications, permits issued, construction
costs, and compliance or enforcement activities. Both REI positions
will focus on review and compliance for “permitted activities”,
e.g. shoreline erosion projects, RPA proposals, and land disturbing
projects. It is anticipated that approximately 1700 site visits
will be performed from October 1, 2003 through September 30, 2004
(overestimated last year). Maintaining the two REI positions allows
for close working relations with local staff, contractors, agents,
and the public. A distribution plan will be implemented to widely
disseminate the “Plan, Permit, Preserve” brochure and
the conservation decal (published during the current grant year)
to public and service entities.
Federal Funding:
$48,000
Project Contact:
Micqui Whiddon, 804.333.1900, mwhiddon@nnpdc17.state.va.us or Robin Markham, 804.333.1900, rmarkham@nnpdc17.state.va.us
Project Status:
Grant Closed
Final Product Received:
Project Summary Provided by Grantee:
The
Regional Environmental Inspections and Compliance project provides
assistance to the 4 counties and 6 towns of the Northern Neck Region
to implement and maintain compliance with environmental regulations.
This project consists of two regional environmental inspectors.
One inspector works primarily within the Rappahannock River Watershed
to aid Lancaster and Richmond counties and their towns; the other
inspector works primarily within the Potomac River Watershed to
aid Northumberland and Westmoreland counties and their towns.
Duties include monitoring coastal development and shoreline erosion
protection projects, working closely with the public, locality staff,
wetlands board members, and other agencies to enhance pre-construction
planning, monitoring Chesapeake Bay Act and RPA activities, conducting
wetlands project reviews, inspecting for permit compliance, assisting
with environmental enforcement, monitoring projects for erosion
and sediment control compliance, and providing environmental educational
programs. Database tracking is used for wetlands permit compliance.
Approximately 1889 CBPA, Wetlands, and Erosion and Sediment Control
inspections were performed during the Grant Year 2003.
Both REIs developed emergency wetlands permit forms for their respective
counties based on the Virginia Marine Resources Commission's emergency
regulations for post Hurricane Isabel. The PR-REI made a presentation
regarding the emergency guidelines for repair of shoreline structures
due to Hurricane Isabel at a joint meeting of the Town of Colonial
Beach with the Shoreline Erosion Advisory Services. The PR-REI developed
a landscaping agreement plan and a list of suggested plant materials
for buffer restoration. The RR-REI modified a computer generated
permit form for Richmond County to include ESC requirements and
compiled a generic memo to send out when appropriate. She also consulted
with a Boy Scoutmaster on possibilities for wetlands projects for
his scouts, and the wetlands permitting process. The PR-REI consulted
with an Eagle Scout on a wetlands project.
The 2 REIs displayed environmental grant deliverables at the VA
Coastal Partners Workshop and presented at another seminar for the
Northern Neck Realtor's Association. The RR-REI created a Wetlands
and Wetlands Board presentation in the Lancaster County Public Library
display case for the month of December. Both REIs attended local
Wetlands Board meetings. They met with DEQ staff to discuss local
dune and beach ordinances, how they are applied locally, and a coastal
survey.
The RR-REI partnered with the Simonson Community for their annual
clean-up where 44 bags of garbage were collected and driven to the
dump. As part of a regional litter campaign and in conjunction with
International Coastal Clean-ups, the REIs coordinated three coastal
clean-up activities and assisted with an additional one. They also
began coordinating a regional litter summit to take place during
the next quarterly reporting period.
The REIs partnered with Master Gardeners in Northumberland and Lancaster
Counties for environmental programs at the middle school in each
of these counties. The REIs also presented a soils, hydrology, and
environmental regulations program at the Virginia Federation of
Master Gardener's Monroe Hall Symposium. Finally, they held a "Get
Your Feet Wet Program" for children of all ages at the Belle
Isle State Park Family Fun Festival. This was a great success with
approximately 25 children participating. A display was created for
all activities. A Public Information Dispersal Plan (enclosed) was
also designed and is currently being implemented. These activities
resulted in increased public awareness, interaction and feedback,
and provided improved environmental planning throughout the Northern
Neck region.
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
