Virginia Coastal Program: 2003 Coastal Grant Project Description and Final Summary
Project Task:
FY2003 Task 49
Grantee:
Northern Virginia Regional Commission
Project Title:
Coastal Technical Assistance Program
Project Description as Proposed:
NVRC’s ongoing support to Northern Virginia local governments consists of the following tasks: 1) Technical assistance. NVRC will continue to provide technical assistance to local governments on coastal issues and will serve as a proactive point of information exchange between state, local, federal, and regional parties involved in coastal resources management. The objective is to provide the latest information on issues of a regional nature, provide a forum for localities to exchange information, and to coordinate comments. Outcomes include arming local government staff with the best data and the benefit of “lessons learned” to save time and money and improve effectiveness. 2) NVironment Newsletter. Published once per year as the program’s primary outreach tool, NVironment consists of timely articles focusing on Chesapeake Bay and coastal issues. It is supplemented by a monthly e-mail publication, Regional Environmental Review. 3) Regional Pollution Prevention (P2) Outreach Strategy. Building on last year’s project, NVRC will coordinate implementation of the P2 strategy. In doing so, NVRC will research the effectiveness of traditional outreach and education materials in inducing actual behavior change, characterize barriers to change, and identify proven approaches. NVRC will continue to participate in the Bay Program’s Communications Workgroup to explore ways local investment in outreach can be leveraged by the Bay Program’s P2 campaign. The objective is cost/effective outreach that results in behavior change. 4) State Watershed Planning Initiative/Virginia Implementation of the Chesapeake 2000 (C2K) Agreement. NVRC will continue to assist DCR in its implementation of C2K objectives by participating in the Potomac Tributary Strategy revisions and the Virginia Watershed Commitments Task Force (CWiC). For the benefit of state efforts, NVRC will share with CWiC the experiences, successes and lessons learned during the multi-jurisdictional Occoquan watershed planning process. NVRC will participate in meetings of the Coastal PDCs, Chesapeake Bay Program CWiC, and the Potomac Watershed Roundtable to foster exchange of information and further the goals of the C2K Agreement. Outcome is more and better watershed planning across the region.
Federal Funding:
$25,000
Project Contact:
Katherine Mull, 703.642.4625, kmull@novaregion.org
Project Status:
Grant Closed
Final Product Received:
Project Summary Provided by Grantee:
For
Technical Assistance and other project activities, NVRC:
" Conducted a regional dialog and workshop on riparian buffers,
low impact development and green infrastructure network design.
The meeting advanced efforts of headwaters jurisdictions to implement
buffer protections.
" Provided a regional workshop for Chesapeake Bay Local Assistance
Department staff to train local government staff on use of the newly-published
Riparian Buffer Guidance Manual and Water Quality Impact Assessment
Worksheets.
" Provided General Assembly legislative updates to watershed
staff in each of the region's jurisdictions.
" Provided ongoing Environmental Assessment/Environmental Impact
Statement/Environmental Impact Report review as part of the inter-governmental
review process.
" Published NVironment newsletter, Fall 2004, to highlight
coastal issues of region-wide interest. This year's edition featured
regional work on the development and implementation of the Potomac
Tributary Strategies. Mailed to over 1100 recipients and uploaded
to NVRC's web site.
" Coordinated a regional pollution-prevention outreach strategy
that resulted in the identification of targeted behaviors, target
audience, message, most cost-effective advertising medium, pre-produced
radio advertisement, timing for media placement, and overall approach.
Outcome of this process is a draft Request for Proposals for a media
buyer, to be issued in the fall of 2004.
" Hosted a meeting to provide information on sea-level rise
response to the U.S. EPA in support of efforts to foster sea-level
rise planning among northern Virginia localities.
" Working with the Potomac Watershed Roundtable's Nutrient
Committee, coordinated the publication of five articles in the Community
Associations Institute's Quorum magazine to disseminate information
on pollution-prevention activities to homeowners,
" Participated in the development and implementation of Potomac
Tributary Strategies.
" Participated in Fairfax County's Stormwater Tactical Team
for stormwater public education and outreach to engender public
support for a stormwater utility fee.
" Worked with the U.S. EPA Chesapeake Bay Program's Media Campaign
for the Washington area to investigate opportunities to coordinate
with Northern Virginia's anticipated investment in the regional
pollution-prevention outreach strategy with a larger metro-area
campaign.
" Provided an Occoquan update report regarding multi-jurisdictional
watershed planning to Virginia's Watershed Advisory Committee to
assist in multi-jurisdictional efforts across the state.
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
