Virginia Coastal Program: 2003 Coastal Grant Project Description and Final Summary
Project Task:
FY2003 Task 72
Grantee:
Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation - Division of Chesapeake Bay Local Assistance
Project Title:
Chesapeake Bay Preservation Act Education & Outreach Development
Project Description as Proposed:
These funds contribute
to the implementation of management measures contained in the Urban,
Hydromodification, and Wetlands chapters of the (g) guidance and
support increasing local capacity. In particular, CBLAD would like
to assist local governments with the cost of printing education
materials specific to their locality and to support the development
of new materials as appropriate. Over the years, localities have
developed educational materials explaining the requirements of the
Bay Act and the importance of the performance standards intended
to protect water quality from nonpoint sources of pollution. The
education materials developed to date have improved homeowner knowledge
of the program as well as enforcement efforts of the local governments.
Due to the loss of the grant program that helped fund many of these
efforts in the past, CBLAD has been unable to help with these costs
and there has been a decline in the development of these helpful
materials. Therefore, CBLAD would use funds to assist localities
with the development and/or printing, and distribution of educational
materials as needed.
These funds would also be used to develop specific training materials
for Wetlands Boards and other local boards and commissions that
make decisions on Bay Act cases. The training materials to be developed
for Wetlands Boards would help ensure that Bay Act requirements
would be met during the local review of projects for wetlands permits.
Shoreline erosion projects have the potential to benefit the environment
if designed properly, but too often they have resulted in the loss
of natural vegetation and the disappearance of the RPA buffers.
Federal Funding:
$12,250
Project Contact:
Martha Little, 804.371.7504; martha.little@dcr.virginia.gov
Project Status:
Grant Closed
Final Product Received:
Project Summary Provided by Grantee:
The Division of Chesapeake Bay Local Assistance contracted with Accomack County, The City of Portsmouth, Chesterfied County, the City of Suffolk, and Tidewater Soil and Water District to develop and print education materials to improve the implementation and enforcement of the Chesapeake Bay Preservation Act and Regulations.Portsmouth:
Portsmouth's brochure was mailed to 2,232 owners of properties either
located entirely or partially in the Resource Protection Area (RPA).
The remaining pamphlets are being retained for in-office display
and distribution.
The pamphlet addressed the following topics of which were selected as topics of interest and significance for the typical property owner:
(A) What is the Chesapeake Bay Ordinance? - An explanation of Chapter
9.1 of the Portsmouth City Code
(B) Three types of Chesapeake Bay Preservation Areas - An explanation
of the Resource Protection Area (RPA), Resource Management Area
(RMA) and the Intensely Developed Area (IDA)
(C) Building Permits for Chesapeake Bay Preservation Areas - A brief
explanation of the CBPA Development Review Process
(D) Trees in Chesapeake Bay Preservation Areas - An explanation
of the regulations regarding tree preservation and removal in CBPAs
Over the years, the Department of Planning and Zoning Staff has had frequent requests for a Chesapeake Bay informational pamphlet. Many citizens prefer not to read the Chesapeake Bay Ordinance because of its legal terminology. The pamphlet provides a clear and concise explanation of key topics that affect most property owners.
Though the Department of Planning and Zoning is unable to physically measure the pamphlet's effectiveness, a qualitative analysis of the project reveals that it was a successful undertaking. Staff received quite a few phone calls immediately after the pamphlet was mailed. None of the phone calls were negative. Many citizens appreciated the information and stated that they were not aware of their property's location in a Chesapeake Bay Preservation Area. A majority of their concerns focused on tree preservation and removal, as many citizens were not aware of the regulations that preserve trees in CBPAs. The phone calls resulted in staff performing several site visits to offer additional assistance to citizens regarding the Chesapeake Bay Ordinance as it pertained to their individual lots.
In addition to positive feedback received from citizens, City Staff, including the Staff of Planning and Zoning, provided positive feedback as well. Generally speaking, City Staff finds the pamphlet to be a helpful "snapshot" of the Chesapeake Bay Ordinance.
Chesterfield:
The "Please Don't Feed the Lake" educational brochure
was originally printed in the early 1990s and is utilized by the
major communities surrounding the Swift Creek Reservoir, a major
source of drinking water for the County. The brochure stresses
the importance of responsible lawn care and riparian buffer maintenance
in protecting water quality in the reservoir.
The intent of the project was to update the brochure and create a revised, more current document for continued distribution to Chesterfield residents living in communities surrounding Swift Creek reservoir and other lakes in Chesterfield.
Tidewater Soil and Water Conservation District:
Brochures for homeowners were developed on the importance of continuous
septic system maintenance and the five-year pumpout requirement.
The informative and understandable brochures on long-term maintenance
requirements of septic systems were disseminated through three delivery
systems: Specific mailings, informational packets and septic contractors.
Mailings were sent to all citizens in Mathews, Middlesex and Gloucester
and brochures were inserted in to local newspapers as well. Informational
packets were distributed to specific sites such as local County
offices, local realtor offices, local public health offices and
local county libraries. Septic contractors were also provided with
these informational packets. 25,000 brochures were developed, printed
and distributed.
City of Suffolk:
The goal of this project was to develop and publish a document for
distribution to the general public that would serve as a guideline
for property owners within the watershed. The brochure explains
various land use components of the Ches. Bay regulations and provides
information regarding Best Management Practices that are currently
available to meet the water quality requirements of the Chesapeake
Bay Preservation Overlay District. 3,000 brochures were distributed
to citizens during site visits and made available to the public
at the Department's information kiosk in the front lobby. The information
has also been posted on Suffolk's web page.
Accomack County
The goal of this project was to develop and publish a document for
distribution to the general public that would serve as a guideline
for property owners within the County's Chesapeake Bay Preservation
Area. The brochure explains Resource Protection Areas and Resource
Management Areas in the County, and the various regulations that
apply in these areas. It also outlines the requirements of the County's
Erosion and Sediment Control program. 1,000 brochures were printed
for distribution to citizens during site visits and are available
to the public at the Department's information kiosk in the planning
office.
The other products of this grant were training materials to educate Wetland Board members and local staff regarding Bay Act regulations and how local wetland board decisions affect RPA resources. These materials were developed to explain the relationship between local wetlands board reviews and CBPA reviews, the objectives of each review, the differences between them and the overlap in jurisdiction. The centerpiece is a fact sheet in question and answer format that discusses the relationship between wetlands board reviews and Chesapeake Bay Preservation Act reviews and how to effectively coordinate them.
The fact sheet was designed for distribution to local wetlands
board members, wetlands board staff and local Bay Act program coordinators
as part of a packet of information. Packets include the fact sheet,
a cover letter from the Chesapeake Bay Local Assistance Division
Director, a copy of the Joint Permit Application, and a model water
quality impact assessment form for shoreline erosion control projects.
In addition, a supply of packets will be maintained for distribution
as needed; for example, when new wetlands board members are appointed,
or when new wetlands board staff and new local Bay Act program coordinators
are hired. Liaisons will also use the materials in training presentations
before local wetlands boards, and orientation sessions with local
staff members.
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
