Virginia Coastal Program: 2004 Coastal Grant Project Description and Final Summary
Project Task:
FY2004 Task 06
Grantee:
Virginia Virginia Marine Resources Commission
Project Title:
Permit Review & Compliance
Project Description as Proposed:
The Virginia Marine
Resources Commission (VMRC) is the state agency charged with managing
the Commonwealth’s submerged lands, tidal wetlands, and coastal
primary sand dunes. Responsibilities in implementing core Coastal
program permit functions are:
-Issuing permits for encroachments in, on or over State-owned submerged
lands (approximately 2,000 applications are processed annually and
500 permits are issued for encroachments over State-own submerged
lands), and
-Regulating the use of development of tidal wetlands and coastal
primary sand dunes.
Tidal wetlands and coastal primary sand dune programs may be administered
by local wetlands boards if the County, City or Town has adopted
the model ordinances (35 have chosen to do so); however, the VMRC
retains oversight and reviews all local board decisions.
Also, a comprehensive permit compliance and site inspection program
will continue to be implemented, whereby VMRC staff will inspect
all new construction projects permitted by the Commission, along
with a representative sample of wetlands and dunes projects permitted
by the local boards.
The program will also maintain on-going efforts to institute recommendations
to enhance compliance, as suggested in a 2001 effectiveness report.
Federal Funding:
$157,000.00
Project Contact:
Tony Watkinson, 757. 247.2255; Tony.Watkinson@mrc.virginia.gov
Project Status:
Grant Closed
Final Product Received:
Project Summary Provided by Grantee:
The purpose of this grant project was to continue the implementation of a standardized permit compliance program for those permits issued by the Virginia Marine Resource Commission (VMRC) in the Coastal Zone. Commission staff also assessed permit compliance for wetland projects authorized in 2003. During the grant year (October 1, 2004 through September 30, 2005 and extended through December 31, 2005) 252 compliance inspections were conducted by VMRC Habitat Management Division Staff. This involved 127 inspections of projects permitted by VMRC and 125 inspections of projects permitted by local wetlands boards.
While the overall data for the grant year shows that 92% of the projects permitted by VMRC were found to be in compliance, only 1% was found to be out of compliance. The remainder was either in moderate compliance (6%), or was not constructed. Although compliance could not be determined for 1% of the projects, inspections in these cases did not indicate there were any permit violations.
To date, the compliance-monitoring program has allowed evaluations of the effectiveness of VMRC’s permit and monitoring procedures. As such, the monitoring program can only improve VMRC’s resource management responsibilities. Therefore, permit compliance initiatives must continue to be a long-term effort if proper construction techniques and the protection of Virginia’s valuable natural resources are to be ensured. This effort, combined with the improvement of VMRC’s permit tracking database and use of GIS capabilities, is necessary if the goal of making cumulative impact assessments a part of wetlands and submerged lands permitting program is to be realized.
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
