Virginia Coastal Program: 2004 Coastal Grant Project Description and Final Summary
Project Task:
FY2004 Task 11.07
Grantee:
Virginia Eastern Shorekeeper
Project Title:
Virginia Eastern Shorekeeper
Project Description as Proposed:
The Virginia Eastern
Shorekeeper program will continue 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 serves as an ombudsman
for the seaside bays and provides 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 bays of Virginia’s
Eastern Shore. The Shorekeeper and his cadre of volunteers will
ensure 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.
In FY-2004, the Virginia Eastern Shorekeeper program
plans to expand its outreach to include active notification and
public education at local public boat launching points, through
distribution and posting of fact sheets and other informational
material.
In addition, the Creek Watchers volunteer training program
will continue recruitment of volunteers to broaden its monitoring
of human impacts to sensitive marine resources.
Preliminary survey
data on discarded and abandoned plastic aquaculture netting, being
conducted by the Shorekeeper, seems to indicate a widespread impact
on multiple habitats. A second year of data is needed to verify
actual severity that may have been exacerbated by hurricane Isabel
in 2003. The Shorekeeper would also engage the clam aquaculture
industry in an open dialog on ways to limit clam net litter on the
Atlantic shoreline. The clam aquaculture industry will be provided
with the report on preliminary findings of the clam net study and
will be made aware of methods used in other localities to prevent
clam net loss.
Federal Funding:
$20,000
Project Contact:
Richard Ayers, 757.678.6182; shorekeeper@verizon.net
Project Status:
Project Completed
Final Product Received:
"Discarded and Abandoned Aquaculture Clam Netting on the Atlantic Barrier Islands on the Eastern Shore of Virginia"
(PDF)
"Human Impacts to Sensitive Natural Resources on the Atlantic Barrier Islands on the Eastern Shore of Virginia"
(PDF)
Project Summary Provided by Grantee:
The Virginia Eastern Shorekeeper provided on-site monitoring of human impacts on nesting bird and colonial nesting colonies throughout the summer nesting season. The Shorekeeper actively engaged individuals whose activities posed a reasonable chance of disturbance to sensitive resources on public land using non-confrontational awareness and education. Impacts on private lands were documented and passed on to the landowner.
New for FY-04, the Virginia Coastal Program published a brochure titled “Life on the beach isn’t always easy.” Identified by the Shorekeeper in the FY-03 human impact assessment, this brochure was developed with the federal, state and private barrier island landowners and key stakeholders in beach nesting bird protection. Additional recommendations by the Shorekeeper, including better signage posted by landowners were implemented. Although a mild summer seemed to cause a slight rise in seaside visitation, improved marking of sensitive areas did appear to better protect the resources.
The Shorekeeper distributed the brochures to key visitor contact points and uses them as an outreach tool to educate and inform seaside visitors about the need for the protection of nesting birds. Public outreach and education was expanded throughout the year. The Shorekeeper conducted 13 formal presentations to local civic and working groups. Presentations focused on the environmental significance of the seaside and the need to respect and preserve its natural resources. Feedback was very supportive of the Virginia Coastal Program’s work and served as an excellent volunteer recruiting tool.
The Shorekeeper and volunteers conducted over 470 hours of on the water monitoring of sensitive natural resources including; oyster reef sanctuaries and planted and restored eelgrass beds. A second year assessment of discarded and abandoned plastic aquaculture netting was completed. Data continues to show widespread distribution and impacts. Several productive meeting were held with commercial clam growers to address netting issues. Meetings continue with Virginia Marine Resources Commission, Habitat Division to address strategies to reduce impacts and help mitigate use conflicts.
Additional information is available at www.shorekeeper.org.
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
