Virginia Coastal Program: 2004 Coastal Grant Project Description and Final Summary
Project Task:
FY 2004 Task 48
Grantee:
Rappahannock Area Development Commission
Project Title:
RADCO Coastal Resources Technical Assistance Program
Project Description as Proposed:
RADCO’s Technical
Assistance Program has been developed to focus on a single high
priority coastal program of our 5 member jurisdictions as well as
being a high priority of other localities in the Coastal area of
the State. This priority includes staff assistance to the Rappahannock
River Basin Commission (RRBC). As the issues of water quantity and
quality protection and planning become increasingly critical, time
is being allocated to assist our localities in addressing these
matters. RADCO will continue to expand its web site assistance to
provide information and products for the River Basin Commission
and its member localities. The River Basin Commission’s mission
is to provide guidance for the stewardship and enhancement of water
quality and natural resources of the basin. It provides a forum
for government and citizens to discuss issues affecting the basin.
It promotes communication, coordination and education. Various activities
which are beneficial to the basin are promoted. RADCO’s proposed
use of funds for the coming year will include:
1) Enhancing the RRBC’s web site and information transfer capabilities
by identifying additional basin-wide information for placement on
the site and implementing these upgrades. The continuing water supply
planning project will be a major focus, including information on
the regional water supply planning tools that are now being developed
and the implementation of the revised Rappahannock Tributary Strategy.
2) Staff support to the RRBC and its committees. Data collection
and presentation is a critical element of that support. The largest
and most active committee is the Water Allocation Group (WAG) which
guides the RRBC’s water supply planning project.
3) Production assistance for the Commission’s newsletter.
Federal Funding:
$10,000.00
Project Contact:
Stephen H. Manster - 540.373.2890; smanster@fampo.state.va.us
Project Status:
Grant Closed
Final Product Received:
Project Summary Provided by Grantee:
The RADCO Technical Assistance Staff completed implementation of the redesigned web site for the Rappahannock River Basin Commission. The site has an easier to use web address: www.rappriverbasin.org. The old address continues to direct the user to the new site. The site provides general information on the Commission including mission and powers, meeting schedule and agendas, and members. Also available are copies of key presentations made at Commission meetings and the minutes of past meetings. The site also provides detailed information on the Commission’s water supply planning project and its recommendations to the localities of the basin and the Commonwealth on water supply planning, including groundwater supply issues. The site includes a new page for the Commission’s newest work group: the Non Point Work Group. This page provides information on the mission and issue areas to be addressed by the group. It also provides access to all meeting agendas and minutes. The initiation of this work group and the information available at the website has consumed the majority of time on the RADCO Technical Assistance Staff during this reporting period. A significant product has been the report Water Quality Management in Virginia: Governmental Responsibilities and Relationships prepared by Dr. William Cox of Virginia Tech. Dr. Cox prepared this for the work group and the Commission; it is available for download at the website.
Commission meetings were held on 12/1/04, 3/23/05, 6/22/05 and 9/21/05. Non Point Work Group meetings were held on 5/4/05, 6/1/05, 7/14/05 and 8/16/05. Agendas, minutes and presentations from each meeting are available at the Commission’s website.
The production of the Commission’s newsletter was altered due to the resources expended initiating the Non Point Work Group. The production and posting of the Water Quality Management in Virginia: Governmental Responsibilities and Relationships took the place of the newsletter during this period. The report includes a 32 slide presentation summarizing all current laws and regulations in Virginia that relate to water quality and a 137-page attachment that provides ready access to the laws, agreements and regulations that are referenced in the summary. This document has been accessed and downloaded by Commission and work group members as well and water resource planners in the basin an across Virginia.
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
