Virginia Coastal Program: 2004 Coastal Grant Project Description and Final Summary
Project Task:
83.06
Grantee:
Accomack-Northampton Planning District Commission
Project Title:
Chesapeake Bay Buffer Land Classification Project on the Eastern Shore of Virginia
Project Description as Proposed:
Population on Virginia's Eastern Shore grew by 7.3 percent between 1990 and 2000, for a total of 51,398. Increasing residential development in northern Accomack County and southern Northampton County is focused on waterfront areas. In response to the increased development, the A-NPDC has formed a partnership with the Eastern Shore of Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District, and the Eastern Shore of Virginia Groundwater Committee to look at water quality issues. The Soil and Water Conservation District has already sponsored work on land classification in Accomack County. Using buffers of the blueline streams from the USGS topographic maps and Bay shore, land use classification in the Onancock Creek watershed has been completed. VCZMP funding is also being used to complete more land classification on the seaside portions of Accomack County.
This project would be incorporated into a program to improve groundwater and surface water quality on the Eastern Shore. The Counties fund this program to look at model results of changes to the groundwater aquifer, hold household hazardous waste collections and fund educational campaigns. This project will include completing all land use classification of buffer in Accomack County’s Chesapeake Bay watershed. The A-NPDC will use the VGIN’s Orthophotographs to classify the land use into agricultural, natural area, impervious surface, grassland and bare dirt. The A-NPDC would also do preparatory work for Northampton County. Intermittent streams from the USGS topographic maps would be added to the existing stream layer and a buffer. All of this information will be shared with Accomack County and Northampton County’s Planning Departments for use in Chesapeake Bay Act enforcement and resource planning.
Federal Funding:
$34,738.00
Project Contact:
Elaine Meil - emeil@a-npdc.org, 757/ 787-2936
Project Status:
Project Completed
Final Product Received:
Project Summary Provided by Grantee:
The one hundred foot shoreline buffers and blueline stream buffers in Accomack County were classified by land use and vegetation type. Creek buffers provide habitat for wildlife, stabilize banks from erosion, and keep flowing waters cool for aquatic life. In addition to preserving the watershed, creek and shore buffers also naturally absorb nutrients and sediments, thus improving water quality in neighboring creeks and the Chesapeake Bay. Data was received from Accomack County showing all the shoreline and blue line streams within the County. GIS was used to create the buffer across Accomack County and this data was overlaid on the Virginia Orthophotographic Images from 2002. Technicians visually inspected and classified the entire buffer.
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
