Virginia Coastal Program: 2004 Coastal Grant Project Description and Final Summary
Project Task:
FY 2004 Task 91
Grantee:
Middle Peninsula Planning District Commission
Project Title:
Special Area Management Plan for Dragon Run
Project Description as Proposed:
The Dragon Run SAMP’s
mission is to preserve the watershed’s cultural, historic,
and natural character, while preserving property rights and the
watershed’s traditional uses (e.g. forestry, farming, recreation).
Anticipating future growth pressures, the Dragon Run SAMP seeks
to balance demands by improving the tools available to manage the
environmental, social, and economic resources of the watershed.
To achieve these goals, the Dragon Run Steering Committee has produced
a Watershed Management Plan. It is anticipated that the four county
governments will adopt the plan and its recommendations near the
start of Fiscal Year 2004. The SAMP’s stakeholder-based approach
increases the likelihood that localities and stakeholders will implement
the plan’s recommendations. The plan’s recommendations
include land use and resource preservation, education and landowner
stewardship, sustainable economic development, and implementation
monitoring. Assuming the Watershed Management Plan is adopted, the
following activities are proposed for FY04:
1) Implement the elements of the approved Watershed Management Plan
2) Administer an education program to inform decision-makers and
citizens about critical watershed issues to facilitate Watershed
Management Plan implementation; establish a community watershed
festival
3) Administer a technical assistance program that supports the implementation
of the Watershed Management Plan
4) Finalize a public and conservation lands management Memorandum
of Understanding (MOU) that offers a unified goal for managing conservation
sites in the watershed
5) Draft a compatible economic development Memorandum of Agreement
(MOA) to establish a plan review process that supports sustainable
economic development in the watershed
6) Coordinate the implementation of an invasive species initiative
Federal Funding:
$110,000.00
Project Contact:
Sara Stamp - 804.758.2311: sstamp@mppdc.com
Project Status:
Project Completed
Final Product Received:
Project Summary Provided by Grantee:
The Dragon Run Special Area Management Plan (SAMP)'s mission is to preserve the Dragon Run watershed's cultural, historic, and natural character, while preserving property rights and the watershed's traditional uses (e.g. forestry, farming, recreation). Anticipating future growth pressures, the Dragon Run SAMP seeks to balance demands by improving the tools available to manage the environmental, social, and economic resources of the watershed.
To achieve these goals, the Dragon Run Steering Committee has produced a Watershed Management Plan. Three of the four county governments in the watershed adopted the plan and its recommendations near the start of Fiscal Year 2004. The fourth county adopted the plan then rescinded its adoption based on citizen objections.
Under this grant, the MPPDC worked to publicize the adoption of the watershed management plan by Essex, Gloucester and King and Queen counties. MPPDC staff has also worked to address the concerns of Middlesex County landowners in objection to the Watershed Management Plan. The SAMP's stakeholder-based approach increases the likelihood that localities and stakeholders will implement the plan's recommendations.
The plan's recommendations include land use and resource preservation, education and landowner stewardship, sustainable economic development, and implementation monitoring.
The MPPDC provides staff support for the Dragon Run Steering Committee, which is a stakeholder group comprised of 2 landowners, 1 Board of Supervisor member and 1 planning commission staff member from each county in the watershed.
Additionally, the MPPDC provides technical assistance to other stakeholders with Dragon Run related inquiries or requests. This assistance usually comes in the form of mapping or presentations for interest groups, informational assistance to local officials and citizens, exhibitions, representation at Coastal PDC meetings, Farmland Preservation Steering Committee meetings, Middle Peninsula Chesapeake Bay Public Access Authority meetings, and response to inquiries on watershed initiatives and farmland preservation.
MPPDC staff also participated in talks about land acquisition using funds from Coastal and Estuarine Land Conservation and Protection Program and hosted a community forum on farmland preservation.
The Middle Peninsula Planning District Commission (MPPDC) administered an education program targeting community leaders and interested citizens. This form of outreach has provided a memorable method to actively engage stakeholder and decision makers. Additionally, a community watershed festival highlighting all of the aspects of the Dragon Run watershed provided another education/outreach opportunity which was well received by more than 300 people during the first year and grant funds were utilized to plan for a second event in October 2005. It is the goal of the Dragon Run Steering Committee to make the festival an annual event, eventually sponsored by individuals within the watershed. To capture the initiative currently underway, MPPDC staff and the Steering Committee contracted with a film producer to create an educational DVD on the Dragon Run. The DVD highlights the natural and human characteristics of the watershed that make it unique and worth saving and provides information on initiatives that are currently underway to protect the watershed and the way of life it supports.
MPPDC staff also served on the Advisory Committee to the Virginia Invasive Species Council. MPPDC also facilitated work by Chesapeake Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve to develop public educational materials concerning invasive species in the Dragon Run watershed. MPPDC staff served as a member of the Virginia Invasive Species Council as it developed a draft of a statewide invasive species management plan.
To facilitate the land-use planning recommendation from the Watershed Management Plan, MPPDC staff worked with a consultant to promote discussions with planning staff from the watershed counties regarding model comprehensive plan and zoning amendments. The model ordinances are designed to put tools in place to encourage smart development and plan for the future development that will be coming to the watershed. It is a proactive rather than reactive approach.
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
