Virginia Coastal Program: 2005 Coastal Grant Project Description and Final Summary
Project Task:
FY2005 Task 47
Grantee:
Northern Virginia Regional Commission
Project Title:
Coastal Technical Assistance Program
Project Description as Proposed:
1) Technical Assistance.
NVRC will continue to provide technical assistance on coastal resource
issues and will serve as a proactive point of information exchange
among state, local, federal, and regional parties involved in coastal
resource management. NVRC will conduct quarterly consultations with
local staff regarding coastal issues and training needs. NVRC will
hold four meetings to coordinate regional efforts of local government
representatives and provide four training opportunities during the
grant year. Examples include onsite wastewater systems operations
and maintenance, blue/green infrastructure planning, stream attributes
crediting methodologies, and Chesapeake Bay Local Assistance trainings.
2) Issue Analysis/Special Projects. NVRC will undertake at least
one special project to draw attention to and create solutions for
at least one coastal resource management issue important to the
region. Examples include NVRC’s regional pollution-prevention
media campaign and communications and coordination with localities
in reinforcing messages with local activities and outreach.
3) Chesapeake Bay Agreement Implementation; Potomac Tributary Strategies
Implementation; Potomac Watershed Roundtable; and Virginia Watershed
Advisory Committee. NVRC will participate in these efforts as needed
to provide tools associated with the protection and restoration
of natural resources to local jurisdictions to implement measures
to meet 2010 goals for the Chesapeake Bay.
4) Nvironment newsletter. NVRC will publish an annual newsletter
as the program’s primary outreach tool. Nvironment will present
timely articles focusing on coastal issues and the role of Northern
Virginia localities in protecting coastal resources. Nvironment
is supplemented by the e-mail publication, Regional Environmental
Review.
5) EIA/EA/EIR and Permit Review. NVRC will participate in the intergovernmental
review process.
Federal Funding:
$47,500
Project Contact:
Laura Grape - (703) 642-4625; lgrape@novaregion.org
Project Status:
Project Completed
Final Product Received:
Northern Virginia Regional Commission Coastal Zone Management Technical Assistance Report - 2005-2006 - PDF
NVironment Fall 2005 - PDF
Regional Stormwater Media Campaign Report - September 2006 - PDF
Project Summary Provided by Grantee:
Technical Assistance: The commission hosted four workshops attended by stormwater, watershed, park, and other planning staff and directors from Northern Virginia localities and other regions of the Commonwealth:
- Factors Affecting Water Quality Changes in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed: Implications for Restoration addressed key pollutant trends, sources, impacts and implications for management actions, prioritization and communication with the public. Workshop materials are online at: http://chesapeake.usgs.gov/workshop22206.html
- Marketing 101 for Stormwater and Watershed Professionals covered strategic market planning and social marketing, media planning, “The Chesapeake Club” as a case study in applying the principles of social marketing and identifying resources, and a presentation of the EPA Outreach Toolkit.
- Conservation Opportunities in Northern Virginia introduced planners to the GIS-based Virginia Conservation Lands Needs Assessment tool, developed by Virginia DCR – Division of Natural Heritage. The tool was presented and demonstrated. Its potential use in Northern Virginia was also discussed.
- The Northern Virginia Planning Directors Committee was reconstituted to encourage dialogue between planning directors on environmental issues affecting the region. Topics covered include the proposed revisions to the state stormwater regulations, the addition of an Low Impact Development (LID) supplement to the Northern Virginia BMP Handbook, and an update on the development of a Water Supply Plan for the region.
NVironment Newsletter: The Fall 06 issue of the NVironment newsletter includes articles on the unique process of developing the Four Mile Run Restoration Master Plan, the ongoing regional stormwater media campaign efforts, the innovative efforts to educate businesses on properly disposing common toxic office materials through the Know Toxics campaign, and the successful collaboration of Northern Virginia jurisdictions in developing a supplement to the Northern Virginia BMP Handbook that includes LID practices. NVironment is available online at: www.novaregion.org
Regional Pollution-Prevention Media Campaign: In 2006, Northern Virginia local jurisdictions contributed $165,000 in funds to the media campaign. Funds were also set aside to commission a survey to measure the effectiveness of the ad. More than 1,100 radio spots were scheduled for airing on ten radio stations during the four weeks of the campaign. The spots were aired during the weeks of April 17 and 24 and May 8 and 15. In addition to paid advertising, approximately 120 public service announcements per week aired. This year’s campaign includes a tool kit for local outreach, including press releases, and logos. More information is available online at: http://www.novaregion.org/pollution_prevention.htm.
Chesapeake Bay Implementation: NVRC continues to serve on the Potomac Watershed Roundtable and participate as requested in tributary strategies, watershed planning strategies, and related programs to protect water quality.
EA and Permit Review: NVRC continues to participate in the intergovernmental review process.
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
