Virginia Coastal Program: 2006 Coastal Grant Project Description and Final Summary

Project Task:

Grantee:

Virginia Department of Environmental Quality - Office of Environmental Impact Review and Federal Consistency

Project Title:

Environmental Impact Review and Federal Consistency

Project Description as Proposed:

Conduct federal consistency review of activities which can affect Virginia's coastal uses and resources pursuant to the CZMA and the federal consistency regulations. Coordinate Virginia's review of environmental documents for development of federal and state facilities and actions which require federal approvals or assistance. Revise and update Virginia's EIR and federal consistency manuals and information package. Provide interpretation of federal consistency requirements to federal agencies, applicants for federal permits, approvals, or funding, and consultants preparing consistency determinations or certifications. Provide training for state reviewers and local government officials on the use of federal consistency. Maintain and update the EIR/Federal Consistency web site. Ensure public participation in the review of federal consistency documents to include publishing notices of consistency reviews in appropriate media such as local newspapers and holding public hearings when necessary. Conduct site visits as necessary.

Federal Funding:

$192,500.00

Project Contact:

Ellie Irons, 804.698.4325; Ellie.Irons@deq.virginia.gov

Project Status:

10/1/2006 - 9/30/2007; Project Completed

Final Product Received:

Project Summary Provided by Grantee:

Impact and Consistency Reviews: During FY 2006, the Office of Environmental Impact Review/Federal Consistency (OEIR) reviewed 188 development projects and management plans located in Tidewater for consistency with the Virginia Coastal Resources Management Program (VCP). In addition, the OEIR participated in several activities, to include NEPA scoping meetings and workshops, pertaining to the development of NEPA documents and federal consistency determinations for actions proposed at Fort Belvoir, Fort Lee and Fort Story mandated by the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure legislation, the development of new energy sources along Virginia’s offshore coast and Fort Monroe BRAC Summit. EIR staff also participated in several deliberations involving consistency issues pertaining to Dominion’s early site permit (ESP) and the review was completed and comments sent to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission in November 2006.

Outreach Efforts: The OEIR routinely responds to the public on federal consistency issues and continues to maintain a webpage for Federal Consistency for the Commonwealth. This site can be accessed through DEQ's main website or found at http://www.deq.virginia.gov/eir . The webpage includes the Commonwealth's Federal Consistency information package, a project list with project descriptions and public notices of Federal consistency reviews. The webpage is updated weekly. Several federal and state agencies including the White House’s Council on Environmental Quality, the U. S. Federal Highway Administration, U. S. Department of Energy and the University of Virginia still have direct links to the OEIR web page.

Training: OEIR anticipated providing training on federal consistency issues to larger groups attending workshops sponsored by other agencies such as the Department of General Services and Conservation. However, these usual opportunities did not materialize in 2007 because of financial constraints. Nonetheless, OEIR staff routinely provide training to various state and federal agencies and their consultants on federal consistency matters through meetings and phone conversations.

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

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