Virginia Coastal Program: 2006 Coastal Grant Project Description and Final Summary
Project Task:
8
Grantee:
Virginia Institute of Marine Science-Center for Coastal Resource Management
Project Title:
Tidal Wetlands Management Technical Support
Project Description as Proposed:
The project provides operational support for tidal wetlands management technical support provided by Virginia Institute of Marine Science Wetlands Program staff. The project will specifically support routine advisories and impact assessment preparation, assist in publication of technical reports and newsletters prepared by Wetlands Program and the supporting materials for the outreach education offerings, and maintenance of the permit data base web sites.
Federal Funding:
$42,000
Project Contact:
Dawn Fleming - 804.684.7380; dawnf@vims.edu
Project Status:
10/1/2006 - 9/30/2007; Project Completed
Final Product Received:
Project Summary Provided by Grantee:
This project provided operational support for tidal wetlands management technical support provided by the Center for Coastal Resources Management Wetlands Program staff. The Wetlands Program personnel provided routine advisories and impact assessment preparation; maintenance of a permit database and website; and assisted in publication of newsletters and the supporting materials for the outreach education offerings. Technical advisory activities encompassed everything from verbal communications to written environmental assessments. Five computer-based elements: GPS, digital photography, Sybase, word processing and ArcView/ArcInfo are required in order to produce the electronic permit review reports. A database is maintained by program staff who enter detailed information on all projects impacting Virginia’s marine resources. Interactive access to the database, as well as the permit review reports, the original joint permit applications, and all related additional information and photos are available on the CCRM website which is updated regularly. CCRM now produces two biannual newsletters – the Virginia Wetlands Report and Rivers & Coast. The Virginia Wetlands Report continues to inform readers of near-shore environmental science and related issues in an effort to influence better tidal shoreline decisions, and now serves to announce upcoming workshops and educational opportunities, both inside and outside of VIMS. The Rivers & Coast newsletter is designed to keep readers well informed of current scientific understading behind key environmental issues as they apply to watershed rivers and coastal ecosystems of the Chesapeake Bay. The newsletter is written for three perspectives – the general public, managers or decision-makers, and legislators – and provides information that goes from the big picture down to local relevance. Both newsletters were mailed to nearly 1900 individuals, including all local wetlands board members, local and state agency personnel, General Assembly members, and interested private citizens. In addition to being distributed for free and available to any interested subscriber, they are available online. The Wetlands Program was also responsible for organizing and hosting two Tidal Wetlands Workshops held on the VIMS campus on October 13th, 2006 and May 11th, 2007.
To view posted items please see the CCRM website (http://ccrm.vims.edu//).
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
