Virginia Coastal Program: 2006 Coastal Grant Project Description and Final Summary
Project Task:
11
Grantee:
Virginia Department of Environmental Quality - Virginia Coastal Zone Management Program
Project Title:
Eastern Shore Land Acquisition
Project Description as Proposed:
Since 1991 the Virginia Coastal Program has been concerned about the loss of migratory bird stopover habitat at the tip of Virginia’s Eastern Shore. Studies funded by the Coastal Program have shown that this area supports huge numbers of songbirds, raptors and other birds as they stop to rest and feed during their southward migration to Central and South America each fall. Development pressures in this area have increased each year and land values have skyrocketed in the past few years.
Land acquisition or easements remain the best protection tool we have. FY ’02, FY ’03, FY ‘04 and FY ‘05 funds were used to purchase a portion of the Bull tract which is just south of the Dept. of Game Inland Fisheries “GATR” tract and east of route 13. This area falls within the southern tip “critical habitat” area defined by the Coastal Program funded research conducted in 1990-1992. The Nature Conservancy bought this tract with the understanding that their government partners (USF&WS, Virginia Coastal Program, DGIF and DCR) would eventually buy the property from TNC as funds were secured.
Federal Funding:
$194,179
Project Contact:
Laura McKay, 804.698.4323; Laura.McKay@deq.virginia.gov
Project Status:
10/1/2006 - 9/30/2007; Project Completed
Final Product Received:
Project Summary Provided by Grantee:
On September 28, 2006 the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) purchased a 65.66% fee interest in a 285 acre portion of the 491 acre Bull Tract that had been purchased by The Nature Conservancy (TNC) in 2005. This 285-acre property was dedicated as the Magothy Bay State Natural Area Preserve (NAP). The purchase price paid by DCR for the 100% interest in the 285-acre parcel was determined by averaging the three appraisals that were done on the 285-acre parcel for DCR. That price was $3,846,666. On October 9, 2007, DCR purchased the remaining 34.34% interest in the 285-acre Bull tract for $1,320,945. This final interest was purchased using state Parks and Natural Area Bond Funds, this CZM grant as well as grants from NOAA and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. This $283,179 CZM grant contributed 21.4% of the funds for this second closing of the Bull tract, or 7.4% of the funds for the entire Bull tract purchase.
This 285-acre property is now owned entirely by the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation. The purchase of this and other parcels for migratory bird conservation on the lower Eastern Shore has resulted in the establishment of the Southern Tip partnership. The Magothy Bay NAP, as well as other public and private protected lands in the area, will be managed cooperatively following the Southern Tip MOU that the Conservancy, U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, DCR, DEQ, and the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries prepared in 2006. The purpose of this MOU is to facilitate cooperation between The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, The Commonwealth of Virginia’s Department of Game and Inland Fisheries and Department of Conservation and Recreation, and The Nature Conservancy in the protection and management of conservation lands on the Southern Tip of the Virginia Eastern Shore for the purpose of resident and migratory bird species and other coastal dependent species and natural communities.
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
