Virginia Coastal Partners Workshop

The State of Virginia's Coast.
Piecing it All Together.

December 5, 6 & 7, 2001

Over 160 state, local and federal coastal resource managers, and military, business and non-governmental organization representatives gathered in Williamsburg on December 5, 6 & 7, 2001. They came to explore the current status and trends of our coastal resources and help determine the future focus of Virginia's Coastal Program, a partnership formed in 1986, which has had a significant positive impact on Virginia's coastal resources.

The workshop's opening plenary included an address by John King, Chief of NOAA's Coastal Programs Division, the agency responsible for funding Virginia's Coastal Program. Secretary of Natural Resources Ron Hamm, and Dennis Treacy, Director of the Department of Environmental Quality also addressed participants.

The keynote address - Examining the State of the Virginia's Coast - was given by Dr. Carl Hershner, Director of the Center for Coastal Resources Management at the Virginia Institute of Marine Science. Under a contract with the Virginia Coastal Program, the Center has recently completed a draft 2001 Virginia State of the Coast Report, which will be released to the public in early 2002.

At the end of the Opening Plenary, Laura McKay, Virginia Coastal Program Manager, provided an entertaining Q & A and overview of the Virginia Coastal Program. Quiz Presentation (PPT, 29KB)

Sessions and Downloadable Presentations

Five main sessions engaged all participants in discussions of water quality, coastal habitats, fish and wildlife, public access, and coastal planning and development.

The PowerPoint presentations made during these sessions are provided below. Notes from a faciltated discussion of the priority issues and needs for each of these resource areas followed each of the presentations and will be provided as they become available.

Water Quality

Speaker: John Kennedy, Virginia Department of Environmental Quality
Water Quality Presentation (PPT, 7.6KB)

John presented the evolution of our thinking about water quality concerns. He showed the progression from a focus on reducing nutrient loads of pollutants into Virginia's waters to defining water quality "Endpoints" or criteria for living resources. Chesapeake Bay 2000 Commitments, Tributary Strategies, the Coastal Nonpoint Pollution Program, Virginia Clean Marina Program, and other water quality programs were woven into the discussion.

Coastal Habitats

Speaker: Tony Watkinson, Virginia Marine Resources Commssion
Coastal Habitats Presentation (PPT, 2.5KB)

Tony presented an overview of three major habitat "regions" that range from underwater to upland and the programs that address these resources. The discussion of underwater or submerged lands includeed oyster reefs, aquaculture sites, SAV and benthic habitat . The intermediate water/land region included tidal and nontidal wetlands and shorelines. Tony covered upland areas such as dunes, riparian buffers, songbird migration corridors and maritime forests, as well as natural heritage inventory information.

Fish and Wildlife

Speaker: David Whitehurst, Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries
Fish and Wildlife Presentation (PPT, 9KB)

David presented information on our current fish and wildlife programs. Discussions of fish and marine species included anadromous fish passage, shad restoration, horseshoe crabs, blue crabs, marine mammals and sea turtles, and their management plans. Discussions of bird species included eagles, migratory songbirds, water fowl, and shorebirds and the programs that protect them. Other issues and programs discussed included mapping, threatened and endangered species designations, terrestrial and aquatic gap analysis, and invasive species management. Potential future funding was also discussed including , CARA Light, and the Interior Appropriation Budget.

Public Access

Speaker: Lewie Lawrence, Middle Peninsula Planning District Commission
Public Access Presentation (PPT, 5.8KB)

Lewie presented an overview of the evolution of public access from colonial times to the present. He looked at the history of how coastal resources were used for recreation, the public trust doctrine, the need for land acquisition and the economic value of coastal tourism, and the recent interest in ecotourism. He also looked at current policies affecting public access, and how federal, state and local players are involved. Lewie reviewed the unique needs of a variety of users, including boaters, birders, bikers and hikers, and the programs addressing these needs. Examples of integrating public access policies and programs included the Northumberland Fishing Pier, the York River Water Trail and the DGIF Coastal Birding and Wildlife Trail.

Coastal Planning & Development

Speaker: Shepard Moon, Chesapeake Bay Local Assistance Department
Coastal Planning and Development Presentation (PPT, 1.4KB)

Shep presented the comprehensive plan requirements of the Chesapeake Bay Preservation Act, the Better Site Design Workbook and the Economic Development Partnership's Crossroads Handbook. He also discussed the Dillon Rule and the High Growth Coalition. The Coastal Program's Section 309 Shorelands Project, Special Area Management Plans for Southern Watersheds, Dragon Run and Northampton County were presented as examples of integrated planning approaches.