Project Task:
50
Grantee:
TBD
Project Title:
PDC Competitive Grants
Project Description as Proposed:
The Virginia CZM Program intends to award three to five grants (at a minimum of $20,000 per grant) on a competitive basis to coastal planning district commissions. The purpose of the grants is to provide PDCs the opportunity to address one or more topics prioritized by the Virginia Coastal Policy Team (CPT): water quality, coastal resiliency, working waterfronts, habitat restoration and public access. A brief description of each topic, based on information considered by the CPT is included below.
Water Quality: Provide technical assistance and develop tools for local governments that help to attain the increased pollutant reduction goals proposed by the Chesapeake Bay TMDL, Virginia’s WIP, and revised Virginia storm water management regulations. Projects should be clearly oriented toward pollution reduction. Examples of projects that might be undertaken include, but are not limited to:
· Economic or policy analyses of redevelopment and stormwater retrofit benefits to identify the most cost effective approaches to reducing pollution
· Prepare options (draft ordinances, economic or tax incentives, etc) for localities to consider to strengthen water quality protection initiatives such as conservation subdivisions, low impact development, tree canopy ordinances, use-value taxation, transfer of development rights, riparian buffer restoration, nutrient reducing septic systems, and no discharge zones
Coastal Resiliency: Extend efforts currently underway by the PDCs or expand geographic coverage to those regions interested in addressing coastal resiliency. Examples of projects that might be undertaken include, but are not limited to:
· Conduct regional vulnerability analyses and engage local governments
· Conduct regional outreach/education programs that import and adapt existing research on policies and practices that address hazard vulnerability
· Assess regional curves for storm water management given predicted changes in precipitation
· Analyze climate impacts on regional nature-based economies and develop recommendations for minimizing impacts
Working Waterfronts: Expand and complement the current 309 strategy, by centering on the market development needed to ensure sustainability of the water-dependent industries involved.
· Examples of projects that might be undertaken include, but are not limited to: Research the viability of sustainable, natural resource-based economies by evaluating implementation of community supported aquaculture (CSAs) and related policy.
· Conduct an evaluation of working waterfront infrastructure and identify vulnerability and necessary adaptations.
· Conduct fiscal and policy investigations through coordinated dialogue on issues such as tax relief, regulation and sustainability.
· Explore the planning needs required to establish commercial seafood ports.
Habitat Restoration: Undertake projects to promote habitat restoration through social marketing or demonstrate habitat restoration techniques on public lands. Examples of projects that might be undertaken include, but are not limited to:
· Develop and implement a regional native plants social marketing campaign
· Plan and construct habitat restoration demonstration projects such as living shorelines, riparian buffers, or landscaping using native plants
Public Access: Conduct small construction enhancement projects on public lands based on current 306A guidance http://www.deq.virginia.gov/export/sites/default/coastal/documents/306aguide.pdf.
Examples of projects that might be undertaken include, but are not limited to:
· Kayak/Canoe floating docks
· Floating camping platforms
· Wildlife observation blinds
· Interpretive signage
· Nature Trails / Boardwalks
· Fishing Piers
Federal Funding:
$175,000
Project Contact:
TBD
Project Status:
10/1/2012 - 9/30/2013; Project Open
Final Product Received:
Project Summary Provided by Grantee:
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