Project Task:
9
Grantee:
Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, VA CZM Program
Project Title:
Eastern Shore Land Acquisition
Project Description:
Since 1991 the Virginia CZM Program has been concerned about the loss of migratory bird stopover habitat on Virginia’s Eastern Shore. Studies funded by the Virginia CZM Program have shown that this area supports huge numbers of songbirds, raptors, shorebirds and other birds as they stop to rest and feed during their southward migration to Central and South America each fall. Virginia's CELCP Plan shows the southern tip, bayside and seaside of the Eastern Shore as having 'Outstanding' and “Very High” ecological value (the two top tiers of Virginia’s 5 tiered scale). In fact this area has the largest, contiguous outstanding and very high value areas in Virginia’s entire coastal zone. The Eastern Shore currently has high water quality that also supports a $50 million per year clam farming industry. It is imperative to maintain the high ecological quality of this region. Development pressures were slowed by the recent recession but the land sales are starting to pick up again and Northampton County is considering zoning changes that could negatively impact the conservation of important habitats. Governor McAuliffe’s Administration has made conservation of an additional 400,000 acres one of its few environmental goals making this an excellent time for acquisitions.
Land acquisition and restoration remain the best protection tools we have. The “Southern Tip Partners” an interagency group formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding signed by agency heads at DEQ/VACZM, DCR, DGIF, USFWS and The Nature Conservancy, have worked together for over 20 years collaboratively prioritizing parcels for protection of migratory bird habitat on the southern tip of the Delmarva Peninsula (i.e. Virginia’s Eastern Shore) and pooling resources to acquire and restore those habitats.
Federal Funding:
$300,000
Project Contact:
Laura McKay, 804.698.4323, laura.mckay@deq.virginia.gov
Project Status:
10/1/16 - 3/31/18; Project Pending
Final Product:
Project Summary:
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