Project Task:
92.01
Grantee:
Virginia Institute of Marine Science
Project Title:
Decision Support Tools for Managing Tidal Shoreline in Virginia
Project Description:
The Comprehensive Coastal Resource Management Portals (CCRMP) are gateways to decision support tools and guidance for local governments required to implement new tidal shoreline management policy adopted by the Virginia General Assembly in 2011. The tools include Shoreline Best Management Practices for tidal shoreline erosion control, Decision Trees, and a Sea Level Rise Inundation Tool. The Shoreline Management Model (SMM) was developed at the Center for Coastal Resources Management in response to the amendments to the state code of Virginia in 2011. The SMM defines Shoreline Best Management Practices and complies with the state’s preference for living shorelines as a preferred alternative for erosion control in Tidewater. Compliance with this practice is a required consideration for all Tidewater localities. In 2015, the General Assembly adopted policy that requires localities in Hampton Roads to incorporate Sea Level Rise in their comprehensive planning. The Sea Level Rise Inundation Tool projects inundation based on NOAA’s most recent National Climate Assessment projections.
Modelling required to run the SMM and the Sea Level Rise Inundation Tool require, among other things, high resolution LIDAR, the Shoreline Inventory data, and the delineation of marshes found in the Tidal Marsh Inventory. Previous 309 strategies have directly funded the Shoreline Inventory but no other components.
This scope of work proposed for this project continues the development of the Shoreline Inventory, contributes to the development of the Tidal Marsh Inventory, and makes a major contribution toward completion of the statewide development of the CCRMPs. Specifically mentioned in the Code of Virginia, the CCRMPs is the landing page for local governments seeking support to implement strategies for better shoreline management, building coastal resiliency, and planning for sea level rise impacts. Therefore, funding a project which supports the development of the CCRMPs is consistent with the goals of the 309 strategy.
The Center for Coastal Resources at VIMS has been working to develop a CCRMP for each Tidewater Locality since 2012. Twenty-two CCRMPs have been completed (http://ccrm.vims.edu/ccrmp/index.html). In the proposed fiscal year, VIMS will develop and launch another 5 portals. The effort will include completion of 3 new Shoreline Inventories, 3 new Tidal Marsh Inventories, and 5 SMM runs to produce Shoreline Best Management Practices for 5 localities. The portal will be hosted and include all these products as well as the Sea Level Rise Inundation Tool and links to guidance materials and additional resources. Once products are complete each locality will receive training on the use and application of these tools. An example from a recently completed CCRMP for the County of Gloucester, Virginia is found here: http://ccrm.vims.edu/ccrmp/gloucester/. For this effort, the Virginia Coastal Zone Management Program contributed to the development of the Shoreline Inventory for Gloucester. The funding requested here significantly increases the Virginia CZM Program’s contribution to assist local governments implement mandated comprehensive coastal resource planning in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Federal Funding:
$120,000
Project Contact:
Marcia Berman, 804.684.7188, Marcia@vims.edu
Project Status:
10/1/16 - 9/30/17; Project Completed
Final Product:
Decision Support Tools for Managing Tidal Shoreline in Virginia (PDF)
Project Summary:
The Comprehensive Coastal Resource Management Portals (CCRMP) are gateways to decision support tools and guidance for local governments required to implement new tidal shoreline management policy adopted by the Virginia General Assembly in 2011. The tools include Shoreline Best Management Practices for tidal shoreline erosion control, Decision Trees, and a Sea Level Rise Inundation Tool. The Shoreline Management Model (SMM) was developed at the Center for Coastal Resources Management in response to the amendments to the state code of Virginia in 2011. The SMM defines Shoreline Best Management Practices and complies with the state’s preference for living shorelines as a preferred alternative for erosion control in Tidewater. Compliance with this practice is a required consideration for all Tidewater localities. In 2015, the General Assembly adopted policy that requires localities in Hampton Roads to incorporate Sea Level Rise in their comprehensive planning. The Sea Level Rise Inundation Tool projects inundation based on NOAA’s most recent National Climate Assessment projections.
Modelling required to run the SMM and the Sea Level Rise Inundation Tool require, among other things, high resolution LIDAR, the Shoreline Inventory data, and the delineation of marshes found in the Tidal Marsh Inventory. Previous 309 strategies have directly funded the Shoreline Inventory but no other components.
This project funded the development of the Shoreline and Tidal Marsh Inventories for specific localities and ran the SMM for those localities. At the same time, the Center for Coastal Resources Management ran the Sea Level Rise Inundation Model to complete the toolbox of resources being developed for each locality and served through the Comphrehensive Coastal Resource Management Portal.
The products and deliverables associated with the Shoreline and Tidal Marsh Inventories were generated for four localities: Surry, Hanover (Shoreline Inventory only), King George counties and the city of Fredericksburg. Approximately 413 miles of shoreline was assessed and 3,140 acres of tidal marshes. Data are posted to a website which gives access to GIS data, summary reports, summary data tables, and a map viewer (http://www.vims.edu/ccrm/research/inventory/virginia/index.php).
The SMM was run for all four localities and the content posted to the Comprehensive Coastal Resources Management Portal (http://www.vims.edu/ccrm/ccrmp/portals) for each locality. The portal for each locality includes all of the above mentioned information as well as the Sea Level Rise Inundation tool mentioned above and additional resources and guidance.
Upon completion of the modeling effort and publication of the online portal, each locality has received copies of the GIS data associated with all products on disk and a hardcopy summary report pertaining to methods and development of the Shoreline and Tidal Marsh Inventory. VIMS outreach coordinator will be contacting each locality to schedule training if desired. Copies of all materials and data have been delivered to VA CZMP.
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