Virginia CZM Program: 2025 Coastal Grant Project Description and Final Summary

Project Task Number:

1.01

Grantee:

Virginia Department of Environmental Quality - Virginia Coastal Zone Management Program

Project Title:

Coastal Program Management

Project Description:

This task covers management of all aspects of the Program. It funds the Virginia Coastal Zone Management Program (Virginia CZM) Program Manager (Manager), two Coastal Planners (Planners) and the Grants Coordinator/Outreach Specialist. As directed by the Manager, all staff work on project development, monitoring, and reporting for all grants (Sections 306/306A, 309, 309 Projects of Special Merit, other competitive proposals), as well as supporting reprogramming, extensions, and other award actions.

The Manager supervises all program staff, including a Conservation Coordinator funded under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) and a Coastal Planner funded under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA).  The Manager chairs the interagency Coastal Policy Team (CPT), holding at least two meetings annually, and works to engage and understand Virginia CZM network partners needs and priorities as they relate to program and funding strategy. The Manager oversees Virginia CZM Program policy development, program changes, grants, development of communication/outreach materials, and GIS efforts. The Manager is responsible for guiding activities under all tasks with support of the  pPlanners. The Manager serves on the Mid-Atlantic Regional Council on the Ocean’s (MARCO)’s Management Board and MARCO’s Mid-Atlantic Ocean Planning Committee (Mid-A OPC), and workgroups. Currently the Manager is the Marco Management Board chair for a two year rotation and is also serving as a steering committee member for the Regional Wlidlife Science Collaborative (RWSC). The Manager will participate in other collaborative opportunities where relevant to Virginia CZM program goals and strategies

Planners will assist with CPT meetings and will coordinate and lead Virginia CZM contributions to quarterly Planning District Commission (PDC) meetings within their respective regions. They will serve as project managers for all tasks not covered by the Manager, and coordinate with the  Manager to ensure all products and tasks achieve satisfactory. During proposal development, Planners will advise and support subrecipients in developing scopes of work that maximize opportunities for collaboration and iterative progress towards program goals and strategies. They will represent Virginia CZM at various meetings and conferences. Planners will actively support through facilitation and technical/advisory input efforts like the Virginia Ocean Plan (VOP) development, Virginia Marine Debris Reduction Plan (VMDRP) implementation, beneficial use of dredged material (BUDM) stakeholder engagement, resource sharing, and project implementation framework development processes, and other stakeholder and partner engagement opportunities that will be ongoing during this award period. In addition, Planners each have specific regional and topical focus areas and responsibilities that vary annually.

The Grants Coordinator/Outreach Specialist will maintain and operate the grants database and address administrative issues with grantees. Duties include 1) coordinating with subrecipients, NOAA, and other partners involved with Virginia CZM awards at all major milestones of the award cycle 2) developing and entering data and other materials for proposal development and submission, 3) report/outreach material production, 4) coordinating performance measures and preparation of Section A and B reports, 5) entering each project’s data into the Virginia CZM database 6) other tasks as requested. Also works with the Outreach Coordinator to develop/disseminate program information and represents Virginia CZM at outreach events.             

The new Program Enhancement Assessment and Strategy cycle will begin in October 2026.  During this award period Virginia CZM will continue to work with partners to crystallize plans for implementing the approved 309 strategies for FY26-30.

Federal Funding:

$569,747

Project Contact:

Ryan Green; 804-698-4258; tim.green@deq.virginia.gov

Project Status:

10/1/25 - 3/31/27; Project Open

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 Ryan Green, Virginia Coastal Program Manager, at 804.698.4258 or email: Tim.Green@deq.virginia.gov. 

Virginia CZM Program: 2025 Coastal Grant Project Description and Final Summary

Project Task Number:

1.02

Grantee:

Virginia Department of Environmental Quality - Virginia Coastal Zone Management Program

Project Title:

Virginia CZM Program Outreach & Social Marketing

Project Description:

This task funds the Virginia CZM Program Outreach Coordinator position.  This position coordinates implementation of a Virginia CZM Outreach Strategy using short-term communication plans which emphasize audience focused messaging and strategic outreach delivery. The coordinator also works with program staff and partners to research, design and deliver Community-based social marketing strategies. The goals of using these two approoaches are to effectively communicate key CZM messages to the program’s various target audiences; raise awareness and increase understanding of coastal resource issues; encourage stewardship of Virginia’s coastal resources and change behaviors that impact these resources through application of CBSM techniques; and, heighten the Virginia CZM’s visibility and unique position to coordinate solutions to cross-cutting coastal challenges. The coordinator works with the Virginia CZM Program manager and staff and partners to produce, revise and maintain new and existing print and digital media, and to plan and deliver hosted or co-sponsored exhibits, events and training.  During this grant year, Virginia CZM will celebrate it’s 40^th anniversary. The first Executive Order establishing the Virginia Coastal Resources Management Program was signed on June 23, 1986 by then-Governor Gerald Baliles. The Outreach Coordinator will work with Virginia CZM staff and partners to develop and implement an anniversary communication plan and toolkit, including release of a “Value of Virginia CZM” video and a celebratory event (to be determined), to highlight the significant accomplishments made possible with CZMA funding and achieved through the program’s collaborative network of partners and citizens.

Federal Funding:

$161,278

Project Contact:

Virginia Witmer; 804-659-1912; virginia.witmer@deq.virginia.gov

Project Status:

10/1/25 - 9/30/26; Project Open

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 Ryan Green, Virginia Coastal Program Manager, at 804.698.4258 or email: Tim.Green@deq.virginia.gov. 

Virginia CZM Program: 2025 Coastal Grant Project Description and Final Summary

Project Task Number:

1.03

Grantee:

Virginia Commonwealth University

Project Title:

Coastal Management GIS Support and Coastal GEMS Maintenance

Project Description:

This task supports one quasi-85% full-time time staff position (Coastal GIS Coordinator at 85% time) that is contracted through Virginia Commonwealth University to provide GIS support to the Virginia CZM program and the partial time of two additional VCU staff required to host and maintain the Coastal Geospatial and Educational Mapping System (Coastal GEMS), perform data/software updates, and perform grant/project management.

Coastal Management GIS Support: The Coastal GIS Coordinator provides support to the Virginia CZM Program to ensure that GIS needs are met; that policy and planning functions have adequate GIS support; that open grants involving GIS products are properly managed and implemented; and that Virginia CZM’s Coastal GEMS remains a valuable tool to Virginia’s coastal community. This staff position will support the following activities:

• Work with VCU staff and others to ensure the maintenance and enhancement of Virginia CZM’s Coastal GEMS
• Organize Coastal GEMS training programs for state/local government users and others
• Advise CZM project managers and grantees on grants involving GIS data development, mapping, and NOAA’s data sharing policy
• Perform GIS calculations and searches and produce GIS map products, as needed by the CZM Program and its partners
• Work with VEVA partners to create outreach materials and provide trainings on updated Coastal VEVA data
• Participate in the Virginia State GIS Users’ Group and keep up to date on, or become involved in, other GIS-related developments in Virginia

Federal Funding:

$154,379

Project Contact:

Nick Meade; 804-659-1910; nick.meade@deq.virginia.gov

Project Status:

10/1/25 - 9/30/26; Project Open

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 Ryan Green, Virginia Coastal Program Manager, at 804.698.4258 or email: Tim.Green@deq.virginia.gov. 

Virginia CZM Program: 2025 Coastal Grant Project Description and Final Summary

Project Task Number:

2

Grantee:

Virginia Department of Environmental Quality

Project Title:

EIR & Federal Consistency

Project Description:

• Conduct federal consistency reviews of activities that can affect Virginia's coastal uses and resources pursuant to the CZMA and the federal consistency regulations.
• Periodically submit routine program changes, as needed.
• Participate in the existing program revision efforts (enforceable policies, listed activities and geographic location descriptions)
• Participate in submittal preparation for program revisions (enforceable policies, listed activities and geographic location descriptions)
• Coordinate Virginia's review of environmental documents for development of federal and state facilities and actions in Tidewater, Virginia which require federal approvals or assistance.
• Continue to update Virginia's EIR manual and federal consistency information packages as necessary to reflect legislative and policy changes.
• Provide interpretation of federal consistency requirements to federal agencies, applicants for federal permits, approvals, or funding, and consultants preparing consistency determinations or certifications. 
• Provide technical assistance to state reviewers and local government officials on the use of federal consistency and conduct group trainings (when there are opportunities to do so) at workshops sponsored by other agencies.
• Maintain and update the EIR/Federal Consistency website.
• Ensure public participation in the review of federal consistency documents to include publishing notices of consistency reviews in appropriate media such as DEQ’s website, OEIR’s program newsletter, local newspapers and holding public hearings when necessary
• Maintain files in DEQ’s Enterprise Content Management (ECM) system
• Conduct site visits as necessary.

Federal Funding:

$204,614

Project Contact:

Bettina Rayfield; 804-659-1915; bettina.rayfield@deq.virginia.gov

Project Status:

10/1/25 - 9/30/26; Project Open

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 Ryan Green, Virginia Coastal Program Manager, at 804.698.4258 or email: Tim.Green@deq.virginia.gov. 

Virginia CZM Program: 2025 Coastal Grant Project Description and Final Summary

Project Task Number:

3

Grantee:

Virginia Department of Environmental Quality

Project Title:

Stormwater Local Assistance Fund – Prince William County – Middle Dewey Creek Phase 1 – Stream Restoration

Project Description:

In order to reduce pollution from stormwater runoff, the Virginia General Assembly created and set forth specific parameters for the administration of the Stormwater Local Assistance Fund (SLAF) in 2013. The purpose of the SLAF is to provide matching grants to local governments for the planning, design, and implementation of stormwater best management practices that address cost efficiency and commitments related to reducing water quality pollutant loads. In accordance with that legislation, the State Water Control Board approved guidelines for implementation of the program. The guidelines call for annual solicitation of applications, an application review and ranking process, and the authorization of a Project Funding list by the DEQ Director. One of the projects selected is proposed as this Task 3 match-only project.

The study area of Middle Dewey Creek, starting downstream of I-95 and ending at Route 1 (Richmond Highway) is a tributary of Quantico Creek and eventually flows into the Potomac River. Growing development within the watershed has changed the hydrologic patterns and caused sediment loading, incision and lateral erosion exposing sewer lines and manholes and uprooting trees. The development of paved surfaces and yards causes flows increase in the Creek, resulting in an increased risk of culvert failure. The additional stormwater runoff has led to erosion, increased sediment accumulation and constriction of conveyance during high flow conditions. The Creek is experiencing localized bank erosion and subsequent sediment deposition. The proposed stream restoration will reduce stream erosion and provide a self-maintaining system that will ultimately protect all utility crossings. Prince William County intends to implement a design that would create sustainable stream improvement that provides stability and complements work already constructed downstream of the project site. The concept design presented in this grant application is the first of two phases of stream restoration. Phase 1 will restore the tributary streams to Dewey Creek Main Channel. Calculated water quality benefits for the project include the annual reduction of approximately 519 pounds of total nitrogen (TN) and approximately 173 pounds of total phosphorus (TP). These benefits help achieve the reductions required in the Chesapeake Bay total maximum daily load (TMDL) and are in support of compliance with Prince William County’s Chesapeake Bay TMDL Action Plan and align with several Virginia CZM program goals. Construction is anticipated to begin in early December 2025 and be completed by early December 2026.

The total project cost is $6,244,800. The state share (via the SLAF grant to Prince Williams County) of that cost is $3,122,400, and $793,730 of the state share will be used as match for the Virginia CZM award.

Federal Funding:

Match Only - $793,730

Project Contact:

Karen Doran; 804-836-5912; karen.doran@deq.virginia.gov

Project Status:

10/1/25 - 3/31/27; Project Open

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 Ryan Green, Virginia Coastal Program Manager, at 804.698.4258 or email: Tim.Green@deq.virginia.gov. 

Virginia CZM Program: 2025 Coastal Grant Project Description and Final Summary

Project Task Number:

4

Grantee:

Virginia Marine Resources Commission

Project Title:

Permit Review and Compliance

Project Description:

The Virginia Marine Resources Commission’s Habitat Management Division manages, via a regulatory permit program, submerged bottomlands, tidal wetlands, sand dunes and beaches in order to preserve and protect Virginia’s natural resources and the habitats our saltwater fisheries depend on.

Responsibilities in implementing core permit functions are:

• Issuing permits for encroachments in, on or over State-owned submerged lands (recently approximately 2,792 applications have been processed annually and  permits are issued for encroachments over State-owned submerged lands), and
• Regulating the use of development of tidal wetlands and coastal primary sand dunes.

The goal of this effort is to eliminate unnecessary impacts to submerged lands, tidal wetlands, dunes and beaches and to maintain a permit review process based on public interest review procedures consistent with the public trust doctrine that fairly balances private use of State-owned submerged lands and the need to preserve habitat for sustainable fisheries.

Tidal wetlands and coastal primary sand dune programs may be administered by local wetlands boards if the locality has adopted the model ordinances (31 existing local wetland boards, 5 boards rescinded their wetlands or beaches/dunes authority since their original adoption of both ordinances); however, the VMRC retains oversight and reviews all local board decisions.  These programs protect approximately 213,000 acres of vegetated tidal wetlands and provide for the regulatory management of 10,000 miles of tidal shoreline including all primary sand dunes and beaches throughout Tidewater Virginia. The Commission’s permit review program is conducted by 8 equivalent Environmental Engineer positions. Each Environmental Engineer is assigned a specific geographic territory. They conduct application reviews, correspond with applicants and other concerned citizens, conduct site inspections, coordinate application reviews with other agencies, prepare project briefings, present contested cases to the full Commission at public hearings and draft permit documents. In addition they assist local wetlands boards with their wetland management responsibilities and attend all wetland board meetings in order to conduct the required review of wetland board actions.

The Environmental Engineers will also document losses and conversions of submerged land, wetlands and dunes/beaches associated with all proposed shoreline stabilization projects. Proposed and permitted losses, as well as habitat conversions, will be recorded within the existing VMRC permit tracking datebase. This was initiated for projects beginning in 2013. This is intended to track impacts associated with traditional shoreline projects as well as proposals utilizing living shoreline techniques.

As a result of a previous survey, a comprehensive permit compliance and inspection program was developed and will continue to be implemented through this project. VMRC staff will inspect new construction projects permitted by the Commission, along with a representative sample of wetlands and dunes projects permitted by the local boards.  The goal of the program is to continue to maintain and improve permit compliance rates that have increased from approximately 50 percent, when this program began, to current rates of approximately 87 percent of projects that are in complete compliance. This also includes a goal of reducing the number of projects found to be in moderate compliance and reducing the number of projects for which compliance cannot be determined.

In addition to support for ongoing permit review responsibilities, the workload resulting from the compliance inspections and recording efforts will be offset by one Environmental Engineer position. A program support technician will assist with compliance inspections and compile data generated by the Engineers and ensure its entry into our permit tracking database.  In addition to administrative and clerical duties associated with permit review, the office service specialist will support the clerical duties associated with permit review and compliance monitoring.

Federal Funding:

$191,200

Project Contact:

Randy Owen; 757-247-2251; randy.owen@mrc.virginia.gov

Project Status:

10/1/25 - 9/30/26; Project Open

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 Ryan Green, Virginia Coastal Program Manager, at 804.698.4258 or email: Tim.Green@deq.virginia.gov. 

Virginia CZM Program: 2025 Coastal Grant Project Description and Final Summary

Project Task Number:

5

Grantee:

Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation

Project Title:

Habitat Conservation/Locality Liaison

Project Description:

The Department of Conservation and Recreation’s Division of Natural Heritage (DCR-DNH) Locality Liaison works with localities, Planning District Commissions (PDCs), and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) to help protect natural heritage resources (rare plants, animals, exemplary natural communities and geologic features) by providing access to biotics information and DCR-DNH consultative services.  A key service is review of projects to identify and recommend mitigation for potential impacts to natural heritage resources.

Conservation data layers displayed within Natural Heritage Data Explorer (NHDE) website-Version 2.27 (www.vanhde.org) will undergo updates and/or new conservation data layers will be developed, potentially to include a biotics hotspot map. The Locality Liaison will include new features or functionality of the upgraded website into training. The Locality Liaison will continue to work to make it available to localities, PDCs, land trusts and others through bi-monthly training. By subscribing to the Natural Heritage Data Explorer (NHDE) website, localities and PDCs can access conservation sites and other natural heritage resource information including predicted suitable habitat layers, which are useful both for project review and for conservation planning. Digital geospatial datasets will also continue to be available for incorporation into local GIS systems through our subscription service. The Locality Liaison will work consultatively with locality planners to incorporate natural heritage resource concerns into local comprehensive plans and permitting processes. The Locality Liaison will also assist localities and local conservation partners to identify habitat conservation opportunities using tools such as ConserveVirginia, Virginia ConservationVision and the Virginia Ecological Value Assessment (VEVA). An overall goal of the DCR-DNH Program is that 100% of the counties and cities throughout the Virginia Coastal Zone will continue to have access to Natural Heritage information by the end of the grant cycle. The percentage of localities currently with access to Natural Heritage information is 100% within the Coastal Zone of Virginia. DCR-DNH will strive to maintain updated license agreements with localities to ensure data access. DCR-DNH will also continue to provide updated natural heritage information to all PDCs and interested land trusts in the coastal zone region through NHDE and/or ArcGIS shapefiles, with the goal of reaching 100% of appropriate and relevant land trusts in the coastal zone.

Federal Funding:

$56,600

Project Contact:

Rene Hypes; 804-371-2708; rene.hypes@dcr.virginia.gov

Project Status:

10/1/25 - 9/30/26; Project Open

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 Ryan Green, Virginia Coastal Program Manager, at 804.698.4258 or email: Tim.Green@deq.virginia.gov. 

Virginia CZM Program: 2025 Coastal Grant Project Description and Final Summary

Project Task Number:

6

Grantee:

Virginia Institute of Marine Science

Project Title:

Tidal Wetlands Management Technical Support

Project Description:

This project provides operational support for tidal wetlands management technical support provided by the Virginia Institute of Marine Science, Center for Coastal Resources Management VIMS-CCRM.  The proposed project will build on previously funded projects by continuing advisory service related to tidal shoreline management.  This addresses an identified, ongoing need to maintain relevant outreach and training programs related to tidal shoreline management. 

Multiple types of shoreline decision-makers in coastal Virginia are targeted for delivery of management tools and resources to facilitate better-informed decision making.  Shoreline management tools and resources are periodically updated, revised, and expanded, or created based on new scientific understanding plus law and policy amendments.  In order to provide the most current shoreline management science and policy to decision makers, outreach delivery methods need to be adaptive for new content and new technology, including web sites, locality-specific portals, training programs, and social media campaigns.  Additionally, tracking permitting decisions is necessary to inform adaptive shoreline management decisions, cumulative impacts, and climate resiliency.

The project objectives are:  

1) Education/Outreach: Provide a shoreline management workshop on the VIMS campus or a virtual webinar to reach a geographically broad audience. Produce and distribute CCRM E-Newsletters on current shoreline management topics.  Incorporate recent shoreline research and outreach information into VIMS-CCRM management tools, training, and outreach programs. 

2) Technical Guidance Support:  Provide shoreline management advice to various shoreline stakeholders, as requested. Initiate a bi-monthly “virtual office hour” for CZM Shoreline Stakeholders Group and others.  Continue to maintain and update the VIMS-CCRM Virginia tidal shoreline permit database derived from public records, by entering new information extracted through ongoing review of Joint Permit Applications. Investigate the use of AI to automate permit review and data entry.  Continue to maintain an historical permit record archive. Continue to maintain an internal database to track advisory requests. This historical database is continuously updated with new requests and documentation, centralizing advisory responses allowing for efficient review of past inquiries and preventing duplicated research. Additionally, the database provides valuable insights for trend analysis, tracks the usage of CCRM tools, validates shoreline management model recommendations, and highlights areas where further training or technical assistance may be required.

Federal Funding:

$47,550

Project Contact:

Christine Tombleson; 804-684-7912; christine@vims.edu

Project Status:

10/1/25 - 9/30/26; Project Open

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 Ryan Green, Virginia Coastal Program Manager, at 804.698.4258 or email: Tim.Green@deq.virginia.gov. 

Virginia CZM Program: 2025 Coastal Grant Project Description and Final Summary

Project Task Number:

7

Grantee:

Virginia Institute of Marine Science

Project Title:

2025 Submerged Aquatic Vegetation Distribution and Abundance Survey

Project Description:

Submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) is a critical living resource in Chesapeake Bay and on the Seaside of Virginia’s Eastern Shore that has undergone rapid and dramatic fluctuations in distribution and abundance over the last two decades, and, particularly in Chesapeake Bay, is being subjected to declines in water quality and to ever increasing pressure from recreational, commercial, and industrial demands. Because SAV is dependent on good water quality to which it responds over short time scales, it can be an important indicator of water quality.

In 2025, VIMS will continue the annual SAV survey program, begun in 1984, by mapping SAV in the shoal areas of the entire Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries as well as the Seaside Bays of Virginia’s Eastern Shore from digital aerial imagery acquired during late spring to late summer. This grant does not cover costs of conducting or acquiring the aerial survey data but does cover personnel costs at VIMS to analyze the data and prepare maps.

Digital aerial photography will be acquired at a photographic scale of approximately 1:24,000, following guidelines that address tidal stage, plant growth, sun angle, turbidity, wind, atmospheric transparency, sensor operation and land features to allow for acquisition of photographs under or near optimal conditions.

Ground data on species distribution and abundance will be collected by participating agencies and citizen groups from as many of the mapped segments as possible and included in the final report.

The digital aerial imagery will be evaluated for SAV signatures using all available information.  Photographs containing SAV signatures will be orthographically corrected and mosaiced by USGS 7.5 minute topographic quadrangles using Orthobase and Imagine image processing software.

The perimeters of all SAV beds mapped from the 2025 aerial photography will be delineated on-screen using ArcInfo geographic information system (GIS) software and stored in an ArcInfo GIS database.  A final report will include maps of all SAV beds, and areas of these beds, as well as any ground truth information submitted to VIMS.  The report will be published on the VIMS web site, as in past years.  SAV polygons will also be available on the VIMS SAV interactive web site (https://www.vims.edu/research/units/programs/sav/access/index.php).

Federal Funding:

$78,000

Project Contact:

Chris Patrick; 804-684-7399; cpatrick@vims.edu

Project Status:

10/1/25 - 12/31/26; Project Open

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 Ryan Green, Virginia Coastal Program Manager, at 804.698.4258 or email: Tim.Green@deq.virginia.gov. 

Virginia CZM Program: 2025 Coastal Grant Project Description and Final Summary

Project Task Number:

8

Grantee:

Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation

Project Title:

Healthy Waters Program in the Coastal Zone

Project Description:

Funding through this grant will be used to support the implementation of the Virginia Healthy Waters Program (HWP) within the Natural Heritage Program (NHP) at the Virgnia Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) as it applies to advancing the identification, interpretation and conservation of the highest priority aquatic communities. Through a partnership with the Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) Rice Rivers Center (RRC), the VCU will provide for a Senior Program Director/ Marine and Natural Resources Policy Analyst to serve as the HWP Manager and either an Environmental Specialist to serve as the HWP Field Coordinator or contractor to provide on the ground implementation. The HWP Manager will oversee the administration and management of the HWP, informing the development of tools and products of the DCR NHP such as Element Occurences (EO’s), Stream Conservation Units (SCU’s), INteractive Stream Assessment Resource (INSTAR) data, Coastal GEMS, and ConservationVision Watershed Model, ConserveVirginia (see Extended Project Description for more details), and supervise the HWP Field Coordinator/Contractor to work in the Coastal Zone of Virginia. The HWP Manager will work with both the DCR NHP and the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) to fully implement the HWP to achieve lasting aquatic-based land conservation benefits for the Commonwealth. The HWP Field Coordinator will directly work in the field with conservation agencies, land conservation organizations, Planning District Commissions and private landowners to advance conservation efforts for those aquatic resources characterized as ecologically healthy aquatic resources.

The DCR will implement a grant agreement with VCU and the Rice Rivers Center for the Senior Program Director/ Natural Resources and Marine Policy Analyst and Environmental Specialist. Both positions will be housed in the DCR NHP, have full access to the facilities, provided equipment, vehicles, and continue to integrate the skills and abilities of VCU to the DCR. The positions serve to liaise between DCR and VCU to promote joint, applied research, and outreach projects, where feasible. For the HWP Manager, this includes the oversight of programs, projects, grants and grant budgets, providing technical support to DCR NHP and CZM, as it relates to coastal zone ecology, management, land conservation, and restoration activities. For the HWP Field Coordinator/Contractor, this includes working directly with the DCR NHP Land Conservation Section, Data Management, Assessment and Environmental Review to advance land conservation efforts supporting ecologically healthy aquatic resources and build on-the-ground capacity that will lead to lasting conservation of ecologically healthy resources. 

Virginia’s commitment to the 2014 Chesapeake Bay Program goal of 100 percent of state-identified, ecologically healthy waters and watersheds remain healthy, by 2025, poses a unique challenge and opportunity. This goal was set by the Chesapeake Bay Program Healthy Watersheds Goal Implementation Team (GIT) and for Virginia is based on INSTAR data and the identified Healthy Watersheds in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. To achieve that goal, field capacity, combined with resources from USEPA Section 319 and Chesapeake Bay Implementation Grant (CBIG), support the on-the-ground measures needed to advance those conservation actions from planning tools into tangible implementation. Such measures may include the application of agricultural or forestry best management practices to meet local TMDL WIP measures in impaired but ecologically healthy waters.

Both positions will also continue to participate in state, local, or federal work groups as needed with regard to water quality protection and restoration issues as the DCR deems necessary. In addition, the HWP Manager will prepare semiannual and annual reports and other documents and include those actions by the HWP Field Coordinator in the coastal zone.

Federal Funding:

$30,500

Project Contact:

Todd Janeski; 804-371-8984; todd.janeski@dcr.virginia.gov

Project Status:

10/1/25 - 9/30/26; Project Open

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 Ryan Green, Virginia Coastal Program Manager, at 804.698.4258 or email: Tim.Green@deq.virginia.gov. 

Virginia CZM Program: 2025 Coastal Grant Project Description and Final Summary

Project Task Number:

10

Grantee:

Virginia Institute of Marine Science

Project Title:

Re-Envisioning Shoreline Change Rates in Virginia’s Chesapeake Bay Year 2

Project Description:

Over 20 years ago, the Shoreline Studies Program (SSP) began developing a database of shore evolution in Chesapeake Bay. SSP developed a method for determining shoreline change using historic and recent aerial imagery in ArcGIS for all of Virginia’s tidal localities in Chesapeake Bay, southeast ocean coast, and the oceanside of the Eastern Shore. Historical aerial images taken between 1937 and the 1990s from the SSP image archive were rectified, mosaicked, and the shorelines digitized. The shorelines were also digitized using publicly available imagery taken between 1994 and 2021. Through the 2000s, SSP partnered with CZM to create the core of the dataset. Additional funding was provided to update the datasets as additional imagery came available and to create an online viewer (https://www.vims.edu/research/units/programs/ssp/gis_maps/).

This database was used to calculate end point rate (EPR) and linear regression rate (LRR) to show how the shoreline is changing, but newer research and methods allow us to ask new questions and to get more information from the existing datasets. As higher water continues to impact Chesapeake Bay, many stakeholders are interested in knowing what the most recent rates of change are and how that relates to the long-term rate of change. The historic imagery and shoreline change rates are regularly used not only in SSP’s research and shoreline management planning for private, local, regional, state, and federal entities, but also by other researchers. In addition, many other stakeholders including local, state, and federal permitting agencies; local and state managers; consultants and contractors; and private landowners use the data to provide an understanding of shoreline change over decadal scales in response to potential drivers (land use, shore protection, storms, etc.)

During Year 1, a piecewise regression approach was developed using a machine learning method for fitting separate models to partial sets of observations to determine the relationship of those models. An interrupted time-series was modeled for shore change through time using 8-14 shorelines to determine a transition or change-point between early and later rates of change (Figure 1). This transition point is determined by the model. The results from Year 1, though still under development, show significant variation. Some areas have different change point rates (CPR) before and after the transition point when compared to EPR and LRR, though others are similar (Figure 2).

In addition to determining the CPR of change, the Year 1 data analysis looked at using additional analyses and existing GIS data to further categorize data. Determining where differences in rates occur around the Bay in varying environments (marsh, upland, residential, agricultural, protected, etc.) allows planners, managers, designers, contractors, and permitting agencies to understand how and why rates are changing which is critical to increasing overall coastal resiliency and protecting habitats. Additional analyses will look at the impact that shore protection structures have had on shore change rates through time as well as exploring the impact of shore zone slope and higher waters on future change. The online viewer will continue to be updated with new data from the analyses.

The Year 2 project will digitize the shoreline on the latest available imagery for the Rappahannock and Potomac Rivers and Southside, develop and run the shore change model on the existing and new data, and modify the model as needed to provide the best results. The data results will be further analyzed to determine the complex interaction between physical forces, inherited geological and geomorphological controls, and evolving anthropogenic intervention driving shoreline change. This project represents the second year of a three-year project. The last year will be used to model the remaining tidal Virginia’s Chesapeake Bay shoreline and finalize the online data viewer.

Federal Funding:

$75,000

Project Contact:

Donna Milligan; 804-684-7596; milligan@vims.edu

Project Status:

10/1/25 - 9/30/26; Project Open

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 Ryan Green, Virginia Coastal Program Manager, at 804.698.4258 or email: Tim.Green@deq.virginia.gov. 

Virginia CZM Program: 2025 Coastal Grant Project Description and Final Summary

Project Task Number:

11

Grantee:

College of William & Mary

Project Title:

Metapopulation Dynamics of Osprey within the Chesapeake Bay (2026 season)

Project Description:

Over the past several years, watermen and homeowners have reported that many osprey pairs have been consistently failing within the higher salinity areas of the Bay’s main stem.  Recent reports have led The Center for Conservation Biology to investigate patterns in reproductive rates and their underlying drivers.  A retrospective (1974-2021) analysis of data from Mobjack Bay was recently published that documented a decline in reproductive rates, a decline in provisioning rates, a decline in the proportion of the diet accounted for by Atlantic menhaden, a decline in the nutritional value of the diet and an increase in brood reduction.  The analyses document that reproductive rates transitioned from reproductive surplus before the 1990s to a reproductive deficit after the 1990s.  Following this analysis, The Center conducted a food supplementation study to isolate the influence of menhaden on reproductive rates.  Menhaden were added to treatment nests twice per week and compared to control nests that received no menhaden.  The reproductive rate was significantly higher for treatment nests compared to control nests.  Importantly, productivity for the treatment group was above maintenance levels while productivity for the control group remained below maintenance.  The primary cause of young mortality in the control group was starvation.

During the 2024 breeding season, we expanded the footprint of monitoring to include twelve study areas including ten where salinity exceeded 10 parts per thousand (ppt) and two (used as reference sites for comparison) where salinity was less than 1 ppt.  Osprey pairs nesting within waters above 10 ppt are believed to be highly dependent on Atlantic menhaden to raise broods.  Osprey pairs nesting within tidal fresh waters feed primarily on catfish and gizzard shad.  Mean productivity for pairs nesting along the main stem (> 10 ppt) of the Bay was 0.51 young/pair and well below maintenance level while productivity in the tidal fresh study areas (<0.1 ppt) was 1.36 young/pair.  Overall, poor reproduction in ospreys is not restricted to the historic study area of Mobjack Bay but is widespread throughout the main stem and likely involves thousands of nesting pairs.  Based upon direct observations during nest visits and experimental evidence, the largest contributing factor to poor breeding performance within the main stem of the Bay is the loss of young due to starvation. 

One of the most pressing questions for both the public and the scientific community is “What are the implications of low productivity within the main stem of the Bay to the broader Bay-wide osprey population?”.  This is a basic metapopulation question that centers on whether or not the highly productive subpopulations in the Bay are able to compensate for the unproductive subpopulations.  If the deficit is large relative to the surplus, then the Bay-wide population would be at risk of decline.  Conversely, if the surplus from productive subpopulations is sufficiently large to offset the deficit, the overall population is likely to remain stable.

The overarching objective of this observational study (2025-2026) is to evaluate whether or not the low reproductive rate in the main stem (>10 ppt) of the Bay represents a risk to the broader Bay-wide osprey breeding population.  To evaluate the metapopulation dynamics we need to understand the relative magnitudes of reproductive deficits and surpluses across subpopulations.

The survey will include several partners including the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources, United States Geological Survey, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Virginia Aquarium, and Elizabeth River Project.  This grant will provide funding to survey study areas along the James and York rivers.  Funding or in-kind services required to survey other study areas is being provided by the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources, United States Geological Survey and The Center for Conservation Biology at William & Mary.

Federal Funding:

$50,000

Project Contact:

Bryan Watts; 757-221-2247; bdwatt@wm.edu

Project Status:

3/15/26 - 8/31/26; Project Open

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 Ryan Green, Virginia Coastal Program Manager, at 804.698.4258 or email: Tim.Green@deq.virginia.gov. 

Virginia CZM Program: 2025 Coastal Grant Project Description and Final Summary

Project Task Number:

12

Grantee:

Virginia Institute of Marine Science

Project Title:

Economic Benefits of Nature Based Solutions

Project Description:

Coastal estuarine marsh habitats can enhance community resilience by attenuating waves and reducing erosion (Möller et al. 2014; Leonardi et al. 2016, Mitchell et al. 2017). These benefits underscore their key role supporting coastal community resiliency, estuarine ecosystems, and local economies. A recent NOAA-funded VIMS study found that coastal communities within the Middle Peninsula, Virginia, rank storm risk reduction as the most important benefit provided by marshes (Bilkovic, Scheld, in prep). Notably, local community stakeholder tradeoffs across services differed from what was identified in the literature review of prior studies, indicating the need to assess local values for services such as storm risk reduction.  This study also highlighted that ecosystem services, including storm risk reduction, are spatially heterogenous. Local environmental conditions together with human perception, preferences, and behavior ultimately determine the value of natural capital. Consideration of physical, environmental, and human drivers of ecosystem service value is paramount in resiliency planning to optimize the use of scarce financial resources.

We will evaluate how natural and nature-based features (NNBF), namely tidal marshes and marsh-based living shorelines, affect economic damages due to storms for shoreside communities in Virginia. To do this, we will rely on projections from a physical model of the coastal system under extreme storm conditions with varying configurations of NNBF paired with data collected from shoreside community members regarding storm damages, costs, and risk perceptions. The work will focus on two Virginia communities, one rural (Bayside Accomack County) and one urban (City of Hampton), to characterize how damages and risk factors may vary across a gradient of coastal development and landscape settings. Final products of this 3-year study will include a

1) Storm Damage Probability Model –  geospatial depiction displayed in the Virginia Coastal Resources Tool,

2) Economic Model of Adaptation Behavior – community choice experiment surveys used to parameterize model of community adaptation behavior (NNBF vs grey infrastructure) and associated costs,

3) Integrated Predictions of Adaptation Response – scenario-driven exploration of the economic benefits of NNBF for storm damage reduction, and

4) NNBF decision framework to support shoreline management decisions that integrates expected NNBF persistence under  higher waters into benefit values estimations (mapped at basin and locality scale).

For FY2025 Task 12 (Yr1 of a 3 year project), a Storm damage probability model will be developed and the first Phase of refinement conducted using field-collected local data, and a preliminary Economic Model of Adaptation Behavior model will be developed using the compilation of information from two community workshops, an online stated preference survey, and property information. These products will inform year 2 and 3 research products, including integrated predictions of adaptation response and the derived economic benefits of NNBF from storm damage reduction for the communities.

Federal Funding:

$80,000

Project Contact:

Donna Bilkovic; 804-684-7331; donnab@vims.edu

Project Status:

10/1/25 - 9/30/26; Project Open

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 Ryan Green, Virginia Coastal Program Manager, at 804.698.4258 or email: Tim.Green@deq.virginia.gov. 

Virginia CZM Program: 2025 Coastal Grant Project Description and Final Summary

Project Task Number:

13

Grantee:

Middle Peninsula Planning District Commission

Project Title:

Advancing Beneficial Use of Dredged Material in Coastal Virginia: Implementation Strategies & Policy Development

Project Description:

This project aims to transform dredged sediment from a disposal challenge into a valuable resource for coastal resilience, habitat restoration, and infrastructure projects in Virginia. As sediment management becomes increasingly critical due to ongoing dredging needs, the beneficial use of dredged material (BUDM) provides a sustainable and cost-effective solution for repurposing material to support shoreline stabilization, marsh creation, and economic development. Building upon the 2024-2025 Virginia Marine Resource Commission (VMRC)’s final grant product to Virginia CZM (FY23, Task 10) - Beneficial Use Options and Considerations for Dredged Material in Coastal Virginia technical resource document (“BUDM Version 1.0”) - which focused on stakeholder engagement and foundational research, this FY2025 project will advance technical implementation by conducting a comprehensive literature review and refining sediment testing protocols and developing a planning and implementation document to standardize regulatory approvals and streamline project execution for municipal dredging programs. Additionally, the project will update the inventory of sites needing material, conduct targeted research, and host a stakeholder workshop to address regulatory and economic challenges. The Middle Peninsula Planning District Commission (MPPDC) will serve as a pilot case study, developing a regional model for BUDM implementation. By integrating science-based decision-making, policy recommendations, and regional collaboration, this project will better position Virginia in expediting dredging planning process and promoting sustainable sediment management while maximizing environmental and economic benefits for coastal communities.

Federal Funding:

$149,049

Project Contact:

Rachael Peabody; 785-220-3902; rpeabody@mppdc.com

Project Status:

10/1/25 - 9/30/26; Project Open

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 Ryan Green, Virginia Coastal Program Manager, at 804.698.4258 or email: Tim.Green@deq.virginia.gov. 

Virginia CZM Program: 2025 Coastal Grant Project Description and Final Summary

Project Task Number:

41

Grantee:

Accomack-Northampton Planning District Commission

Project Title:

A-NPDC Coastal Management TA & Resiliency

Project Description:

The Accomack-Northampton Planning District Commission (A-NPDC) serves two counties and 19 incorporated towns on the Eastern Shore of Virginia (ESVA), a 70-mile-long peninsula situated between the Atlantic Ocean and the Chesapeake Bay. Despite facing consistent development pressure, the Eastern Shore remains one of the few rural regions along the Atlantic seaboard. Known for its abundant coastal resources and reliance on natural, resource-based economies, the region experienced prosperity around the turn of the 20^th Century. However, challenges related to environmental sustainability and geographic isolation led to a decline in population and economic growth. While other coastal communities have thrived, the Eastern Shore continues to pursue opportunities and address challenges to ensure the sustainability and prosperity of its rural communities. Resilience and sustainability in the face of coastal flooding and water inundation is a primary challenge. The Virginia Coastal Resilience Master Plan shows the ESVA region as distinctively vulnerable to the impacts of coastal flooding. The assessment indicated that Accomack and Northampton counties will face the greatest loss of farmland and natural infrastructure of any region by 2060. Accomack County will face the greatest estimated acreage of land exposed to environmental impacts by the current 2, 10, 25, 50, 100 and 500-year flood event projections, including the largest residential average annual losses per resident of any Virginia county and transportation systems acreage with the current and projected 2040 mean high water events. The proposal activities for this grant year’s Technical Assistance Program will support the Eastern Shore’s efforts to establish a sustainable and resilient community in the face of coastal hazards and development challenges.

A-NPDC staff will continue to provide technical assistance, coordination, and training. A-NPDC staff will continue to facilitate the Eastern Shore Regional Navigable Waterways Committee (ESRNWC) public meetings, coordinate with dredging project consultants, and liaise between the ESRNWC and the Virginia Port Authority. A-NPDC staff will continue facilitation of the Eastern Shore of Virginia Ground Water Committee (GWC) public meetings and management of the consulting hydrogeologist who provides critical guidance and oversight to the Committee and the CAWG whose mission is to provide educational outreach and develop planning tools to assist local government and residents. The A-NPDC will work with the Local Advisory and Engagement Group which consists of local elected officials, managers, and decision-makers and will hold quarterly meetings during the grant period for education, planning, and training on the use of available resources.

Federal Funding:

$64,500

Project Contact:

Rita Chandler; 757-787-2936 x129; rchandler@esvaplan.org

Project Status:

10/1/25 - 9/30/26; Project Open

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 Ryan Green, Virginia Coastal Program Manager, at 804.698.4258 or email: Tim.Green@deq.virginia.gov. 

Virginia CZM Program: 2025 Coastal Grant Project Description and Final Summary

Project Task Number:

42

Grantee:

Crater Planning District Commission

Project Title:

Crater PDC Technical Assistance and Resiliency

Project Description:

This grant proposal includes the Virginia Coastal Zone Management Annual Technical Assistance Program products and Year 3 products of the renewed three-year Virginia Coastal Zone Management Resiliency Focal Area Advancing Ecosystem and Community Resilience in Virginia’s Coastal Zone project. 

Technical Assistance Program

The Technical Assistance Program will focus on coordination, training, and issue analysis/special projects through the following activities:

• Crater PDC staff will work with the Commission’s established Crater Region Environmental Stewardship Team (CREST), comprised of the planning directors of the Crater Planning District localities, to both share information and coordinate on implementing this Technical Assistance program. The CREST meetings will be held quarterly, excepting breaks for holidays or as needed for planning purposes, and will feature high-quality, targeted trainings on environmental topics relevant to CZM’s goals as well as robust discussion on resilience topics. 
• The Commission staff will assist Coastal communities within its region with environmental impact reviews, the provision of technical assistance, planning and data coordination, and training.

Community Resilience (Year 3 of 3)

The purpose of this project is to improve regional capacity at the Planning District Commissions (PDCs) for resilience planning; to support local, regional, and state efforts; and to develop and implement new projects and policies.

Crater PDC will focus on four tasks:

1. Support the Regional Resiliency Committee and conduct at least two (2) annual stakeholder meetings. Through this task, work to identify regional resiliency needs, such as data gaps, local capacity, etc., and establish regional resilience priorities and potential projects. 
2. Support the ongoing projects and partnerships created by the Resilience Adaptation Feasibility Tool (RAFT) implementation in Petersburg and Hopewell while continuing to translate lessons learned and potential resilience projects to other localities in the Crater region. 
3. Participate in the development of state level resilience planning initiatives by attending meetings and providing information to state entities.
4. Work to develop and catalogue existing GIS-based maps and tools that will aid in local resilience initiatives within the region, such as mapping critical infrastructure, areas suited for conservation, and stormwater infrastructure.

Federal Funding:

$64,500

Project Contact:

Kit Friedman; 804-861-1666; kfriedman@craterpdc.org

Project Status:

10/1/25 - 9/30/26; Project Open

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 Ryan Green, Virginia Coastal Program Manager, at 804.698.4258 or email: Tim.Green@deq.virginia.gov. 

Virginia CZM Program: 2025 Coastal Grant Project Description and Final Summary

Project Task Number:

43

Grantee:

Hampton Roads Planning District Commission

Project Title:

Hampton Roads Coastal Resources Management Technical Assistance Program & Resilience Focal Area

Project Description:

Technical Assistance: HRPDC staff will assist the seventeen (17) member local governments of the Hampton Roads Planning District, other public entities, and non-governmental organizations on coastal and other environmental issues, including resilience. This project is a continuation of activities undertaken by HRPDC through the Virginia Coastal Zone Management Program (Virginia CZM) over the last twenty plus years. HRPDC staff will perform the following general coastal resources management tasks:

1. Environmental Impact Review: Includes review and comment on Environmental Impact Assessment/Environmental Impact Statement (EIA/EIS) and Federal Consistency Determinations and Certifications affecting Hampton Roads, including coordination of local responses if needed.
2. Public Information, Education, and Training: Includes maintaining relevant information on the HRPDC website. Presentations to governmental and non-governmental organizations will be made on request. This component also covers monthly status reports and/or briefings to the Hampton Roads Planning District Commission, the Regional Environmental Committee (REC), and the Coastal Resiliency Committee. HRPDC will also conduct or host at least four (4) training programs or activities for local government staff. Generally, while meetings and training activities are targeted toward serving local government staff, most are also open or available to the public. 
3. Regional Coordination Process: Involves all member local governments, five (5) associated Soil and Water Conservation Districts 9SWCDs), the Hampton Roads Sanitation District (HRSD), and several state and federal agencies. It addresses core elements of Virginia CZM, the Chesapeake Bay Program (CBP), and other state and federal programs. This component also includes participation by HRPDC staff in the Coastal PDC Committee, Coastal Policy Team (CPT), CBP, and other state and federal environmental initiatives.
4. Regional Special Projects/Technical Studies: Includes the development of policy analysis, technical products, or other projects related to environmental and coastal resources management issues. Specific studies will be determined in cooperation with local governments, with an emphasis on water quality, Chesapeake Bay related issues, and coastal resiliency.
5. Technical Assistance: Includes providing information, data, and technical assistance, including GIS data provision and similar tasks, to help localities or other entities (including state and federal agencies and non-governmental organizations) with comprehensive planning, ordinance updates, or other technical needs related to coastal resources management.

Resiliency Focal Area: HRPDC will continue efforts to enhance local and regional resilience through coordination with local, state, and federal government entities, development of policy and analysis products, and provision of technical assistance to Hampton Roads localities. HRPDC has been working on resilience initiatives for over fifteen years, several of which were supported by Virginia CZM. Other regional efforts, including the creation of HRPDC’s Coastal Resilience program, have been supported through locality contributions and other state and federal funds. Tasks supported through this grant will include continuation of the region’s coastal resilience coordination process, contribution to Virginia CZM and statewide resilience efforts, and assistance to local governments on resilience issues.

To the degree feasible, HRPDC will document program measures consistent with the NOAA Performance Measurement System. This will include numbers of individuals participating in the various educational components and discussion of local ordinances, plans, policies, and acquisitions being considered.

Federal Funding:

$99,000

Project Contact:

Ben McFarlane; 757-420-8300; bmcfarlane@hrpdcva.gov

Project Status:

10/1/25 - 9/30/26; Project Open

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 Ryan Green, Virginia Coastal Program Manager, at 804.698.4258 or email: Tim.Green@deq.virginia.gov. 

Virginia CZM Program: 2025 Coastal Grant Project Description and Final Summary

Project Task Number:

44

Grantee:

Middle Peninsula Planning District Commission

Project Title:

Middle Peninsula Coastal TA and Resilience Focal Area

Project Description:

Middle Peninsula Planning District Commission’s (MPPDC) Coastal Resources TA Program provides the necessary administrative framework to assist rural coastal local governments across the Middle Peninsula to advance coastal management. Through the coordination of localities, and sharing of coastal zone management tools and techniques, the MPPDC focuses on balancing economic development with protecting coastal resources. MPPDC staff will build upon previous planning activities and will continue to promote coastal solutions at the local and regional level, while also supporting coastal planning at the state level, which is critical to maintaining and preserving the Commonwealth’s coastal resources. At the local level, the Middle Peninsula Fight the Flood (FTF) program supports resiliency planning activities, coordination, outreach, and implementation of various flood mitigation projects. This approach is a systematic/programmatic solution driven program that protects local government’s tax base, structures, coastal lands, habitat, and water quality. FTF has driven over $44,500,000 into parcel level flood protection since its start in 2020 and continues to seek critical funding for implementation. MPPDC staff will also provide ongoing technical assistance, training, and coordination to member local governments and will serve as a liaison to various state and federal agency partners for coastal resource management and resiliency. 

For the federal FY25 grant, the work program will consist of four (4) distinct products:   

• Coastal Management Analysis and Policy Support (TA-1) 

• Local and State Planning Coordination (TA-2) 

• Middle Peninsula Chesapeake Bay Public Access Authority Work Plan & Support for Online Facility Reservation system (TA-3)
• Enhancing Regional Resiliency Efforts (RFA-1)

Federal Funding:

$64,500

Project Contact:

Jackie Rickards; 804-785-8100 x3006; jrickards@mppdc.com

Project Status:

10/1/25 - 9/30/26; Project Open

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 Ryan Green, Virginia Coastal Program Manager, at 804.698.4258 or email: Tim.Green@deq.virginia.gov. 

Virginia CZM Program: 2025 Coastal Grant Project Description and Final Summary

Project Task Number:

45

Grantee:

Northern Neck Planning District Commission

Project Title:

NNPDC Technical Assistance and Advancing Ecosystem and Community Resilience

Project Description:

NNPDC staff will assist the four (4) member counties of the Northern Neck Planning District on coastal and other environmental issues, including coastal resilience. This project continues activities undertaken by the NNPDC through the Virginia Coastal Zone Management Program (CZM) over the last 20+ years. For this grant year, NNPDC staff will engage in tasks related to both Technical Assistance and Resilience.

Technical Assistance

1. Provide support to local governments, planning commissions, local planning staff, as well as the Northern Neck Land Conservancy (NNLC), the Friends of the Rappahannock (FOR), the Northern Neck Soil and Water Conservation District (NNSWCD), and other regional stakeholders. Provide planning and technical assistance as needed to local governments, including, review of comprehensive plans, land conversion and land use plans, development and update of regional plans, funding identification, grant writing, project administration, and convening of localities and stakeholders around relevant issues that affect coastal zone vitality.
2. Support local planning, staff education, training, and coordination through quarterly coastal managers meetings and convene trainings on coastal topics in accordance with the PDC TA Minimum Standards. Meetings and training sessions will invite staff from local governments and planning organizations to include Land Use and Zoning Administrators, Planners and other stakeholders. Training sessions will be targeted to assist localities in better managing coastal resources, improving water quality, and advancing community resilience and may be conducted by Federal, State or Not for Profit entities. The Regional Water Supply Plan update will be conducted over this grant period.
3. Continue to manage the Hazard Mitigation Assistance Grant Program for home elevations through the Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VDEM) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). NNPDC assists homeowners to mitigate future storm damage to homes in low-lying or flood-prone areas. This program enhances resiliency for small coastal communities in the Northern Neck.
4. Continue to manage the Northern Neck Green website (nnkgreen.org), a regional portal designed as the go-to place for all topics environmentally relevant to the Northern Neck, maintained with the active participation and contribution from many of the region’s organizations dedicated to sustainably maximizing the enjoyment and use of air, land, and water. Continue to manage the Northern Neck landing page on the Virginia Water Trails website (virginiawatertrails.org/northern-neck), a multi-region platform designed to promote public access and ecotourism.
5. Continue to manage the Northern Neck Septic Pump-out and Northern Neck Septic & Well Assistance Programs to target the region’s most at-risk populations and promote septic best management practices that improve the longevity of residential on-site systems.
6. Summarize the NNPDC’s experience with resilience planning over the last two years, including local needs and funding.

Resilience Focal Area

Assist the ten (10) local governments of the Northern Neck Planning District on issues related to ecosystem and community resilience as part of a second special Section 306 funded, 3-year Resilience Focal Area (RFA) project in collaboration with the other seven coastal PDCs. NNPDC staff will: (1) Provide regional resiliency coordination to support local governments on resiliency. (2) Aid local governments in pursuing resilience needs, specifically focusing on securing funding for dredging identified waterbodies. (3) Continue to work with localities on hazard mitigation and resilience planning to complete an annual review of the Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan. 4) Work with localities to implement a community tree-planting project to raise awareness about the declining tree canopy. 5) Provide support to state efforts in developing and implementing resilience.

Federal Funding:

$64,500

Project Contact:

Lisa Hull; 804-333-1919; lhull@nnpdc17.state.va.us

Project Status:

10/1/25 - 9/30/26; Project Open

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 Ryan Green, Virginia Coastal Program Manager, at 804.698.4258 or email: Tim.Green@deq.virginia.gov. 

Virginia CZM Program: 2025 Coastal Grant Project Description and Final Summary

Project Task Number:

46

Grantee:

Northern Virginia Regional Commission

Project Title:

NVRC Coastal Resources Technical Assistance Program and Resiliency Focal Area

Project Description:

This proposal consists of two sections including the Technical Assistance (TA) Program and Coastal Resiliency Focal Area (RFA):

1. Technical Assistance (TA) Program: Since 1992, the CZM TA program has allowed NVRC to serve as a technical resource for Northern Virginia localities on coastal resource management issues and activities, including education and outreach, local planning and projects, and regulatory processes. For FY25, NVRC proposes the following activities to advance regional coordination and coastal resource management efforts:
   • Local Coordination and Training: NVRC will hold at least four workshops or other training events on topics of local interest and/or that promote collaborative measures for discussing or addressing CZM topics of interest, such as shoreline management, resiliency, and other coastal resource issues. In addition, NVRC staff will participate in local, regional, or state planning initiatives or workgroups, including the Virginia Coastal Policy Team and Potomac Watershed Roundtable. NVRC will also review and respond to any relevant EIA/EA/EIR interagency review processes for consistency with local, regional, and state interests.
   • Special Project: Since 2003, NVRC has managed the Northern Virginia Clean Water Partners (NVCWP)’s annual Stormwater Education Campaign. TA funds will continue to support the overall administration of this project, including acquisition of leveraged funding from partners, development of social media content, website content and promotional materials, and management of contractual services. Following the annual campaign, NVCWP will also conduct an online survey of Northern Virginia residents to better understand changes in their stormwater-related knowledge and behaviors over time.
   • Regional Resilience Planning Status: Since FY20, NVRC has coordinated regional resilience initiatives in Northern Virginia through the Resilience Focal Area (RFA), including technical assistance and stakeholder engagement to support localities’ various planning activities and programs. NVRC will aim to identify ongoing outcomes from the NOVA Flood Mitigation Workgroup and other relevant efforts to date, including regional and local Community Flood Preparedness Fund (CFPF) uses, new projects, and other initiatives that have been supported through NVRC’s RFA.  

      

2. Coastal Resilience Focal Area (RFA): Through the RFA, NVRC has had the opportunity to build a sustained stakeholder network and programming to advance regional resilience initiatives. To continue its resilience support and coordination, NVRC proposes the following activities for FY25:
   • Regional Resilience Coordination: NVRC will continue to coordinate and convene with resilience stakeholders in Northern Virginia, including the NOVA Flood Mitigation and Resilience Workgroup. NVRC will host workgroup meetings on a quarterly basis to collaborate, share best practices, and prioritize resilience strategies relating to flooding and other relevant hazards for the region.
   • Public Outreach and Education: In FY23 and FY24, NVRC developed and initiated implementation of the Northern Virginia Flood Education and Outreach Framework to address gaps in current flood outreach across jurisdictions and support the creation of region-wide strategy for future public engagement efforts. In FY25, NVRC will continue implementation of the framework and develop next steps for a sustained education and outreach campaign for future years.
   • State-level Resilience Support: While the Virginia Coastal Resilience Master Plan (VCRMP) Phase II was finalized in December 2024, the coastal PDCs’ involvement in state level resilience planning remains important in order to represent the priorities and needs of its representative jurisdictions. NVRC will continue to support relevant planning efforts, including attendance at Virginia Flood Protection Master Plan meetings and next step activities from the VCRMP Phase II.

Federal Funding:

$64,500

Project Contact:

Rebecca Murphy; 703-642-4625; rmurphy@novaregion.org

Project Status:

10/1/25 - 9/30/26; Project Open

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 Ryan Green, Virginia Coastal Program Manager, at 804.698.4258 or email: Tim.Green@deq.virginia.gov. 

Virginia CZM Program: 2025 Coastal Grant Project Description and Final Summary

Project Task Number:

47

Grantee:

George Washington Regional Commission

Project Title:

George Washington Regional Commission Technical Assistance and Resilience

Project Description:

This grant proposal includes the annual Technical Assistance (TA) and the third year of the three-year Advancing Ecosystem and Community Resilience Focal Area (RFA).

Technical Assistance

This project offers three components to provide TA and planning support to the local governments of the GWRC service area, including the following:

1. Technical Coordination: Training and coordination within GWRC, among the other coastal planning district commissions (PDCs), and with Virginia CZM and the Coastal Policy Team (CPT) will continue. The GWRC will host at least four (4) technical trainings for locality staff, which may include environmental planners, stormwater program managers, planning staff/directors, and/or development review personnel, and other regional stakeholders.
2. Project Prioritization Tool Implementation: Building off the project prioritization tool developed under the prior year’s grant, GWRC will work with regional stakeholders to identify grants for implementation of prioritized locality projects, assist with grant applications, and offer general support for prioritized projects.
3. CZM Benefits Accrued: GWRC will continue to support and report on benefits accrued from prior Virginia CZM grants, including supporting the continuation of the Plant Central Rappahannock Natives campaign by hosting at least biannual campaign meetings, hosting at least biannual garden maintenance meetings, storing and lending out campaign materials, supporting other activities as needed, and participating in statewide efforts.

Advancing Ecosystem and Community Resilience Focal Area

This will improve GWRC’s capacity for resilience planning, including support of local, regional, and state efforts and development and implementation of new projects and policies. Collaboration with the other seven (7) coastal PDCs will streamline the development of procedures/products and lead to synergic and financially efficient outcomes. As resilience means different things across regions, this scope includes both common themes across PDCs and allows for PDCs to focus on local priority concerns. In general, each task will be worked on in each year to initiate, fully develop, and implement the tasks. GWRC will focus on these four (4) basic tasks moving from initiation to full development:

1. Review and update, if necessary, the hazard mitigation group roster and conduct at least two (2) stakeholder meetings to coordinate plan implementation, identify needed updates to the plan, and annually report on implementation progress.
2. Support the Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) by hosting regional meetings, coordinating the Tier II reporting software, coordinating the Hazmat Response Plan, and supporting training efforts.
3. Continue to identify regional resiliency needs, such as data gaps, local capacity, etc., and opportunities for regional collaboration.
4. Continue to support state efforts in developing or implementing plans dealing with Virginia’s resilience, including the Virginia Coastal Resilience Master Plan and Virginia Flood Protection Master Plan, as requested. GWRC will also continue to support any data and mapping needs identified by the state.

Federal Funding:

$64,500

Project Contact:

Brianna Heath; 540-642-1575; brianna.heath@gwregion.org

Project Status:

10/1/25 - 9/30/26; Project Open

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 Ryan Green, Virginia Coastal Program Manager, at 804.698.4258 or email: Tim.Green@deq.virginia.gov. 

Virginia CZM Program: 2025 Coastal Grant Project Description and Final Summary

Project Task Number:

48

Grantee:

Richmond Regional Planning District Commission - PlanRVA

Project Title:

Richmond Region Technical Assistance and Resiliency

Project Description:

This grant proposal includes annual Technical Assistance (TA) and the Resilience Focal Area (RFA).

Technical Assistance: PlanRVA will provide policy and planning assistance to member localities as follows:

1. Coordination & Training Meetings: PlanRVA staff will host quarterly meetings of local staff representatives who work with coastal resource management issues. These meetings will provide both training and coordination opportunities for attendees.
2. Regional Coordination & Local Technical Assistance: PlanRVA will respond to identified gaps in and requests for regional coordination or local technical assistance. Please see the Extended Project Description for examples of additional regional coordination and local technical assistance activities.
3. Support for the Lower Chickahominy Watershed Collaborative (LCWC): A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was developed by the Lower Chickahominy Watershed project planning team and signed by the three Tribes and three localities in the watershed as well as PlanRVA and the Hampton Roads Planning District Commission (HRPDC) in 2021. The LCWC seeks to improve relationships among the signatories and advance additional priorities as identified by the MOU signatories as well as a broader group of stakeholders. The LCWC serves as a forum to coordinate on policy, program, and project solutions that support natural resource conservation and sustainable economic development. PlanRVA will coordinate and facilitate LCWC meetings, maintain a LCWC SharePoint site for communication and coordination among LCWC members, provide technical assistance and project implementation support, maintain a project website on the PlanRVA website for the benefit of LCWC members and the general public, and participate in the LCWC as signatory of the MOU. PlanRVA staff will also coordinate with three other coastal PDC’s to maintain the Virginia Water Trails website which highlights the Lower Chickahominy region.
4. Resilience Planning Report: PlanRVA staff will summarize the current state of resilience planning in the region, and thoughts and efforts regarding resilience planning.

Advancing Ecosystem and Community Resilience Focal Area (RFA)

This proposal aims to improve regional capacity for resilience planning to support local, regional, and state efforts. PlanRVA staff will work with regional partners to coordinate with state agencies' efforts and move forward a regional resilience planning process. In the previous 3-year RFA, PlanRVA staff focused on organizing regional stakeholders and understanding existing data sources and gaps. PlanRVA staff worked with the Environmental Technical Advisory Committee (EnvTAC) and other relevant agency committees to prioritize a list of resilience projects.  PlanRVA staff cooperated with and supported state agencies in resilience planning.

In year three of the 2023-2025 RFA proposed herein, PlanRVA staff will advance regional resilience planning through three channels.

1. PlanRVA will support regional resilience coordination. Resilience concepts, data, training, and other planning activities supported by this grant will be discussed at PlanRVA’s Environmental Technical Advisory Committee (EnvTAC). PlanRVA will also coordinate with state agencies on resilience planning efforts throughout the grant term.
2. PlanRVA will conduct regional resilience planning activities to strengthen the agency's resilience planning program.

• PlanRVA staff will continue work on a Regional Natural Resources Plan. This plan considers five natural resource themes, including flood resilience, to identify priority areas forfuture work.
• If awarded, PlanRVA staff will conduct planning activities to support match for a separately funded regional resilience plan. If not awarded, PlanRVA staff will use these grant funds to better understand flood risk and develop a regional resilience program.

1. PlanRVA staff will maintain resilience content on the PlanRVA website as a means of outreach to the general public.

Federal Funding:

$64,500

Project Contact:

Sarah Stewart; 804-924-7049; sstewart@planrva.org

Project Status:

10/1/25 - 9/30/26; Project Open

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 Ryan Green, Virginia Coastal Program Manager, at 804.698.4258 or email: Tim.Green@deq.virginia.gov. 

Virginia CZM Program: 2025 Coastal Grant Project Description and Final Summary

Project Task Number:

49

Grantee:

Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center

Project Title:

Virginia Sea Turtle and Marine Mammal Stranding Response

Project Description:

The Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center’s Stranding Response Program (VAQS) holds permits and authorizations from state and federal agencies to coordinate and manage stranding response, rehabilitation, and research. The Virginia Aquarium’s mission is to inspire conservation of the marine environment through education, research, and sustainable practices. With assistance of this grant from the Virginia Coastal Zone Management Program, VAQS maintains a statewide stranding network and responds to marine animal strandings throughout the tidal waters and shorelines along the Atlantic Ocean and Chesapeake Bay. Virginia has a rich variety of marine mammal and sea turtle species. There are 32 marine mammal species and five sea turtle species in the state stranding records. VAQS reported 461 Virginia strandings in 2024, involving 352 sea turtles and 109 marine mammals. For the past three years, the annual sea turtle stranding numbers have been above the previous ten-year annual average of 267. While the total number of marine mammal strandings in 2023 and 2024 were within normal limits, the number of large whale strandings has dramatically increased since 2016, with 10 large whale strandings in Virginia in 2023 and 8 in 2024.

The Stranding Response Program encompasses carcass recovery, external/internal post-mortem examination, photo/video documentation, human interaction analysis, tissue sampling, carcass disposal, and database management. For live animal strandings, rapid response and health assessments are conducted, then emergency medical care or euthanasia is provided as indicated. Animals that are candidates for rehabilitation, especially sea turtle and seals, are treated for life-threatening conditions and undergo rehabilitated for return to their natural environment. There were 118 live sea turtle and 11 live marine mammal strandings in 2024, including 69 sea turtles that were successfully rehabilitated and released.

VAQS recruits, trains, and coordinates a volunteer stranding team with approximately 80 members. Additionally, VAQS engages with cooperators to assist with stranding response and reporting within the state including state and federal parks staff, wildlife biologists, VMRC, VDWR, and law enforcement officers. Cooperator relationships are established or maintained throughout the year to identify or emphasize the valuable resources and assistance they may contribute to sea turtle and marine mammal stranding events. With prevalence of large whale events, cooperator engagement and training is currently focused on codify relationships and develop training materials for municipal and state law enforcement agencies with on-water resources.

VAQS maintains the stranding database and a 24-hour state-wide hotline for marine mammal and sea turtle strandings. VAQS compiles and stores stranding information in the database and reports to NMFS national databases and other agencies. VAQS views each stranding event as an opportunity for education about the natural history, threats (such as marine debris ingestion, entanglements, vessel strikes, and disease), and conservation needs of Virginia's sea turtle and marine mammal species. This message is presented through exhibits and outreach programs, during formal and informal programming, and at scientific conferences, workshops, trainings, and special events. Through these efforts, information about the status of these protected species in Virginia is presented to the public and to the agencies and individuals responsible for their management and conservation.

Federal Funding:

$35,750

Project Contact:

Ally McNaughton, DVM; 757-385-0376; amcnaugh@virginiaaquarium.com

Project Status:

1/1/26 - 12/31/26; Project Open

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 Ryan Green, Virginia Coastal Program Manager, at 804.698.4258 or email: Tim.Green@deq.virginia.gov. 

Virginia CZM Program: 2025 Coastal Grant Project Description and Final Summary

Project Task Number:

71

Grantee:

Virginia Institute of Marine Science

Project Title:

Advancing the use of spatial data and coastal modeling in implementing adaptive management to support coastal community resilience – YEAR 3

Project Description:

Higher waters are impacting coastal communities and natural resources by increasing shoreline erosion and changing the location and extent of intertidal habitats, such as marshes and beaches.  To increase coastal resiliency, we need to find ways to address multiple community needs by taking advantage of the co-benefits available from carefully planned projects. Persistence of natural shoreline habitats will depend upon the opportunity and capacity to migrate landward into adjacent lands (e.g., forests, non-tidal wetlands). Based on the current state of Virginia’s coastal data and projections for the future, effective community resilience will require maintaining up-to-date data to support coastal analysis and modeling activities, as well as continued and expanded efforts to monitor and record those changes to strategically support adaptive management. In the past, VCZM provided funding toward the creation of comprehensive coastal inventories (CCI).  The inventory data is the baseline shoreline data which is used in combination with other data sets to underpin the Shoreline Management Model (SMM) (Nunez et al., 2022) to derive best management practices (BMPs) in support of Virginia policy to prefer, and now require, the use of living shorelines for erosion control where suitable. Absent more current data, they are still being used as major inputs for decision-making in the coastal zone, despite being as much as 10 years old for many of the VA coastal counties. As described in the Virginia Coastal Resilience Master Plan, coastal hazards and higher waters are imposing rapid changes in shoreline conditions and the riparian zone. The need to update this information is urgent in order to support localities in preparing for inevitable changes.

The Center for Coastal Resources Management, VIMS, is proposing to continue applying an adaptive management approach to the collection of current comprehensive coastal inventory and tidal wetlands inventory data to support an update of SMM. This will entail generating new inventory information, as well as other critical datasets, and applying this information to increase currency, precision, and robustness to best management practices recommendations in the SMM. Model improvements and additions will be made within a resiliency context. Taking advantage of the new technology and satellite data that are currently available, as well as the incorporation of community science into this effort, we propose to 1) apply machine learning techniques (Lv et al., 2023, 2024) to update the inventory of shoreline conditions and expand the features surveyed based on locality needs; 2) update the SMM to include new data inputs and new advanced model approaches; 3) map marsh migration corridors to assist with marsh conservation and restoration decisions under multiple high water scenarios; and 4) continue implementing the community-science web application, MapMyShore, developed in Year 1 of the project, along with outreach activities for citizens, local government, and PDC staff. These efforts will facilitate information sharing to enhance the accuracy and efficiency of maintaining current shoreline conditions in Virginia.

The greatest drivers of change to the shoreline are coastal erosion, storms, and development. These factors are having the greatest impacts on the outer coastal plain, which will be the focus of this study. The proposed work corresponds to the third year of a three-year project.  Each year includes elements listed in Table 1, rotating to different localities (Table 2). The entire study is being conducted at a county level for better coordination with local government on the implementation and application of final products; in particular, inventory input and WebApp implementation. In addition, previous inventories conducted by county set a mapping extent that could be used for change detection between inventories. Target localities for Year 3 (Table 2) were selected based on a combination of prioritizing the oldest inventories and current localities' needs. The selected localities are the cities of Fairfax and Alexandria, and Northampton, Accomack, Prince William, and Stafford counties.

Federal Funding:

$127,433

Project Contact:

Karinna Nunez; 804-684-7273; karinna@vims.edu

Project Status:

10/1/25 - 9/30/26; Project Open

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 Ryan Green, Virginia Coastal Program Manager, at 804.698.4258 or email: Tim.Green@deq.virginia.gov. 

Virginia CZM Program: 2025 Coastal Grant Project Description and Final Summary

Project Task Number:

73

Grantee:

Virginia Department of Energy - Virginia Energy

Project Title:

Aggregate Resource Mapping and Characterization in Rural Coastal Virginia, Year 3 Efforts

Project Description:

Virginia Energy (VE) recently completed the first phase (FY23, Task 73) of a Virginia CZM three-year focal area project to advance coastal resilience planning for the Rural Coastal Virginia Master Planning Region (MPR), with the Middle Peninsula as the pilot project area. As part of a second phase of work (FY24, Task 73), VE staff are continuing to map aggregate resource potential in the Northern Neck Planning District and characterize dredged material from Middle Peninsula creeks for beneficial use (BU) information. The goals are to: 1) provide regional-scale digital geologic data to help identify areas that may host sand, gravel, or clay deposits; 2) provide new data on dredged material to identify potential BU and economic value; and 3) demonstrate the value of these studies, which can be expanded to other areas of the Commonwealth.

Aggregate is a relatively low-value commodity compared to other non-fuel minerals, but the transportation costs are prohibitive when the source is not nearby. These resources are incorporated into an array of construction materials and concrete/cement mixtures, and used for filtration, erosion control, habitat restoration, and as fill, among other uses. In 2023, sand and gravel production were valued at $124 million in the Commonwealth, with $17 million of that contributed by localities within the Rural Coastal Virginia MPR. However, these materials are not only used in road and building construction projects but are increasingly in demand for coastal resilience projects such as mitigating flooding by elevating and strengthening critical infrastructure. By identifying local sources of aggregate materials, communities can reduce transportation and sourcing costs and ensure a more efficient use of natural resources within their districts. To meet these goals, the following focused efforts are proposed for the third year of the project:

Focus 1: Characterization of archived sediment samples from the Middle Peninsula to inform beneficial use; continuation from FY24 efforts. Existing cores and samples were collected through multiple studies conducted by the Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS) Shoreline Studies Program (SSP) (MPPDC 2021 Reports; VIMS SSP). Sediment dredged from these areas may have potential for use as lightweight aggregate or for coastal resilience projects. For additional details on VE’s FY24 efforts, please see details outlined in Virginia CZM’s FY2024 Grant Project List. The FY25 scope of work includes analytical testing for a subset of the samples to inform potential end-uses. The costs for this focus are primarily contractual laboratory services with some labor for interpretation of the results. The data from these assessments will support goals of NOAA’s Middle Peninsula Habitat Focus Area (HFA) to provide for an environmentally and sustainable coastal economy and inform project initiatives that may align with the Beneficial Use Options and Considerations for Dredged Material in Coastal Virginia technical resource document (Virginia CZM FY23, Task 10 final product currently in review).

Focus 2: Expansion of aggregate resource potential reconnaissance mapping to the Eastern Shore communities to continue efforts across the Rural Coastal Virginia MPR. Following the methodology employed in the FY23 and FY24, VE will expand the onshore mapping efforts to the Accomack-Northampton Planning District Commission (ANPDC) localities. This GIS and field-based reconnaissance work will complete coverage for the three (3) PDCs that comprise the Rural Coastal Virginia MPR and provide a regional planning dataset. Efforts to expand to other Coastal PDCs could be modeled after these areas. Note that this scope will rely on analysis of existing samples and data and no fieldwork involving ground disturbance of any kind will be involved. The collection of samples from permitted existing mine sites will follow the assumptions presented in Product #2 in Section IV.

Federal Funding:

$60,400

Project Contact:

David Hawkins, P.G.; 434-951-6326; david.hawkins@energy.virginia.gov

Project Status:

10/1/25 - 9/30/26; Project Open

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 Ryan Green, Virginia Coastal Program Manager, at 804.698.4258 or email: Tim.Green@deq.virginia.gov. 

Virginia CZM Program: 2025 Coastal Grant Project Description and Final Summary

Project Task Number:

91.02

Grantee:

University of Virginia

Project Title:

The RAFT in HRPDC & the RAFT Faculty Roster

Project Description:

Through the UVA Institute for Engagement & Negotiation (IEN) and partners’ work with localities to assist them in their resilience efforts, it became clear that an important gap in the toolbox of Virginia’s coastal communities that are dealing with coastal hazards is an easy and accessible scorecard to define and measure a locality’s resilience coupled with a supporting process for defining local priorities for resilience and implementing those priorities. In response, The Resilience Adaptation Feasibility Tool (RAFT) was developed by an interdisciplinary academic collaborative (the “Project Team”). The Project Team is comprised of three academic partners: IEN, Old Dominion University (ODU)’s Institute for Coastal Adaptation and Resilience (ICAR), and our most recent partner the Virginia Tech (VT) Center for Coastal Studies, which joined the RAFT university partnership in June 2023 to take on some roles of the former Virginia Coastal Policy Center at William & Mary Law School.  

The goal of The RAFT is to help all of Virginia’s localities improve resilience to a range of challenges while remaining economically and socially viable. The RAFT is an 18-month process of assessment, engagement, and implementation that bridges the gap between science and action by catalyzing meaningful action by localities to increase their resilience through policies and programmatic changes.  

The portions of the project for which the Project Team seeks 309 funding are vital to the implementation and continuing success of the RAFT. With 309 funding, the Project Team will use the outcomes from its first five rounds of application of The RAFT to continue to grow, develop, and deliver resilience planning resources to Virginia coastal communities, in particular three member localities of the Hampton Roads Planning District Commission (HRPDC): the “Historic Triangle” localities of Williamsburg, York County, and James City County. Previous applications of the RAFT included three pilot localities from three different regions, a regional approach of seven localities on Virginia’s Eastern Shore, a regional approach of eight localities in the Northern Neck, a regional approach of six localities in the Middle Peninsula, and work in the Crater region with the cities of Hopewell and Petersburg.  

The RAFT’s expansion in 2025-2026 will include: 1) a partnership with the City of Williamsburg and the counties of York and James City to conduct 1-year of implementation support following the community workshop in August 2025 where the Resilience Action Checklist (RAC) will be created, and 2) ongoing relationship building with faculty across the Commonwealth to support community-driven resilience work in the form of a Faculty Roster.

Federal Funding:

$85,000

Project Contact:

Tanya Denckla Cobb;  td6n@virginia.edu

Project Status:

10/1/25 - 9/30/26; Project Open

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 Ryan Green, Virginia Coastal Program Manager, at 804.698.4258 or email: Tim.Green@deq.virginia.gov. 

Virginia CZM Program: 2025 Coastal Grant Project Description and Final Summary

Project Task Number:

91.03

Grantee:

Wetlands Watch

Project Title:

Reducing Flood Risk in Coastal Virginia

Project Description:

Wetlands Watch will complete three products that will support and grow the Community Rating System (CRS) Program in Virginia’s Coastal Zone. Much of this project continues the work previously funded by the Virginia Coastal Zone Management Program (CZM), enhancing their influence across Virginia’s Coastal Zone, and growing interest and success in the CRS Program. Wetlands Watch will also continue coordinating with the Resilience Adaptation Feasibility Tool (RAFT) program team to offer technical assistance for current RAFT programming and host follow-up meetings for alumni RAFT communities in the Crater region of coastal Virginia.

Wetlands Watch will continue supporting and managing the Coastal Virginia CRS Workgroup in Product 1. This community of practice helps inform professional staff across Virginia’s Coastal Zone, and recently beyond, on various Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) programs. The CRS Workgroup’s role in the state is particularly important for under-resourced communities that cannot afford to attend meetings in-person. Additionally, Wetlands Watch staff will attend the Association of State Floodplain Managers (ASFPM) national conference to present on our role as technical assistance provider and capacity builder, while learning from other floodplain professionals on how to improve our current work in coastal localities. Additional Wetlands Watch staff time has been dedicated in this product to provide diffuse support to localities as they navigate the process to join the CRS and increase their class ratings. This is a need we have seen grow as many localities move from the initial phase of learning about the program to a phase of developing mature and comprehensive floodplain management.

In Product 2, Wetlands Watch will ensure Virginia’s CRS communities located in Virginia’s coastal zone have knowledge of the new data sources developed and acquired by the Floodplain Management Program at the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR). Wetlands Watch will also determine what state data will help communities earn CRS credits and help communities apply for these credits. This work will help make sure no CRS credits are left unused after the work and state resources invested in the Coastal Resilience Master Planning process.

Wetlands Watch will continue expanding its partnership with the RAFT team in Product 3, bringing the NFIP and CRS Program training and education to local government RAFT teams. Technical assistance for current RAFT communities includes participating in RAFT team meetings or hosting separate meetings with RAFT communities, as requested, to provide specific information about the NFIP and the CRS. In consultation with the RAFT team, Wetlands Watch will also offer NFIP and CRS assistance to two alumni communities that participated in the RAFT evaluation process 2022-2023. Technical assistance for RAFT alumni communities includes hosting in-person meetings that seek to accomplish two goals: (1) collect feedback on the community’s progress on implementing resilience initiatives since completing the RAFT process and (2) provide additional technical assistance on the NFIP, CRS, and additional floodplain management technical and funding resources. This follow-up work will continue to build local knowledge and capacity that is critical for Virginia’s Coastal Zone communities.

Federal Funding:

$40,000

Project Contact:

Mary-Carson Stiff; 757-376-1364; mc.stiff@wetlandswatch.org

Project Status:

10/1/25 - 9/30/26; Project Open

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 Ryan Green, Virginia Coastal Program Manager, at 804.698.4258 or email: Tim.Green@deq.virginia.gov. 

Virginia CZM Program: 2025 Coastal Grant Project Description and Final Summary

Project Task Number:

91.05

Grantee:

College of William & Mary

Project Title:

The Legal and Policy Risks, Challenges, and Opportunities of Updating Vertical and Horizontal Datums – Year 2

Project Description:

This project follows on Year 1 of The Legal and Policy Risks, Challenges, and Opportunities of Updating Vertical and Horizontal Datums Project

Datums are baseline standards against which we measure geographic location and elevations. They are frequently referenced in state and local codes to ensure a precise, shared understanding of regulatory action. NOAA is updating their geodetic datums (anticipated 2024-2025), which include horizontal (NAD 83) and vertical (NAVD 88) datums, and their tidal datums (anticipated 2026), which impact definitions of water levels (e.g. mean lower low water, mean low water, mean high water, etc.). The code of Virginia uses tidal datums as the baseline for legal (e.g. waterfront property) boundaries, ecological (e.g. tidal wetlands) boundaries, and to constrain jurisdictional roles (e.g. Potomac River Fisheries Commission). Derived elevation measurements (such as freeboard standards) are also used in local codes. Although less frequently used, the geodetic datum has also been referenced in bills for defining legal boundaries (e.g. public oyster grounds). 

NOAA recognizes the potential ramifications of the changing baseline resulting from the updated datums and recommends evaluating if a state needs to change its legislation as a result and if it is necessary to create a plan to ensure that state datasets are either: 1) adapted to the new datums by conversion to the new datums or 2) by being clearly identified with datum under which they were developed and then including/referencing the appropriate conversion methodology to shift uses of old datums to the new ones. Concerningly, not only will the datums change, but the relationship between the geodetic and tidal datums will change twice (once in 2024-2025 and again in 2026), which may affect the connection of shoreline and upland resource definitions.

Given that a search of the Virginia Legislative Information System for a specific datum (Mean Low Water) gives over 10 pages of results, the impact of the updates could be substantial. However, in the 10 pages of results, not all returns are unique pieces of code, providing justification for the project’s Year 1 investigative study to determine the true extent of impact due to the change. Year 1 of the project will also develop recommendations on how to update legislation to continue to ensure a precise and shared understanding of issues across the Commonwealth, whether datums appear in the Virginia Code, the Virginia Administrative Code, or local codes. Year 1 will gather initial data to evaluate the need for further activities to support state agencies, local governments, or others with assistance in adapting to the change in datums. In addition to identifying and recommending updates for code and administrative code references to changing datums, Year 1 will review one or more sets of local government documents to serve as a basis for developing a list of documents that local governments should evaluate for potential datum references that will require updating.

The results of Year 1 of this project will generate the knowledge and materials that serve as the foundation for this Year 2 project to conduct outreach to help appropriate professionals understand the datum changes and how to effectively address the datum changes. This will include a minimum of 5 targeted outreach events to coastal and environmental professionals whose work consistently implicates direct use of vertical datums or whose work is indirectly affected by them, typically through regulatory boundaries where the legal definitions incorporate vertical datums.

The project team consists of 1) The Virginia Coastal Resilience Collaborative (VCRC) at W&M; 2) The Virginia Institute of Marine Science’s Center for Coastal Resources Management (CCRM); and 3) The Chesapeake Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve—Virginia (CBNERR-VA).

Federal Funding:

$44,466

Project Contact:

Thomas Ruppert; 757-221-5415; tkruppert@wm.edu

Project Status:

10/1/25 - 3/31/27; Project Open

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 Ryan Green, Virginia Coastal Program Manager, at 804.698.4258 or email: Tim.Green@deq.virginia.gov. 

Virginia CZM Program: 2025 Coastal Grant Project Description and Final Summary

Project Task Number:

91.06

Grantee:

Middle Peninsula Planning District Commission

Project Title:

Exploring SAV Mitigation Strategies in the Middle Peninsula

Project Description:

Submerged Aquatic Vegetation (SAV) plays a critical role in the health and resilience of coastal ecosystems, providing essential habitat, improving water quality, and stabilizing sediment. Current best practices emphasize regulatory avoidance of impacts to SAV whenever possible. However, certain economically and ecologically necessary projects, such as shallow water dredging for navigational access and the construction of living shorelines for coastal resilience, may not be able to completely avoid SAV impacts.

Currently, there are no structured mitigation options available for projects where avoidance is not feasible. The Virginia Marine Resources Commission (VMRC) has historically required avoidance of SAV as a permit condition and there are a few cases of mitigation of replanting, but applicants face challenges in fulfilling these requirements due to the lack of an established framework. Additionally, The Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS) currently contains the technical expertise to conduct SAV mitigation. However, there is no formal program beyond research initiatives to do so. To address this gap, the Middle Peninsula Planning District Commission (MPPDC) Coastal Technical Assistance Program proposes the development of a planning document focused on establishing structured SAV mitigation options within the Middle Peninsula. This effort will evaluate potential mitigation approaches, including transplanting heat-tolerant SAV strains, traditional propagation and planting methods, and innovative restoration techniques. Out-of-kind mitigation options will also be explored such as alternative habitat restoration projects and water quality enhancement projects.  Additionally, the planning document will explore the regulatory framework, potential mitigation ratios, in-lieu fee pricing, and financial mechanisms necessary to create a viable mitigation pathway for future projects.

This project will be developed in consultation with key stakeholders, including VMRC, VIMS, and local government entities, to ensure the framework aligns with state and regional environmental goals. By proactively addressing the need for structured SAV mitigation, this effort will help ensure that critical projects can move forward while maintaining a commitment to ecological sustainability.

Federal Funding:

$100,534

Project Contact:

Rachael Peabody; 785-220-3902; rpeabody@mppdc.com

Project Status:

10/1/25 - 9/30/26; Project Open

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 Ryan Green, Virginia Coastal Program Manager, at 804.698.4258 or email: Tim.Green@deq.virginia.gov. 

Virginia CZM Program: 2025 Coastal Grant Project Description and Final Summary

Project Task Number:

92.02

Grantee:

Virginia Commonwealth University

Project Title:

Virginia Ocean Fisheries Coordinator

Project Description:

Virginia Commonwealth University will provide a Senior Program Director/Marine Policy Analyst to serve as the VA Ocean Fisheries Coordinator (FC) for the VA CZM Program.  The FC will support the Virginia CZM Program Manager and ensuring coordination with Virginia Marine Resources Commission and other state and federal entities as applicable as it relates to ocean-based commercial fisheries relevant to VA. Fifteen years of support from the VCZM has established a trusted and reliable conduit with the resident, transient and out of state commercial fishing industry. The FC will maintain and nurture the continued development of relationships with Virginia’s ocean-based, commercial fishing stakeholders through direct personal contact, public meetings, PGIS workshops and other techniques to refine Virginia’s role as it relates to changes in ocean use, community engagement, and policies. The FC will assist with addressing and responding to emerging issues, researching relevant topics, providing policy input and analysis and support development of the Virginia Ocean Plan. 

Lacking a central coordinating organization for the Virginia ocean-based commercial fishing industry necessitates ongoing, active engagement by the FC. Changes in ocean use such as increases in cargo and shipping traffic, increasing potential for heavy mineral extraction, energy development and other uses may affect Virginia seafood landings. Changes in fisheries regulation or other ocean related regulations may also impact landings. The commercial fishing industry faces an ever-changing seascape and pressure on limited areas along the entire Atlantic coast. The FC has developed a strong direct line of communication with VA Governor’s Cabinet members, in/out of state agency leadership, commercial industry local and out of state, shipping, cargo, other ocean users. The FC regularly coordinates with the Atlantic fisheries managers, which also strengthens this coordination role has resulted in the VMRC collaborating to invest funds, from fisheries landing license fees, to support the Ocean Fisheries Coordinator. This cost-effective approach expands capacity for the offshore commercial fishing sector to be part of the decision-making process and for agencies to obtain immediate feedback to inform policies.  The FC serves as a primary point of contact with the commercial fishing industry, coordinating outreach and engagement, and enables two-way communication between the Commonwealth and the fishing industry. VMRC’s continued investment and partnership validates the value and need. The FC will assist in obtaining data from the commercial fishing community, ports, offshore energy developers, etc. regarding Virginia-based activities to inform the development of Virginia’s ocean strategies and policies and implementation of the Virginia Ocean Plan once published.  As needed, the FC will work with the Mid-Atlantic Regional Council on the Ocean (MARCO) and Mid-Atlantic Ocean Planning Committee (Mid-A OPC) on priorities related to commercial fisheries in a regional and local context; and participate in MARCO work groups as needed. Outreach and facilitation of stakeholder meetings will be summarized and analyzed such that a Virginia perspective on management objectives will be available for informing and advancing Virginia’s participation. The FC will work with other New England, Mid-Atlantic, and South Atlantic fisheries related coordinating groups as needed.

Federal Funding:

$85,000

Project Contact:

Todd Janeski; 804-828-2858; tvjaneski@vcu.edu

Project Status:

10/1/25 - 9/30/26; Project Open

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 Ryan Green, Virginia Coastal Program Manager, at 804.698.4258 or email: Tim.Green@deq.virginia.gov. 

Virginia CZM Program: 2025 Coastal Grant Project Description and Final Summary

Project Task Number:

93

Grantee:

Clean Virginia Waterways

Project Title:

Development and Implementation of Marine Debris Reduction Strategies

Project Description:

This task supports the Virginia CZM Program’s leadership in reducing marine debris:

1. Development and implementation of new laws and policies that will be inspired by the VA Marine Debris Reduction Plan (VMDRP) and Section 309 5-year strategies.

2. Implementation of the 2026-2030 VMDRP and NOAA’s Mid-Atlantic Marine Debris Action Plan (Mid-A MDAP). Also, collaboration with the Mid-Atlantic Ocean Planning Committee’s Marine Debris Work Group.

3. Monitoring of Fisherman Island for balloon-related litter and other debris.

The VMDRP (to be completed by the end of2025) charts a course to measurably reduce marine debris in Virginia’s coastal waters, focusing on specific actions (e.g., policies, procedures, outreach campaigns). These Actions were determined to be politically, socially, and economically feasible in VA.

Actions in the VMDRP are organized under four Goals:

● Consumer Debris

● Derelict Fishing Gear

● Microplastics & Microfibers

● Abandoned & Derelict Vessels

The Strategies in the Plan are: Prevention; Education and Outreach; Research, Monitoring, Data Collection; Proper Disposal/Infrastructure; Removal and Cleanup; and Policy & Management.

Projects undertaken during this grant period will include priorities that were set by VMDRP stakeholders:

1. Analyze existing legislation & policies. Provide recommendations to local and state elected officials to support waste minimization of common and harmful marine debris (e.g., plastic bags, food & beverage packaging)
2. Analyze policy recommendations from government-mandated work groups (i.e. Litter Control and Recycling workgroup)
3. Increase engagement with state and local organizations and the public regarding policies that are proven to reduce marine debris
4. Facilitate adherence to VA’s laws and policies by raising public awareness and working with vendors to
   • assist communities in placing a 5-cent fee on plastic shopping bags
   • stop the intentional releasing of helium-filled balloons
   • phase out the use of expanded polystyrene food and beverage containers
5. Continue to support the Lynnhaven River NOW ADV removal grant
6. Virginia Plastic Pollution Prevention Network: Host monthly meetings to facilitate coordination, collaboration, and communication among groups working to reduce marine debris and plastic pollution
7. Continue to support VA CZM's efforts to work with Virginia's clam industry to develop a sustainable program to reduce the occurrence of derelict clam nets
8. Work with retailers of balloons and conduct outreach to the media, school boards, event centers and others regarding intentional balloon release events and increase observance of Virginia’s balloon release law.
9. Continue working with Mid-Atlantic partners to implement a social marketing campaign to increase the use of reusable water bottles at beaches, develop and produce CBSM campaigns to reduce tobacco-related litter and derelict recreational fishing gear (led by the Mid-Atlantic Regional Council on the Ocean (MARCO)) and other regional issues as the Mid-Atlantic workgroup needs.
10. Continue monitoring at Fisherman Island with the purpose of creating a multi-decade marine debris monitoring database.
11. CVW will provide expertise in community based social marketing (CBSM) to support existing campaigns.
12. Assist localities in developing local marine debris reduction plans and help develop solutions for known litter hot spots in Virginia

Federal Funding:

$160,000

Project Contact:

Christina Trapani; 757-613-5683; christina@cleanvirginiawaterways.org

Project Status:

10/1/25 - 9/30/26; Project Open

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 Ryan Green, Virginia Coastal Program Manager, at 804.698.4258 or email: Tim.Green@deq.virginia.gov.