Project Task Number:

1.01

Grantee:

Virginia Coastal Zone Management Program at the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality 

Project Title:

Coastal Program Management

Project Description:

This task covers management of the Virginia CZM Program, administering of all open tasks in this award  and participation in the Mid-Atlantic Regional Council on the Ocean (MARCO) and Mid-Atlantic Committee on the Ocean (MACO). Three positions are funded through Task 1.01. All three staff in this task will work on development of the 2021-25 Section 309 Coastal Needs Assessment and Strategy.

The CZM Program Manager chairs the interagency Coastal Policy Team and will hold at least two meetings during FY 2019.  She oversees CZM Program policy development, grants, communication/ outreach (including identifying topics and writing articles for the magazine) and GIS efforts. She will guide activities under Tasks 1.01 – 1.04, 2,3, 7, 9 - Land Acquisition,  41 A-N PDC TA Program,  49-Marine Mammal/Sea Turtle Stranding, and 71-72 Promoting Shellfish Aquaculture and Ecotourism. She will  oversee completion of year 4 of the Ocean and Marine Debris Strategy grants for the 2016-2020 Section 309 strategy.

The Manager will continue to serve on MARCO’s Management Board. She will continue to chair MARCO’s Ocean Mapping & Data Team which oversees improvements to MARCO’s Ocean Data Portal as well as engaging stakeholders to create and vet ocean data.  She will serve on the Steering Committee for MACO and will serve as the State Co-lead along with a Federal Co-lead for the Marine Debris Work Group. She may serve as lead or member of additional work groups that may be established by MACO. The Virginia CZM Program Manager supervises staff within Tasks 1.01, 1.02 (including writing magazine articles), 1.03 and 1.04. 

The Coastal Planner will assist with Coastal Policy Team meetings and present information on specific topics. The CP will work on grants planned for year four of the 2016-2020 Section 309 grant cycle, especially the Land Conservation in the Chickahominy Watershed CSI strategy projects.   He will also write magazine articles. The Coastal Planner will work with specific Section 306 projects and will oversee relevant tasks awarded through the CZM competitive grant process. The Task 1.01 Coastal Planner works with 4 of the 8 coastal planning district commissions on technical assistance and will work with other CZM staff to fulfill performance measure reporting for the FY 19 grant year. The CP will represent the Virginia CZM Program at various meetings and conferences.

The Grants Coordinator/Outreach Specialist provides maintenance and operation of the grants database and troubleshoots administrative issues with grantees. Duties include data entry and report production, reminders, applications, contracts, etc. This position drafts meeting summaries of the Coastal Policy Team.  She organizes submission of performance measures to NOAA and ensures all reporting guidelines are followed for Section A and B reports.  This position works with the Outreach Coordinator (Task 1.02) to develop and disseminate outreach materials and represents the Virginia CZM Program at outreach functions.

Grant activities undertaken by all staff include: development, monitoring and reporting on all grants (CZM Sections 306/306A, 309, 309 Projects of Special Merit, and 310); development and submittal of reprogramming and extension requests; and any Section 309 PSM or other applications. 

Federal Funding:

 $334,500

Project Contact:

Ryan Green; 804.698.4258; ryan.green@deq.virginia.gov  

Project Status:

10/1/2019 - 3/31/2021; Project Completed

Final Product:

Final Project Summary constitutes Final Product.

Project Summary:

Policy Team Products:  Coastal Policy Team meetings were held on January 15, 2020 and September 23, 2020. Minutes for the meeting are at https://www.deq.virginia.gov/our-programs/coastal-zone-management/about-czm/virginia-coastal-policy-team.

Grants Management:  The FY 2020 Draft application was submitted to NOAA in April 2020 and the Final application was submitted to NOAA on May 21, 2020 via the CAMMP and Grants.gov systems. 33 projects totalling $2,968,500 in federal funds and $2,450,500 in match (total package of $5,419,000) were included.

The CZM Manager and Coastal Planner monitored grant activities including review of semi-annual reports and development of scopes of work for SAC’ed projects. The Grants Coordinator and CZM Manager processed extension and budget amendment requests, 306A documentation approvals, SAC removals, and reprogrammed funds using Grants Online. The Coastal Planner continued to build an inventory of CZM public access and interpretive signage sites and assisted DHR staff and PDC staff with signage content for Chippokes State Park and other sites across several planning districts.

Ocean Planning: MARCO/MACO Planning Documents:  The CZM Manager continued to serve on the Mid-Atlantic Committee on the Ocean (MACO) Steering Committee from October 2019 through September 2020. She worked closely with state, federal and Tribal reps to conduct the second annual Mid-Atlantic Ocean Forum. The Forum was held on May 19, 2020 and a summary report is available at  https://www.midatlanticocean.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/2020-Ocean-Forum-Summary-Report.pdf . The CZM Manager presented remarks on marine debris.

As the Virginia rep on the MARCO Management Board the CZM Manager participated in monthly MARCO Management Board calls. She continued to lead work on a slider tool showing shifts in fish species, monthly marine debris work group calls, and MARCO’s Ocean Mapping & Data Team. She led quarterly OMDT calls on Dec 11 2019, Mar 31 2020 and Jul 7 2020. Meeting notes from these work groups are available on a Google drive. She represented Virginia on several meetings of the Responsible Offshore Science Alliance, supporting the commercial wind and fisheries industries efforts to work with states to coordinator on science and data needs.

The CZM Program Manager and Coastal Planner continued to facilitate the development of a Watershed Collaborative as part of the CSI Strategy’s Lower Chickahominy Watershed project (FY19, Task 93). The project team (PlanRVA, UVA-IEN, and CZM) conducted extensive stakeholder engagement efforts to inform priorities for sustainable economic development, land conservation, and Tribal issues though in-person and virtual meetings. In the final year of the Strategy (FY20), the team will look to produce a new enforceable policy reflecting these priorities and promoting increased collaboration between watershed stakeholders. A summary of efforts to date is available on PlanRVA’s website: https://planrva.org/environment/lower-chickahominy/.

Section 309 2021-2025 Coastal Needs Assessment & Strategy:  From October 2019 to March 2020, the CZM Manager and Coastal Planner completed the Phase I and II Needs Assessments with the assistance of technical experts and stakeholder input solicited at several in-person and virtual events to re-introduce Section 309 concepts, review past strategies, and prioritize Enhancement Areas for the FY21-25 Strategy. The draft Strategy was discussed during the January 2020 CPT meeting, at which a vote was taken on which Enhancement Areas should become Strategies - Marine Debris, Coastal Hazards, CSI, and Ocean Resources received the greatest support. Working groups were convened in Feb-Mar 2020 to flesh out Strategy goals and eliminate redundancy, resulting in the selection of Marine Debris, Coastal Hazards, and Ocean Resources as Strategies. The Virginia Secretary of Natural and Historic Resources also provided feedback on the draft Strategy. CZM submitted the draft Assessment and Strategy to NOAA in June 2020 and responded to NOAA feedback during summer 2020. A second draft was submitted to NOAA in Sept 2020. Additional edits and a link to the Final Assessment and Strategy will be provided in the FY20, Task 1.01 Final Product Summary.

Program Performance Monitoring:  In Oct 2019, the Grants Coordinator compiled and submitted the Training events held by grantees and the Coastal Planner compiled and submitted the number of acres of land acquired during the reporting period Oct. 2018-Sept. 2019. The number of coastal resilience projects conducted was compiled and submitted by the other Coastal Planner under his Task 1.03 for the reporting period of Oct. 2018-Sept. 2019. The Grants Coordinator and both Coastal Planners submitted the annual Section 312 Performance Measures online report to NOAA on time and submitted minor edits as requested by NOAA.

Outreach, Sponsorship and Program Representation:  The CZM Program sponsored the Nov 15 2019 annual Coastal Policy Center Conference at the College of William and Mary. The theme was “The Three P’s of Resilience: Planning, Partnerships, and Paying for it All”. Sponsorship of the 2020 Coastal Policy Center conference was not needed due to it being a series of 3 virtual webinars.

The CZM Program Manager continued to sit on the Board of the Virginia Offshore Wind Development Authority and presented the Section 309 process and MARCO Ocean Data Portal to them on January 10. She continued to represent Virginia on OCM’s National Economic study. She led development of the agenda and hosted a March 17 Virginia Marine Debris Leadership Team webinar aimed at updating Virginia’s Marine Debris Plan with accomplishments over the past 5 years and development of priorities for the next 5 years. She developed and presented a webinar on Mid-Atlantic aquariums’ current marine debris efforts and solicited their collaboration in MARCO’s balloon release reduction campaign. She wrote seven stories and the Coastal Planner wrote three stories for the winter issue of the Virginia CZM magazine. The CZM Manager also continued to serve on the Virginia Eastern Shore Conservation Alliance and Congressman Wittman’s Environmental Advisory Group.

The Coastal Planner represented CZM as a panelist for CBNERR’s “COVID on the Coast” webinar in July 2020 highlighting the challenges and lessons learned from the pandemic (https://www.vims.edu/cbnerr/coastal_training/ctp-resources/index.php). The Program Manager and Coastal Planners prepared/presented PPTs on the Section 309 process for the PDC’s. As noted above, several meetings hosted by coastal PDCs were held October-March 2020.

For most of FY 19, the DEQ/CZM website was not available to be updated due to the migration of the DEQ/CZM website to a new platform. The Outreach Specialist could only make changes to the CZM webpages before March 19, 2020. In August 2020, she met with the CZM Outreach Coordinator, DEQ Communications staff and the Granicus contractor regarding new CZM webpages.

The Outreach Specialist made approximately 38 CZM public documents for the web Section 508 ADA compliant, uploaded and linked ~ 56 Final Products onto the VA CZM website, and created a FY 2015 Project Description page. She created all 36 FY 2019 Project Description pages for the VA CZM webpages, but these pages were not posted until 2021 due to the creation/migration to the new DEQ/CZM website. The Outreach Specialist updated 5 CZM webpages, including the new 306A checklist and guidance documents and updating the Funding Chart on the Funding page and Grantee Guidance documents.  The Outreach Specialist staffed the September 2019 Outdoor Exploration Day at Kiptopeke State Park (not reported in the FY18 report) with the new children’s activity she created. She also staffed the DEQ/CZM exhibit at the State Fair on Oct. 6 and attended the Marine Debris Solutions Expo at Skipwith Elementary (four 5^th grade classes) on Dec 11 to serve as a professional reviewer and provide encouragement and feedback to the students. The Outreach Specialist exhibited at the Winter Wildlife Festival on Jan. 25, 2020.  She represented the VA CZM Program at the Virginia Association for Environmental Education (VAEE) conference on Feb. 26-27, 2020 and at the Virginia Water Monitoring Council Virtual Conference on Sept. 21-22, 2020.

Section 309 PSM Grant Applications: At the Sep 12, 2019 CPT meeting the team was asked to submit letters of intent for a FY20 PSM proposal by Sep 26. One proposal for updating of the Chesapeake Bay Preservation Act guidelines in light of sea level rise was received and later approved for funding by NOAA.

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: Ryan.Green@deq.virginia.gov 

Project Task Number:

1.02

Grantee:

Virginia Coastal Zone Management Program at the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality

Project Title:

Virginia CZM Program Outreach & Social Marketing

Project Description:

This task funds the Virginia CZM Program Outreach Coordinator position.  The Outreach Coordinator is responsible for developing and implementing targeted outreach and social marketing strategies for the Virginia CZM Program: to effectively communicate key CZM messages to the program’s various target audiences; to raise awareness and increase understanding of coastal resource issues; to encourage stewardship of Virginia’s coastal resources; to change behaviors that impact these resources; and, to heighten the Virginia CZM’s visibility and unique position to coordinate solutions to cross-cutting coastal challenges. 

Specific deliverables include: a) development and implementation of Virginia CZM outreach and social marketing strategies – submitted will be a summary report on implementation and outcomes of the strategies, b) development of new and updates to existing printed media, c) coordination, planning and/or delivery of hosted or co-sponsored events and training, and d) development of new and maintenance of existing digital media such as the Virginia CZM website.

This task also provides funds to print and distribute multi-media materials such the Virginia Coastal Zone Management Magazine and other Virginia CZM Program communication/education/ marketing materials, as funding allows. 

Federal Funding:

$109,300  

Project Contact:

Virginia Witmer; 804.659.1912; virginia.witmer@deq.virginia.gov

Project Status:

10/1/2019 - 9/30/2020; Project Completed 

Final Product:

Virginia CZM Program Outreach and Social Marketing Final Report (PDF)

Project Summary:

Final Project Summary not submitted.

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: Ryan.Green@deq.virginia.gov 

Project Task Number:

1.03

Grantee:

Chesapeake Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve in Virginia at the Virginia Institute of Marine Science

Project Title:

Coastal Management Support 

Project Description:

This task supports one quasi-full time (90%) staff position that is contracted through the Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS). The Virginia Coastal Zone Management Program (VA CZMP) requires this additional support to ensure that there is increased emphasis on policy coordination; that open grants are properly managed and implemented; that performance indicators are reported; and that outreach activities are adequately staffed. The Coastal Planner position supported by this task will contribute to development of all the outcomes in Task 1.01.  This position will provide guidance on coastal management issues, assistance to grantees, agency monitoring, development and implementation of performance indicators, program changes and intergovernmental and interagency coordination.

This Coastal Planner (Shep Moon) will specifically focus on Task 4 (Virginia’s Marine Resource Commission’s [VA MRC] permit review & compliance), Task 6 (Virginia Institute of Marine Science [VIMS] Tidal Wetlands Management Technical Support), Technical Assistance grants for the Northern Neck, Richmond Regional and Crater Planning District Commissions (PDCs), and any assigned PDC competitive grants.  He will help develop, monitor and review Coastal Zone Management Act (CZMA) Section 309 Coastal Hazards projects.  He will be specializing in shoreline management, water quality, climate change adaptation and coastal hazards issues. Specifically, duties will include:

• Facilitating implementation of the CZMA Section 309 Coastal Hazards Strategy, including annual grants and projects of special merit;

• Partnering with assigned PDCs to implement their technical assistance projects;

• Developing, monitoring, and reviewing products for assigned grants;

• Evaluating and processing grant reprogramming and extension requests;

• Assisting in reporting for the CZMA performance management system;

• Working with the DEQ Office of Environment Impact Review, the Coastal Policy Team, the Virginia Coastal Policy Center and NOAA to update Virginia’s narrative enforceable policies as necessary;

• Assisting in outreach efforts including magazine articles and outreach functions;

• Participating in Coastal Policy Team meetings 

• Assisting in development of Virginia’s Section 309 2021-2025 Coastal Needs Assessment & Strategy

• Assisting in preparations for the November 2020 Coastal Partners Workshop

• Representing the VA CZMP on the Coastal Training Advisory Board of the Chesapeake Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, the Virginia Clean Marina Program, the Virginia Hazard Mitigation Steering Committee of the Virginia Department of Emergency Management, the Chesapeake Bay Interagency Team, the Chesapeake Bay Program Climate Resiliency Workgroup and the Management Team of the Chesapeake Bay Sentinel Site Cooperative.

Federal Funding:

$122,382  

Project Contact:

William Reay; 804.684.7119; wreay@vims.edu (and Laura McKay; 804.774.8423; laura.mckay@deq.virginia.gov) 

Project Status:

10/1/2019 - 9/30/2020; Project Completed

Final Product:

Final Project Summary serves as Final Product.

Project Summary:

1-Policy Team Products:  The Coastal Planner made presentations at the January and September Coastal Policy Team meetings on the Section 309 Coastal Hazards Strategy, Resilience Focal Area and narrative enforceable policies. 

2-RPCs and Amendments:  The Coastal Planner managed the grant to the Virginia Coastal Policy Center and participated in the process of drafting narrative enforceable policies.  After responding to NOAA and public comments on the draft policies, he helped revise and submit them for final NOAA approval.

3-Grants Management and Reporting:  The Coastal Planner helped develop the FY 2020 Draft and Final applications.  The Coastal Planner monitored grant activities through phone calls, visits and quarterly Coastal PDC meetings and reviewed extension and budget amendment requests, and proposals to reprogram funds.  He developed the Section C Success Story on Community Resilience.

4-Section 309 2021-2025 Coastal Needs Assessment and Strategy:  The Coastal Planner worked with the Coastal Policy Team and stakeholders to develop Phase I Assessments for Wetlands, SAMPS and Coastal Hazards, as well as the Phase II Assessment and Strategy for Coastal Hazards.  He worked with staff from the Department of Environmental Quality to develop a successful NOAA Project of Special Merit proposal and coordinated development of subcontracts to VIMS and VCPC.

5-Program Performance Monitoring:  The Coastal Planner reported on CZM performance measures #1, 2 and 11 in October, 2019. The Coastal Planner collected 312 Metrics information on Shoreline Management Plans from the Virginia Institute of Marine Science.  The information was submitted through the Section B report to NOAA October, 2019. 

 6-Outreach and Program Representation:  The Coastal Planner participated in periodic calls for the Chesapeake Sentinel Site Cooperative and the Virginia Chesapeake Bay Interagency Team.  He also participated in meetings and calls related to the Virginia Hazard Mitigation Plan and the VIMS Resilience Roundtable.  The Coastal Planner drafted an article on coastal resiliency for the Coastal Zone Management magazine.

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: Ryan.Green@deq.virginia.gov 

Project Task Number:

1.04

Grantee:

Virginia Commonwealth University, Life Sciences 

Project Title:

Coastal Management GIS Support and Coastal GEMS Maintenance 

Project Description:

This task supports one full time staff position (Coastal GIS Coordinator) 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 CZM Program manager and Mid-Atlantic Regional Council on the Ocean (MARCO) partners on various mapping related ocean planning efforts 
• Serve as CZM project manager for VA CZM grants to update the Coastal VEVA data synthesis and its component datasets
• Participate in the Virginia State GIS Users’ Group and keep up-to-date on, or become involved in, other GIS-related developments in Virginia

Coastal GEMS Maintenance: VCU will continue to host, maintain, and update the Coastal GEMS web mapping application. Current Coastal GEMS data layers will be edited or updated as determined by VCU/CZM staff. New Coastal Gems data layers will be added as they are developed through Virginia CZM Program grants or are contributed from a partnering agency or organization.

Federal Funding:

$111,620 

Project Contact:

Nick Meade; 804.659.1910; nick.meade@deq.virginia.gov 

Project Status:

10/1/2019 - 9/30/2020; Project Completed 

Final Product:

Coastal Management GIS Support & Coastal GEMS Maintenance FY 19 Annual Report (PDF)

Project Summary:

VCU CES staff:

• Performed Coastal Gems maintenance, including installing software/security/data updates and refreshing map services as necessary.  Worked to complete new Coastal GEMS version 4 landing page and draft mapping application
• From October 1, 2019 to September 30, 2020, Coastal GEMS logged 777 visits, resulting in 1,033 sessions with an average site visit time of 1 minute and 5 seconds.  Coastal GEMS can be accessed online at: www.coastalgems.org

The Coastal GIS Coordinator:

• Worked with VCU staff on finalizing Coastal GEMS version 4 components and compiled updated data for five existing GEMS layers and two new GEMS layers and sent to VCU staff to update Coastal GEMS map services.
• Created story maps highlighting working waterfronts on the Eastern Shore: https://arcg.is/1q1iLH, Middle Peninsula: https://arcg.is/1XrqmP, and Northern Neck: https://arcg.is/0KCqXT, and a story map highlighting study exploring deep-sea corals in Mid-Atlantic canyons: https://arcg.is/1DTzyS. Began work on story map highlighting major canyons of the Mid-Atlantic (Hudson, Baltimore, and Norfolk) and wrote CZM magazine article highlighting Coastal GEMS story maps.
• Worked with Office of the Governor Coastal Adaptation staff to create current resilience project maps of the eight coastal PDC’s, a PDC overview map, and a Coastal VEVA map for inclusion in the Coastal Resilience Master Plan.
• Worked with VMRC and NOAA staff to create single data layer portraying a more complete picture of oyster reefs in Virginia for display on Coastal GEMS and for use in conservation priority datasets such as Coastal VEVA.
• Presented Eastern Shore Conservation Targeting methodology and data at DCR/Natural Heritage all-staff meeting (Nov 4) and Virginia Eastern Shore Conservation Alliance meeting (Jan 29) and worked with TNC staff to incorporate deciduous/evergreen classification for forests, created by TNC, into Eastern Shore Conservation Targets dataset.
• Performed CZM project manager duties associated with Task 10 (Coastal Zone Natural Landscape Assessment High-Resolution Update) and Task 1.04 (Coastal Management GIS Support and Coastal GEMS Maintenance).
• Completed data and info requests from PDC’s, consulting firms, state and federal agencies, and academic institutions.
• Continued participation on the MARCO OMDT and the MACO Non-Consumptive Recreation Work Group and coordinated NOAA Integrated Ocean and Coastal Mapping (IOCM) staff and state reps from MARCO Ocean Mapping & Data Team to begin process to run GIS exercise to identify priority areas for mapping in the Mid-Atlantic region.
• Created map products for VA CZM and partners including a map layout showing native plant campaign boundaries overlaid on physiographic provinces, a map and narrative coordinate description of VA CZM GLD Easternmost boundary including an area calculation of NMFS Statistical Area Blocks, transparent background coastal zone and working waterfront regions map layouts, a large scale printed map of the lower Chickahominy watershed, a static map layout and ArcGIS Online web map of historic sites within Chippokes Plantation State Park, an updated Coastal PDC map, as well as  additional map layouts and high-res screenshots for VA CZM exhibits and publications.

Completed VA DHR archives search and SHPO review application for Cape Charles NAP expansion project.

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: Ryan.Green@deq.virginia.gov 

Project Task Number:

2

Grantee:

Virginia Department of Environmental Quality 

Project Title:

EIR and Federal Consistency 

Project Description:

• Conduct federal consistency reviews of activities which 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 (narrative enforceable policies and geographic location descriptions).
• Prepare submittal for program revisions (listed activities changes)
• 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:

$183,400  

Project Contact:

Bettina Rayfield; 804.659.1915; bettina.rayfield@deq.virginia.gov  

Project Status:

10/1/2019 - 9/30/2020; Project Completed  

Final Product:

Final Project Summary serves as Final Product.

Project Summary:

During the period of October 1, 2019 through September 30, 2020, the Office of Environmental Impact Review/Federal Consistency (OEIR) reviewed 176 development projects and management plans for consistency with the Virginia Coastal Zone Management Program (CZMP).  Federal consistency reviews included 84 federal actions and 92 federally funded projects. The 84 federal actions included 48 federal agency activities, 36 federal licenses and approvals, and 0 outer continental shelf projects. The 48 federal agency activities included 19 projects submitted under the residual category pursuant to the federal consistency regulation (15 CFR 930.31(c)), which consisted of U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) mortgage insurance projects and US Department of Agriculture funding. In addition, 99 projects were reviewed under 15 CFR, Part 930, Subpart F for federal financial assistance to state and local governments.  All federal consistency determinations and federal consistency certifications were completed within the established legal deadlines.   

Of the 176 projects reviewed under federal consistency, all except for four were found to be consistent with the enforceable policies of the CZMP.  Virginia conditionally concurred on these four projects on the basis of the subaqueous lands management, wetlands management, and dunes management enforceable policies.   

During this grant year, OEIR received 2 negative determinations under 15 CFR, Part 930, Subpart C:

19-139F – Anchorage Lower Chesapeake Bay – Cape Charles – The U.S. Coast Guard submitted a negative determination for a proposed rulemaking for the establishment of New Anchorage Grounds (Anchorage R) in the lower Chesapeake Bay, three miles west of the Town of Cape Charles.  DEQ objected to the negative determination as the coastal effects are reasonably foreseeable. Specifically, the project has potential negative impacts to shellfish aquaculture, commercial and recreational fishing activities, and nearby public beaches.  These coastal resources and uses are covered under the fisheries management and subaqueous lands management enforceable policies of the Virginia CZM Program as administered by the Virginia Marine Resources Commission.

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: Ryan.Green@deq.virginia.gov  

Project Task Number:

3

Grantee:

VA Department of Environmental Quality - Stormwater Local Assistance Fund (SLAF)

Project Title:

Stormwater Local Assistance Fund – Fairfax County – Turkey Run 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 Turkey Run at Truro Stream Restoration project will restore approximately 3,580 linear feet of stream channel through natural stream design in order to restore and stabilize the degraded stream channel bed and banks to provide aquatic benefits, grade control, improve water quality, and prevent future erosion. 

All applicable laws, permits and BMPs will be followed during the implementation of the work described in this task.

Federal Funding:

$0 - Match only

Project Contact:

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

Project Status:

10/1/19 - 3/31/21; Project Completed

Final Product:

SLAF - Fairfax County - Turkey Run Stream Restoration Final Project Summary (PDF)
Turkey Run Completion Certificate (PDF) 

Project Summary:

Final Project Summary submitted as Final Product.

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: Ryan.Green@deq.virginia.gov 

Project Task Number:

4

Grantee:

Virginia Marine Resources Commission  

Project Title:

Permit Review & Compliance 

Project Description:

The Virginia Marine Resources Commission (VMRC) is charged with managing the Commonwealth’s submerged lands, tidal wetlands, and coastal primary sand dunes.  Responsibilities in implementing core permit functions are:

• Issuing permits for encroachments in, on or over State-owned submerged lands ( recently approximately 2,000 applications have been processed annually and  permits are issued for encroachments over State-own 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 (35 have chosen to do so); 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 7.5 equilivent 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 Commisison 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 stabalization 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 90 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 can not 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 data base.  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:

$181,200

Project Contact:

Randy Owen; 757.247.2251; randy.owen@mrc.virginia.gov 

Project Status:

10/1/2019 - 9/30/2020; Project Completed

Final Product:

Permit Program Activity Report (PDF)
Permit Compliance and Inspection Program (PDF)
NEPA/Federal Consistency Review & Electronic Permit Development (PDF)

Disclaimer:
These documents were not produced by DEQ. Some of their content may not be in an accessible format pursuant to Section 508 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended (29 U.S.C. § 794 (d)). Please call 800-592-5482 if you need assistance.

Project Summary: 

The purpose of this grant project is, in part, to support the Virginia Marine Resources Commission’s (VMRC) permit review program. VMRC is charged with the administration and regulatory oversight of the Commonwealth’s enforceable policies of fisheries management, subaqueous lands, tidal wetlands, and coastal primary sand dunes and beaches within Virginia's Coastal Zone Management Program.  Undertaken by it’s Habitat Management Division, 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. 

During the grant year, the Habitat Management Division received 2,237 applications for projects involving State-owned submerged lands, wetlands, or beaches/dunes. The Division completed actions on 2,094 applications received during the reporting period. Habitat Management staff also participated in the inter-agency review process involving general permits for Virginia Department of Transportation projects. In addition to staff actions, the full Commission considered 64 projects. During the reporting period, the Commission considered 33 protested projects or projects requiring a staff briefing. The Commission also approved 31 projects, which exceeded the $500,000 project cost threshold for administrative approval specified in the Virginia Code.

During the reporting period, VMRC issued 689 permits for encroachments in, on or over State-owned submerged lands. Another 1,386 applications were reviewed for projects that were determined to be authorized by statute or outside the jurisdiction of VMRC. Many of these projects involved private piers, which met the requirements for statutory authorization established by law. During the grant year, wetlands boards and the Commission acted on 375 projects that required a permit for use and development of tidal wetlands in Tidewater Virginia. Of this total, 321 were approved as proposed, 49 were modified in some manner, generally to reduce wetlands impacts, and 5 projects were denied. 

Some form of wetlands compensation was required for 69 cases where wetlands impacts were unavoidable. For 16 of the projects, replacement wetlands were created either at the project site or nearby. The purchase of credits from a mitigation bank was utilized for 7 projects and the payment of an in-lieu fee was used as compensation for 46 projects. The total compensation accounted for 19,102 square feet of tidal wetland impacts (vegetated and non-vegetated).

The Code of Virginia now stipulates that it is the policy of the Commonwealth to support living shorelines as the preferred alternative for stabilizing tidal shorelines. During the grant year, the VMRC and/or the local wetlands boards acted on projects that included a living shoreline component request along a total of 40,559 linear feet (7.68 miles) of shoreline. During the same period, 41,832 linear feet (7.92 miles) of riprap revetment and 29,137 linear feet (5.52 miles) of bulkhead were requested by applications.

The grant also allows for the continued implementation of a standardized permit compliance program for those permits issued by the Commission in the Coastal Zone. Commission staff also assessed permit compliance for wetland projects authorized in 2018. During the grant year (October 1, 2019 through September 30, 2020) 382 compliance inspections were conducted by VMRC Habitat Management Division Staff. This involved 252 inspections of projects permitted by VMRC and 130 inspections of projects permitted by local wetlands boards.

While the overall data for the grant year shows that 90% of the projects permitted by VMRC were found to be in compliance, only 5% of the projects were found to be out of compliance. The remainder were either in moderate compliance (2%), or were not constructed. Although compliance could not be determined for 2% of the projects, inspections in these cases did not indicate there were any permit violations.

To date, the compliance-monitoring program has allowed evaluations of the effectiveness of our permit and monitoring procedures. As such, the monitoring program can only improve our resource management responsibilities. Therefore, permit compliance initiatives must continue to be a long-term effort if we are to ensure proper construction techniques and the protections of our valuable natural resources. This effort, combined with the improvement of our permit tracking database and use of GIS capabilities, is necessary if we are to realize the goal of making cumulative impact assessments a part of our wetlands and submerged lands permitting program. 

VMRC additionally hosted a Commonwealth Coastal and Marine Policy Sea Grant Fellow to help coordinate Division requests for environmental scoping comments and to transition from the historic paper file-based permitting process to a digital permit with electronic pay. During the reporting period, environmental review scoping comments were generated for approximately 100 projects that included requests for reviews of federal consistency determinations, NEPA scoping documents, and proposed activities in the Commonwealth potentially involving the use or development of State-owned submerged lands, tidal wetlands, or beaches and dunes. 

With the Fellow’s help, the Division debugged its electronic permit issuance and online payment prototype during the spring of 2020 and went live during the reporting period. Following the live release of the digital permit in May 2020, online payments for permit fees accounted for approximately 76 % of the 296 total fee transactions, confirming the public’s acceptance of this transition away from a paper file-based document (permit) with notarized signatures. Application information and permit decisions are also now made available to the general public. This information can be accessed at https://webapps.mrc.virginia.gov/public/habitat/index.php.

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: Ryan.Green@deq.virginia.gov  

A more detailed Scope of Work for this project is available. Please direct your request for a copy to Virginia.Witmer@deq.virginia.gov or April.Bahen@deq.virginia.gov.

Project Task Number:

5

Grantee:

Department of Conservation and Recreation, Division of Natural Heritage 

Project Title:

Habitat Conservation/Locality Liaison 

Project Description:

Department of Conservation and Recreation’s Natural Heritage (DCR-NH) Locality Liaison Program 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 biodiversity information and DCR-NH consultative services.  A key service is review of projects to identify and recommend mitigation for potential impacts to natural heritage resources.  The Natural Heritage Data Explorer (NHDE) website-Version 3.0 (www.vanhde.org) will increase the effectiveness of providing natural heritage information. The Locality Liaison will include the new features and 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 the ConserveVirginia,  Virginia ConservationVision and the Virginia Ecological Value Assessment (VEVA). An overall goal of the DCR-Virginia Natural Heritage Program is that 100% of the counties and cities throughout the Virginia Coastal Zone will have Natural Heritage information by the end of September 2020. Currently, the percentage of localities with Natural Heritage information is 93% within the Coastal Zone of Virginia. DCR-NH will continue to provide updated natural heritage information to all PDCs and land trusts in the coastal zone region through NHDE and/or ArcGIS shapefiles. Solar native pollinator habitat tools will continue to be enhanced and updated to encourage sustainable development of renewable energy projects in the coastal zone. 

Federal Funding:

$56,600  

Project Contact:

Rene' Hypes; 804.371.2708; rene.hypes@dcr.virginia.gov  

Project Status:

10/1/2019 - 9/30/2020; Project Completed

Final Product:

Natural Heritage-Locality Liaison/Habitat Restoration Final Report for FY2019 (PDF) 

Project Summary:

During the FY2019 grant year, the Department of Conservation and Recreation-Division of Natural Heritage (DCR-DNH) reviewed 1,227 projects for impacts to natural heritage resources in the coastal zone (39% of the projects reviewed statewide) as defined by the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) Coastal Zone Management (CZM) Program. 37 of the projects reviewed in the coastal zone were solar projects, representing a continuing trend of solar development in Virginia. Specific project highlights within this report include a solar facility in Chesterfield County, an alternatives analysis for new transmission lines spanning multiple coastal counties, a highway improvement plan in Fairfax County, a new water pipeline force main in Isle of Wight County and Surry County, and a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Floodplain Species Assessment in Gloucester County and James City County.

Coastal localities and other conservation partners participated in 11 training sessions for the Natural Heritage Data Explorer (NHDE) website (https://vanhde.org) including 18 from state agencies, 2 from local governments, 11 from consulting companies, 4 from land trusts and 6 from federal agencies. At the end of FY2019, there were 42 coastal localities, 8 Planning District Commissions and 16 land trusts within the coastal zone with access to NHDE, digital shapefile data, and/or a combination of these tools. This equates to 96% of coastal zone counties or cities having Natural Heritage data, 100% of the Planning District Commissions and 52% of the Land Trusts as of September 30, 2019. 

Presentations included an overview of DCR-DNH’s Natural Heritage Program, the Locality Assistance Program and data and functionality of the Natural Heritage Data Explorer (NHDE) website, which includes ConserveVirginia v2.0, the Predicted Suitable Habitat Summary layers and ConservationVision models. Additional information was provided about the Virginia Wetlands Catalog and the Coastal Virginia Ecological Value Assessment (VEVA), part of DEQ’s Coastal GEMS website application. Natural Heritage information was updated quarterly on the NHDE website and shapefiles including the updated information are also distributed to licensed users. During FY2019, 651 coastal projects were submitted through the NHDE, 53% of all the projects submitted for review in the coastal zone.

The Natural Heritage Locality Liaison (Locality Liaison) attended the Vertical Land Motion in The Chesapeake Bay Workshop in February 2020, the Virginia United Land Trust (VaULT) Virtual Land Conservation & Greenways Conference in August 2020, and the Environmental Assessment Scoping Update for the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport Roadways New Development project in August 2020.

The Locality Liaison and project review staff renewed or initiated 56 data licenses throughout this year within the coastal zone, including localities, consultants, land trusts, state agencies, and federal agencies. The Locality Liaison also posted quarterly coastal species highlights to the Local Assistance webpage (http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/natural-heritage/localityliaison) and the locality map (http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/natural-heritage/localitiesmap) was updated identifying localities with natural heritage data.

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: Ryan.Green@deq.virginia.gov 

A more detailed Scope of Work for this project is available. Please direct your request for a copy to Virginia.Witmer@deq.virginia.gov or April.Bahen@deq.virginia.gov.

Project Task Number:

6

Grantee:

Virginia Institute of Marine Science, Center for Coastal Resources Management

Project Title:

Tidal Wetlands Management Technical Support 

Project Description:

The project provides operational support for tidal wetlands management technical support provided by the Virginia Institute of Marine Science Center for Coastal Resources Management staff.  The proposed project addresses an identified need for improved understanding of coastal resources and issues particularly with respect to shoreline management.  We target shoreline decision-makers for outreach efforts and training, as well as provision of advice on the likely adverse effects of proposed actions regarding tidal shoreline resources.  We will continue to build on previously funded projects by continually updating outreach efforts and advice to reflect best available science. The project objectives we propose to address the issue of better-informed decision-making are:

1) Education/Outreach: Includes a workshop on the VIMS campus, the production and distribution of CCRM E-News and Rivers and Coast publications on current coastal management topics, and support for social media via the CCRM Facebook page.

2) Technical Guidance: Provision of advice to shoreline property owners, shoreline professionals, local government staff, state agency personnel and NGO staff as well as input to the VIMS advisory activities coordinated by the Office of Research and Advisory Service. This effort includes web service of historical permit records.  In addition, we will continue to maintain two databases.  One for tracking the provision of technical advice and the second to track permit data and decisions. We are continuing to enhance the second database by continuing to create a georeferenced location for all historical permits. 

Federal Funding:

$47,550 

Project Contact:

Dawn Fleming; 804.684.7380; dawnf@vims.edu and
Pam Mason; 804.684.7158; mason@vims.edu 

Project Status:

10/1/2019 - 9/30/2020; Project Completed

Final Product:

Tidal Wetlands Management Technical Support Grant (PDF)

Project Summary:

Through this grant, the Center for Coastal Resources Management (CCRM) staff produced materials for outreach education and newsletters; communicated relevant information through Facebook posts; provided routine advisories; hosted a website for joint permit application records; and maintained two databases all supporting tidal wetlands management.

The Center for Coastal Resources Management was responsible for organizing, hosting and presenting our annual Tidal Wetlands Workshop which was held virtually due to Covid-19 via a three-part Shoreline Management Webinar Series.  Each event focused on a different topic (Aug 13 - Shoreline Decision Support Tools, Aug 20 - Shoreline Law & Policy Updates, and Aug 25 - Living Shorelines Performance) with synchronous presentations and live interaction with shoreline science and policy experts.  Each webinar had about 74 participants (76, 76, 71).  https://www.vims.edu/ccrm/outreach/workshops/.  CCRM annually produces the Rivers & Coast newsletter; it covers one relevant topic in detail through the use of charts, graphs, maps and photos in an 8-page color publication.  The Summer 2020 issue, Shoreline Decision Support Tools; New & Improved, highlights the Shoreline Management Handbook and the Shoreline Decision Support Tool: new elements on the CCRM website.  The content in these new tools reflects current regulatory and scientific frameworks while using modern digital platforms to improve functionality and access on multiple devices. It is available online, hard copies were mailed to local wetlands boards and it was announced through the Center’s April e-news. https://scholarworks.wm.edu/reports/2065/  CCRM e-News, is a quarterly e-newsletter, distributed to approximately 2500 email addresses which include local and state agency personnel, General Assembly members, and interested private citizens.  Each newsletter summarizes and communicates current issues that support integrated management of coastal zone resources; announces pertinent publications, programs and events; and points the reader to more detailed information on our website (and others).  CCRM’s social media effort via Facebook with 108 posts and 480 followers reached 7 countries https://www.facebook.com/CCRM10/.

CCRM technical advisory activities encompassed everything from site visits to verbal communications and written environmental assessments, handling information requests on a variety of coastal management issues.  A CCRM Advisory Database was maintained to track advice provided within and outside of Virginia.  The final report will include the number and type of requests, who is requesting information and in what localities.  Pre-application and follow-up visits for living shorelines remain a priority.  CCRM’s Shoreline Permit Database was updated with Virginia tidal shoreline erosion control projects and permit information, location (including geo-reference), approved decisions, recommended preferred management approach and more to support various CCRM coastal resources management activities such as research needs, site selection for field investigation, surveys and analyses, and program assessment.  CCRM continued to maintain and serve complete historical records for Joint Permit Applications for years prior to 2010, searchable here http://ccrm.vims.edu/perms/newpermits.html.

To view any of the previously mentioned items, please see CCRM’s website (http://www.vims.edu/ccrm/).

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: Ryan.Green@deq.virginia.gov  

Project Task Number:

7

Grantee:

Virginia Institute of Marine Science 

Project Title:

2019 Submerged Aquatic Vegetation Distribution and Abundance Survey

Project Description:

Submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) is a critical living resource in Chesapeake Bay that has undergone rapid and dramatic baywide fluctuations in distribution and abundance over the last two decades, and 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 2019, 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 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 approximate 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 near optimal conditions.

Ground data on species distribution and abundance will be collected by participating agencies and citizen groups from as many of the Chesapeake Bay Program 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 2019 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/maps/). 

Federal Funding:

$68,000  

Project Contact:

Chris Park; 804.684.7399; cpatrick@vims.edu 

Project Status:

10/1/2019 - 9/30/2020; Project Completed 

Final Product:

Final Project Summary serves as Final Product.

Project Summary:

The 2019 distribution of submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) in Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries was mapped from aerial multispectral digital imagery. These were acquired between May and September 2019, with a resolution of 24 cm, encompassing 187 flight lines. WorldView 2 satellite imagery acquired from Digital Globe through the NGA NextView program was used to augment the aerial imagery for the Belmont Bay portion of the Potomac River.  For 2019, 26,986 hectares (66,684 acres) of SAV were mapped in the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries.

Although the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries were fully mapped for 2019, highly turbid water, weather conditions, and security restrictions in the DC area, over Patuxent Air Base and associated mid-Bay areas prevented acquisition of useable imagery in 2018 for a portion of the tidal fresh and mesohaline Potomac River; the Bohemia, Choptank, and Mattaponi rivers. In order to ensure a valid analysis of change in SAV distribution and abundance with 2018, all direct comparisons to previous years in this report are restricted to only those regions that were mapped in both years. If a region was not mapped in 2018, comparisons are given using area totals from 2017 instead. The area that was not fully mapped in 2018 supported 1,760 ha of SAV in 2019 (4,350 acres, 7% of the 2019 Bay total). Notable changes in SAV distribution were measured between 2019 and 2018. SAV decreased 37% from 39,993 ha (98,828 ac) in 2018 to 25,225 ha (62,334 ac) in 2019 in the regions mapped for both years

In the Tidal Fresh Bay Zone (19 CBP segments), 7,130 hectares (17,618 ac) of SAV were mapped for 2019. Portions of the zone, including the Mattaponi River and the portion of the Potomac River from Belmont Bay through the DC area including the Anacostia River, representing 1,124 ha of SAV in 2019 (2,777 ac, 16% of the zone total) were not mapped for 2018. Comparing the same mapped regions between 2018 and 2019, SAV increased 11% from 5,420 hectares (13,393 ac) in 2018 to 6,006 hectares (14,841 ac) in 2019. In the Oligohaline Bay Zone (25 CBP segments), 3,654 hectares (9,029 acres) of SAV were mapped for 2019. However, portions of the zone, including the Potomac, Bohemia, and Sassafras Rivers, representing 28 ha of SAV in 2019 (70 ac, 1% of the zone total) were not mapped for 2018. Comparing the same mapped regions between 2018 and 2019, SAV increased 13% from 3,195 hectares (7,895 ac) in 2018 to 3,626 hectares (8,959 ac) in 2019. In the Mesohaline Bay Salinity Zone (41 CBP segments), 11,356 hectares (28,061 ac) of SAV were mapped for 2019. Portions of the zone, including the north shore of the Potomac River from Herring Creek to Smith Creek, those creeks, and the St. Marys River, and portions of the Choptank and Honga Rivers, representing 608 ha of SAV in 2019 (1,503 ac, 5% of the zone total) were not mapped for 2018. Comparing the same mapped regions between 2018 and 2019, SAV decreased 55% from 24,017 hectares (59,348 ac) in 2018 to 10,748 hectares (26,558 ac) in 2019. In the Polyhaline Bay Zone (8 CBP segments), SAV decreased 34% from 7,362 ha (18,192 ac) in 2018 to 4,846 ha (11,975 ac) in 2019. In the Delmarva Peninsula Coastal Bays Zone (10 segments covering Assawoman, Isle of Wight, Sinepuxent, Chincoteague, and Southern Virginia coastal bays), 3,358 hectares (8,297 ac) of SAV were mapped for 2019. However, the northern portion of the zone, including Chincoteague Bay and Maryland coastal bays, representing 3,641 ha of SAV in 2017 (8,996 ac, 55% of the zone total) was not mapped for 2019. Comparing the same mapped regions between 2018 and 2019, SAV decreased 7% from 3,613 hectares (8,927 ac) in 2018 to 3,358 hectares (8,297 ac) in 2019.

The 2019 SAV report can now be viewed at: https://www.vims.edu/research/units/programs/sav/reports/2019 and also on our interactive map: https://www.vims.edu/research/units/programs/sav/access/maps.

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: Ryan.Green@deq.virginia.gov 

A more detailed Scope of Work for this project is available. Please direct your request for a copy to Virginia.Witmer@deq.virginia.gov or April.Bahen@deq.virginia.gov.

Project Task Number:

8

Grantee:

Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, Natural Heritage Program 

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 Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (VDCR) as it applies to advancing the identification, interpretation and protection of aquatic communities . This task includes the administration and development of the Healthy Waters Program, delivery of tools and products of the VDCR NHP such as the Virginia Ecological Values Assessment (VEVA), development of Ecological Occurrences (EOs), Stream Conservation Units (SCUs), INSTAR data, Coastal Gems and ConservationVIsion Watershed Model, in the Coastal Zone of Virginia. The Program Manager will work with both the VDCR NHP and the VDEQ to fully implement the Program to achieve lasting benefits for the Commonwealth.

Through a contractual agreement between DCR and the the Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), an Environmental Scientist/Analyst will be retained through the VCU Life Sciences Department and the Rice Rivers Center to serve as the Healthy Waters Program Manager. The  HWP Program Manager continue to be housed in the DCR Natural Heritage Program, have access to the facilities, equipment, vehicles and expertise of the VDCR and continue to integrate the skills and abilities of VCU, as well. The position also serves as a liaison between DCR and VCU to promote joint, applied research and outreach projects. This includes the oversight of programs, projects, grants and grant budgets, providing technical support to VDCR NHP and the Virginia Coastal Zone Management Program, as it relates to coastal zone ecology, management, and restoration.  

This position 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 VDCR deems necessary.  In addition, the Program Manager will prepare semiannual and annual reports and other documents. 

Federal Funding:

$30,500  

Project Contact:

Todd Janeski; 804.371.8984; todd.janeski@dcr.virginia.gov  

Project Status:

10/1/2019 - 9/30/2020; Project Completed 

Final Product:

Healthy Waters in the Coastal Zone Final Report (PDF)

Project Summary:

The Environmental Scientist/Analyst with the Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) Department of Life Sciences (LS), Rice Rivers Center (RRC), was retained by the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR), Natural Heritage Program (NHP), served as the Program Manager of the Virginia Healthy Waters Program (HWP). The VA HW Program Manager maintains access to the facilities and expertise of the VDCR and continued to integrate the skills and abilities of the VCU Department of Life Sciences. The position serves as a liaison between DCR and the VCU LS/RRC to promote a coordinated, collaborative approach to integrating field capacity, applied research and outreach to inform the protection of ecologically healthy aquatic systems. This includes the oversight of programs, projects, grants and grant budgets providing technical support to VDCR Natural Heritage Division and the Virginia Coastal Zone Management Program, as it relates to coastal zone ecology, management, and restoration. Additionally, this grant supported the VA Oyster Shell Recycling Program at the VCU RRC as an effort of Healthy Estuarine Waters to reclaim waste oyster shell and return it to the Chesapeake as part of Bay restoration activities.

The Healthy Waters Program, at the DCR Natural Heritage Division, focused on the data collection and development of tools and resources to advance resource protection goals. While this is the foundation of the program, it is hindered by the lack of capacity, statewide coverage and dedicated field staff. Therefore, the ability to implement measures, models or tools become challenging to implement. Addressing the data gaps and data integration were the priorities of the program with the goal to integrate existing VCU collected INteractive STream Assessment Resource (INSTAR) data into the NHP data explorer with the creation of new Element Occurrences (EOs) and Stream Conservation Units (SCUs).

The Program Manager continued to participate in the Chesapeake Bay Program, Goal Implementation Team (GIT) for Healthy Watersheds. As part of this GIT, the Program Manager put considerable effort toward the Chesapeake Bay Management Strategy development process. This included the coordination of DCR and the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). The Program Manager continued to advance Healthy Waters Bay Agreement Goal of 100% protecting the 2014 HW sites in the Chesapeake Bay by 2025. The HWP Manager continued to staff the HW Goal team remaining consistent that the Commonwealth will set their own course for long-term protection action which includes internally developed prioritization and land conservation tools.

A small portion of the grant from the VA Coastal Zone Management Program goes to the VCU RRC’s VA Oyster Shell Recycling Program. The goals are to reclaim waste oyster shell and return it to the VA portion of the Chesapeake Bay. The grant supported the development of banners, stickers, purchase of containers and supported the bulk movement of shell from local storage sites to the VCU RRC. The Program saw considerable growth during the project period with expansion of operations that included a continued broadening of the geography of the collection and fully engaging in applied restoration.

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: Ryan.Green@deq.virginia.gov 

Project Task Number:

9

Grantee:

Virginia Marine Resources Commission  

Project Title:

York River Oyster Restoration 

Project Description:

The Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement set a goal of restoring oyster populations in 10 tributaries by the year 2025. In Virginia, oyster restoration partners working together as the Virginia Interagency Oyster Team selected the following tributaries as the focus of these restoration efforts: the Lafayette, the Lynnhaven, the Piankatank, the Great Wicomico, and the Lower York. The Commonwealth of Virginia (through the Virginia Marine Resources Commission), NOAA, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, The Nature Conservancy, Lynnhaven River Now, the Elizabeth River Project and other stakeholders are working together to restore oysters in these tributaries. The Western Shore Oyster Restoration Workgroup coordinates oyster restoration efforts in the York River in the Hampton Roads region.

In the Lower York River, the Workgroup developed an estimate of currently restorable oyster habitat for the river and then, taking into consideration the established Bay-wide oyster restoration metrics, set a goal of restoring 200 acres.  Due to past restoration work, 35 acres of reefs in this tributary already met the definition of restored. The Virginia Marine Resources Commission (VMRC), in combination with other partners, has been involved with the construction or planning of the majority of these acres. The funds provided in this task will support VMRC in restoring a significant amount acreage towards the overall goal.

In support of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement, the Virginia Marine Resources Commission will contract out the construction of up to 17 acres of oyster reef for the purposes of ecological restoration in the Lower York River using a combination of shell, crushed concrete, stone, or other materials as specified by NOAA. This reef will provide habitat for several fish and shellfish species in the Lower York and provide water quality benefits through the oyster’s natural filtering practices.

CZM has provided VMRC funding for similar and successful oyster restoration efforts in numerous areas throughout Virginia, most recently through FY18 Task 89.

Federal Funding:

$390,351 

Project Contact:

Andrew Button; 757.247.4323; andrew.button@mrc.virginia.gov 

Project Status:

6/1/2022 - 9/30/2022; Project Completed 

Final Product:

York River Oyster Restoration with Survey Maps (PDF)

Project Summary:

The Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement set a goal of restoring oyster populations in 10 tributaries by the year 2025. In Virginia, oyster restoration partners working together as the Virginia Interagency Oyster Team selected the following tributaries as the focus of these restoration efforts: the Lafayette, the Lynnhaven, the Piankatank, the Great Wicomico, and the Lower York. The Commonwealth of Virginia (through the Virginia Marine Resources Commission), NOAA, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, The Nature Conservancy, Lynnhaven River Now, the Elizabeth River Project and other stakeholders are working together to restore oysters in these tributaries. The Western Shore Oyster Restoration Workgroup coordinates oyster restoration efforts in the York River in the Hampton Roads region.

CZM funding was used to procure and deploy approximately 4,308 tons of crushed granite stone in the Lower York River. This provided the substrate required for the construction of approximately 17.2 acres of reef habitat. This a significant contribution towards total restoration goal of 200 acres in the lower York. This work and CZMs contribution will be noted in future Chesapeake Bay Program Publications tracking the ongoing oyster restoration efforts.

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: Ryan.Green@deq.virginia.gov 

A more detailed Scope of Work for this project is available. Please direct your request for a copy to Virginia.Witmer@deq.virginia.gov or April.Bahen@deq.virginia.gov.

Virginia CZM Program: 2019 Coastal Grant Project Description and Final Summary

Project Task Number:

10 

Grantee:

College of William & Mary - Center for Conservation Biology 

Project Title:

Evaluating Overlap between Whimbrel Migration Pathways and Virginia Wind Turbine Leases 

Project Description:

Offshore wind has become one of the fastest growing energy sectors in the world and is a critical element in the strategy to transition from fossil fuels to renewables.  The Atlantic Coast offers shallow, near-shore waters in close proximity to large load centers with some of the most lucrative and rapidly expanding energy markets in the United States.  However, the buildout of the wind industry along the Atlantic Coast will result in the largest network of overwater hazards ever constructed and may represent a population concern for some migratory bird species that utilize the Western Atlantic Flyway.    

The Western Atlantic Flyway is globally significant as a major movement corridor for birds.  The flyway supports hundreds of millions of birds annually including 164 species of waterbirds, more than 35% of which are believed to be declining.  Much of the bird activity along the Flyway occurs within a thin veneer along the coastline with waterbirds using a corridor between the shoreline and a distance of several kilometers.  One of the best strategies for mitigating hazards to migrating birds is to place turbines offshore beyond this movement corridor. However, exceptions to this movement pattern occur.  One of the most concerning exceptions involves shorebirds that fly directly to and from winter grounds in South America and the Caribbean and spring or fall staging areas within specific coastal sites such as Delaware Bay, the Delmarva Peninsula or the South Atlantic Coast.  Several species use this strategy including the rufa population of the red knot that is listed as federally threatened and the whimbrel that is a species of concern.  We currently know very little about the overlap between “exit” and “entry” pathways associated with these staging sites and the footprints of leases proposed for wind energy development. 

Dominion Energy has proposed the largest wind project in federal waters to be sited 27 miles off Cape Henry near the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay and has installed the first two test turbines within a portion of the lease footprint.  The lease site is southeast of the Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve site along the seaside of the lower Delmarva Peninsula that supports several declining species of shorebirds.  Since 2008, The Center for Conservation Biology and partners have deployed satellite transmitters on whimbrel using this site and have compiled a sample of “exit” and “entry” tracks.  

We propose to evaluate whimbrel tracks (currently in hand) to examine the spatial pattern of birds leaving the staging area out over the Atlantic during the fall and entering the staging area from out over the Atlantic during the spring to examine the extent to which exit and entry pathways overlap with the Cape Henry lease site.  We believe that the approach used may be used as a model for evaluations of wind leases proposed near other internationally significant staging areas such as Delaware Bay and the South Atlantic.  We also believe that several other shorebird species of concern may use the same or similar exit and entry pathways. 

Federal Funding:

$12,200 

Project Contact:

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

Project Status:

9/1/2021 - 10/31/2021; Project Completed 

Final Product:

Exposure of Whimbrels to Offshore Wind Leases During Departure From and Arrival To a Major Mid-Atlantic Staging Site (PDF)

Project Summary:

The United States is pursuing a diversified energy portfolio that includes offshore wind with a focus on the Atlantic Outer Continental Shelf (OCS). The Western Atlantic Flyway (WAF) supports one of the largest near-shore movement corridors of birds in the world including several shorebird species of high conservation concern. We used satellite transmitters to examine orientation of whimbrels crossing the OCS and their overlap with two wind energy leases. Birds using a migratory staging site along the Delmarva Peninsula in Virginia crossed the OCS along a southeast-northeast axis. A considerable number (42.9%) of tracks intersected with one of the two wind leases. The juxtaposition to the staging site placed wind leases within both the departure and arrival trajectories. Several species of shorebirds including hundreds of thousands of individuals make trans-Atlantic flights from three major staging sites including Delaware Bay, the lower Delmarva and Georgia Bight. All of these sites have wind leases positioned to their southeast. One of the most effective strategies for minimizing conflicts between birds and potential hazards is to place hazards away from critical movement corridors. More information is needed about departure and arrival patterns of shorebirds that cross the OCS to inform lease placement.

Publications: Watts, B. D., C. Hines, L. S. Duval, and A. L. Wilke. In review. Exposure of whimbrels to offshore wind leases during departure from and arrival to a major Mid-Atlantic staging site. Energy Reports.

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: Ryan.Green@deq.virginia.gov 

A more detailed Scope of Work for this project is available. Please direct your request for a copy to Virginia.Witmer@deq.virginia.gov or April.Bahen@deq.virginia.gov.

Project Task Number:

41

Grantee:

Accomack-Northampton Planning District Commission 

Project Title:

A-NPDC Technical Assistance Program 

Project Description:

The Accomack-Northampton Planning District Commission (A-NPDC) serves two counties and 19 incorporated towns on the Eastern Shore of Virginia.  The Eastern Shore of Virginia is a 70-mile long peninsula between the Atlantic Ocean and the Chesapeake Bay that has remained as one of the few remaining rural regions on the Atlantic seaboard despite consistent pressure from development. The region is unique for its vast wealth of coastal resources and natural-resource based economies. Around the turn of the 20^th Century in the years following the construction of a rail line that allowed for expedited shipping of agricultural and seafood products to larger urban markets, Accomack and Northampton Counties were noted as the two wealthiest agricultural counties in the nation. Following this thriving period the region’s population and economies regressed due to challenges in environmental sustainability and geographic isolation. While many other coastal communities have flourished along the Atlantic seaboard, the Eastern Shore continues to pursue opportunities and persevere against challenges facing its rural communities. The following activities proposed for the FY2019 Technical Assistance Program have been developed in a manner that will benefit the Eastern Shore as its communities work towards establishing a sustainable, viable, and prosperous future. 

During FY2019, A-NPDC will offer coastal management training opportunities for local government staff, coordinate public education efforts, and continue to staff the Eastern Shore of Virginia Ground Water Committee. The Ground Water Committee, which has successfully managed the region’s EPA-designated sole source aquifers since 1990, are working to ensure a productive and sustainable future for Eastern Shore residents and the natural environment. The A-NPDC will work with local government and nonprofit partners to develop an improper disposal of waste impact assessment which can be used in education and outreach to insure attention is given to this multipronged problem. Roadside litter and marine debris negatively impact the quality of life of human and animal inhabitants on the Shore and negatively impact the economy, better understanding the severity of the problem and its impact will allow for better management and development of solutions. 

Federal Funding:

$34,500 

Project Contact:

Jessica Steelman; 757.787.2936 x114; jsteelman@a-npdc.org  

Project Status:

10/1/2019 - 9/30/2020; Project Completed

Final Product:

Accomack-Northampton Coastal Resources Technical Assistance Program Final Report (PDF)

Disclaimer:
This document was not produced by DEQ. Some of its content may not be in an accessible format pursuant to Section 508 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended (29 U.S.C. § 794 (d)). Please call 800-592-5482 if you need assistance.

Project Summary:

#1) Coastal Management Trainings- A-NPDC presented on Groundwater Resources to the Master Gardeners; 25 participants. A-NPDC presented on Positive Aquaculture PR Panel Discussion, Building Community to Avoid user Conflict at the Virginia Aquaculture Conference on 11/16/2019; 200 participants. A-NPDC presented during Lead the Coast in Delmarva, an interactive conference call/webinar on 12/6/2019; 10 participants. A-NPDC presented on Shoreline Erosion to the Accomack County Wetlands Board on 12/19/2019; 15 participants (5 members, 2 AcCo Staff, 8 public (including Shannon & Jessica {A-NPDC} and Cora Johnston {Site Director UVA}). A-NPDC presented on Resiliency Funding Opportunities at the Climate Adaptation Working Group (CAWG) Workshop on 1/22/2020; 30 participants (UVA Research, DEQ, Special Asst. to the Governor, AcCo., NHCo., Forestry, USDA, Onancock, Tangier, Wetlands Watch, TNC, Chincoteague, Onley, William & Mary, CT Board, Cape Charles, VDOT). No in-person trainings were hosted in the months of April – September as a result of COVID-19. In lieu of in-person trainings, staff curated informational brochures and presentations on Water Degradation risks and prevention and Best Management Practices. These were distributed to localities and stakeholders, and were posted on the A-NPDC website and social media platforms.

#2) Technical Assistance Outcomes Report – A-NPDC continues to serve on local and state committees, including the ES Environmental Education Council, CAWG, Virginia’s Eastern Shore Conservation Alliance (VESCA), ES Watersheds Network, VCZM Coastal Policy Team, and Resilience Planning for Water-Dependent Uses Projects. A-NPDC staff held a panel discussion for 200 people on positive aquaculture – building community to avoid user conflict, the Accomack County Wetlands Board on shoreline erosion and potential solutions, and resiliency funding opportunities at the CAWG workshop. Staff facilitated a virtual CAWG meeting on 6/25/2020; 12 participants (2 A-NPDC staff, 1 Accomack County, 1 VESLT, 1 DOF, 2 TNC, 1 VCER/UVA, 1 Chincoteague, 2 Northampton County, 1 Wetlands Watch). Many partner meetings and trainings were cancelled due to COVID-19. A-NPDC staff distributed Emergency Preparedness magnets, Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility brochures, “Your Watershed Matters” brochures, and Keep It Beachy Clean large labels for public access trash barrels to counties and localities. A-NPDC staff also provided educational outreach and assistance to counties and residents as requested.

#3) Groundwater Committee Outcomes – The Groundwater Committee met in October, November, February & June. Discussion topics during these meetings were as follows: presentation of results of the 2019 EM-logging and an analysis of the cumulative data and implications to salt water intrusion estimates; 45 new poultry permits – SWCB set condition that all 45 facilities that were issued groundwater permits in December were to conduct the alternative source investigation; DEQ reported 5 new poultry permits going through final permit review are also required to conduct alternative source investigations, as will be any future facilities unless further guidance is received that would alter that; budget request motion passed for county requests of 10% increase; HHWC facility opened November 6^th; USGS Hydrogeologic Framework of the ESVA report was presented; USGS presented call for proposals for the use of their Time-Domain Electromagnetic (TDEM) imaging system to support existing USGS project work; list of Ground Water RAP panel members and schedule of meetings presented. A-NPDC staff appointed to RAP attended all panel meetings in February, March, September and October. The Groundwater Committee cancelled meetings from March-May due to COVID-19 health concerns. The Committee met virtually in June. Discussions were focused on upcoming USGS Survey, Executive Board authority in lieu of ability to host in-person meetings, voting member appointment support, AFID grant opportunity, and budget. The Committee cancelled August and September meetings, with intentions of finding a safe in-person meeting space for the October meeting that will comply with COVID regulations. The Committee educated local governments on local susceptibility to saltwater intrusion and managed the contract with USGS to monitor the hazard with annual Electro-magnetic loggings. Minutes and new resources, including the consultant presentations, can be found on the respective pages at the following link, https://www.esvaplan.org/planesva/ground-water-management/eastern-shore-of-virginia-ground-water-committee/.

#4) Improper Disposal of Waste Impact – Staff developed the Litter Impacts Assessment and fact sheet. The final product was published on the A-NPDC website. The factsheet was distributed to localities and stakeholders.

#5) GreenWorks Committee – A-NPDC staff has continued to attend Waste Watchers monthly meetings as acting Secretary, manage county funds, provide technical assistance, and develop educational goals. GreenWorks Committee met in February. Discussion included intern/subcontract funds for potential ESCC intern, Eastern Shore Community Foundation grant application development, and continued efforts to complete litter impact assessment. The GreenWorks Committee did not meet in June due to COVID-19. Waste Watchers did not meet during the months of April – September due to COVID-19.

#6) Benefits Accrued from Prior CZM Grants Report – The report has been updated and completed.

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: Ryan.Green@deq.virginia.gov 

Project Task Number:

42

Grantee:

Crater Planning District Commission 

Project Title:

Crater PDC Technical Assistance Program 

Project Description:

The Crater staff will work with the Commission’s Environmental Resources Management Task Force comprised of the planning directors of the Crater Planning District to carry out this Technical Assistance program.

The Commission staff will assist tidewater communities with environmental impact reviews, provide technical assistance, coordination, training, and staff support to the Friends of the Lower Appomattox River (FOLAR).

The Crater staff will begin work on a new initiative under this proposal in concert with the

Friends of the Lower Appomattox River (FOLAR). Crater will research into an invasive plant task force as a volunteer initiative along the Appomattox Regional Trail (ART) that could become the catalyst for positive environmental change by supporting reforestation efforts to preserve the native tree canopy, protecting it from invasive vines, preventing the spread of invasive underbrush, and replanting or restoring native habitat. 

Federal Funding:

$34,500 

Project Contact:

James Ruffa, II; 804.861.1666; jruffa@craterpdc.org 

Project Status:

10/1/2019 - 9/30/2020; Project Completed 

Final Product:

Crater Planning District Commission Technical Assistance Program (PDF)

Project Summary:

Product #1 - Environmental Impact Reviews

Crater PDC staff reviewed 41 Environmental Impact Reports during the past year.  The projects were varied and included solar sights, high speed rail, wastewater treatment facilities, airport apron rehabilitation, university facilities, power generation, natural gas, and state and federal grant funding applications. In addition, environmental CZM and Chesapeake Bay funding programs were reviewed per the request of the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality.

Products #2 &3 - Report on Coastal Meetings and Coastal Trainings

Six(5) coastal meetings were held during the past grant year (2019-2020): November 13, 2019, December 12, 2019, February 26, 2020, April 15, 2020, June 16, 2020, and  September 16, 2020.  In addition to local government and Crater PDC staff, representatives from the following entities attended at least once: Fort Lee, The Cameron Foundation, The Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy, Virginia Department of Transportation, The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, and the Friends of the Lower Appomattox River (FOLAR).

The Crater PDC sponsored several training sessions on the following topics:

1. Virginia Outdoors Plan Department of Conservation and Recreation,
2. Coastal Needs Assessment, VCZM 309, Department of Environmental Quality, 
3. Updates on Waters of the U.S Rule, Department of Environmental Quality,
4. Collective Impact and Equitable Collaboration, University of Virginia Institute for Engagement & Negotiation,
5. Changes in Virginia’s Environmental Legislation, Wetlands Watch.

Task #4 - FOLAR (Friends of the Lower Appomattox River)

Crater PDC staff assisted FOLAR  with: 1) GIS mapping updating trail master plan map to reflect progress of completion of trail work, 2) coordination and planning of the 2nd annual State of the Trail Meeting and Training, 3) technical support in SMART scale application for three different bridge and trail sections for possible funding and construction, and 4) participating in FOLAR board meetings.

Task #5 - Benefits Accrued from Prior CZM Grants

A culmination of benefits accrued this grant cycle from previous work with CZM Grants. The Lower Appomattox River has a Scenic River Designation which has been updated in a new Appomattox River Interpretive Guide. The Trail Master Plan has been utilized and updated to its current form, which has led to work in 2019 developing a first draft of the Lower Appomattox Blueway Plan. Completion of the first stage of the Riverwalk, leading into the start of construction of Riverwalk phase 2. Holding the 2^nd annual State of the Trail meeting which became an all-day event with regional coordination and training efforts.

Additional Environmental Matters

Commission staff participated in several other environmental activities including trail related activities, Chesapeake Bay WIP III Planning, solid waste reporting, the Lower James Roundtable, the Middle James Roundtable, FOLAR trail activities and education/outreach.  The Crater PDC attended the following:

• September 30, 2019 - Ashland to Petersburg Trail Study Public Meeting
• October 8, 2019 - Fall Quarterly Coastal PDC Meeting
• October 17, 2019 - Middle James Roundtable Annual Meeting
• October 29, 2019 - Ashland to Petersburg Regional Trails Workshop
• November 13, 2019 - Virginia Outdoors Plan
• November 15, 2019 - Virginia Coastal Policy Center’s 7^th Annual Conference
• January 6, 2020 - Introduction to NFWF Grant Programs
• January 15, 2020 - Coastal Policy Team Meeting
• January 22, 2020 - Lower James River Roundtable
• January 31, 2020 - Virginia Coastal Master Plan Phase 1Meeting
• February 26, 2020 - Friends of The Lower Appomattox River 2^nd Annual State of the Trail
• March 3, 2020 - Lower James River Roundtable
• March 4, 2020 - FY2021-25 CZM Marine Debris Strategy Meeting
• March 5, 2020 - CZM Coastal Policy Team Coastal Hazards Working Group
• March 17, 2020 - Marine Debris Leadership Team Workshop
• June 9, 2020 - Spring Coastal PDC Meeting
• June 23, 2019 - Lower James River Roundtable
• July 23, 2020 - James River Advisory Council Quarterly Meeting
• September 1, 2020 - Lower James River Roundtable

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: Ryan.Green@deq.virginia.gov 

Project Task Number:

43

Grantee:

Hampton Roads Planning District Commission 

Project Title:

Hampton Roads Coastal Resources Management Technical Assistance Program 

Project Description:

The HRPDC staff will assist seventeen (17) member local governments, other public entities, and private organizations on coastal and other environmental issues. The HRPDC staff will perform the following:

1. Regional Coordination Process

The regional coordination process involves all seventeen (17) member local governments, associated towns, five (5) Soil and Water Conservation Districts, the Hampton Roads Sanitation District, and several state and federal agencies. It addresses core elements of the VCZMP, Chesapeake Bay Program, and other state and federal programs. It specifically addresses Chesapeake Bay Preservation Act (CBPA) implementation, Virginia Stormwater Management Program (VSMP) implementation, wetlands, public access, environmental regulations, conservation planning, and other coastal issues. This component includes participation by the HRPDC staff in the Coastal PDC Committee and the Coastal Policy Team. 

2. Environmental Impact Review

This includes review and comment on EIA/EIS and Federal Consistency Determinations/Certifications affecting Hampton Roads, including coordination of local responses if needed. 

3. Public Information & Education

This includes maintaining VCZMP-related 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, and the Coastal Resiliency Committee, all of whose meetings are open and advertised to the public.

4. Training

Conduct or host at least six training programs/activities for local government staff. Possible topics include environmental codes, low impact development, wetlands, CBPA (or other environmental regulations) implementation, the Chesapeake Bay TMDL, stormwater regulations, conservation planning, sea level rise adaptation, GIS, coastal resiliency, floodplain management, sustainability, planning law, and land use planning. 

5. Regional Special Projects/Technical Studies

Policy and technical analysis or projects related to environmental and coastal issues. Specific studies will be determined in cooperation with local governments. Potential topics include GIS analyses related to sea level rise or green infrastructure, policy research on local government priorities, development of web-based tools or analysis products, and coastal resources use conflicts.  

6. Technical Assistance

Provide information, data, and technical assistance to help localities with comprehensive planning and ordinance updates related to coastal resources management.

This project is a continuation of activities undertaken by the HRPDC through the VCZMP over the last twenty years. The Regional Coordination Process is integral to all of the program components, linking them into a comprehensive environmental planning program. Through this process, the HRPDC staff manages local government advisory committees addressing the VCZMP, Chesapeake Bay Program, stormwater, sea level rise, coastal resiliency, land use, and wetlands issues and coordinates them with local and regional initiatives in coastal resiliency, water supply, stormwater, and wastewater management that are supported directly by the localities. In addition to the programs noted above, it is not known what requests may evolve through the process during the course of the project. They reflect developing local needs and new state and federal initiatives. Through this project, the HRPDC also participates in the Coastal PDC networking process and its involvement in VCZMP and other state and federal environmental initiatives.

To the degree feasible, the 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:

$69,000 

Project Contact:

Benjamin McFarlane; 757.420.8300; bmcfarlane@hrpdcva.gov 

Project Status:

10/1/2019 - 9/30/2020; Project Completed 

Final Product:

Hampton Roads Coastal Resources Technical Assistance Program Fiscal Year 2019-2020 Final Report (PDF)

Project Summary:

This report describes the environmental technical assistance program conducted by the Hampton Roads Planning District Commission during FY 2019 – 2020 through its Coastal Resources Management Technical Assistance Program. This program encompasses environmental impact review, participation in state and federal programs, coordination of regional environmental programs addressing environmental issues, public information and education, and technical assistance to Hampton Roads localities. It describes the technical work, comment letters, outreach materials, and associated materials generated and used in assisting the region’s seventeen local governments, supporting the Virginia Coastal Zone Management Program, and working with the other Planning District Commissions in the Coastal Zone. 

Environmental Impact Review – Eight (8) federal consistency determinations and two (2) environmental impact reviews were reviewed. Scoping comments were also provided on two projects.

Participation in State and Federal Programs – The HRPDC staff represents the region on several state and federal technical advisory committees. The HRPDC staff continued to participate in the Coastal PDC Committee and Coastal Policy Team. 

Regional Coordination Process – The HRPDC staff facilitates regional advisory committees addressing a variety of coastal and environmental issues. Between October 1, 2019 and September 30, 2020, the Regional Environmental Committee met nine (9) times, and the Coastal Resiliency Committee met three (3) times. 

Public Information and Education – The HRPDC staff maintained information on its website and provided regular briefings to local elected officials, local governing bodies, and to professional and civic organizations. 

Regional Technical Studies – The HRPDC staff completed three studies and projects: a non-linearity analysis of the impacts of sea level rise on storm surge, development of design tailwater elevations, and development of future floodplains for various return periods with sea level rise. 

Technical Assistance – The HRPDC staff provided assistance to local government staff, consultants, businesses, and citizen environmental organizations on environmental and planning issues on request. 

Benefits Accrued from Prior CZM Grants – As a result of the coastal resiliency work the HRPDC staff has completed with CZM support, the HRPDC staff is developing resiliency design guidelines for local governments to incorporate into their plans and policies. 

The report will be made available online at the HRPDC’s website: https://www.hrpdcva.gov.

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: Ryan.Green@deq.virginia.gov 

Project Task Number:

44

Grantee:

Middle Peninsula Planning District Commission 

Project Title:

MPPDC Technical Assistance Program 

Project Description:

MPPDC’s Coastal Resources Technical Assistance Program provides the necessary administrative framework to assist rural coastal local governments across the Middle Peninsula with access to enhanced coastal zone management tools and techniques that balance economic development with protecting coastal resources.   For the federal FY 19 grant, the work program will consist of three distinct tasks:

1. Coastal Management Analysis and Policy Support: MPPDC staff will provide coastal management support to local government elected officials, chief administrative officers for local governments, local planning staff, local planning commissions and wetlands board staff.  The Virginia coastal region continues to struggle to rebound from the great recession of 2007-2009.  The 2019 General Assembly Session benefited rural coastal Virginia greatly.  Many legislative bills were passed and/or Committee letters were sent directing State Agencies review regulatory programs impacting rural coastal communities.  For example, HB 2322 directs the Virginia Department of Health to develop a plan to transition Chesapeake Bay Act Septic Pump Out requirements to the Health Department and away for rural coastal localities located within the Rural Coastal Enhancement Authority area.  Additionally, HB 2506 resulted in Agency presentation to the Joint Subcommittee on Recurrent Flooding related to rural coastal resiliency approaches within the Chesapeake Bay Act Resource Protection Area.    MPPDC Staff will support the implementation of various bills by continuing to provide technical assistance to help address ongoing, new or emerging coastal issues including compatible economic development, local land use policy, real estate land taxing issues centered on repetitive flooding, sea level rise, loss of population and federal -state regulations redirecting development away from the waterfront. 

2. Local and State Planning Coordination: MPPDC staff will attend, convene and participate in various monthly-quarterly meetings with local government level planners, government administrators, and other appropriate government and NGO committees to assist with improved coastal planning.  Through these meetings, Coastal Planners illuminate choices which policy makers can use to help inform decisions.   

3. Special Project:  MPPDC staff will provide direct research and facilitation support for the implementation of the 2018-2019 Middle Peninsula Chesapeake Bay Public Access Authority (PAA) annual work plan. MPPDC staff will continue to assist PAA with the management of a growing portfolio of donated private waterfront sites. 

Federal Funding:

$34,500 

Project Contact:

Lewie Lawrence; 804.758.2311; llawrence@mppdc.com 

Project Status:

10/1/2019 - 9/30/2020; Project Completed

Final Product:

Middle Peninsula Planning District Commission Technical Assistance Program Final Report (PDF)

Project Summary:

The Technical Assistance (TA) Program, funded through the Virginia Coastal Zone Management Program, provides Middle Peninsula Planning District Commission (MPPDC) staff the opportunity to create and implement adaptive management techniques, enhance communication between local, regional, and state stakeholders, and inform planning decisions by local, regional, and state coastal managers.

Middle Peninsula localities rely annually on MPPDC staff to provide professional and technical coastal zone management planning assistance on national, regional, and local coastal issues and policy and legislative changes that impact how the issues are addressed. Over the past year, the MPPDC has made significant strides in providing education and assistance on issues such as the regional impacts of COVID-19, solar energy, nature-based flood mitigation solutions, and dredging. For the Federal FY19 grant, there were three tasks outlined and completed under the work program: 

Coastal Management Analysis and Policy Support. MPPDC staff provided coastal management support to local government elected officials, chief administrative officers for local governments, local planning staff, local planning commissions, and wetlands board staff.  MPPDC staff worked to progress the regional Fight the Flood (FTF) Program that aims to connect property owners facing rising flood waters with tools and funding, including specialized businesses who can help evaluate, design, and build solutions. MPPDC staff consulted with local businesses to participate in the program and worked with local homeowners to connect them with financial tools available through the FTF.  Additionally, PDC staff co-authored HB 1675 (now 15.2-2316.6 through 15.2-2316.9) which focuses on Siting of solar facilities in economically disadvantaged localities.

Local and State Planning Coordination. MPPDC staff attended, convened, and participated in various monthly and quarterly meetings with local government level planners, government administrators, and other appropriate government and NGO committees to assist with improved coastal planning.  Through these meetings, Coastal Planners illuminated choices which policy makers can use to help inform decisions. 

Special Project.  MPPDC staff provided direct research and facilitation support for the implementation of the 2019-2020 Middle Peninsula Chesapeake Bay Public Access Authority (PAA) annual work plan. MPPDC staff assisted the PAA with the management of a growing portfolio of donated private waterfront sites and transitioning the website from Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS) servers to a new service that aligns with a new PAA marketing effort.

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: Ryan.Green@deq.virginia.gov  

Project Task Number:

45

Grantee:

Northern Neck Planning District Commission 

Project Title:

Northern Neck Planning District Commission Technical Assistance 

Project Description:

The NNPDC FY19 environmental work program will consist of nine work tasks: 

1. Provide coastal management 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 environmental organizations. NNPDC staff will provide technical assistance when needed to local governments, GIS analysis of land development proposals, land conversion and land use plans, as well as maps of wetlands, aerial photographs, elevation and/or topographic features.

2. Support local planning, staff education, training and coordination through quarterly Coastal Managers Meetings and four local government Training Sessions. 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 and improving water quality, and may be conducted by Federal, State or Not for Profit entities. 

3. Continue to update the Northern Neck Green website (NNKgreen.org), a regional portal designed as the go-to place for all topics environmental, relevant to the Northern Neck of Virginia. It is maintained with the active participation and contribution from many of the region’s organizations that are dedicated to making the most out of our air, land, and water. Efforts to increase traffic to the site will also continue, coordinating with stakeholders. 

4. Continue to manage the Hazard Mitigation Assistance Grant Program for home elevations through the Virginia Department of Emergency Management and Federal Emergency Management Agency. The 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.

5. Coordinate with local and regional stakeholders to implement an initiative in support of living shorelines and natural and nature-based features (NNBF’s) as a technique for coastal resilience and a means for maintaining water quality.  The initiative will educate local government staff, landowners and local contractors in the use and benefits of living shorelines and NNBF’s.  The initiative will be supported by a living shorelines stakeholder group whose purpose is to promote the practice throughout various sectors.  The initiative will utilize living shoreline demonstration sites throughout the region to promote the practice.

6. NNPDC staffs the Northern Neck Chesapeake Bay Public Access Authority (NNCBPAA), which promotes public access and engages with property owners interested in donating land and in placing conservation easements on property.  NNCBPAA will conduct an inventory of public water access locations in the four counties of the Northern Neck.  NNCBPAA will hold regular meetings with members to discuss ongoing efforts to improve public access in the Northern Neck. 

7. Collaborate with the Town of Warsaw on the implementation of a low impact stormwater retrofit.  The NNPDC will provide technical assistance and grant administration for a National Fish & Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) Chesapeake Bay Small Watershed Grant (SWG-I) in order to implement stormwater best management practices to address recurrent flooding in the Town’s business district.  The project will generate significant co-benefits in creating greater resiliency and improving water quality in local area waterways. 

8. Create a report that highlight the benefits that were accrued during the grant period based on previous VACZM Grants. 

Federal Funding:

$34,500 

Project Contact:

John Bateman; 804.313.8478; jbateman@nnpdc17.state.va.us 

Project Status:

10/1/2019 - 9/30/2020; Project Completed

Final Product:

Northern Neck Planning District Commission Virginia Coastal Zone Management Program Technical Assistance Grant FY 19, Task 45 Final Report (PDF)

Project Summary:

 NNPDC staff provided coastal management support to local governments, planning commissions, Northern Neck Land Conservancy, Northern Neck Soil and Water Conservation District, Northern Neck Chesapeake Bay Public Access Authority, watershed commissions, and other environmental and conservation groups in the region. Support provided includes environmental assessment review, project development, GIS analysis, mapping services, intergovernmental review and planning to assess coastal issues. Other support included resiliency planning, grant writing and project implementation assistance, NFIP and CRS coordination, water quality planning, and coordinating regional initiatives with eco-tourism and coastal resource dependent industries. NNPDC staff held multiple virtual local planning, training and coordination events that focused on coastal community resiliency, coastal hazard mitigation, coastal resource management and water quality. Coordination and training events were attended by various stakeholders including local planning and land use staff, regional planning staff, and were conducted in collaboration with Federal, State and Not for Profit entities. NNPDC staff, in coordination with the RAFT Core Team, held seven (7) virtual local workshops for the Resiliency Adaptation Feasibility Tool (RAFT), a multi-year resilience planning and implementation effort designed to ascertain a locality’s level of resilience and build capacity for implementation. NNPDC staff, in coordination with the RAFT Core Team, participated in virtual monthly meetings for seven (7) localities that built off of the outcomes of the local workshops and implemented the action checklists. NNPDC staff acted as network administrator for the Northern Neck Green website and provided technical information to maintain the site and keep it up to date and generate new content. NNPDC staff administered the Northern Neck Flood Hazard Mitigation Program to elevate homes out of the floodplain and are currently working to elevate three homes in Essex County, have received funding to elevate six homes in the Northern Neck, and have applications pending for six additional homes in the Northern Neck. NNPDC staff continues to provide information about the program for homeowners interested in elevating their homes. NNPDC staff continues to coordinate with local and regional stakeholders to implement a Living Shoreline Initiative with a larger emphasis on nature-based solutions and best practices. NNPDC staff, in collaboration with FOR and other regional stakeholders, have utilized six living shoreline demonstration sites in the Northern Neck to educate property owners, contractors and industry leaders on the beneficial use of living shorelines. Through the initiative, the NNPDC and FOR conducted outreach and education to the general public through the development and distribution of outreach materials. The NNPDC staffs the Northern Neck Chesapeake Bay Public Access Authority (NNCBPAA). NNCBPAA staff conducted an inventory of public access sites throughout the region. NNPDC staff will utilize the inventory and resulting maps for the purpose of planning for the expansion of public access in the Northern Neck and improve infrastructure at existing sites. NNPDC staff provided project administration and technical assistance to the Town of Warsaw for a National Fish & Wildlife Foundation grant for the construction of a stormwater pond and additional BMPs in the center of Town. NNPDC staff has participated in regular meetings with the Town, contractor and engineer, and administered the NFWF grant in coordination with other funding sources and the Town office, including payments processing and grant reporting. NNPDC staff helped facilitate all aspects of the grant in coordination with project engineers, the Town, and State agencies. NNPDC staff have identified benefits accrued from products completed under previous VACZM grants which will be enumerated in the final report. 

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: Ryan.Green@deq.virginia.gov 

A more detailed Scope of Work for this project is available. Please direct your request for a copy to Virginia.Witmer@deq.virginia.gov or April.Bahen@deq.virginia.gov.

Project Task Number:

46

Grantee:

Northern Virginia Regional Commission 

Project Title:

NVRC Coastal Resources Technical Assistance Program 

Project Description:

The Technical Assistance grants provided by the Coastal Zone Management program have been integral in supporting coastal-related technical assistance to Northern Virginia localities since 1992.  For FY19, the Northern Virginia Regional Commission proposes the following efforts to continue the promotion of collaborative endeavors.

Local Coordination and Training: NVRC will convene four workshops or meetings and four trainings on topics of local interest and/or that promote collaborative measures for discussing or addressing CZM interests.  These topics may include shoreline management, rain gardens, climate change adaptation, new policies and procedures, living shorelines, green infrastructure planning, stormwater best management practices, and other relevant topics.

Additionally, NVRC staff will participate in ongoing local and regional forums, including the Potomac Watershed Roundtable and the Northern Virginia Salt Management Strategy.

Special Project: Since 2003, NVRC has managed the Northern Virginia Clean Water Partners Regional Social Marketing Campaign.  Technical assistance funds will continue to support the overall administration of this project, including the acquisition of leveraged funding from partners, the development of website content and promotional materials, and procurement of contractual services such as cable advertising and post campaign surveys. 

An annual survey will be conducted through online polls to better understand the level of awareness of Northern Virginians on pollution-causing behaviors and to what degree the campaign messages encourages them to take action and change their behaviors.  These results will continue to inform the messages placed in campaign advertisements including the campaign website - onlyrain.org, public service announcements and other multi-media promotional materials. 

The “Write as Rain” campaign will be implemented as part of the Clean Water Partners program.  Using custom-made stencils and an eco-friendly rain-resistant spray, hidden messages will be applied by the partners in sidewalks in locations across Northern Virginia where residents gather such as outside government centers or near bus stops and schools. When it rains and the ground becomes wet, the surface around the message darkens while the stenciled area stays dry and light. The messages will say things like: Only Rain Down the Storm Drain; Be The Solution to Stormwater Pollution, etc.  The “Write as Rain” campaign will be scheduled to concur with Earth Day events across the region. The goal of the campaign is to reach people with stormwater messaging right when it matters and have a fun and educational event to do with students and regional leaders. The outcome will be an increased level of awareness among the general public that storm drains lead to directly to local creeks and streams and individuals behavior on the landscape can have an impact on stormwater runoff. 

EIS/EIR/ER and Permit Reviews: NVRC will continue to review and respond to environmental impact statements and reviews for consistency with local, regional, and state interests.

Federal Funding:

$34,500 

Project Contact:

Normand Goulet; 703.642.4634; ngoulet@novaregion.org 

Project Status:

10/1/2019 - 9/30/2020; Project Completed

Final Product:

Northern Virginia Regional Commission Coastal Resources Technical Assistance Program Final Report (PDF)

Project Summary:

Product #1 – Annual Report – NOVA Coastal Resources Technical Assistance Program (55 %)

The Technical Assistance grant from CZM allows NVRC’s Coastal Resources Management Program to conduct outreach and education on coastal issues, coordinate regional programs that advance CZM’s interests in coastal resource management, and serve as a point of technical information exchange for local planning involving coastal issues. The Technical Assistance grant also allows NVRC to support CZM through membership on the VA Coastal Policy Team, participation in the quarterly Coastal PDC meetings, semi-annual Coastal Policy Team meetings, Coastal Partners Workshop, and other meetings that pertain to coastal zone management in Northern Virginia. Outcomes of the FY 19 grant included: NVRC co-hosted one Beautifying Your Yard for Clean Water training on building small-scale rain gardens. 190 participants learned how to design, build, landscape, and maintain small-scale rain gardens.

NVRC staff participated, coordinated, or provided technical assistance in support of the following trainings, meetings and conferences:

• Coastal Planning District Commissions Planning Meetings
• Virginia Coastal Policy Team Meetings

• Local Implementation of Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail Quarterly Meetings in Woodbridge
• Northern Virginia Climate Resilience Dashboard

• Northern Virginia Salt Management Strategy

Over the fiscal year, NVRC responded to 4 EA/EIS requests throughout the region as part of the intergovernmental review process. 

Product #2 – Special Project Summary of Regional Stormwater Education Campaign (40%)

NVRC coordinated the Northern Virginia Clean Water Partners (CWP) program to educate the public about the impact of stormwater runoff on water quality and change human behaviors through a Regional Stormwater Education Campaign. From July 2019 through June 2020, educational messages aired on 20 English language cable TV networks, and five Spanish language networks a total of 7,175 times resulting in 22,242,313 household impressions. Premium Digital ads on streaming sites resulted in 544,812 impressions.  The CWP website www.onlyrain.org was updated and received 7,220 unique visits. As a new strategy in 2020, a social media campaign was implemented. Since May 1, 2020, the Facebook page has gathered 46 page likes, 52 follows, and reached 99,095 people. The Twitter page has gained: 18,960 impressions, 319 total engagements, 28 post link clicks, and 27 followers. A follow-up survey of 500 Northern Virginia residents indicated there continues to be a need to educate residents about stormwater. A summary of the campaign is on the CWP website.

Product #3 - Benefits accrued from prior CZM grants (5%)

The Regional Stormwater Education Campaign was initiated in 2003 to assist localities in leveraging funds to achieve common goals regarding stormwater education and outreach and promote consistent messages. This grant allows this program to continue with matching contributions amounting to approximately $1,200,000 since 2007.

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: Ryan.Green@deq.virginia.gov  

Project Task Number:

47

Grantee:

George Washington Regional Commission 

Project Title:

George Washington Regional Commission Technical Assistance 

Project Description:

Much of the work we propose for 2019-20 is focused on shifting from supporting effective but piecemeal environmental efforts to a more strategic focus, with an emphasis on creating structure and support for the continuation and expansion of our efforts, developing stronger connections with local government leaders, encouraging regional-wide initiatives, and harnessing best practices.  The project offers three components to provide technical assistance and planning support to the local governments of the George Washington Regional Commission (GWRC) service area. These components include: 1) the continuation and expansion of support for the Regional Stormwater Managers Technical Committee; 2) developing a coastal zone management strategic plan for the region; and 3) benefits accrued from prior CZM grants.

The Regional Stormwater Managers Technical Committee will continue to meet at least quarterly to discuss topics of mutual interest including any new or revised regulatory changes, best practices, and other matters important to the group. This group has been effective in facilitating and propagating the latest changes in the stormwater regulations and best practices. Members have participated well and given positive and constructive feedback. This year we will provide a greater level of support, work even more collaboratively with the Rappahannock River Commission, and create a larger presence for the group on our website to share some of the nuggets discovered through these meetings. In addition, because of the significance of stormwater issues to the region, we will include regular reports from this group to the local government chief administrative officers’ monthly meetings to help elevate the opportunities available through regional partnership.

The second line of effort will be around creating a regional strategic plan for CZM and other environmental related initiatives. The George Washington Regional Commission has led several successful environmental planning efforts in recent years. Unfortunately, these efforts have sometimes been piecemeal and reactive, and have occasionally missed key partners and opportunities due to a lack a strategic direction for regional efforts. With this grant, GWRC will work with regional stakeholders and potential partners, to develop a strategic plan, which will include project ideas for future grants. We also anticipate folding in more connection with the Environmental Science program at the University of Mary Washington.

Finally, we will meet the reporting requirements of the grant. 

Federal Funding:

$34,500 

Project Contact:

Kate Gibson; 540.642.1579; gibson@gwregion.org 

Project Status:

10/1/2019 - 9/30/2020; Project Completed

Final Product:

George Washington Regional Commission Coastal Zone Management Technical Assistance Program Report FY2019 (PDF)

Project Summary:

GWRC renamed the Regional Stormwater Managers Technical Committee to the Regional Environmental Managers Technical Committee and expanded the stakeholder list beyond stormwater professionals.  GWRC held successful quarterly coordination/training meetings for the group on November 13, January 23, June 12, and July 9. 

GWRC staff and consultants hosted a Coastal PDC meeting on October 8 including a tour of the CZM funded Cedell Brooks, Jr. Park Native Plants Demonstration Garden and a canoe trip on the Rappahannock River to discuss shoreline erosion. 

GWRC participated in:

• online Coastal PDC meetings on June 9 (hosted by MPPDC) and September 17 (hosted by NNPDC),
• online Coastal PDC conference calls on April 10 and April 16,
• Coastal Policy Team meetings on November 18, January 15, and September 23 (online), and
• Coastal Policy Team meetings on 309 strategy development on February 24 and March 5.

GWRC expanded the “Environment” tab on their website to provide a structure for sub-pages. Coastal Zone Management now has its own page with information on the Regional Environmental Managers Technical Committee and the Environmental Strategic Plan. This page will serve as a location for sharing relevant files. The tab also has a sub-page for Native Plants with information and a link to the Plant Central Rapp Natives website. Other sub-pages include Chesapeake Bay, Green Infrastructure, and Hazard Mitigation.

GWRC worked with stakeholders at a meeting on February 25 to kick off the environmental strategic plan development project and identify project steps, the role of localities, and relevant resources. GWRC and stakeholders created and distributed an online survey to gather information to shape the strategic plan. GWRC worked with stakeholders at meetings on April 17 and May 14 to discuss the plan vision, goals, objectives, and strategies. Discussion focused on potential projects, project prioritization, potential sources of funding and match, and developing an implementation timeline. GWRC and consultant presented the draft plan to the GWRC Board on August 17 and to the Rappahannock River Basin Commission Technical Committee on August 26. The final plan will be presented to the GWRC Board on November 16 and submitted by November 16.

GWRC hosted meetings on February 25 and August 25 for the members of the Plant Central Rapp Natives campaign. As noted above, Native Plants now has its own website page with information and a link to the Plant Central Rapp Natives website.

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: Ryan.Green@deq.virginia.gov 

Project Task Number:

48

Grantee:

Richmond Regional Planning District Commission 

Project Title:

Richmond Regional Technical Assistance 

Project Description:

The Richmond Regional Planning District Commission will provide policy and planning assistance to member localities as follows:

1. Coordination & Training Meetings

RRPDC 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. Issue Analysis/Special Project – Resilient Rivers – Below the Falls of the James Data Portal

This will be the second year in a multi-year project to establish a framework for resiliency planning along the James River in the Richmond region.  RRPDC staff intend this project to serve as a model that can be applied to other sections of the James River and other rivers across Virginia.  The ultimate geographic focus of the multi-year project coincides with the James River Association’s Regional Rivers Plan Below the Falls of the James and Lower James areas in the RRPDC.  

The proposed study area in and along the James River is home to a diverse land use – transportation system that is anticipated to become more complex in the future.  Current land uses include residential, agricultural & silvicultural, recreational, industrial, business, and conserved.  This land use pattern is supported by a land and water based transportation network that includes local roads, major roads, interstates, off-road shared use paths, in-River shipping lanes, and port infrastructure.  The land use - transportation system interacts with water uses including recreation, industry, drinking water, and habitat. These many interacting land and water uses can and will conflict as population and development pressure increases in the future.  Overlay the stressors of climate change, flooding, and other natural hazards on the land-water use dynamic and threats to future resiliency emerge: policy or programmatic conflicts among levels of government, threats to existing social or economic structures, physical threats to the built environment, or dependency failures across these systems.

In year two, proposed for funding by this grant, RRPDC staff will maintain and expand an online data portal created in year one.  The portal is focused on threats to resiliency and land-water use conflict in the James River.  The data portal uses a mapping application, narrative, and other data visualization techniques to convey information about existing conditions in and along the River.  A stakeholder committee informs RRPDC staff in maintenance and expansion of the data portal.  The data portal serves to educate stakeholders and the general public thereby creating common ground for consensus on resiliency threats and priorities in year two and future project years. 

RRPDC staff intend to model the proposed data portal after existing data portals such as VCZM’s Coastal GEMS and the Mid-Atlantic Ocean Data Portal (http://portal.midatlanticocean.org/ ).  

The project continues in year 2 by focusing on Henrico and Chesterfield Counties.  In year 1, the focus was on Charles City County.  In year 3, the study area is planned to expand to the Falls of the James ultimately including the City of Richmond and the Counties of Charles City, Chesterfield, and Henrico. In year 4, RRPDC staff will facilitate a conversation with the stakeholder committee to reach consensus on and prioritize threats to resiliency in the study area.  This threat prioritization will then be used in future years to define resiliency work efforts of the RRPDC and partners including data development, studies, and plans.   

3. Benefits Accrued from Prior CZM Grants

RRPDC staff will summarize how projects funded by CZM grants in the past have produced measurable benefits. 

Federal Funding:

$34,500 

Project Contact:

Sarah Stewart; 804.323.2033; sstewart@planrva.org 

Project Status:

10/1/2019 - 9/30/2020; Project Completed

Final Product:

Final Report: Richmond Regional Technical Assistance (PDF)

Project Summary:

Coordination and Training Meetings

• November 12, 2019 – PlanRVA staff hosted an Environmental TAC meeting in cooperation with the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation staff concerning an update to the Virginia Outdoors Plan.
• December 12, 2019 - PlanRVA staff co-hosted an Environmental TAC meeting with Crater PDC staff.  The main agenda items were the Virginia Coastal Zone Management Program’s 309 strategy needs assessment and an update from DEQ staff on the Waters of the US rule.
• May 20, 2020 - PlanRVA staff hosted a conference call with locality litter managers to discuss the direction of the Don’t Trash Central Virginia Campaign.  Discussions centered around how to adjust the campaign to the new reality presented by COVID.  PlanRVA staff presented a sampling of options to consider for new campaign themes.  A consensus decision was reached to focus on COVID related litter, such as disposable face masks and gloves. 
• July 1, 2020 - PlanRVA staff hosted a virtual Environmental TAC meeting.  Agenda items included updates and discussion about 1) adjustments to work and project plans due to COVID, 2) Update on status and plans for VCZM Program funded projects, including possible adjustments; 3) Update on status and plans for Chesapeake Bay TMDL associated planning, including possible adjustments. 

Regional Coordination – Don’t Trash Central Virginia Campaign

PlanRVA staff worked with locality Litter Managers and Public Information Officers to build the Don’t Trash Central Virginia campaign, an effort to raise public awareness about littering in the region and spur action by the public.  The online presence of the campaign can be found at the Don’t Trash Central Virginia webpage and on the PlanRVA Facebook page.

Regional Coordination – Committees

PlanRVA staff are working with VCZM Program staff and a regional stakeholder group to support the Plant RVA Natives campaign.  PlanRVA staff also participate in other regional committees related to coastal resources: RVA H2O Technical Advisory Committee, James River Advisory Committee, and the Virginia Geologic Mapping Committee.

Below the Falls of the James

PlanRVA staff created an ESRI StoryMap about the ecology of the tidal freshwater zone of the James River estuary.  Highlights of the map include habitats, animals, insects, and plants that live in the water or the adjacent riparian zone or upland area.  PlanRVA staff also made updates to a mapping application of the study area.  The mapping application includes topics layer sets: resiliency, land and habitat, ConserveVirginia, water quality, and conservation and access. Both resources are posted to the Below the Falls project page on the PlanRVA website. 

Benefits Accrued

PlanRVA staff worked to create a Resilience Water Risk GIS layer for use in all agency projects including transportation planning and project scoring.  The resilience water risk layer was informed by information and data sources provided through Coastal PDC and Policy Team meetings.  The water risk layer is a union of the following features: special flood hazard areas, storm surge areas, sea level rise inundation areas, and dam break inundation zones.

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: Ryan.Green@deq.virginia.gov 

Project Task Number:

49

Grantee:

Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center Foundation 

Project Title:

Virginia Sea Turtle and Marine Mammal Stranding Network 

Project Description:

The Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center Foundation’s Stranding Response Program (VAQS) is permitted by the NOAA Fisheries Service (NMFS), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and the Commonwealth of Virginia to manage the state’s sea turtle and marine mammal stranding networks. Copies of required permits for this grant period were emailed to the NOAA Program Officer on 5-8-19.

The 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 mammal strandings (average 99/year from 2003-2012, 427 in 2013, average 96 from 2014-2018) and sea turtle strandings (average 247/year from 2008-2017, 274 in 2018) throughout the tidal waters and shorelines along the Atlantic Ocean and Chesapeake Bay.

Virginia has a rich diversity of marine mammal and sea turtle species. There are 32 marine mammal species and five sea turtle species in the state stranding records. During 2013, a historic number of marine mammal strandings (427 in a single year) occurred in Virginia as a result of a bottlenose dolphin unusual mortality event (UME) caused by a cetacean morbillivirus. The strandings were part of the largest cetacean mortality event ever recorded. The UME continued throughout 2014 and into 2015, though associated dolphin mortalities were primarily focused south of the mid-Atlantic region. Virginia has experienced more normal overall levels of marine mamal strandings since 2013, however 2015 included the third highest annual total of bottlenose dolphin strandings (85) ever recorded in the state, and 2017 was a record year for large whale strandings (11). 2015-2018 also included increases in live sea turtle strandings, with the majority of the strandings associated with incidental capture by hook and line fishers.

Stranding response includes carcass recovery, external/internal examination, photo/video documentation, human interaction analysis, stomach contents analysis, tissue sampling, carcass disposal, and database management. Live animal strandings, especially sea turtles and some seals, are provided with emergency medical care and rehabilitated for return to their natural environment.

Animals that are successfully rehabilitated but unable to be returned to the wild are placed with professionally managed zoological parks or aquariums. Nonreleasable animals are placed with the guidance of the agency with authority – either NMFS, USFWS or both. The VAQS staff recruits, trains and coordinates a volunteer stranding team with approximately 65 members. Additionally, stranding response cooperators within the state network include state and federal parks staff, game wardens and biologists, military base personnel, U.S. Coast Guard, VMRC, VDGIF, life guards and law enforcement officers. Trainings are conducted throughout the year with emphasis on the natural history and stranding response requirements of sea turtles and marine mammals.

The VAQS maintains the state marine mammal and sea turtle stranding databases and submits reports to NMFS and other agencies. Stranding data is compiled and stored by VAQS and reported to NMFS national databases.

The 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, at schools, to teachers, to groups such as girl and boy scouts, to civic organizations, and at scientific conferences, workshops, trainings and special events. Through these many 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:

$35,650 

Project Contact:

Alexander M. Costidis; 757.385.6482; acostidi@virginiaaquarium.com 

Project Status:

1/1/2020 - 12/31/2020; Project Completed

Final Product:

Virginia Sea Turtle & Marine Mammal Stranding Network 2020 Grant Report (PDF)

Project Summary:

The Virginia Aquarium Stranding Response Program (VAQS) and Virginia stranding network collect data critical for the long-term monitoring of sea turtle and marine mammal populations. Strandings provide information on life histories and health of these species from Virginia waters. Despite dealing with restrictions imposed by the Covid-19 pandemic, VAQS reported 311 Virginia strandings in 2020, including 95 marine mammals and 216 sea turtles. In comparison, 116 marine mammal and 265 sea turtle strandings were recorded in 2019.

In 2020, overall stranding records for marine mammals remained at “normal” levels compared to historic numbers documented in 2013 when 382 bottlenose dolphins stranded in Virginia as the result of a coast-wide Unusual Mortality Event (UME). A significant percentage of Virginia marine mammal mortalities continue to be related to human activities that lead to pollution, vessel strikes, and interactions with fishing gear. 2020 was noteworthy because of the continued strandings of bottlenose dolphin (70) and large whales (8). Following the record year of 2017 when 11 strandings occurred, 2020 became the third highest year (tied with 2018) on record for large whale strandings in Virginia. One live minke whale stranded during the year, but it was in poor condition and died on the beach. A live manatee was sighted in waters inside Rudee Inlet in Virginia Beach in December 2019. Its condition at the time was deemed satisfactory, and no further action was taken. Unfortunately, a dead manatee was reported in the same area in January 2020 and its scar patterns matched the animal sighted in 2019. This was only the second manatee mortality recorded in Virginia since the 1980s. There were only two seal strandings during the year and both animals, harbor seals, were deceased.

Sea turtles stranded in high numbers in the lower Chesapeake Bay and ocean coastal regions of Virginia during 2020. VAQS continued to receive numerous reports of sea turtles that were incidentally hooked by fishers. Improved outreach to fishing piers through the VAQS Virginia Pier Partner Program continues to enhance recovery and rehabilitation of hooked turtles. Vessel strikes, fishery interactions, and cold-stunning continue to be the most commonly identified causes associated with sea turtle strandings. VAQS recorded many live strandings (34) in Virginia in 2020. The stranding response team continued the recovery and rehabilitation of sea turtles at the VAQS Stranding Center. During the year, 13 sea turtles that stranded in 2020 were successfully released following rehabilitation, four animals that stranded in 2019 were released, and eight sea turtles were disentangled and released from fishing gear. There were two sea turtles that remained in rehabilitation at the end of the year.

Virginia marine mammal and sea turtle stranding levels remained at high levels in 2020. Continued monitoring and reporting of these trends in strandings of protected species will be priorities for the Virginia stranding network in 2021. VAQS will continue its efforts on behalf of sea turtles and marine mammals in the mid-Atlantic region and the Aquarium’s new Darden Marine Animal Conservation Center is under construction and scheduled to open in 2021. A complete listing and discussion of 2020 stranding data and VAQS professional and education activities can be found in the final grant report to the Virginia Coastal Zone Management Program, VAQF Scientific Report 2021-01. Further information and a copy of the report can be found at www.VirginiaAquarium.com or by contacting VAQS at VAQStranding@gmail.com.

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: Ryan.Green@deq.virginia.gov 

Project Task Number:

71

Grantee:

Virginia Institute of Marine Science 

Project Title:

Expanding Virginia’s oyster industry while minimizing user conflict 

Project Description:

The most rapid expansion of the aquaculture industry in Virginia has been in hatchery-based production of cage-cultured oysters on private grounds. Conflicts have arisen between new user groups residing along the Chesapeake Bay shore, and a growing industry that works primarily in nearshore waters. Additionally, as the shoreline has been developed, there are very limited access points along the waterfront where commercial activity can occur.  The focus of the proposed effort is to characterize the oyster industry as it exists today, examine the regulatory and economic framework that resulted in its recent growth, identify issues that will likely impact future expansion, and suggest pathways for supporting growth of the oyster industry into the future.  The study will garner monitoring data collected over many years, spatial data on environmental condition and management boundaries, and regulatory and harvest data for a complete spatial analysis of both public and private grounds.   

Year 1 examined current and future productivity of the public oyster fishery as well as an analysis of current use of private leased subaqueous bottom for aquaculture purposes.  Year 2 (2018-2019), examines the short-term (5-10 year) sustainability of the public oyster fishery and the likely expansion of the oyster aquaculture production inclusive of mechanisms for transitioning waterman from wild harvest fishery to aquaculture.   A spatial analysis examine unproductive public bottom that may be optimal for various types of shellfish aquaculture practices.  In addition, an in depth temporal and geospatial analysis of the distribution of SAV and cage based aquaculture for the past 5 years is being conducted  to enforce or dispense with perceptions that SAV and intensive aquaculture cannot co-exist in space.   A review of current regulation, policy and laws pertaining to the use of public and leased bottom will shed light on the capacity of the industry to move forward without substantial changes to the legal and regulatory structure in the Commonwealth.

In Year 3 we propose to draft the recommended guidance and strategy for moving the oyster industry forward and transitioning the public fishery to aquaculture.  This will focus on the anticipated spatial demand for good growing areas, the adaptation of public bottom to accommodate the growth, as well as the global industry practices that may be applied to the region.  Inherent in the success of the proposed transition and expansion is a keen review of the current policies, regulations, authorities, and laws that govern and guide the industry today and how each of these may enhance or hinder the desired outcome.  

The development of such a strategy would be incomplete and ineffective without input from the industry.  This year, industry stakeholders will be engaged at various points in the development of the strategy. 

Federal Funding:

$70,000 

Project Contact:

Roger Mann; 804.684.7360; rmann@vims.edu 

Project Status:

10/1/2019 - 9/30/2020; Project Completed

Final Product:

Final Project Summary serves as Final Product.

Project Summary:

The most rapid expansion of the aquaculture industry in Virginia has been in hatchery-based production of cage-cultured oysters on private grounds. Conflicts have arisen between new user groups residing along the Chesapeake Bay shore, and a growing industry that works primarily in nearshore waters. Additionally, as the shoreline has been developed, there are very limited access points along the waterfront where commercial activity can occur.  This study has characterized the oyster industry as it exists today, examined the regulatory framework, and closely examined major issues that impact future expansion. 

Over three consecutive years the project has examined opportunities and conflicts to aquaculture expansion associated with three major areas:

1. Productivity of public oyster grounds known as Baylor Ground
2. Productivity within privately leased subaqueous bottom
3. Shallow water use conflicts: submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV), waterfront view-shed

The majority of this study was conducted within the framework of GIS and used geospatial data from mapping and monitoring databases collected over many years. The principal sources for data that supported this project include: the VIMS VOSARA database, the VIMS/CCRM Bottom Type database after Havens et al. 1981, the VMRC Harvest Reporting database, the VIMS SAV Mapping database, the VMRC Baylor Ground delineation, VMRC Private Lease database, and the NOAA Topobathymetric database. These data were used to map, model, and assess environmental conditions, productivity on public Baylor grounds, management boundaries, ecological conflicts, and the spatial distribution of cultured oyster productivity as indicated by harvest productivity. The purpose of these assessments was to determine if there was opportunity for aquaculture expansion in Virginia within the current boundaries constrained by public and private grounds without generating new or added conflict. 

Year 1 (2017-2018) examined current and future productivity of the public oyster fishery as well as an analysis of current use of private leased subaqueous bottom for aquaculture purposes. The data were updated in the final year of the project to include the Eastern Shore of Virginia and to reflect the most current data available for the Chesapeake Bay. The results indicated that only 22% of the Virginia portion of the Chesapeake Bay is productive and suitable for restoration, and 15% of the roughly 48,000 acres on the seaside of the Eastern Shore of Virginia are productive and should be targeted for restoration. Year 1 also examined the utilization of leased subaqueous bottom for the purpose of clam or oyster aquaculture, as a function of the mandatory harvest reports submitted by lease owners. The data were updated in the final project year to reflect the most current data (2013-2019). These results indicated that 63% of the area tied up in private leases were not reporting any activity. Both the under-utilized subaqueous bottom tied up in leases, combined with the unproductive areas tied up in Baylor could provide relief to the expanding industry as it strains to find suitable subaqueous real estate for expansion. A shift in policy or regulation would be required to move forward, and the project recommends the state considers allowing unproductive Baylor Ground to be used for intensive aquaculture and managing this use through the existing Joint Permit Program (JPA) process or some other permit or lease arrangement. The team recommends that updates to Baylor Ground boundaries should be subject to revision based on best available knowledge and mapping techniques.

Year 2 (2018-2019) examined the current and historic trends associated with the spatial arrangement of submerged aquatic vegetation and caged based, intensive aquaculture. The analysis addressed the short falls in the current regulatory structure which assumes aquaculture impedes growth and persistence of SAV. The analysis performed using SAV distribution data for several 5-year clusters, and the corresponding harvest records for those years, indicate this assumption is not valid. For the most recent period of 2015-2019, 44% of all SAV beds are associated with intensive, caged based aquaculture. The results warrant a re-examination of the current regulatory restrictions associated with SAV and aquaculture, and the project recommends a structure similar to Maryland’s HB 841 which passed in 2019.

Year 3 (2019-2020) expanded the analysis of public Baylor ground productivity to the seaside of the Eastern Shore of Virginia. Year 3 also expanded the analysis of shallow water use conflict to consider not only the ecological conflicts associated with expanding aquaculture, but also societal conflicts as the industry is forced into nearshore areas due to space limitations. Finally, in an effort to increase the capacity of industry members, regulators, and policy makers to make informed decisions, Year 3 has generated an interactive platform where information and maps can be reviewed and disseminated. The website is located here:

https://cmap2.vims.edu/OysterInfoToolVa/ 

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: Ryan.Green@deq.virginia.gov 

Project Task Number:

72

Grantee:

Accomack-Northampton Planning District Commission 

Project Title:

Virginia Oyster & Water Trail Eco-Tourism Promotion 

Project Description:

This project has combined tourism, stewardship, and economic development in a sustainable way to grow the economy while minimizing ecological impacts. The Eastern Shore, Middle Peninsula and Northern Neck will continue to work together to build, expand, and refine eco-tourism initiatives, particularly those created during year 1 and 2 of this project under grant numbers NA17NOS4190152 and NA18NOS4190152. Efforts will bring focus on diverse coastal ecosystems, engage local stakeholders to avoid use conflicts, and create a sustainable plan for economic and educational initiatives that need long-term planning in order to survive and thrive. The primary means of sustainable planning during this year will be a 36-month Marketing Strategy and Action Plan to propel the regions beyond the conclusion of the three-year project to ensure the wide-spread use and success of Ecotourism as related to the Water Trail website and associated assets – assets that support and generate direct, indirect, and induced natural resource dependent jobs. The individual products and cumulative effects of this program will address identified targets in the 2014 New Virginia Economy Strategic Plan and Virginia Statewide Tourism Plan.

During year 3, the A-NPDC will engage the Eastern Shore Water Trails stakeholders who guided the update of the Seaside Water Trail in year 1 and development of the Bayside Water Trail in year 2, as to ensure the water trails remain up-to-date and safe. A-NPDC staff will continue to organize the Rural Coastal Virginia Alliance (RCVA) and Ecotourism Steering Committee, serve on the Marketing Subcommittee, facilitate the Virginia Ecotour Guide Certification Program, staff the Eastern Shore Regional Navigable Waterways Committee, and ensure continuity among all aspects of the overall project. The MPPDC, known as Virginia’s River Country, will continue to partner with local organizations and stakeholders to identify assets and plan for continued water trail expansion and improvement. Building on past ecotourism products for the Middle Peninsula Chesapeake Bay Public Access Authority (MPCBPAA), the MPPDC will develop an application for the DHCD Community Business Launch program and develop a Corporate Sponsorship Marketing Plan for their portion of the Water Trail website. An Economic Impact Analysis of the effects of ecotourism related businesses will be conducted on the Middle Peninsula well. The NNPDC staff and the Northern Neck Chesapeake Bay Public Access Authority (NNCBPAA) will update existing water trails throughout the region created through past VCZMP funded projects and integrate these into tourism and economic development planning and outreach. They will use the National Water Trail System Best Management Practices toolbox and will focus on delivering cultural, historical, and stewardship messages, in order to help consumers understand the ecological importance and economic opportunities the Chesapeake Bay watershed presents.

Positive impacts of this 3-year project will continue to be realized in the regions and through future implementation of the RCVA Marketing Strategy – initially through the Virginia Tourism Corporation (VTC) grant application and the DHCD CBL application developed under the during year 3, the Corporate Sponsorship Marketing Plan, and the Virginia Oyster Trail (VOT) trainings and relationships. In Virginia’s rural coastal regions these programs will help strengthen economic value, create jobs and sustain ecological assets in the face of stressors, such as decreasing population, declining economic growth and changing landscapes exacerbated by sea level-rise. The synergistic effect of working together across regional boundaries will produce results on a large scale, create a sustainable ecological and economic model, and show an environmental and economic return on investment for years to come. 

Federal Funding:

$110,000 

Project Contract:

Jessica Steelman; 757.787.2936 x114; jsteelman@a-npdc.org 

Project Status:

10/1/2019 - 9/30/2020; Project Completed

Final Product:

Virginia Oyster & Water Trail Eco-Tourism Collaboration Final Report (PDF)
Key Performance Indicators Tracking (PDF)
Ecotourism Outfitters Workshop Agenda (PDF)
Corporate Sponsorship Marketing Plan (PDF)
Economic Impact of Ecotourism Middle Peninsula Region, Virginia (PDF)
Middle Peninsula Region Ecotourism IMPLAN Inputs (PDF)

Project Summary:

#1) RCVA Ecotourism Steering Committee Outcomes – The Steering Committee met on 12/4/2020 to discuss a Year 2 wrap-up and any unique deliverables progress updates. A Year 3 discussion Committee acknowledged next steps and action items. The Steering Committee met on 3/5/2020 to discuss Oyster Trail Regional Sessions; Burning of the Socks event progress; the 36-month Marketing Plan; and VTC application. The Steering Committee met on 6/4/2020 to discuss VCEG recertification requirements; water trail private business inclusion- determined only VOT member businesses were to be included at this time, future discussion will include WT memberships to other businesses and regions as a means of sustainability; 36-month marketing strategy plan update; regional updates - highlighting Chickahominy project.

#2) RCVA 36-Month Marketing Strategy & Action Plan and VTC Application – The Steering Committee decided to move forward with the VTC application for the Fall deadline. At the March Committee meeting, the Steering Committee reviewed current web site maintenance & growth; and provided monthly schedule of milestones reporting conference calls. The Steering Committee met on 4/2/2020 to review monthly web site updates & metrics; train on event calendar updating; discuss blog entry ideas; review upcoming action items and direction of the plan. The Steering Committee met on 5/14/2020 to review monthly web site updates & metrics; finalize blog entry topics; complete event calendar update training. The Steering Committee met on 6/4/2020 to review monthly web site updates & metrics; review draft matrix with action item for Steering Committee to review in depth with comments/questions for July meeting. The Steering Committee met on 7/2/2020 to review monthly web site updates & metrics; discuss posting of and “going live” on social media with blog posts – RCVA to determine a date collaboratively & send newsletter with each blog; RCVA partners to sign up for WT newsletter mailing list; reviewed notes on the Plan.

#3) Virginia Oyster Trail Trainings & Collaborative Marketing – VOT collaborated with NN, AN, & MPPDCs to set dates & locations for trainings; confirmed invitation lists; updated VOT members and potential members lists. Trainings were postponed due to health concerns. Due to COVID-19, these trainings were converted to virtual trainings - all were open to all regions, although there was 1 virtual training specific to each region. Additionally, the VOT is housing a copy of the training presentation in the help desk section of the new “Business to Business” feature of their website’s member dashboard system, as a permanent reference.  Staff from each of the three PDCs attended and presented during the VOT trainings, highlighting regional updates & the Virginia Water Trails website assets.

#4) Eastern Shore Water Trails Refinement & Connectivity – A-NPDC staff continued efforts to engage stakeholders and refine the ES Water Trails – their accuracy, resources, and launch site information. Staff engaged with ecotour guides featured on the WT website to ensure accurate business/contact information; updated event calendar connecting WT activities to regional events. Staff added/extended trails, updated photos & resources, conducted site and trail assessments, and updated regional page and events. Staff wrote a blog featuring a paddle road trip across the bay. A-NPDC staff utilized the VOT Trip Planner map icons to unify the visible identifiers on all of the regional Water Trails maps.

#5) Eastern Shore Regional Navigable Waterways Committee – This match deliverable is the funds for staffing the NWC. NWC staff corresponded with Congresswoman Elaine Luria’s office to provide economic figures supporting the importance of navigable waterways on the ESVA.

#6) Virginia Certified Ecotour Guide Course – The 2020 iteration of the course ran successfully from January-March, including 1 field trip. There were 19 participants in the course this year, from across coastal Virginia (a significant amount from the NN, several from MP, and a group from the ES.) There are 18 recently certified ecotour guides as a result of this year’s iteration of the course - see https://virginiawatertrails.org/virginia-eco-tour-guides/ for complete list. The second field trip was cancelled due to COVID. In lieu of this, staff facilitated a virtual final presentation class. All ecotour guides have received their certificates and completion packet. Staff has begun developing the 2021 curriculum & advertising for the course. A waitlist has already been started with 8 individuals. Staff sends quarterly emails to the certified guides for updated contact information and ecotour guide listing on the Virginia Water Trails website. Staff secured advertising in the coastal regions for the 2021 iteration of the course and developed a registration portal, which was offered to the wait list of interested participants, then opened to the public on 9/21/2020.

#7) Northern Neck Water Trails Update & Tourism Integration – NNPDC staff has begun integrating the Northern Neck Water Trails with the Captain John Smith Trail, Virginia Water Trails, and the Virginia Oyster Trail. NNPDC staff conducted a review of interpretive elements of regional water trails to add interpretive components more inclusive of the Indigenous Cultural Landscape and ecotourism activities such as birding, angling, and wildlife observation. NNPDC staff has begun updating the format and digital platform of existing interactive digital water trails for compatibility and ease of access with Virginia Water Trails. NNPDC staff have begun integration of existing water trails with the Virginia Oyster Trail (VOT) by utilizing the newly created Digital Itinerary Tool and Trip Planner to showcase the varied ecotourism activities in the region. NNPDC staff, with the help of a paid intern, updated the Northern Neck’s digital water trails to incorporate tools and features that promote the myriad tourism opportunities in the region. NNPDC staff updated the digital water trails using the methodology, structure, styling, and symbology that the Seaside and Bayside Water Trails developed in a previous grant year by A-NPDC. NNPDC staff incorporated VOT sites, points of interest, and interpretive elements to assist visitors in planning their itinerary utilizing the VOT Trip Planner map icons to unify the visible identifiers on all of the regional Water Trails maps. NNPDC staff edited narrative content of its interpretive water trails to incorporate elements of the indigenous cultural landscape. NNPDC staff, with public input, developed suggested paddling trips that are featured on virginiawatertrails.org that are intended to become potential additional water trails.

#8) Ecotourism Outfitters Workshop in the Northern Neck – NNPDC staff developed a theme, an agenda, a list of potential invitees, and received commitments from prospective speakers for an Ecotourism Outfitters Workshop. The workshop is intended to be held in person once Covid-19 restrictions are relaxed and the workshop can be ensured to be safe for participants. The workshop will focus on the business and economic sides of ecotourism with an emphasis on creating more complete and accessible ecotourism opportunities for visitors. NNPDC staff has developed an agenda for the workshop to include experts in outdoor recreation, state tourism representatives, and businesses in the Chesapeake Bay region currently conducting ecotourism experiences. NNPDC staff have participated in some activities of the Virginia Certified Ecotour Guide Course in order to align workshop topics and activities with the concepts of the course and to include current participants and previously certified eco-tour guides, particularly those located in the Northern Neck.

#9) Middle Peninsula Trail Expansion – Middle Peninsula Planning District Commission (MPPDC) staff continued to expand water trails within the region. Trails have been added to the Mattaponi and Pamunkey River upon coordination with the Mattaponi and Pamunkey River Association. MPPDC staff also met with Bryan Hoffman of the Friends of the Rappahannock to begin adding trails to the Rappahannock River. MPPDC staff has updated water trail maps to match the format of the ANPDC maps. The Middle Peninsula PDC worked with the Friends of the Rappahannock to add water trails on the Rappahannock River, including Hoskins Creek, Mill Creek and Urbanna Creek. A trail was also added to the water trail to the Piankatank River which highlighted the oyster restoration efforts driven by the 2014 Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement. MPPDC staff utilized the VOT Trip Planner map icons to unify the visible identifiers on all of the regional Water Trails maps.

#10) Middle Peninsula PAA Updates & Community Business Launch Program – MPPDC staff has reviewed Middle Peninsula Chesapeake Bay Public Access Authority (MPCBPAA) Ecotourism Program documents created under Grant #NA16NOS4190171 Task 52 and made notes of needed changes and updates to the documents, including new MPCBPAA lands, potential ecotourism business opportunities within the region, and current ecotourism businesses within the region. Finally, MPPDC staff has reviewed the new request for proposals from the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development Community Business Launch Grant Program and has drafted an application to submit. The application focuses on providing tools to effectively prepare multiple entrepreneurs to operate successful ecotourism businesses on MPCBPAA lands. The MPPDC staff completed updates on the six Middle Peninsula PAA Ecotourism documents. MPPDC staff added information regarding newly acquired PAA land, watertrail developments as well as refinement of the application process. This information has been added to the PAA website. MPPDC staff also submitted an application to the Virginia Department of Community Development under their Community Business Launch program to encourage entrepreneurs to develop eco businesses on PAA lands.

#11) Middle Peninsula Marketing –  MPPDC staff contracted with Consociate Media to focus on developing a corporate sponsorship marketing plan for the Middle Peninsula Chesapeake Bay Public Access Authority (PAA) and to conduct website modifications specific to the MPPDC portion of the Virginia Water Trails website. To-date Consociate has: (1) photographed Middle Peninsula water trail assets and cultural assets as well as PAA properties for use on the website and other marketing initiatives; (2) developed an outline of corporate marketing initiatives (i.e. sponsored content, sponsorships, fundraisers, naming opportunities, event support);  (3) updated PAA website to support corporate marketing plan for MPPDC and PAA outdoor recreation properties; and (4) continued content marketing initiatives for Middle Peninsula on Virginia Water Trails website. Consociate Media utilized the MPPDC role with the Virginia Water Trails initiative and access to the land holdings and eco-tourism marketing opportunities with the Middle Peninsula Chesapeake Bay Public Access Authority to develop a Corporate Sponsorship Program to help make its marketing efforts sustainable. Consociate Media also continued to focus on Middle Peninsula marketing efforts. These efforts included new blog posts, a series of photographs taken at outdoor recreation sites on the Middle Peninsula and added to the Virginia Water Trails  website, press release and outreach on a corporate partnership developed in 2020, light continuation of social media marketing, and updates to the Middle Peninsula landing page on the site.

#12) Middle Peninsula Ecotourism Economic Analysis – MPPDC staff contracted with Chmura Economics and Analytics to conduct an economic analysis of the Middle Peninsula region focusing on the economic impact of ecotourism and related industries. MPPDC staff has provided Chmura with a list of ecotourism plans within Virginia as well as relevant plans from other states that help to define ecotourism and associated businesses. Chmura has also requested a list of ecotourism businesses in the region and ecotourism events. MPPDC staff is currently working to provide this. Chmura developed a one-page (front and back) document that reviews the economic impact of ecotourism in the Middle Peninsula. First, the document provides a definition of ecotourism in the Middle Peninsula and associated businesses. Next, it reviews the 2019 direct, indirect and induced economic impacts to the region and the ecotourism sales in the region. Finally, the document lists ecotourism jobs, average hourly wages and employment figures.

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: Ryan.Green@deq.virginia.gov 

Project Task Number:

73.01

Grantee:

Northern Neck Planning District Commission 

Project Title:

Promoting Ecotourism: Replacement of Virginia CZM-Funded Public Access Signage at Coastal PDC Sites 

Project Description:

The Virginia Coastal Zone Management Program (CZM) has created close to 60 public access sites since the program began in 1986. These sites include kayak launches, boardwalks, observation decks, and conservation lands acquired with CZM funds. Each site should be identified with an acknowledgement sign crediting the agencies and organizations that have provided support for site acquisition and/or development. Acknowledgement signs at public access sites are an important part of program visibility, demonstrating the value of publicly funded coastal management programs and how these programs provide increased public access to significant coastal features. This project also addresses the need to improve program visibility as noted in NOAA’s 2015 312 evaluation of the Virginia CZM program.

CZM staff have coordinated with staff from four of the eight coastal PDC’s to develop a list of priority sites where CZM signage is in need of replacement due to weathering, vandalism, etc. CZM staff initially built an inventory of all public access and land acquisition sites funded by CZM/NOAA from 1987 to 2020 and determined with consultation from the PDC’s the cost and scope of replacement. The list of sites is shown in Table 1 below:

Table 1. Priority Signage Replacement

NNPDC will be the project lead and solicit replacement signage designs incorporating NOAA, CZM, PDC, and locality logos and project identification language from the other PDC’s participating in this effort (A-NPDC, HRPDC, and PlanRVA. CZM staff will provide background documentation of project history, design templates, and other project-related information as requested (CZM Project ID, Task, logos, etc.) to assist in this effort. Additional interpretive language/graphics for signs are encouraged, but not required.

NNPDC and other PDC staff time is not included in this scope of work. CZM staff time (Program Manager Laura McKay, Coastal Planner Jeff Flood, and Coastal Outreach Coordinator Virginia Witmer) for this task is included in CZM Task 1.01 for FY21 and poses no cost allocation for this scope of work. 

Federal Funding:

$9,000 

Project Contact:

John D. Bateman; 804.313.8478; jbateman@nnpdc17.state.va.us 

Project Status:

7/1/2021 – 9/30/2022; Project Completed

Final Product:

Promoting Ecotourism: Replacement of Virginia CZM-Funded Public Access Signage at Coastal PDC Sites (PDF)

Project Summary:

NNPDC staff and Virginia CZM staff coordinated with HRPDC, A-NPDC, and PlanRVA staff to identify signage needs at each identified site within their respective regions. NNPDC hosted a meeting with HRPDC, A-NPDC, PlanRVA, and Virginia CZM staff to share and discuss potential signage designs. Each respective PDC was tasked with verifying replacement signage needs, gaining appropriate permissions from access site owners, collecting logos, font types, photos, and other sign components to assist with any design variations desired by access site owners. NNPDC staff compiled signage needs identified by participating PDC staff for each individual location and held a meeting with each participating PDC to finalize signage designs. Once reviewed and approved by NNPDC and Virginia CZM staff, each respective PDC was tasked with obtaining estimates from local firms, selecting a firm, and manufacturing the signs. Once the signs were manufactured, each participating PDC ensured the signs were installed using existing structures at each selected public access site in accordance with permissions given by access site owners. NNPDC staff and participating PDC staff have completed the manufacture and installation of nineteen (19) public access signs across Virginia’s Coastal Zone. These signs will serve to bolster ecotourism in Virginia’s Coastal Zone by providing information to visitors regarding public access amenities and showcasing local historic and ecological features.

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: Ryan.Green@deq.virginia.gov 

Project Task Number:

73.02

Grantee:

The Nature Conservancy 

Project Title:

Update of Interpretive Signage at The Nature Conservancy’s New Point Comfort Preserve Boardwalk 

Project Description:

The Nature Conservancy, with funding through the Virginia CZM Program (prior to changes in 306A requirements), acquired the New Point Comfort Preserve in Mathews County, Virginia in 1995 to protect the rare species found on its sandy beaches. These species, including the northeastern beach tiger beetle, least tern, and piping plover, rely on relatively undisturbed beaches for their survival.

In 1996, Mathews County applied for and received a Virginia CZM Program grant to construct a boardwalk and develop interpretive signs at New Point Comfort Preserve. Completed in fall of 1997, this facility offers visitors an opportunity to view and learn about the Bay, beach and salt marsh, as well as the historic New Point Comfort Lighthouse. The boardwalk has been very popular with the local public and with tourists and because it is situated on the bay side of the preserve, visitation does not harm the rare beach species the Preserve was established to protect.

The signs originally installed in 1997 have exceeded their functional lifespan. One panel has been lost (likely due to vandalism) and the remaining three are very faded. Under the proposed project, these four panels will have the text and images updated by a graphic design company prior to being re-fabricated and installed on the existing boardwalk. In addition, one new sign will be created and installed with the purpose of informing visitors on the topics of climate change and sea-level rise as they are applicable to the New Point Comfort Preserve and surrounding area. Content for this sign will be developed by a group from the VA CZM Program, Virginia Institute of Marine Science and The Nature Conservancy.

Federal Funding:

 $9,883

Project Contact:

Sam Truslow; 434.951.0579; struslow@tnc.org 

Project Status:

6/1/2021 – 6/30/2022; Project Completed 

Final Product:

Update of Interpretive Signage at The Nature Conservancy's New Point Comfort Preserve (PDF)

Project Summary:

This project funded improvements to educational signage displayed on the observation walkway at The Nature Conservancy’s New Point Comfort Preserve in Mathews County, Virginia. The ADA-accessible walkway is open to the public year-round, free of cost and is a popular destination for viewing the New Point Comfort Lighthouse and watching wildlife in the salt marshes and open waters of Mobjack Bay.

With the goal of expanding visitor’s understanding of the natural and cultural resources of New Point Comfort, The Nature Conservancy worked with subject matter experts from Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, Mathews County Historical Society, Pamunkey Indian Tribe, Mid-Atlantic Regional Integrated Science and Assessments Program and Virginia Institute of Marine Science to create five educational panels that explore the human history and ecology of the area. A summary of the content of each panel is below: 

1. Welcome to New Point Comfort: Guidelines for visiting the preserve and recognition of the groups, including NOAA and CZM, that provided financial and other support for the protection and management of the preserve.
2. Ecology: Overview of the plants, animals, natural communities, and ecological processes that can be observed at the preserve.
3. People and the Land: Human history of the area from the Paleo-Indian Period through the early 20^th century.
4. New Point Comfort Lighthouse: A timeline of important events related to the New Point Comfort Lighthouse from 1802 through 2021.
5. A Changing Shoreline: Describes the projected impacts of sea-level rise to New Point Comfort and provides QR codes for visitors to take action to fight climate change.

The panels will remain on display at the preserve indefinitely. Electronic copies of the panels are included with this 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: Ryan.Green@deq.virginia.gov 

Project Task Number:                                                            

81

Grantee:

Virginia Institute of Marine Science 

Project Title:

Expanding the Use of Natural and Nature-based Infrastructure to Enhance Coastal Resiliency 

Project Description:

The vulnerability of coastal communities and the growing risks of coastal infrastructure continue largely due to past and ongoing patterns of development in high risk areas. This project is focused on increasing the use of natural and nature-based features (NNBFs) to increase resilience of coastal communities to flooding caused by extreme weather events. The project effectively addresses two problems:

• The natural capital of coastal communities is generally declining, and is projected to decline at an accelerating rate due to sea level rise and current land use practices.
• The use of NNBFs to sustain or increase resilience in coastal communities is restricted by the many competing needs for limited local resources.  

There has been so much attention to the threats and potential consequences of storm driven flooding in coastal communities that almost no local government official is unaware of the issue. Most also have some general understanding of actions that can lower risks and increase resilience. The problem is that the resources required to undertake those actions are limited and, in the face of competing interests, it is difficult to rationalize making them a priority. One solution to accelerating the pace of building resilience is to find ways to address multiple needs with each action, taking advantage of the co-benefits available from carefully planned projects.

The proposed project will identify local opportunities to increase community resilience to extreme weather, specifically flooding events, with projects that can garner co-benefits by addressing the local need for enhancing resiliency and regulatory requirements such as nutrient reduction and best management practices. We propose to do this in a form that is spatially explicit and formatted specifically for each locality in Virginia’s coastal zone. 

There are Chesapeake Bay Program approved processes for crediting nature based solutions in order to address the Bay Total Maximum Daily Load. Local governments and state entities can garner benefits toward nutrient reduction requirements by implementing nature based solutions such as living shorelines. This proposal will therefore focus on identifying areas where NNBF can offer such cobenefits as shoreline resiliency to storm action and nutrient reduction credits. We will accomplish this by spatially analyzing through our Shoreline Inventory and our Shoreline Management Model (SMM): 

1. Existing natural features, such as marshes, to be maintained, and

2. Recommend the restoration or construction of new natural infrastructure

To do this we will value add to the current version of the model to specifically improve recommendations along currently defended shorelines identifying opportunities to “retrofit” existing hardened shorelines to incorporate NNBF features. This analysis will contribute information to improve our understanding of the spatial distribution of NNBF that supports resource migration and coastal resiliency in a locality. 

We will use the finding of the project to enhance two current Tools developed for local government use: the Comprehensive Coastal Resource Management Portals which provide guidance on the use and site specific suitability of living shorelines for erosion control and compliance with the state’s preference for living shoreline use under section §28.2-1000 of the Code of Virginia; and the AdaptVA Portal which provides evidence-based tools and resources for local governments planning for a changing climate and seeking information on adaptation and building resilience. 

Federal Funding:

$70,000 

Project Contact:

Marcia Berman; Retired from the Virginia Institute of Marine Science

Project Status:

10/1/2019 - 3/31/2021; Project Completed

Final Product:

Expanding the Use of Natural and Nature-based Infrastructure to Enhance Coastal Resiliency Final Project Report Year 3 (PDF)

Disclaimer:
This document was not produced by DEQ. Some of its content may not be in an accessible format pursuant to Section 508 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended (29 U.S.C. § 794 (d)). Please call 800-592-5482 if you need assistance.

Project Summary:

The vulnerability of coastal communities and the growing risks of coastal infrastructure continue largely due to past and ongoing patterns of development in high risk areas. This project is focused on increasing the use of natural and nature-based features (NNBFs) to increase resilience of coastal communities to flooding caused by extreme weather events.  The project effectively addresses two problems addressed over 3 study years:

•  The natural capital of coastal communities is generally declining, and is projected to decline at an accelerating rate due to sea level rise and current land use practices.

•  The use of NNBFs to sustain or increase resilience in coastal communities is restricted by the many competing needs for limited local resources.

For the first year, the focus was on upgrades to the shoreline management model which delineates areas suitable for living shorelines.  The upgrades expanded the coding to include recommendations for shorelines that had existing protection structures, including consideration of opportunities to retro-fit conventional structures with living shorelines. The CCRM Fetch model, part of the SMM, was improved to produce more robust outputs. Data on SAV to inform potential ecological conflicts was added to the SMM and significant QA/QC was performed to validate model outputs.  The results provided the baseline data for where nature-based resiliency features could be placed

In year 2 of this study, the modeled data were used to estimate the potential nutrient reduction benefits that are available to communities who elect to implement living shorelines for resiliency and shoreline erosion control.  Only a sub-class of all living shoreline options would meet the criteria for load reduction benefits and only those were used in the calculations.  To be considered as a BMP that can be assigned for use as nutrient reduction credit, the BMP must include new area of vegetated tidal marsh. The acreage of created tidal marsh was used to apply the Chesapeake Bay Program (CBP) approved shoreline BMP values to calculate the potential load reductions from the living shorelines created marsh. Notably, the estimates are conservative based on the minimal marsh extent and only for shores without existing marsh. As such, the potential load reductions possible via living shorelines marsh creation could be considerably higher.

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: Ryan.Green@deq.virginia.gov 

Project Task Number:                                                                 

82

Grantee:

Virginia Institute of Marine Science 

Project Title:

Living Shoreline Sea Level Resiliency:  Performance and Adaptive Management of Existing Sites Year 3 

Project Description:

This proposal is the third year of a project to monitor the effectiveness of nature-based resilience projects such as those that use living shoreline management strategies. Living shoreline strategies can effectively control shoreline erosion while providing water quality benefits and maintaining natural habitat and coastal processes. These ecosystem-based management systems have been the preferred alternative for stabilizing tidal shorelines in the Commonwealth of Virginia since 2011. However, a recent analysis has shown that between 2011 and 2016 only 24% of the permits granted for shore protection were considered living shorelines (ASMFC, 2016). These types of systems may be relatively new to many landowners and some managers who may not be convinced about the long-term effectiveness of the systems for shore protection and their maintenance. 

To determine the coastal habitat response of created wetlands and beaches at living shorelines in the face of sea-level rise, detailed elevation surveying of lower-energy sill and higher-energy breakwater sites around the Bay along with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers climate change adaptation sea-level rise scenarios have been modeled to portray how the whole system may respond to changes in water level through time.  The collected data projected impacts of sea level rise through time on the structures, the upland banks, and created marshes and beaches to determine adaptive management strategies for these sites.  Determining how resilient these systems will be in the face of climate change requires understanding how these systems functioned in the past.

In this third year, additional sites will be added to the database of monitored living shoreline projects. These could include both sill and breakwater sites. In addition, the data from years 1 and 2 will be combined with year 3 to create an overall model of the resiliency and effectiveness of living shorelines for shore protection and habitat creation in the face of sea-level rise in Chesapeake Bay.

The results of this project can be applied to more than just the individual sites.  They can provide the information needed to increase the rate at which home owners and managers elect to construct living shoreline systems by highlighting the effectiveness and resiliency of these systems as well as providing guidelines and considerations for construction and determining potential maintenance issues.  By determining that these systems are viable and durable, and perform over time, Total Maximum Daily Load credit for sediment and nutrient inputs may be available. 

Federal Funding:

$40,000 

Project Contact:

C. Scott Hardaway, Jr.; 804.684.7277; hardaway@vims.edu 

Project Status:

10/1/2019 - 12/31/2020; Project Completed 

Final Product:

Living Shoreline Sea Level Resiliency: Performance and Adaptive Management of Existing Sites Year 3 Summary Report (PDF) 

Project Summary:

The focus of this study was to research the resiliency of rock/sand/plant living shoreline protection systems. These systems have been used in the Chesapeake Bay for 40 years to reduce erosion, protect infrastructure, and create habitat that is disappearing from the shoreline as sea level rises. The goal was to determine how they have been affected by storm surge and associated wind-driven waves, and sea-level rise. This data informed adaptive management strategies to create site-specific morphologically-resilient projects. 

The objective of this 3-year project was to monitor the effectiveness of nature-based resilience projects over time such as those that use hybrid living shoreline management strategies on medium to high wave energy shorelines. To create effective shore protection on these higher energy shorelines, structures are needed in addition to sand and plants to maintain ecosystems along the shoreline. In particular, rock sills and headland breakwaters are used in the Chesapeake Bay to maintain continuous coastal profile and a more natural land-water interface. 

Thirteen (13) shoreline projects were surveyed over a three-year period to assess changes in the sand substrate that was installed to create beaches and/or marshes as part of the shore protection system. These seven breakwater and 6 sill projects range in age from the Aquia Landing breakwater system (1987) to the Werowocomoco sill system (2016). Consequently, the impacts of the rate of sea-level rise increases with age of each site. These shore protection systems were built fronting both high and low eroding upland banks which provide different impediments and/or opportunities for adaptation to sea-level rise.  

From a coastal resiliency perspective, the marshes behind sills at high banks are generally limited in landward migration and accrete vertically in response to sea-level rise, and the marshes fronting low banks can transition landward over time. The same is generally true for breakwater systems as these systems were designed for the 25-year and 50-year storms. In terms of shore protection, they all have met or exceeded the expectation that they would prevent erosion of the upland or marsh. Some adjustments to the coastal profiles have occurred, but they were not unexpected. If the systems have to be adapted to sea-level rise in the future, the addition of rock and sand to the site can maintain the elevations needed for successful shore protection. 

Project maintenance over time rarely extends for the more than few years but is an important component, especially regarding maintaining marsh grasses behind sills. Three sill sites have had significant invasions of Phragmites australis which, when left unchecked, eventually overcomes and displaces the high marsh. 

For existing sites, the process of determining how to adaptively manage living shorelines for morphologic resiliency should occur over the life of the system. Ongoing maintenance of the site informs this process. However, for new projects, the question becomes when is the addition of rock and sand to the living shoreline most timely? Should it be done when it is needed or should the system be overdesigned for present conditions. This would increase the cost of the system but may save money over the long-term.

The anticipatory strategy includes designing crest elevations to reduce impacts of future or grading property for marsh migration. However, this is a risk because of the uncertainty in the future. They may not be needed in the future or they may cost more now than adaptive strategies in the future. Reactive strategies wait to react until the project is in dire jeopardy generally due to short-term storm events. At that time, it may be more difficult to act due to lack of preparation. In addition, costs may be more expensive by waiting until action is needed immediately. The plan should consist of strategies such as adding rock, sand, and plants to the system to enhance adaptability. Another option is to raise the level of protection significantly at time of construction. This provides increased protection from sea-level rise, but it also increases project costs.

The final report titled “Living Shoreline Sea Level Resiliency: Performance and Adaptive Management of Existing Sites, Year 3 Summary Report” is available at https://scholarworks.wm.edu/shorelinestudies/. 

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: Ryan.Green@deq.virginia.gov 

Project Task Number:                                                                 

83

Grantee:

Northern Virginia Regional Commission 

Project Title:

Regional Collaboration to Build Community Resiliency in Northern Virginia 

Project Description:

Northern Virginia infrastructure may be impacted by the projected changes in climate.  Climate stressors that are particularly problematic include: 

1. An increase in extreme precipitation events;
2. More frequent and longer heat waves; and,
3. An increase in flooding of low-lying coastal areas from sea level rise and storm surges. 

These stressors combined with the staggering population growth and conversion of land from open to urban, pose a risk for vulnerable people, assets, economies and ecosystems. The economic consequences of degraded critical infrastructure from these extreme climate events make resiliency planning at the regional level imperative and urgent. 

In response to these acute and chronic challenges, NVRC formed the “Northern Virginia Climate Resiliency Team” (NVCRT) in November 2016.  With funding that started from a FY16 grant from the Virginia Coastal Zone Management Program, NVRC’s team has focused on the development “Resilient Critical Infrastructure: A Roadmap for Northern Virginia”.  The development of the “Roadmap” https://www.novaregion.org/DocumentCenter/View/11835 was informed through 5 webinars of the best available regional, national and international science available.  The Roadmap identifies the primary climate-related stressors facing the region, a series of objectives for building resilience of critical infrastructure, and identifies a set of corresponding strategies that could be implemented to achieve the objectives. 

The funding requested under this proposal for the period 2019-2020, (Phase 3) would allow NVRC to continue this important work by sustaining the Northern Virginia Climate Resiliency Team for another year and to refine an implementation plan and conduct pilot projects. NVRC proposes to continue working with its stakeholders and to turn the assessments developed from the period 2018-2019 (the second year of this grant process) into actionable initiatives and projects. Through continuing to convene the NVCRT, we aspire to further explore and analyze the cost of major disruptions to critical infrastructure in the region, evaluate response opportunities, and to initiate workshops and closer study of areas such as financing or risk modeling.

The specific objectives that will be accomplished through this FY 19 scope of work are:

1. Sustain and continue coordination of the working group of stakeholders from across the region for another year to inform pilot implementation activities and share best practices from other regions;
2. Develop pilot projects that improve resiliency to heavy precipitation events and urban heat island effects;
3. Coordination with Governor’s Resiliency Task Force and planning; and,
4. Development of a NOVA Resilience Roadmap Dashboard.

The funding requested in this proposal addresses the CZMP Goal of planning for Coastal Resiliency. Since Northern Virginia is in close proximity to the Washington Metropolitan Region, NVRC proposes to align this effort with parallel resiliency and climate adaptation planning efforts undertaken by the National Capitol Planning Commission, Washington Metropolitan Council of Governments, Rockefeller 100 Resilient Cities Program, and Washington D.C. through coordination and technical transfers of information.

A regional approach for resiliency planning provides a greater platform for communication of best practices across communities and allows for leveraging of resources to build resiliency.  The strategic planning approach of this proposal will assist in efforts reduce risk in Northern Virginia. 

Federal Funding:

$59,223 

Project Contact:

Normand Goulet; 703.642.4634; ngoulet@novaregion.org 

Project Status:

10/1/2019 - 9/3/2020; Project Completed

Final Product: 

Regional Collaboration to Build Community Resilience in Northern Virginia (PDF)

Project Summary:

Product #1: NOVA Climate Resiliency Team Meetings

During this grant period, NVRC staff coordinated five meetings of the resiliency team.  Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and state limitations on gatherings, all meetings were held as virtual webinars and were recorded. The topics included an overview of flood mitigation strategies in Northern VA, how insurance and risk reduction can build resilience, nature based urban heat island mitigation strategies, and building public spaces that utilize green infrastructure. Participants represented staff from local jurisdictions, non-profit organizations, academia, state, and federal agencies, as well as DOD agencies. The major outcomes of these meetings were the sharing of information regarding how to tie these topics together as part of an overall resiliency strategy regarding flooding, urban heat island and stormwater.  The recordings are posted on the NVRC website at https://www.novaregion.org/1469/Webinar-Series. 

Product #2: Downscaled Precipitation and Runoff Study

NVRC staff partnered with staff and students at George Mason University (GMU) to participate in an “Investigation of Precipitation Trends Across Northern Virginia”.  The primary objective of this research was to investigate trends in precipitation in Northern Virginia at scales (1km) that can help increase regional sustainability and optimize stormwater management planning. The researchers are planning to release the findings from their study in Spring 2021 and NVRC staff will coordinate with the GMU team to communicate the results to our local jurisdictions.

Product #3:  Pilot Scale Heat Vulnerability Assessment 

NVRC staff processed LandSat 8 data to display the land surface temperature for an extreme heat day across the region.  The maps clearly display the temperature variations of the land surface. Additional layers including forest cover, impervious cover, and social vulnerability index were incorporated into a story map format to identify locations of urban heat islands as well as locations where people are more vulnerable to the effects of extreme heat. The story map can be viewed here https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/d8319e3a2b5c42efa9dd241ddc0a0932/page/page_19/ 

Product #4: Coordination with Chief Resilience Officer

NVRC staff coordinated with the Special Assistant to the Governor for Coastal Adaptation and Protection as the Virginia Coastal Resilience Master Planning Framework was published in Oct. 2020. NVRC staff is also collaborating on development of the Virginia Coastal Resilience Master Plan as a member of the Technical Advisory Committee.

Product #5: Resilience Roadmap Digital Dashboard

NVRC staff has created an on-line and interactive dashboard of climate stressors and resilience programs. The dashboard is located here: https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/d8319e3a2b5c42efa9dd241ddc0a0932/page/page_1/

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: Ryan.Green@deq.virginia.gov 

Project Task Number:                                                                 

84

Grantee:

Hampton Roads Planning District Commission 

Project Title:

Coastal Hazard Vulnerability Assessment for Hampton Roads  

Project Description:

Recurrent flooding and sea level rise have been identified as two of the most significant coastal hazards for the Hampton Roads region and the rest of coastal Virginia. While much work has been done to identify areas vulnerable to flooding or sea level rise, key data and information gaps still exist that limit the utility and accuracy of local adaptation and hazard mitigation plans. Specifically, the regional hazard mitigation plan does not sufficiently address the potential impacts of sea level rise on private property or critical infrastructure.  Specifically, the lack of widely available first floor elevation data for structures in the current or future floodplain reduces the accuracy and utility of local and regional hazard mitigation and resiliency planning efforts. The Hampton Roads Planning District Commission proposes to address this deficiency through the development of first floor elevation data and piloting the use of this data through the analysis of the vulnerability of residential properties and critical infrastructure to flooding caused by sea level rise and storm surge.  This combination of new data and new methods would improve the next regional hazard mitigation plan.

This project requires three main datasets: first floor elevations, scenarios of sea level rise and storm surge, and critical infrastructure. The HRPDC has access to the latter two datasets.  Developing a dataset of first floor elevation for structures would address a critical data gap that has been identified by localities, the HRPDC, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.  This proposal directly supports the current Section 309 Coastal Hazards Strategy for community resiliency and the priority topic of building natural and community resiliency as selected by the Coastal Policy Team.

This project will build on the previous years’ efforts to develop and utilize first floor elevation data for residential structures in Hampton Roads to help assess local and regional vulnerability to coastal hazards such as sea level rise, tidal flooding, and storm surge. Specifically, the project will continue to improve the elevation dataset created in Years 1 and 2 and support ongoing coordination between the HRPDC and other entities working on similar efforts in the region and statewide.  The project will also include documentation of best practices for local governments or PDCs that may be interested in applying a similar approach. In addition to continuing to work on the first floor elevation data, this project will also conduct a test vulnerability assessment or assessments (based on the available data) to model an approach for use by local governments or for the next regional all-hazards mitigation plan. 

Federal Funding:

$31,624 

Project Contact:

Benjamin McFarlane; 757.420.8300; bmcfarlane@hrpdcva.gov 

Project Status:

10/1/2019 - 9/30/2020; Project Completed 

Final Product:

A Regional Approach to Applying First Floor Elevation Data to Coastal Flooding Vulnerability Assessments in Hampton Roads (PDF)

Project Summary:

This report documents the third and final phase of the HRPDC’s regional first floor elevation (FFE) database initiative. During this phase, the HRPDC expanded the pilot analyses for FFE estimation and vulnerability assessments from the first two phases to the regional level. The FFE estimation component utilized several methods to estimate the first-floor height of residential structures relative to the ground, which could then be converted to FFE estimates using land elevation data. These estimates were then used as an input into a regional vulnerability assessment that considered the 1% annual chance flood. Two sea level rise scenarios, 1.5ft and 3ft, were also analyzed. The vulnerability assessment showed that sea level rise will significantly increase projected flood damage, with the 1.5ft scenario estimating more than double the amount of damage compared to the baseline scenario. The 3ft scenario estimated nearly six times the amount of damage compared to the baseline scenario.

The vulnerability assessment illustrates the importance of having accurate building information, including first floor elevations. As part of this effort, the HRPDC continued to build the regional elevation certificate database. The report includes several recommendations related to data collection and management for localities to consider adopting.

The regional elevation certificate inventory was updated during this phase and now includes over 4,000 structures in twelve (12) Hampton Roads localities. The geodatabase of elevation certificate-derived data has been made available on the HRPDC’s online GIS data portal, www.HRGEO.org.

The report will be made available online at the HRPDC’s website: https://www.hrpdcva.gov.

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: Ryan.Green@deq.virginia.gov 

Project Task Number:                                                                 

92.01

Grantee:

Virginia Institute of Marine Science 

Project Title:

Evaluating the Impact of Flooding on Road Network Access in Coastal Virginia 

Project Description:

The impacts of recurrent flooding on roadways present challenging social and economic considerations for all coastal jurisdictions.  Maintenance, public and private accessibility, evacuation routes, emergency services are just a few of the common themes local governments are beginning to address for low-lying roadways currently known to flood.  Continuation of these services allows a community to thrive, to maintain or increase its tax base, and to insure the safety and well-being of its citizenry.

Available data on current flood frequency of roads in coastal Virginia has limited value in a region where sea level rise predictions estimate water levels to be 1.5 feet (0.5m) higher by 2050 than today (CCRM, 2018).  In the low lying coastal plain this means that roadways that do not currently flood today may flood by the year 2050, or sooner.  What is the impact of this, and how do Virginia or local governments begin to prioritize the task of making its transportation networks more resilient given all the social and economic drivers.

The proposed project implements a protocol developed by CCRM to analyze the service area(s) impacted by road flooding at periodic intervals through the year 2100 in coastal Virginia.  A network analysis of roadways and the average annual duration in hours/year of flooding can be assessed using GIS, water level data, road centerline data and topographic lidar.  Land use data at a variety of scales can be used to assess the pressure felt by development not only within but also “downstream” of roadway flooding. 

A traditional projection analysis would focus only on impacts within the actual zone of inundation.  The protocol developed and proposed for use in this analysis also considers impacted inhabitants that may not be within the inundation zone but will lose their transportation corridor into or out of their downstream dwelling/service areas.  The analysis will assess current risk and vulnerability of these areas under current water level data and associated flood frequency (hours/day) measurements by using water level data and road centerline elevation to assess the frequency that water levels have exceeded the road surface elevation over a designated period of time.  Using the VIMS recommended Sea Level Rise projects for the region, average annual flood duration for 2050, and 2100 will also be assessed. 

The resulting geospatial output will bring to communities new and critical data for planning, zoning, and protection consideration that will have great value of many years.  In addition, as the Virginia Department of Transportation begins to assess resiliency of their transportation corridors, these data will provide them with much needed value added road flooding information. 

The transportation network analysis of flood frequency over time will be delivered to stakeholders within the Interactive Map tool served through the ADAPTVA Portal  (http://cmap2.vims.edu/AdaptVA/adaptVA_viewer.html).  This will allow the end user to visually interpret and combine data output with other data resources within ADAPTVA to bolster their decision making capacity.  For example, ADAPTVA’s current interactive map contains extensive information on social vulnerability.  Therefore, if a community is particularly concerned with maintenance of public roadways to underserved neighborhoods, the new data delivered under this project could be viewed in conjunction with the present social vulnerability data to provide answers.  Similarly, if a community is concerned about future access to an airport or school, the resulting road network analysis will allow the end user to assess if any impacts are projected in the future. The analysis will be prioritized by addressing localities with the highest amount of recurrent road flooding. VIMS will target localities with at least 3 known incidences of road flooding in more than one location throughout the community as reported in CCRM, 2013.  This is nearly 15 coastal localities. 

Federal Funding:

$70,000  

Project Contact:

Marcia Berman; Retired from Virginia Institute of Marine Science

Project Status:

10/1/2019 - 9/30/2020; Project Completed  

Final Product: 

Evaluating the Impact of Flooding on Road Network Access in Coastal Virginia - Year 1 (PDF)

Project Summary:

This project implements a protocol developed by the Center for Coastal Resources Management to analyze the service areas impacted by road flooding at periodic intervals through the year 2100 in Coastal Virginia.  Thirteen potentially high-risk localities in the coastal zone of Virginia were assessed in the current study.  A network analysis of roadways and the average annual duration in hours/year of flooding was assessed using GIS, water level data from nearest reliable tide gauges, road centerline data and topographic lidar.   The capacity to access major critical nodes (i.e. the county seat) within these communities via current transportation networks under different flood frequency determinations was assessed.  The results will help local governments understand the current and future impasses that will be created in their communities as a result of road flooding; and with this information enhance their capacity to mitigate future road flooding and redirect future land use development out of harm’s way.  The study revised the localities targeted based on practical implementation of a road network analysis to accurately reflect the movement of traffic in a locality.  The final localities selected are: York, James, Mathews, Gloucester, Middlesex, Northampton, Accomack, Fairfax, and the cities of Williamsburg, Poquoson, Hampton, Newport News, and Alexandria.  Localities are grouped by region into the Peninsula, the Middle Peninsula, the Eastern Shore, and a section of Northern Virginia.

The draft interactive map tool was critiqued by locality planners within the selected region. Several recommended changes and additional layers were incorporated to make the results more useful for comprehensive planning efforts.  The final map viewer is accessible on the AdaptVA.org tool tab and a link will be added to the locality-specific Comprehensive Coastal Resource Management Portals. 

Final products include:

The following layers for each locality, grouped by region:

• Tidal flood duration time in hours, raster layers for 2020, 2050, 2100 (provided to CZM in the zipped folder “Final_FloodDuration_rasters”)
  • These layers were developed using tide gauge data. Water level durations for the past 19-years were determined for the 2020 layers. The projected water level durations for the 2050 and 2100 layers were calculated by adjusting the 19-year record from the tide gauge using the NOAA intermediate projection for Sewell’s Pt, Norfolk, VA. These water level durations were mapped onto a 1-m horizontal resolution digital elevation model.
• Road inaccessibility classified by 0.1m increments (provided to CZM in the zipped folder “Road Accessibility Layers”)

• shapefile layer with inaccessible roads used for the web viewer
• excel spreadsheet with inaccessible roads used for Detailed Road Flooding Summaries analyses available for download on the web viewer

• This layer was developed using a road network analysis. Road networks were based on Open Street Map road centerline data and road elevations were extracted from a 1-m horizontal resolution digital elevation model. For each locality, the point of origin was the locality seat. Flood impacts were mapped from 0-3m of flooding at 0.1m increments to create possible service areas for each flood level. The road network analysis was run for each service area and results were compiled into a single file that codes road segments by the water elevation at which they become inaccessible from the county seat due to flooding.

1. Web viewer with layers developed in this analysis (Inaccessible roads, Flooding duration maps), additional information layers (Infrastructure, Accessible roads, Social Vulnerability, and 2020 FEMA flood hazard zones), dashboard of road impacts, and downloadable Detailed Road Flooding Summaries
   • Each region is grouped on to a page and the locality information can be displayed individually or information for the entire region can be displayed, except in the Northern Virginia Region where both Fairfax and Alexandria are always displayed together
   • The Detailed Road Flooding Summaries include the length of each road flooded at 0.1m increments.

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: Ryan.Green@deq.virginia.gov 

A more detailed Scope of Work for this project is available. Please direct your request for a copy to Virginia.Witmer@deq.virginia.gov or April.Bahen@deq.virginia.gov.

Project Task Number:                                                                 

92.02

Grantee:

Virginia Institute of Marine Science 

Project Title:

Shoreline Evolution and Living Shoreline Contractor Training 

Project Description:

This project will have two separate tasks.

Task 1: To keep the shoreline evolution data consistent, the existing shoreline database uses the 1937-2009 time frame to determine rates of shoreline change.  With the release of the 2017 VGIN aerial photography, an opportunity arises to update the shoreline change data to the latest time period.  Last year, the 2017 shoreline was digitized along the Chesapeake Bay shoreline in Accomack, Northampton, Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Hampton, York, Poquoson, Gloucester, Mathews, Middlesex, Lancaster, and Northumberland County (FY2018 309 proposal).  Due to limited funding, only the sandy shorelines directly adjacent to the Bay were digitized.  This year, the 2017 shoreline will be digitized along the main stem of James, York, Rappahannock, Piankatank, and Potomac Rivers.  No creeks or smaller rivers will be digitized. 

The length of shoreline digitized along the rivers and consequently, the calculated rates of change is longer than the Bay shoreline digitized in the previous year. These newer shoreline change rates can provide recent coastal hazard data and resiliency information for managers.  The shoreline change rates presented on the Shoreline Evolution Database online viewer will be updated.  In addition, these updated data will be released via VIMS’ News and Media Services and in talks. Localities that have requested the GIS data in the past will be contacted and sent the updated data.  These data are also featured in the Wetland Board presentations that are included in the FY2018 309 project.

Task 2:  As part of a FY09 grant from the Virginia CZM Program, the Living Shoreline Design Guidelines report was created, and they were updated in 2017.  This report consists of several components including:  shoreline/physical processes/reach considerations; management strategies and goals; ecosystem functions; construction considerations and standards; permitting process; contact information of agencies, boards, and websites of additional information.  Though the manual was recently updated, this year the latest research on coastal resiliency that was funded by CZM (306 funding FY2017, FY2018) will be included in the newest version of the manual.  The results of 2 years of data analyzing the effectiveness of living shorelines, such as sills and breakwaters, to provide shore protection in the face of sea level rise.  Ongoing research on the effectiveness of oyster shell bag sills also will be included.

In 2010 and again 2017, the manual and created class materials were used to present a training workshops for contractors.  Interest in these courses was high.  To expand the reach of the design guidelines, another three Living Shoreline design workshops will be held.  Course materials will be updated to include the latest research on coastal resiliency and other living shoreline research. One will be held at VIMS and other locations will be determined based on interest.  Up to 40 marine contractors and others involved in designing, constructing, or regulating living shorelines will participate in the workshop.  The VIMS workshop will be recorded and put on the VIMS website.  Funding is not sufficient to host three workshops so a nominal registration fee will be charged to cover requisite costs such as food and space rental. 

Federal Funding:

$45,000 

Project Contact:

Donna Milligan; 804.684.7596; milligan@vims.edu 

Project Status:

10/1/2019 - 3/31/2021; Project Completed 

Final Product:

Living Shoreline Contractor Training Class Materials & 2017 Shoreline Digitizing (PDF)
Living Shoreline Design Guidelines for Shore Protection in Virginia's Estuarine Environment (PDF)

Project Summary:

2017 Shoreline Digitizing

The 2017 shoreline was digitized from the VGIN images along the main stem of the James, York, Rappahannock, Piankatank, and Potomac Rivers.  New end point rates (1937-2017) of shoreline change were calculated for these shorelines. The data was placed on the Shore Change online viewer. https://www.vims.edu/research/departments/physical/programs/ssp/gis_maps/index.php 

Updated Living Shoreline Design Guidelines contractor training manual and class materials

When Covid-19 started spreading in the US, the decision was made to wait to see what the outcome of the closures would be. VIMS and other public facilities continued to be closed to the public and, as such, could not host classes. The decision was made to go to an online format for the Living Shoreline Design contractor training classes. This impacted the course format and the material needed. A 6-month extension was granted because the class materials had components that had to be revised or created. This included both recorded slide presentations as well as instructional videos.  General topics to be covered:

• Design process under unpredictable water levels; site and field parameters; tools;
• What is success for shore protection projects? Monitoring and assessment; what happens long-term
• Collective lessons learned; resilience; when do you design for it? What do you do for the long-term now and/or later?
• Site-specific design considerations and discussion 

Living Shoreline Training Classes

To adjust the curriculum for the restrictions due to the Covid virus, an online curriculum with both asynchronous and synchronous components was created. The Living Shoreline Design Guidance document and Google Earth site assessment tools were updated. The Living Shoreline Design Guidance webpage includes the new information.

Asynchronous

The asynchronous component of the class consisted of pre-recorded videos by VIMS personnel and presentations designed to provide participants with background information. The videos and presentations highlighted components of living shoreline design, assessment, and resiliency. In addition, a hands-on design exercise was included in the pre-workshop material for participants to review.

Synchronous

The synchronous component was a 2-hour webinar-style zoom conference. It provided an overview of the topics as well as review of what was learned in asynchronous material. Because the class is aimed at coastal design and construction professionals, the class was limited to no more than 40 people to maximize interaction between attendees and the course instructors. Registration was on a first come, first serve basis, but preference was given to design professionals, followed by coastal managers.

The class filled up within several days. A waiting list was established, and when that number reached 25, a decision was made to add a second class. Forty-seven participants attended the first class on 25 March 2021. Thirty-one participants attended the second class on 31 March 2021. These represented 31 private businesses, nine non-governmental organizations, and 13 local-state-federal governmental agencies from Virginia, Maryland, North Carolina, or other coastal state. One participant was from the Caribbean. Most of the participants had 1-10 years of experience working in the coastal environment. Only a few participants had no prior experience.

The webinar was recorded. It is available on the Living Shoreline Design Guidance page. Both the synchronous and asynchronous components are available on the VIMS, Shoreline Studies Program webpage https://www.vims.edu/research/departments/physical/programs/ssp/shoreline_management/living_shorelines/class_info/index.php

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: Ryan.Green@deq.virginia.gov 

A more detailed Scope of Work for this project is available. Please direct your request for a copy to Virginia.Witmer@deq.virginia.gov or April.Bahen@deq.virginia.gov.

Project Task Number:                                                                

92.03

Grantee:

College of William and Mary - Virginia Coastal Policy Clinic

Project Title:

Refining the RAFT for Broader Implementation 

Project Description:

Representatives of coastal local governments identified the need for a tool to incentivize local governments to take meaningful action to increase their resilience. In response, The Resilience Adaptation Feasibility Tool (The RAFT) was developed by an interdisciplinary academic collaborative (“Project Team”), led by the Institute for Engagement & Negotiation[1] (IEN) at the University of Virginia, with the Virginia Coastal Policy Center (VCPC) at William & Mary Law School, and Old Dominion University/Virginia Sea Grant Resilience Program (ODU).

The goal of The RAFT is to help Virginia’s coastal communities improve resilience to flooding while remaining economically viable and socially relevant. Because this is an “adaptive management” effort, continued refinements are expected in the years ahead. The RAFT’s goal is to bridge the gap between science and action by catalyzing meaningful action by localities to increase their resilience through policies and programmatic changes.

Unlike many resilience scorecards that are self-assessments, The RAFT process begins with a resilience assessment (the “Scorecard”) conducted by the Project Team, lending both independence and academic collaboration to the process. Next, to assure that the Scorecard leads to real action, a two-step process of presentations to the locality Board of Supervisors or City/Town Council followed by a community workshop enables the community’s thought leaders to identify community resilience strengths and opportunities. The workshop product is a Resilience Action Checklist (“the Checklist”) with clear goals and implementation timeline. A final component of The RAFT process is that the Project Team and partners (such as the Planning District Commission (PDCs)) continue to work with the community through one-year of implementation to provide various forms of assistance, whether technical assistance or help in finding funding sources. Since the founding of The RAFT, it has been made clear by local government representatives that the Project Team must continue to provide localities with independent academically-scored results. But it would be beneficial to continue to refine the Scorecard by creating a simpler, Section 508 compliant online tool and explore the possibility of providing a self-scoring option for localities with the capacity and desire to do so.

The portion of the project for which the Project Team seeks 309 funding is a vital step in the implementation of The RAFT. With 309 funding the Project Team will use the outcomes from its first two applications of The RAFT (three pilot localities, and then a regional approach of seven localities in Virginia’s Eastern Shore) to: 1) implement a third round of The RAFT in a regional approach in the Northern Neck; 2) provide follow-up to the localities that we have worked with, to provide assistance with meetings or other assistance directly related to The RAFT process; and 3) refine The RAFT tool to create a user-friendly and Section 508 compliant Scorecard and, through discussions with coastal planning district commissions, explore the possibility of a self-scoring option.

Through this phase of the project, the Project Team will meet at least once with its advisers from coastal localities, including a representative from the DEQ CZMP, to discuss continuing refinements and adaptations that may be needed or desired. Additionally, the Project Team will provide at least one update to its inter-university academic advisory committee that includes environmental scientists, engineers, architects, landscape architects, planners and marine scientists from ODU, W&M, UVA and Virginia Tech.

[1] The Institute for Engagement & Negotiation is the new name, soon to be announced, of the Institute for Environmental Negotiation. IEN was founded in 1980 and the nature of its work has gradually shifted over four decades. The new name retains the IEN brand while reflecting more accurately the focus of its work since the turn of the century. 

Federal Funding:

$40,000 

Project Contact:

Elizabeth Andrews; 757.221.1078; eaandrews@wm.edu 

Project Status:

10/1/2019 – 12/31/20; Project Completed 

Final Product:

Refining the RAFT for Broader Implementation (PDF)
Comparing Scores Across Localities (PDF)
Lessons Learned from Working with Communities (PDF)

Project Summary:

Assessment of Northern Neck Localities: The RAFT Project Team (the Institute for Engagement & Negotiation at UVA (IEN), Virginia Coastal Policy Center at W&M Law School (VCPC), and ODU/VA Sea Grant Resilience Program) continued to collaborate with the Northern Neck Planning District Commission (NNPDC) to implement a third round of The RAFT with eight localities in the N. Neck. In consultation with the NNPDC, they reformulated the community workshop component of The RAFT due to the pandemic. Rather than holding the traditional full-day, in-person, regional workshop, the Team created informational videos for locality representatives (posted on The RAFT website), organized and facilitated three sector-specific focus group meetings to identify resilience priorities specific to social services, emergency management and law enforcement, and organized and facilitated locality-specific virtual workshops to develop Resilience Action Checklists (RACs) for seven localities. IEN and VCPC continued phase three of The RAFT (implementation) with those localities, initiated in Aug. 2020, and continued to hold monthly calls with each locality’s implementation team to work through their RAC projects. ODU/VASG continued to support specific implementation projects (developing a checklist to build a resilience communications strategy and initiate a business resilience program). Additionally, the Team developed a worksheet to facilitate working sessions for N. Neck localities with a RAC item focused on identifying and mapping vulnerable populations. So far, this process has led two implementation teams to outline known and potential impacts of flooding specific to their counties, identify additional data needed for understanding those risks, and begin to identify which communities are vulnerable to localized risks. The process emphasizes considering known socially vulnerable populations in identifying communities that experience flood vulnerability through a combination of geographic exposure, sensitivity, and a lack of adaptive capacity to respond to flood risk. The Team also continued to work with the NNPDC and an eighth locality that had staff capacity challenges, resulting in a community workshop being scheduled for Feb. 2021. A list of lessons learned from the work in the N. Neck and E. Shore was developed.

Assistance to Localities That Have Used the RAFT: The RAFT Project Team also continued to support and assist the E. Shore RAFT implementation teams. This has included printing and distributing emergency information magnets for six E. Shore localities, identifying funding opportunities for resilience projects, and providing assistance with grant proposals. For example, the Team connected the Town of Wachapreague with the VA Department of Emergency Management and assisted with compiling information for a FEMA funding opportunity. In Feb. 2020, the VA Department of Forestry conducted a tree planting with volunteers from Saxis’ implementation team. The Team also compiled project designs and cost estimates for living breakwaters to protect Tangier from erosion in consultation with regional businesses, scientists, and nonprofits. This information is being used by the Accomack-Northampton PDC to pursue funding to implement the projects. Assistance has also included soliciting feedback from E. Shore localities regarding the identification of 1) any resilience-related projects the communities have completed since the implementation phase of The RAFT, 2) the top resilience-related priorities remaining to be accomplished, and 3) the level of interest to participate in resilience workshops organized by the Team on topics such as resilience communication, addressing the needs of vulnerable populations, and incorporating resilience into their comprehensive plans. Finally, it has included sharing information about an opportunity to participate in a research study being conducted by Virginia Tech.

Refining the RAFT Tool: The RAFT Project Team evaluated potential modification of The RAFT Scorecard to enable self-assessment by individual localities. The Team formatted various RAFT documents including the Scorecard Reports, Opportunity Lists, and Resilience Action Checklists to be Section 508 compliant and posted these items to The RAFT website (https://raft.ien.virginia.edu/raft-scorecards-opportunity-lists-checklists). Additionally, The Team met with coastal planning district commissions to explore their interest in and the feasibility of a self-scoring option. Subsequently, in Oct. 2020, Governor Northam released Virginia’s first Coastal Resilience Master Planning Framework (CRMPF). As part of the CRMPF, a Technical Advisory Committee was created to, among other things, assist with the compilation of input from Virginia’s coastal regions into a prioritized listing of coastal adaptation/ protection projects and activities. The Governor’s Special Assistant for Coastal Adaptation & Protection approached the Team to determine how The RAFT Scorecard can be modified to serve as a self-administered, consistent platform for localities to use in developing such listings of place-based projects for coastal adaptation. As a result, a team of students from VCPC and UVA are going to work with the Governor’s Special Assistant to modify the Scorecard during the Spring 2021 semester. 

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: Ryan.Green@deq.virginia.gov 

Project Task Number:                                                                 

92.04

Grantee:

Wetlands Watch 

Project Title:

Enhancing and Promoting a Coastal Resilience Project Proposal Database for Virginia 

Project Description:

Resiliency efforts are being undertaken across Virginia’s coastal zone, by a wide range of stakeholders and at varying scales. However, there remains a lack of coordination among the localities, planning district commissions, government agencies, funders, and private stakeholders implementing these projects. One of the actions recommended in the Virginia CZM Program’s 2016-2020 Section 309 Coastal Hazards Strategy is to develop a coastal resiliency database, identifying potential natural resilience-building projects. Wetlands Watch, with the support of the CZM program, has begun developing a draft database to address this need. Initial outreach has shown that the scope of this database should be larger than initially anticipated, including blue, green, and grey infrastructure that enhances coastal resiliency. This includes Natural and Nature-Based Features (NNBFs) such as living shorelines, wetlands restoration, and beach nourishment, but also structural and nonstructural measures such as drainage improvements, elevation/flood-proofing, green infrastructure, and shoreline armoring.

Outreach to this point has identified a number of benefits to a more comprehensive database. The value of providing a tool to better position Virginia to obtain grants from various funding sources has been confirmed by several funders, who have responded positively to updates on the project and expressed their interest in monitoring the progress of the database development. With the knowledge that some of the grant opportunities which have been challenging for Virginia applicants in the past are being renewed, such as the NFWF Coastal Resiliency Fund, the timing is ideal to continue organizing project proposals ahead of application deadlines. Furthermore, as Virginia begins developing our first Coastal Master Plan, the necessity of identifying and quantifying the resiliency needs of the coastal zone is of the utmost importance.

To continue addressing this need, Wetlands Watch will facilitate a collaborative effort among the Virginia Coastal Policy Team, the Office of the Secretary of Natural Resources, various state agencies, private organizations, and the coastal planning district commissions to expand the resiliency database. To refine and enhance the database, Wetlands Watch will 1) solicit project proposals from all stakeholders, including planning district commissions and organizations like the Nature Conservancy, the Elizabeth River Project, James River Association, and the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, 2) conduct outreach to a wide variety of organizations to promote the database, engage with funders, and identify gaps and barriers to financing resiliency, and 3) condense findings into two white papers, exploring the priorities of funding organizations and ways to improve coordination between applicants and the community of funders, as well as examining strategies to enhance the database with additional tools, including GIS applications such as Maryland’s BUILD tool for the beneficial use of dredged material, and how these enhancements can help the database to inform Virginia’s Coastal Master Plan.  All work undertaken through this project will be compatible with the Commonwealth of Virginia’s data and software requirements.  The database will be designed to be easily transitioned to state servers for state agency use.  In order to ensure these outcomes, the project will be coordinated with the Virginia Information Technologies Agency. 

Federal Funding:

$25,000 

Project Contact:

Ross Weaver; 804.787.3533; ross.weaver@wetlandswatch.org 

Project Status:

10/1/2019 - 9/30/2020; Project Completed 

Final Product:

Coastal Resiliency Database: Strategies for Enhancement and Considerations of State Funding and Planning Initiatives (PDF) 
Primer: Coastal Resiliency Database (PDF)

Project Summary:

Over the past two years, the Commonwealth of Virginia has made tremendous strides in advancing resiliency goals throughout the coastal zone. From Executive Order 24, to the development of the Coastal Master Planning Framework and the establishment of the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) to oversee future development of the Master Plan, the Commonwealth has been proactive in addressing recurrent flooding and the effects of sea level rise. Future initiatives, most importantly the development of the Community Flood Preparedness Program, will provide a dedicated source of funding to address state priorities, increase planning capacity at the local and regional levels, and implement resiliency actions statewide.

In light of this flurry of activity, it is more important than ever to identify and catalogue the range of plans, studies, and potential projects that exist within the coastal zone. Especially considering the short timetable to develop the first iteration of the Coastal Master Plan, these resources need to be easily identified, searchable, spatially organized, and downloadable for the range of stakeholders working to develop this Plan. The CZM Coastal Resilience Database seeks to aid this process. The Database is comprised of three tables. The Project Proposals table currently includes 220 projects totaling over $2.1 billion in identified needs, including drainage improvements, shoreline protection, research needs, and opportunities for the beneficial use of dredged material. The Plans & Studies table includes 112 documents, ranging from every coastal PDCs’ Hazard Mitigation Plan, to local resiliency plans like Virginia Beach’s Sea Level Wise. Additionally, this table incorporates studies for site-specific locations (including all VIMS shoreline management studies), as well as larger regional and statewide studies including the Chesapeake Bay Comprehensive Water Resources and Restoration Plan. The final table within the Database includes over 50 funding sources tailored for resiliency and environmental restoration projects within the coastal zone.

As a spreadsheet-database hybrid, the Resiliency Database includes direct downloads to provide detailed information and acts as a repository for the wide range of resources available. Critically, these three tables are linked to one another, allowing a user to select a specific plan and see what projects have been referenced within it, as well as to view any funding sources that have been connected to a specific project. The biggest barrier to a successful database is maintenance- ensuring that new projects, funding sources, and plans are added as they become available. The Resiliency Database has been designed to allow for users to submit resources easily through a direct form, and bulk upload is also available for larger project lists. The back-end of the Database contains several hundred additional projects that have been identified through various outreach activities, but lack sufficient information for public viewing. These projects can be made visible pending approval of the various PDCs. Wetlands Watch is also working with VIMS to further enhance the Database by adding a table of tools that planners can use for further project identification, aligning with another tool currently being developed to prioritize existing natural and nature-based features (NNBF) and identify sites for additional NNBFs.

The Resiliency Database can be linked or embedded on any website, but will primarily be accessed through the AdaptVirginia data portal (adaptva.org). In addition to the Database, Wetlands Watch has developed a guidance document describing the resource, as well as a white paper detailing several strategies to further enhance its value in light of the Coastal Master Plan and the Community Flood Fund. This includes a summary of findings from interviews Wetlands Watch conducted with over 50 local and regional stakeholders in preparation for the Community Flood Fund.

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: Ryan.Green@deq.virginia.gov 

Project Task Number:

93

Grantee:

Richmond Regional Planning District Commission (PlanRVA)  

Project Title:

Leveraging Economic Benefits of the Natural Resources of the Lower Chickahominy - Richmond Regional PDC Coordination 

Project Description:

This 5 year project, Leveraging Economic Benefits of the Natural Resources of the Lower Chickahominy, seeks to study the natural resources present in the Lower Chickahominy watershed and develop policies to protect resources and promote economic development that encourages protection of those coastal resources.  The study area includes the three counties included in the USGS HUC “Lower Chickahominy” watershed: Charles City, James City, and New Kent.

Year 4 of this project will fund the RRPDC to maintain an online project presence, facilitate the project steering committee, coordinate with outreach contractors, and scope and begin work on an ecotourism infrastructure analysis for the study area.  During year 4, an outreach contractor will 

• Hold a large, three-county community engagement Summit to share outcomes from year 3;

• Use feedback to refine policy strategies and work with a Steering Committee, to include more stakeholder representatives, to refine and narrow the proposals that will be moved forward for consideration; 

• Develop and implement a dialogue with Indian tribes with historic or contemporary connection to the Lower Chickahominy River watershed (“LCWP Tribes”) to identify expectations for developing policy and programmatic strategies; 

• Conduct three, county-level focus groups comprised of key stakeholder interests (including invitations to tribal members) to lay the foundation to ensure consensus on policy strategies for each county;

In addition, a second contractor with expertise in Virginia law and tribal relations will assist the RRPDC and the outreach contractor when engaging the Tribes of the Lower Chickahominy watershed.

In year 4, RRPDC staff will maintain the online project web presence created during year 3.  The online platform acts as a resource for project committee members as well as the general public.  Meeting resources and additional materials relevant to the project will be posted on the web platform. 

RRPDC staff will continue facilitation of the project steering committee throughout year 4.  RRPDC staff will seek input from steering committee members on the format and content of the ecotourism infrastructure analysis, Product 4 of this grant proposal.  Additionally, RRPDC staff will communicate progress updates of the outreach contractor to the steering committee.  Input from the steering committee will also be used to plan year 5 of this project.

RRPDC staff will collaborate with specialized outreach contractors to conduct a study area-wide Seminar followed by and intensive policy making stakeholder engagement process during year 4.  RRPDC staff will advise the contractors about the study area using maps and other information compiled during years 1, 2, and 3 of this project.  RRPDC staff will participate in the planning and execution of the Seminar and policy development process.

RRPDC staff will work with the project steering committee, including locality staff, and other stakeholders in fields relevant to eco-tourism to scope and begin work on an ecotourism infrastructure analysis.  Asset and program elements that contribute to a healthy eco-tourism industry will be inventoried.  These elements include: boat access to waterways, land trails, water trails, signage, etc.  Gaps will be identified.  This analysis will culminate in an eco-tourism infrastructure plan in the first half of Year 5 of this project. 

Federal Funding:

$160,000  

Project Contact:

Sarah Stewart; 804.323.2033 x119; sstewart@PlanRVA.org  

Project Status:

10/1/2019 - 9/30/2020; Project Completed  

Final Product:

Final Report: Leveraging Economic Benefits of the Natural Resources of the Lower Chickahominy (PDF)

Project Summary:

Maintain Online Project Web Presence

PlanRVA staff maintained and updated the project web pages on the PlanRVA website.  Updates to the site included the addition of a partners page listing stakeholder and partner organizations for the project, the addition of a recreation and ecotourism page to house content about the Ecotourism Infrastructure Inventory (see below), and infographic about and posting of a 2020 Target Industry and Value Chain Analysis Report produced by the Center for Regional Analysis at George Mason University.  An outreach page was also added to detail the process and outcomes of the Lower Chickahominy stakeholder engagement process in years three and four.  Small updates to other pages, maps and images were also made throughout the grant period. 

Steering Committee Facilitation

PlanRVA staff maintained communication and collaboration with stakeholders in the region regarding progress of the project.  Due to COVID, meeting and communications were via phone, email, or virtual meeting for most of the grant period.  In working with the project Outreach Contractors, PlanRVA staff maintained communication with the project stakeholders to plan two key events of the grant period: a Tribal – Local Government Workshop and a Regional Policy Summit.  PlanRVA staff maintained contact lists, invitations, and RSVPs for both events. 

Collaboration with Outreach Contractors

PlanRVA staff worked closely with Outreach Contractors, the University of Virginia Institute for Engagement and Negotiation, to plan and hold two key events for policy development during the grant period.  Initially planned as in-person events for the spring, plans had to be altered given the COVID pandemic and associated social distancing precautions.  In July, the project team hosted the Tribal – Local Government Workshop focused on the relationship between the local governments of the study area and the tribes who are based or own land in the study area.  Previous discussions throughout the project indicated that there were opportunities to improve tribal – local government relationships in the region for the benefit and clarification of natural resource policies.  In August, the project team hosted a Regional Summit focused on policy development.  A wide group of stakeholders were invited: local staff, tribal staff, state agency staff, federal agency, NGO staff, and businesses. A series of presentations was followed by a series of themed breakout rooms wherein stakeholders discussed policy ideas and the means of bringing them to fruition.

Ecotourism Infrastructure Inventory

PlanRVA staff performed an inventory of ecotourism infrastructure assets in the three counties of the Lower Chickahominy study area.  The core of the inventory is a collection of GIS data of public access points, signage, trails, etc.  The public view of the inventory data sets is a series of StoryMaps, one for each county in the study area: Charles City, James City, New Kent.  The StoryMaps include pictures, maps and narrative about public and private access points to the water, trails, and other infrastructure.  Details about amenities are also included. In the final year of this project, the inventory will be used for gap and opportunity analysis for an eco-tourism infrastructure plan.

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: Ryan.Green@deq.virginia.gov 

Project Task Number:

94.01

Grantee:

Virginia Commonwealth University 

Project Title:

Virginia Ocean Plan 

Project Description:

Virginia Commonwealth University will provide an Environmental Scientist/Analyst to serve as the VA Ocean Planning Stakeholder Engagement Coordinator (OPSE).  The Stakeholder Coordinator will work under the direction of the Virginia CZM Program Manager to continue the engagement of the Virginia ocean stakeholders through personal contact, public meetings, PGIS workshops and other techniques to refine the offshore ocean management objectives for various uses with a focus on the commercial fishing sector as it relates to changes in energy development. The offshore Virginia commercial fishing industry lacks a central coordinating organization or entity. While the Virginia Seafood Council includes representatives from the offshore sector, its members are from all aspects of the commercial industry. Changes in ocean use are likely to impact the value of Virginia landings due to modifications of transit lanes/corridors, regulations affecting available fishing areas or other non-regulatory modifications. The Stakeholder Coordinator will assist with obtaining data from the Commercial fishing community, Ports, Renewable Energy developers, Defense, Recreational users and Transportation sectors when such sectors are contacted regarding Virginia-based activities.

The Stakeholder Coordinator will be a primary point of contact for coordinating, outreach and engagement of ocean stakeholders, arranging and establishing meetings, and communicating with sector stakeholders to implement those actions which advance the Mid Atlantic Regional Council on the Ocean (MARCO) shared priorities and most directly relate to commercial and recreational for-hire fisheries. 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 Coordinator will participate in MARCO or MACO (Mid-Atlantic Committee on the Ocean) Work Groups as needed but will also directly support the VA CZM Manager to address emerging issues, researching relevant topics, providing policy input and analysis to advance the Mid-Atlantic Ocean Action Plan. 

Federal Funding:

$48,000 

Project Contact:

Todd Janeski; 804.828.2858; tvjaneski@vcu.edu 

Project Status:

10/1/2019 - 9/30/2020; Project Completed

Final Product:

Virginia Ocean Plan (PDF)

Project Summary:

The VCU Environmental Scientist/Analyst, as retained by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, Coastal Zone Management Program, served as the Ocean Planning Stakeholder Engagement Coordinator (OPSE) for the grant reporting period under the VACZM Section 309 Ocean Resources Strategy. The focus of the efforts were targeted to commercial and recreational fishing, with the key output being strengthening the relationship with the CZM as it relates to changes in ocean use. The COVID-19 pandemic affected the seafood industry and the means by which meetings were held, but the outreach and engagement efforts continued.

Ocean planning in the Commonwealth includes a partnership, the Mid-Atlantic Regional Council on the Ocean (MARCO), which includes representatives from the States of New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland and Virginia. The broader MARCO effort is being supported through several contractors such as Monmouth University, University of Delaware, Rutgers University, Nature Conservancy, and NatureServe. Primarily, ocean planning brings together the sectors of Ports and Navigation, Military, Commercial Fisheries, Recreational Users, Alternative and Traditional Energy, Conservation, Tourism, and Local Government. The relationship with the commercial industry has continued to grow where representatives from the east coast have shared their experiences with respect to the changes in ocean use. Fishers have shared concerns regarding the loss of access to fishing areas or changes in transit routes that would increase operating expenses or take away days at sea. The competition for access continues to be a concern as the fishing industry shares concerns that the developers are more able to invest in advancing energy development due to more available capacity and funding.

During the grant cycle, the OPSE Coordinator had extensive communication with field partners including NOAA, Department of Mines Minerals and Energy (DMME), VA Marine Resources Commission (VMRC), Fisheries Representative from Sea Freeze Inc, Responsible Offshore Development Alliance (RODA), Long Island Commercial Fisheries Association, Virginia Watermen’s Association and representatives from the Virginia commercial fishing fleet. The focus of the interactions has been to obtain input on the continued development of offshore renewable energy and to continue with increasing their knowledge regarding other changes in ocean use. As the COVID-19 pandemic changed work situations, the OPSE Coordinator, employing COVID-19 best practices, held face-to-face meetings with representatives from the commercial fishing sector in the Newport News, Hampton, and Virginia Beach areas. The Coordinator also shared the opportunity for representatives of the fishing community (commercial and recreational) to join the Responsible Offshore Science Alliance (ROSA), speaking directly and in person with representatives from the charter and dredge sectors.

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: Ryan.Green@deq.virginia.gov 

A more detailed Scope of Work for this project is available. Please direct your request for a copy to Virginia.Witmer@deq.virginia.gov or April.Bahen@deq.virginia.gov.

Project Task Number:

94.02

Grantee:

The Nature Conservancy 

Project Title:

Mid-Atlantic Ocean Data Development for Wind Energy Planning 

Project Description:

In the past several years, there has been an acceleration in interest for the development of commercial offshore wind energy sites along the US Atlantic seaboard. There are currently 17 active renewable energy lease areas listed in the Mid-Atlantic Ocean Data Portal. Throughout the planning, development, and construction process, there is the need for a constant stream of the best ocean data available to not only wind energy developers but also federal and state representatives, and other ocean stakeholders. While Environmental Impact Statements (EIS) are required for every offshore development project, the agencies issuing permits or the stakeholders reviewing these projects often don’t have access to all the information and tools, and they may not have the capacity or time to quickly review each submission within the time allowed to provide comments. Also, EIS often focus on sediment and other benthic substrate information but skim through the impacts proposed sites may have on marine life and habitats.

To ensure the marine system is healthy and sustainable, it is important that siting and development of offshore wind energy is done with the environment in mind, taking into consideration the habitats and species living in the ocean as this new low-carbon energy source is developed. We believe the best way to ensure this is for effective datasets and tools to be provided to stakeholders to facilitate the review process. The regional data portals (Mid-Atlantic and Northeast) have done a great job at compiling and providing the best available regional data to stakeholders. However, with over 10,000 distinct layers available in the portals, reviewing all appropriate information is often an overwhelming and daunting task. More importantly, stakeholders can only view a static picture of the available datasets without any interpretation of what it means in the context of each species, which doesn’t facilitate informed decisions. For example, if an area has a biomass of demersal fish of 100, what does it mean? How does it compare to the patterns of that species during the rest of the year and across the region? Can we consider this a “high” biomass area?

To be able to make decisions and highlight potential environmental impacts, datasets currently available in the portals and other higher resolution data sources need to be combined, synthesized, compared, and interpreted in the context of wind energy development. With this project we propose to: (1) Review, update and modify available marine-life, habitat and oceanographic regional data layers; (2) Determine the best metrics to characterize the ecosystem, especially given its variability; (3) Analyze and interpret different layers compared to the rest of the region in the context of wind-energy development; and (4) Publish a decision support tool where users can easily visualize and query the resulting maps. We plan to take advantage of datasets with higher spatial and temporal resolution, for example, multibeam bathymetry and more recent marine mammal surveys.

The data layers resulting from this analysis will be included in a decision support tool that will allow users to easily visualize, query and manipulate the resulting information. The Portals currently do not have the structure nor the tools to allow data to be queried in this way. That is why, after talking to the portal teams, we decided to create a new decision support tool to allow users to interact with the new data layers. However, there is the potential that this tool could be incorporated into the portals in the future.

This process will be directed by a steering committee of experts in the region to ensure its transparency and accuracy. Final products will be publicly available online, accessible to everyone with an interest in ocean resources in the locations where wind energy development is likely to occur.

Though this work is ongoing with support from a grant from the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, that work is focused on the Northeast. While some datasets do cover both regions, the Moore Foundation funding prevents us from focusing our efforts on collecting and analyzing high-resolution data specific to the Mid-Atlantic region. 

Federal Funding:

$55,000 

Project Contact:

Chris Bruce; 434.951.0565; cbruce@tnc.org  

Project Status:

10/1/2019 – 9/30/2020; Project Completed

Final Product:

Mid-Atlantic Ocean Data Development for Wind Energy Planning Final Report (PDF)

Project Summary:

The wind energy planning tool (now known as the Marine Mapping Tool) is complete and is publicly available at this URL:

https://maps.tnc.org/marinemap

Users of this tool can quantitatively assess a location by visualizing data on marine life and habitats currently available on the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic Regional Ocean Data portals. The tool provides users with regional and temporal context so they can determine the importance of each piece of information. This tool is intended to support environmental impact assessments related to wind energy development offshore. It is also designed to be the first stop in any users’ data exploration about a site and directs users to the regional data portals to further research each location. 

All data developed for this project are viewable within the tool. In addition, updated datasets on bathymetry, seabed forms, and sediments are also available to view and download on the Mid-Atlantic Ocean Data Portal (https://portal.midatlanticocean.org/visualize). Older versions of these benthic datasets existed on the portal prior to this project and were updated and geographic coverage was extended further south as part of this project. Linkages to the regional data portals (Mid-Atlantic and Northeast) were also accomplished by providing hundreds of links to individual fish, marine mammal, and bird species data available on the portals from within the Marine Mapping Tool. 

Marine mammal data for the tool were developed in coordination with the Marine Geospatial Ecology Lab (MGEL) at Duke University. High abundance areas for each species and month were determined based on modeled data and this was combined with NOAA’s biological important areas data. In addition, the most recent available data on marine mammal sightings from OBIS-SEAMAP were incorporated so areas with confirmed sightings were combined with modeled abundance data. Survey effort data were also included to distinguish between areas that have no sightings versus where there was no survey effort. 

For the pelagic section of the tool, ultimately “Pelagic Seascapes” data from NOAA were incorporated. Seasonal data for the most recent decade were used and a persistence score was also calculated and can be visualized in the tool. Modeled bottom temperature data developed by Rutgers University for MARACOOS were also investigated, along with satellite-derived ocean temperature data from NOAA. Workflows were developed for processing these data and the pelagic section of the tool may be expanded in the future to include these data. Lessons learned here will also be incorporated as work continues on a geographic expansion of the tool to include the Southeast US. Funding from this grant was instrumental in leveraging additional funding for this continued work. Development of this tool was also a catalyst for a National Science Foundation funded project that will expand these wind energy planning tools to incorporate data on future projections of species and habitats as they are impacted by climate change. 

Extensive documentation on data sources and methods is included in the tool, and funding from this grant was crucial to expanding the reporting functionality. Finally, grant funding also supported development of spatial data showing marine mammal strandings in the Mid-Atlantic over the last 20 years. These data will be available on the Mid-Atlantic portal and have also been sent to NOAA, the source for the tabular data from which the spatial data were derived.

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: Ryan.Green@deq.virginia.gov 

Project Task Number:

94.03

Grantee:

Longwood University -  Clean Virginia Waterways

Project Title:

Virginia’s Marine Debris Reduction Plan Refinement 

Project Description:

This task supports the VA CZM Program’s leadership in reducing the amount of trash & marine debris from land-based & water-based sources in Virginia through further implementation of the Virginia Marine Debris Reduction Plan (VMDRP).

The VMDRP outlines politically, socially & economically feasible strategies & actions that will lead to prevention, interception, innovation & removal of marine debris for ecological, social & economic benefits. This grant will support refinement & continued implementation of the VMDRP. Staff from CZM & Clean Virginia Waterways (CVW) will engage local, state & federal stakeholders (government & NGOs) in Virginia & work with NOAA’s Marine Debris Program on regional solutions.

Specifically, this grant will allow CVW staff to continue to assist in the development & implementation of a marine debris reduction strategy that is being coordinated by the Mid-Atlantic Regional Planning Body’s Marine Debris Work Group (which is co-led by Virginia CZM & EPA). Through a grant to the Mid-Atlantic Regional Council on the Ocean (MARCO) from NOAA’s Marine Debris Program, this Work Group is working on a 3-year campaign to reduce the intentional releases of helium-filled balloons in the Mid-Atlantic states. The original balloon litter reduction campaign was developed in Virginia in 2015-2017.

This grant will support quarterly monitoring of Fisherman Island National Wildlife Refuge for balloon and other debris items as part of Virginia’s participation in the regional MARCO grant project.

Building the capacity of partners to reduce the sources of marine debris is a priority of the VMDRP. This grant will allow CZM and CVW to further build capacity to support ongoing waste source reduction efforts, facilitate collaboration, and encourage the transfer of knowledge about successful marine debris prevention programs, policies & campaigns. CVW staff will participate in the ongoing plastic pollution prevention work underway in two of Virginia’s most populated counties: Fairfax and Prince William Counties. Transfer of knowledge will also be accomplished through updating the CZM & CVW websites, CVW’s Facebook page & other social media and presentations at workshops and conferences. Marine debris projects underway in Virginia will continue to be included on NOAA’s marine debris portal for the Mid-Atlantic.

This grant will allow CZM & CVW to further disseminate the multi-media materials that were developed as part of the social marketing campaign entitled A Rising Concern: Reducing Balloon Release & Debris through a Social Marketing Campaign. These materials were produced for wedding planners & venues (e.g., places where weddings & celebrations are held) and will continue to be distributed via mail, digitally, & through social media to facilitate social diffusion of the message. Since this social marketing campaign was designed to be transferable, CZM & CVW will share the work plan & results with other regions. By adapting materials from this social marketing campaign, universities, schools, businesses and other groups will be engaged to prevent balloon litter.

This grant will allow CZM & CVW to further extend the “Kick the Straw” campaign onto additional college campuses. This program was created and piloted in 2018-19 on the Longwood University campus in Farmville, VA. In April 2019, it was further tested on the George Mason University campus in Arlington, and the VA Commonwealth University in Richmond, VA.

Finally, this Virginia CZM Program grant will allow for the planning and execution of a Stormwater and Litter Workshop and at least one other workshop for a targeted audience that is key to reducing land-based sources of marine debris. 

Federal Funding:

$60,000 

Project Contact:

Katie Register; 434.395.2602; registerkm@longwood.edu 

Project Status:

10/1/2019 - 9/30/2020; Project Completed

Final Product:

Final Report: Virginia Marine Debris Reduction Plan Refinement (PDF)

Project Summary:

Not Submitted.

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: Ryan.Green@deq.virginia.gov