Virginia CZM Program: 2021 Coastal Grant Project Description and Final Summary

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, participation in development of the Virginia Coastal Resilience Master Plan, participation in the Mid-Atlantic Regional Council on the Ocean (MARCO) and the Mid-Atlantic Committee on the Ocean (MACO), and participation in NOAA’s Section 312 Evaluation of the Virginia CZM Program. Three positions are funded through Task 1.01.

The CZM Program Manager chairs the interagency Coastal Policy Team and will hold at least two meetings during FY 2021.  She oversees CZM Program policy development, grants, communication/ outreach (including identifying topics and writing articles for the website and other outreach materials) 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 72 Resilience through Ecotourism. She will  initiate Year 1 of the Ocean and Marine Debris Section 309 Strategies. She will continue as a Governor-appointed Board member of the Virginia Offshore Wind Development Authority.

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 continue to serve as a member of  MACO and will serve on its Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice work group and as the State lead for the Mid-Atlantic Marine Debris Work Group. She may serve as lead or member of additional work groups that may be established by MACO or MARCO. The Virginia CZM Program Manager supervises staff within Tasks 1.01, 1.02, 1.03 and 1.04.

Both the Program Manager and Coastal Planner will serve as advisors for development of the Virginia Coastal Resilience Master Plan, which is due in November 2021.  The Program Manager serves on the Finance Subcommittee and the Planner on the Federal Installation Partnerships Subcommittee.

The Coastal Planner will assist with Coastal Policy Team meetings and assist the Grants Coordinator with meeting summaries. The Planner will continue to work on the Lower Chickahominy Watershed project as CZM’s designee for the Collaborative formed in 2020.  He will also write articles on CZM topics as needed. The Planner will serve as Project Manager for Tasks 3, 5, 8 and 73 as well as the PDC Technical Assistance tasks for GWRC, HRPDC, MPPDC, and NVRC. He will work with other CZM staff to fulfill performance measure reporting for FY 21. The CP will continue co-facilitation of the Virginia Abandoned and Derelict Vessel Work Group (VA-ADV Work Group) and its subcommittees. The Planner will assist the Program Manager with implementation of the Virginia Marine Debris Reduction Plan (Task 93) and development of the Virginia Ocean Plan (Task 92 series). He will assist the Program Manager in the development of CZM Program Changes for submittal to NOAA as needed and represent the Virginia CZM Program at various meetings and conferences.

The Grants Coordinator/Outreach Specialist will maintain and operate the grants database and troubleshoot administrative issues with grantees. Duties include data entry and report production, reminders, applications, contracts, etc. This position assists in drafting 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 information and represents the Virginia CZM Program at outreach events.

NOAA 306 and 309 grants are awarded annually. DEQ uses labor tracking software that allocates costs to funding sources.  We have specific 5 digit project codes that correspond to each of our NOAA annual awards. The one staff position that works on multiple funding years is our Grants Coordinator funded in Task 1.01. As such, we build our budget to spend out the awards in the 12 month period. At the end of the first 12 months, a majority of staff time is then transferred to tasks on the following years award, and any variance that has accrued during those 12 months is spent on tasks that need the additional 6 months to complete (sometimes longer). Therefore, funding for the Grants Coordinator in FY 21, Task 1.01 will be extended beyond the one-year date of Sept. 30, 2022 in order to continue reporting on this task throughout any needed extension of the award. At least one week of the Grants Coordinator’s time will be allocated to this grant in the Fall of 2022 and one week in the Spring of 2023 after the expected Sept. 30, 2022 end date of this task. The Grants Coordinator will code her time to Project ID 41365 when working on FY2021 and to Project ID 41364 when working on FY20.

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

Federal Funding:

$350,850

Project Contact:

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

Project Status:

10/1/21 - 3/31/23; Project Completed

Final Product:

Final Project Summary serves as Final Product.

Project Summary:

Product #1: Coastal Policy Team Products (5%) – The CZM Manager and Coastal Planners served as technical advisors for the VA Coastal Resilience Master Plan (VCRMP). The CZM Manager advised the Finance Subcommittee, one Coastal Planner advised the Project Identification Subcommittee, and the other Coastal Planner advised the Federal Installation Partnerships Subcommittee. The VCRMP was released by Governor Northam in December 2021 and is now available on DCR’s website at https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/crmp/plan.

Notes from the Jan 26, 2022 Coastal Policy Team (CPT) meeting are available at https://www.deq.virginia.gov/our-programs/coastal-zone-management/about-czm/virginia-coastal-policy-team. At this meeting, members agreed to create a Shoreline Work Group to coordinate shoreline management activities. The Coastal Planner produced a list of suggested participants, which was vetted by the CPT, and convened a virtual kickoff meeting on Mar 15, 2022 for what has now officially been named the Shoreline Stakeholders Group (SSG). The Coastal Planner reviewed feedback from a post-meeting survey to members to determine next steps, including SSG goals, expanded membership, frequency of future meetings, and defining the shoreline space. The Coastal Planner also facilitated the first meeting of the Definitions Work Group on Sep 20, 2022.

Notes from the Sep 14, 2020 CPT meeting are available at https://www.deq.virginia.gov/our-programs/coastal-zone-management/about-czm/virginia-coastal-policy-team. At that meeting, CZM staff and CPT members gave updates on current projects and discussed the upcoming FY23-25 “Focal Area.”

The Coastal Planners attended quarterly coastal PDC meetings hosted by Crater PDC (Jan 26, 2022 virtual), GWRC (May 31, 2022 in-person), and HRPDC (Sep 21, 2022 in-person).

CZM staff coordinated Virginia’s applications for Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) funding for land acquisition and habitat restoration. The CZM Manager and both Coastal Planners developed scoring sheets and Letter of Intent (LOI) templates from the Notice of Funding Opportunity, held a meeting with the CPT to review the 12 submitted LOIs, and worked with applicants to refine the top three LOIs. Two of the LOIs (Upper Mattaponi Indian Tribe land acquisition and VIMS eelgrass/bay scallop restoration) were invited to submit full proposals to NOAA by Oct 28, 2022.

The Coastal Planners coordinated and attended two quarterly Coastal Planning District Commission (PDC) meetings.  

The CZM Manager briefed the Acting Secretary of Natural & Historic Resources and DEQ Director on the overall CZM Program on and the Ocean Plan on May 18, May 26, and June 8.

Product #2: Grants Management (40%) - The CZM Manager and Planners monitored grant activities including review of Oct 2021 and April 2022 semi-annual reports and various meetings and calls with grantees. The Grants Coordinator and CZM Manager processed extension and budget amendment requests, 306A documentation, SAC removals, and reprogrammed funds using Grants Online. Review of proposals for the FY 22 award were carried out in Feb and Mar 2021.

The CZM Manager and Planners continued to facilitate progress on the “Focal Area” grants for coastal resiliency and development of the Section 309 strategies. In Nov 2021, the Task 1.03 Coastal Planner (Shep Moon) effectively retired. The CZM Manager conducted the hiring process for a new Coastal Planner. Will Isenberg was hired and began work on Mar 10, 2022. His position has been pulled into Task 1.01 and the FY21 Task 1.03 to VIMS/CBNERRSVA was terminated effective Apr 1, 2022. The Task 1.01 Coastal Planner took over project management for the Coastal Hazards strategy. Staff worked on the Marine Debris grant strategy with Clean VA Waterways. The CZM Manager guided development of an update to the Virginia Marine Debris Reduction Plan (VMDRP) (see https://www.deq.virginia.gov/our-programs/coastal-zone-management/coastal-conservation/marine-debris). The Coastal Planner continued to co-facilitate the Virginia Abandoned & Derelict Vessels Work Group (ADVWG) formed under the VMDRP. The group produced policy recommendations in a final report (released in July 2022) in conjunction with the Virginia Coastal Policy Center (VCPC). The report release was accompanied by a press release by CZM and a summary fact sheet. Additionally, he coordinated with partners to pursue Sea Grant BIL funding for marine debris removal and NOAA IIJA marine debris funds to support work on ADVs. The Coastal Planner also continued to update the public access sites and signage inventory.

The CZM Manager prepared the BIL non-competitive capacity grant to hire a Conservation Coordinator and submitted the full proposal to NOAA on July 29, 2022. She also laid out a schedule for hiring the new position by Feb 2023 and began preparing the hiring paperwork. The CZM Manager and one Coastal Planner worked with the two competitive grant applicants to develop their grant proposals for the Oct 28, 2022 deadline.

The Program Manager laid out a process for the FY23-25 focal area grants (coastal resilience will continue to be the theme) and a process and schedule for all future Section 306A grants such that 306A proposals with their required documentation will be included in each annual grant application to NOAA. The Program Manager also resolved allocation of FY20 and FY21 306A funds, working with the VA Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) to submit an application to restore forest and wetland habitat in Accomack County and with Middle Peninsula PDC to restore habitat on Hog Island, part of the recently announced NOAA Habitat Focus Area.   

Product #3: Ocean Planning (30%) - The CZM Manager continued to serve on the Mid-Atlantic Council on the Ocean (MACO), meeting quarterly and on a subcommittee to plan an “ocean conservation” session for the May 5-6 2022 Ocean Forum (https://www.midatlanticocean.org/mid-atlantic-ocean-forum/), in which she also participated. She successfully argued for the creation of a new Ocean Conservation Work Group, which she co-leads with New Jersey’s Kevin Hassell. She also continued to serve on the Mid-Atlantic Regional Council on the Ocean (MARCO) Management Board participating in the monthly meetings, writing and editing MARCO News articles, web pages and other documents. MARCO’s contract with the Middlebury Institute to develop a report on the Mid-Atlantic “blue economy” was completed and after graphic design and layout is completed the report was made available on MARCO’s website. MARCO’s Program Director and the Northeast Regional Ocean Council (NROC)’s Emily Shumchenia are co-leading the recently renamed Regional Wildlife Science Collaborative to manage research for wildlife impacts from offshore wind. The CZM Manager is serving as the VA representative on its State Caucus. The CZM Manager continued to lead the Marine Debris Work Group (working primarily on development of the balloon release reduction campaign) and the Ocean Mapping & Data Team. 2022 Work plans and progress reports for these are at https://www.midatlanticocean.org/ocean-planning/work-groups-collaborative-efforts/marine-debris-work-group/ and https://www.midatlanticocean.org/ocean-planning/work-groups-collaborative-efforts/ocean-mapping-data-team. One Coastal Planner began shadowing the CZM Manager in the Marine Debris Work Group to prepare to take over leadership when the CZM Manager retires in spring 2023. The CZM Manager completed negotiations and drafting of an MOU to address removal of derelict clam nets on the Eastern Shore. It was reviewed and approved by the Secretary of Natural Resources, VA Department of Conservation & Recreation, DWR, US Fish & Wildlife Service and The Nature Conservancy. The agreement was signed by the Virginia Shellfish Growers Association, the Marine Resources Commission, Clean Virginia Waterways (CVW) and the Virginia CZM Program. In Oct 2021 the CZM Manager kicked off development of the Virginia Ocean Plan and held 3 stakeholder meetings: one with the state agency planning group, one at which Virginia Tribes were invited to join the Planning Committee (3 joined), and one to update the draft ocean plan outline, communication plan, and a fact sheet with input received. The fact sheet is now available on CZM’s webpages (https://www.deq.virginia.gov/our-programs/coastal-zone-management/ocean-planning). A meeting with federal agencies to seek input on the draft outline was scheduled for Oct 18, 2022. The CZM Manager also participated in meetings throughout this period on development of a fisheries compensation fund for impacts due to offshore wind.

The CZM Manager and Coastal Planners served on NOAA’s Mid Atlantic Marine Debris Action Plan (M-AMDAP) Goal Groups for consumer debris, derelict fishing gear, microplastics and microfibers, and ADVs.

Product #4: Performance Monitoring & Section 312 Evaluation (10%) – The Grants Coordinator tracked the progress of the Training events held by grantees during the reporting period Oct 2021 - Mar 2022 and Apr 2022 – Sep 2022. One Coastal Planner tracked progress of projects that could be reported during this period for Public Access, Coastal Habitat, and Coastal Dependent Uses & Community Development while the other Coastal Planner tracked progress of Coastal Hazards projects that could be reported. Performance Measures for the period Oct 1, 2020 through Sep 30, 2021 were submitted on Oct 30, 2021.

The CZM Manager and Planners worked with NOAA to plan the Section 312 evaluation, which was held Aug 1-4, 2022. The CZM Manager sent and coordinated the stakeholders’ survey from NOAA to gather feedback and inform the evaluation sessions, and the CZM Manager and Planners organized sessions, invited stakeholders, and developed content for the sessions. Originally an in-person evaluation was planned, however due to high rates of COVID the meetings were held virtually.   

Product #5: Outreach, Sponsorship and Program Representation (15%) – All staff assisted with the Coastal Partners Workshop on Nov 16-18, 2022. Results from the workshop are available at https://padlet.com/ctpcoordinatorcbnerr/CZMpartners. The CZM Manager continued to serve on the VA Offshore Wind Development Authority giving a brief update on the VA Ocean Plan at the Oct 21 meeting. She also continued to serve on the VA E. Shore Conservation Alliance (VESCA) assisting with development of a 5-year work plan and development of a new VESCA biannual report. She continued to serve on Congressman Wittman’s Environmental Advisory Group.  

The CZM Manager and CVW Director planned the Virginia Marine Debris Summit on Sep 26-28, 2022. The CZM Manager gave several presentations and both the CZM Manager and one Coastal Planner moderated sessions. The other Coastal Planner represented Virginia CZM in the State Hazard Mitigation Plan Development Technical Advisory Committee and the Mid-Atlantic Resilience Exchange Steering Committee and meeting in Hudson, NY. The Outreach Specialist staffed the Prevent Balloon Litter exhibit at the Kiptopeke Outdoor Exploration Day on Sep 24, 2022 and with one Coastal Planner at the State Fair on Sep 29, 2022. All staff developed and revised content for the website as a part of the ongoing major restructuring and modernization of the website.

One of the Coastal Planners continued to participate in the Lower Chickahominy Watershed Collaborative (LCWC)’s Steering Committee and 3 associated work groups. The Coastal Planners worked with the PDCs to develop a Section C report for October that highlights long-term benefits of their technical assistance grants.

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: 2021 Coastal Grant Project Description and Final Summary

Project Task Number:

1.02 

Grantee:

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

Project Title:

Coastal Program Outreach & Social Marketing 

Project Description:

This task funds the Virginia CZM Program Outreach Coordinator.  She is responsible for developing and implementing targeted outreach and social marketing strategies for the Virginia CZM Program in coordination with the Program Manager: 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 and change behaviors that impact these resources; and, to heighten the Virginia CZM Program’s visibility and unique position to coordinate solutions to cross-cutting coastal challenges.  In addition, the Coordinator works with Virginia CZM Program staff and partners to produce, revise and maintain new and existing print and digital media, and to plan and deliver hosted or co-sponsored exhibits, events and training. This task also provides funds to print and distribute media such as the Virginia Coastal Zone Management Magazine. 

Federal Funding:

$113,400 

Project Contact:

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

Project Status:

10/1/21 - 9/30/22; Project Open 

Final Product:

Project Summary:

Disclaimer: This project summary provides the federal dollars initially awarded to the grantee. Due to underexpenditure or reprogramming of grant funds, this figure may change. For more information on the allocation of coastal grant funds, please contact Ryan Green, Virginia Coastal Program Manager, at 804.698.4258 or email: 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: 2021 Coastal Grant Project Description and Final Summary

Project Task Number:

1.03

Grantee:

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

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.

The Coastal Planner (Shep Moon) will serve as advisor for development of the Virginia Coastal Resilience Master Plan, which is due in November 2021.  He will serve as an advisor for the Project Identification Subcommittee and the Studies, Research and Best Practices Subcommittee.  He will also work on developing the Strategic Coastal Relocation Handbook as assigned.

The Coastal Planner 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 and Climate Resilience Planning grants for the Northern Neck, Plan RVA and Crater Planning District Commissions (PDCs), and the VIMS Conservation Targeting Project (Task 71).  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 and climate resilience 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;
• Assisting with development of Section 312 evaluation materials;
• Working with the DEQ Office of Environment Impact Review, the Coastal Policy Team, the Virginia Coastal Policy Center and NOAA to update Virginia’s enforceable policies as necessary;
• Assisting in outreach efforts including magazine articles and outreach functions;
• Participating in Coastal Policy Team meetings;
• Assisting in implementation of Virginia’s Section 309 2021-2025 Coastal Hazards Strategy;
• Assisting in preparations for the November 2021 Coastal Partners Workshop; and

Representing the VA CZMP on the Resilience TAC Project ID and Studies, Research and Best Practices Subcommittees, the Chesapeake Bay Interagency Team, the Chesapeake Bay Program Climate Resiliency Workgroup and other initiatives as assigned. 

Federal Funding:

$113,801 

Project Contact:

William Reay; 804-684-7119; wreay@vims.edu 

Project Status:

10/1/21 - 9/30/22; Project Canceled 

Final Product:

Final Project Summary serves as Final Product.

Project Summary:

The VIMS/CBNERR Coastal Planner, Shep Moon, effectively retired after the November 16-18, 2021 Biennial Coastal Partners Workshop (CPW). While his official retirement date was April 1, 2022, he was on extended annual leave until the actual retirement date. He did complete the following work:

• Reviewed/edited progress and final reports in October-November, 2021
• Planned the coastal resilience sessions and presented at the CPW in November 2021
• Assisted with answers to the NOAA 312 evaluation survey submitted in December 2021
• Continued to assist with the Virginia Coastal Resilience Master Plan finalized in December 2021
• Served on the interview panel for his replacement from January 28 – February 3, 2022
• Provided status updates for current projects to the CZM Manager and current Task 1.01 Coastal Planner (Jeff Flood) in preparation for handing over grant management responsibilities.
• Assisted the Task 1.01 Coastal Planner and CZM Manager with developing draft scopes of work for the FY22 application to NOAA (project history, lessons learned, long-term CZM program goals, etc.)
• Met several times in March with the new Coastal Planner, Will Isenberg, to transfer knowledge

This task is officially cancelled. The new Coastal Planner is a DEQ employee and the position is now funded through Task 1.01. Remaining funds in this task are being transferred to Task 1.01 to cover salary, fringe and indirect costs.

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: 2021 Coastal Grant Project Description and Final Summary

Project Task Number:

1.04

Grantee:

Virginia Commonwealth University

Project Title:

Coastal Management GIS Support and Coastal GEMS Maintenance

Project Description:

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

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

• Work with VCU staff and others to ensure the maintenance and enhancement of Virginia CZM’s Coastal GEMS
• Organize Coastal GEMS training programs for state/local government users and others
• Advise CZM project managers and grantees on grants involving GIS data development, mapping, and NOAA’s data sharing policy
• Perform GIS calculations and searches and produce GIS map products, as needed by the CZM Program and its partners
• Work with 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 and landing page. 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:

$114,826

Project Contact:

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

Project Status:

10/1/21 - 9/30/22; Project Completed

Final Product:

Coastal Management GIS Support & Coastal GEMS Maintenance: FY 21 Annual Report (PDF)

Project Summary:

VCU Life Sciences Staff:

• Performed Coastal Gems maintenance including refreshing map services, updating data and cartography per CZM staff request, and installing software and security upgrades. Coastal GEMS can be accessed at: www.coastalgems.org.

  The Coastal GIS Coordinator:

• Obtained data updates for Coastal GEMS layers from data providers, processed/prepared data for display, packaged symbolized data and uploaded to VCU to update map services.Coastal GEMS data library pages and fact sheets were updated as necessary.Layers updated/added during the FY21 grant period: SAV Coverage, CZM funded Projects, Private Oyster Leases, Oyster Gardening, Conservation Lands, Current Population/Population Projections, Lower Chickahominy Water Trails, Middle Peninsula Water Trails, and Northern Neck Water Trails.
• Updated MARCO marine debris and deep-sea canyon story maps available through the Coastal GEMS Story Maps page.
• Responded promptly to all data and information inquiries.In the FY21 grant period, this included requests from private contractors, NGO’s, regional planning staff, academic institutions, and state and federal government agencies.
• Performed project manager duties for task 1.04, worked with Coastal Planners to determine data product formats and need for data sharing plans for CZM tasks, assisted VA Aquarium staff with submitting paper to NOAA repository ahead of publication to comply with NOAA data sharing directives, and completed data sharing plan for IIJA Capacity grant proposal.
• Continued participation on MARCO Ocean Mapping and Data Team and the VA State Agency GIS User Group and worked with VGIN staff to share Coastal GEMS through VGIN’s new Virginia GIS Clearinghouse.
• Began process of creating an updated Coastal VEVA synthesis including communicating with partners about updating component models, providing background information as needed, and setting first meeting to begin planning for version 3.
• Provided virtual overviews of Coastal GEMS data, features, and functions to a private contractor and ANPDC staff.
• Provided technical assistance to VA CZM, including setting up and hosting webinars and extracting and tabulating Zoom .csv poll results from Coastal Partners Workshop and generating results charts for each poll question.
• Created a new 2-page factsheet highlighting Coastal GEMS v4 for use on the web and as a printed handout.
• Continued to provide mapping support to the VA CZM Program including: Creating an overview map of Virginia’s coastal PDC’s for the VA CZM website reflecting localities shared between multiple PDC’s as well as individual map layouts of each of the eight coastal PDC’s and a static map and web map of public access sites funded by VA CZM.
• Continued to provide mapping support to VA CZM partners including: Creating a series of map layouts presenting the best locations for additional wind energy areas offshore of VA for VA Department of Energy staff; spatial data, web maps, and map layouts of ADV locations for the ADV Workgroup; static map layouts and interactive web maps for the Ocean Fisheries Coordinator and VMRC staff showing areas of concern to the fishing industry in preparation for a public meeting on offshore wind; and completing SHPO clearance process for DWR and DCR land acquisitions on VA’s Eastern Shore including performing archive search, creating maps, and submitting applications using DHR’s online ePIX system.

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: 2021 Coastal Grant Project Description and Final Summary

Project Task Number:

2

Grantee:

Virginia Department of Environmental Quality - Environmental Impact Review

Project Title:

EIR & Federal Consistency

Project Description:

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

Federal Funding:

$187,633

Project Contact:

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

Project Status:

10/1/21 - 9/30/22; Project Completed

Final Product:

Final Project Summary serves as Final Product.

Project Summary:

During the period of October 1, 2021 and September 30, 2022, the Office of Environmental Impact Review/Federal Consistency (OEIR) reviewed 187 development projects and management plans for consistency with the Virginia Coastal Zone Management Program (CZMP).  Federal consistency reviews included 105 federal actions and 80 federally funded projects. The 105 federal actions included 66 federal agency activities, 39 federal licenses and approvals, and 0 outer continental shelf projects. The 66 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. All federal consistency determinations and federal consistency certifications were completed within the established legal deadlines.   

Of the 187 projects reviewed under federal consistency, all except for thee were found to be consistent with the enforceable policies of the CZMP.  Virginia conditionally concurred on these three projects on the basis of Marine Fisheries, Subaqueous Lands, and Wildlife and Inland Fisheries enforceable policies.   These projects included an aerial application of pesticide project, a beneficial use of dredged materials project, and a ‘Marine Highway Project’ at Wallops Flight Facility.

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: 2021 Coastal Grant Project Description and Final Summary

Project Task Number:

3

Grantee:

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

Project Title:

Stormwater Local Assistance Fund – Hanover County – Cherrydale Pond BMP Retrofit

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.

This project is intended to convert an existing wet pond to a Wet Pond Level 2 in a residential subdivision in Hanover County's Cherrydale neighborhood. The pond collects runoff from a 2,240-acre drainage area. The pond discharges directly to Beaverdam Creek and ultimately to the Chickahominy River, which are both impaired waterways in Hanover County. The project addresses both the Chesapeake Bay TMDL and Chickahominy Bacterial TMDL Action Plans in an effort to restore, protect, and prevent pollution to State waters.

The design will include dredging and wetland bench creation (at least 10% of pond area). The design will also include the addition of two forebays, aeration, landscape buffers for geese deterrent, and upgrades to the impoundment structure to meet DCR permitting requirements. Easements will be required for landscape buffer protection and access for future maintenance. The pollutant removal was calculated using the prescribed methodology in Attachment A of the SLAF Program Guidelines and Appendix V.D of the Chesapeake Bay TMDL Action Plan Guidance. The analysis of drainage area and land cover conditions was performed using GIS to gather and input the data into the removal calculations.

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:

10/1/21 - 3/31/23; Project Open 

Final Product:

Project Summary:

Disclaimer: This project summary provides the federal dollars initially awarded to the grantee. Due to underexpenditure or reprogramming of grant funds, this figure may change. For more information on the allocation of coastal grant funds, please contact Ryan Green, Virginia Coastal Program Manager, at 804.698.4258 or email: 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: 2021 Coastal Grant Project Description and Final Summary

Project Task Number:

4

Grantee:

Virginia Marine Resources Commission 

Project Title:

Permit Review & Compliance 

Project Description:

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

Responsibilities in implementing core permit functions are:

• Issuing permits for encroachments in, on or over State-owned submerged lands (recently approximately 2,000 applications have been processed annually and  permits are issued for encroachments over State-owned submerged lands), and
• Regulating the use of development of tidal wetlands and coastal primary sand dunes.

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

Tidal wetlands and coastal primary sand dune programs may be administered by local wetlands boards if the locality has adopted the model ordinances (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 equivalent Environmental Engineer positions. Each Environmental Engineer is assigned a specific geographic territory. They conduct application reviews, correspond with applicants and other concerned citizens, conduct site inspections, coordinate application reviews with other agencies, prepare project briefings, present contested cases to the full Commission at public hearings and draft permit documents. In addition they assist local wetlands boards with their wetland management responsibilities and attend all wetland board meetings in order to conduct the required review of wetland board actions.

The Environmental Engineers will also document losses and conversions of submerged land, wetlands and dunes/beaches associated with all proposed shoreline stabilization projects. Proposed and permitted losses, as well as habitat conversions, will be recorded within the existing VMRC permit tracking database. 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 cannot be determined.

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

10/1/21 - 9/30/22; Project Completed

Final Product:

Virginia Marine Resources Commission Final Report Products 1-3 (PDF)

Project Summary:

The purpose of this grant project was to continue the 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 2020. During the grant year (October 1, 2021 through September 30, 2022), 362 compliance inspections were conducted by VMRC Habitat Management Division Staff. This involved 232 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 88% of the projects permitted by VMRC were found to be in compliance, only 6% of the projects were found to be out of compliance. The remainder were either in moderate compliance (3%), or were not constructed. Although compliance could not be determined for 3% 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.

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: 2021 Coastal Grant Project Description and Final Summary

Project Task Number:

5

Grantee:

Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation 

Project Title:

Habitat Conservation/Locality Liaison 

Project Description:

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.  Multiple layers displayed within Natural Heritage Data Explorer (NHDE) website-Version 2.5 (www.vanhde.org) will undergo updates in FY21, including ConservationVision models and ConserveVirginia. Changes to NHDE to allow for the submittal of multi-part projects will also be evaluated. 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 2021. As of February 2021, the percentage of localities with Natural Heritage information is 96% within the Coastal Zone of Virginia. DCR-NH will continue to provide updated natural heritage information to all PDCs and interested land trusts in the coastal zone region through NHDE and/or ArcGIS shapefiles. Solar native pollinator habitat tools developed through the Virginia Pollinator Smart Program will continue to be promoted 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:

10/1/21 - 9/30/22; Project Completed 

Final Product:

Natural Heritage - Locality Liaison/Habitat Restoration Final Report for FY2021 CZM (PDF)

Project Summary:

During the FY2021 grant year, the Department of Conservation and Recreation-Division of Natural Heritage (DCR-DNH) reviewed 1,275 projects for impacts to natural heritage resources in the coastal zone (42% of the projects reviewed statewide), as defined by the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) Coastal Zone Management (CZM) Program. During FY2021, 758 coastal projects were submitted through the NHDE; 59% of all the projects submitted for review in the coastal zone. 54 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 represent the diversity of projects reviewed including creation of nesting habitat in Hamptons Roads, a parkway extension, a fire station development, and a data center development area in Prince William County, and a pipeline replacement project in the Cities of Chesapeake and Suffolk, Isle of Wight, Southampton, Surry and Sussex Counties.

Coastal localities and other conservation partners participated in 8 training sessions for the Natural Heritage Data Explorer (NHDE) website (https://vanhde.org), including 41 from state agencies, 9 from local governments, 20 from consulting companies, 7 from land trusts, 1 from a Planning District Commission, 2 from federal agencies, and 2 from Virginia Indian tribes. At the end of FY2021, there were 43 coastal localities, 8 Planning District Commissions and 18 land trusts within the coastal zone with access to NHDE, digital shapefile data, and/or a combination of these tools. This equates to 98% of coastal zone counties or cities having Natural Heritage data, 100% of the Planning District Commissions and 82% of the Land Trusts as of September 30, 2022. The Locality Liaison and project review staff renewed or initiated 38 data licenses throughout this year within the coastal zone, including localities, consultants, land trusts, and Virginia Indian tribes.

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 v3.0, 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 distributed to licensed users. 

The Natural Heritage Locality Liaison (Locality Liaison) attended meetings, presentations and workshops throughout the year, and presented information on Natural Heritage resources at the Virginia Tribal Summit on March 16, 2022. 

The Locality Liaison worked with other Heritage staff, staff from the DCR-Public Communications and Marketing Office, and the CZM Program on two video projects; creation of a short video highlighting coastal natural heritage resources, and creation of NHDE public training tutorial videos. The Locality Liaison also posted quarterly coastal species highlights to the Locality Assistance webpage (http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/natural-heritage/localityliaison).

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: 2021 Coastal Grant Project Description and Final Summary

Project Task Number:

6

Grantee:

Virginia Institute of Marine Science 

Project Title:

Tidal Wetlands Management Technical Support 

Project Description:

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 an outreach opportunity, most likely a workshop on the VIMS campus but possibly a virtual webinar series, the production and distribution of CCRM E-News and Rivers and Coast publications on current coastal management topics, and support for social media outreach 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 continue to enhance the second database, as possible, by adding parameters and georeferenced location for all historical permits. 

Federal Funding:

$47,550 

Project Contact:

Dawn Fleming; 804-684-7380; dawnf@vims.edu 

Project Status:

10/1/21 - 9/30/22; 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.  This grant year, CCRM continued to build our readership.  This effort increased our followers on social media by 60 people (589 to 649) due to regularly scheduled postings and targeted paid ads.

The Center for Coastal Resources Management was responsible for organizing, hosting and presenting CCRM’s annual Tidal Wetlands Workshop which was held in person for the first time in three years. Keeping Up With Shoreline Changes: status, trends, and legislation was held on the VIMS campus on July 14^th for 105 participants representing a broad range of coastal stakeholders. This workshop examined implementation progress of new legislation, programs, and policies that are now in effect in Virginia. The program included various regulatory updates to assist the coastal region with coordinated shoreline management as well as shoreline field experiences on the VIMS campus.  (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 2022 issue, Drones in Science, highlights how drones are used for coastal and shoreline observations.  Two CCRM projects that use drones to monitor tidal shorelines and bank erosion help to illustrate how these low-altitude aerial vehicles can complement ground-level observations and satellite imagery. (https://scholarworks.wm.edu/reports/2836/)  This publication provides a delivery mechanism to link stakeholders with resources and information.  It was added to our website online and announced through the Center’s September e-news. Hard copies are made available at in person events. (https://scholarworks.wm.edu/reports/2836/)  CCRM e-News, is a quarterly e-newsletter, distributed to more than 3000 subscribers including local and state agency personnel, General Assembly members, shoreline industry professionals, 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 the CCRM website (and others).  The Center’s social media effort on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok informed CCRM’s followers about CCRM activities and coastal issues in Virginia and included 116 posts leading to an additional 60 followers over the year.  In September, CCRM experimented with paid ads by selecting to promote a few posts highlighting CCRM tools, e-newsletter and webpages.  These posts reached thousands more people compared to unpromoted posts, demonstrating the benefits of doing Facebook ads.  (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, 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. 

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: 2021 Coastal Grant Project Description and Final Summary

Project Task Number:

7 

Grantee:

Virginia Institute of Marine Science 

Project Title:

2021 Submerged Aquatic Vegetation Distribution and Abundance Survey 

Project Description:

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

In 2021, VIMS will continue the annual SAV survey program, begun in 1984, by mapping SAV in the shoal areas of the entire Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries as well as the Seaside Bays of Virginia’s Eastern Shore from digital aerial imagery acquired during late spring to late summer. This grant does not cover costs of conducting or acquiring the aerial survey data but does cover personnel costs at VIMS to analyze the data and prepare maps.

Digital aerial photography will be acquired at a photographic scale of 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 mapped segments as possible and included in the final report.

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

The perimeters of all SAV beds mapped from the 2021 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 (http://vims.edu/bio/sav/maps.html?svr=www). 

Federal Funding:

$68,000 

Project Contact:

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

Project Status:

10/1/21 - 12/31/22; Project Open

Final Product:

Final Project Summary serves as Final Product.

Project Summary:

PROJECT SUMMARY:  The 2021 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 November, with a resolution of 24 cm, encompassing 179 flight lines. WorldView 2 satellite imagery acquired from Maxar through the NGA Nextview program and the National Agricultural Imagery Program (NAIP) was used to augment the aerial imagery in multiple areas of the survey.  For 2021, 27,528 hectares (66,025 acres) of SAV were mapped in Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries, an 8% increase from the 2020 totals. 

In the Tidal Fresh Bay Zone (19 CBP segments), 7,761 hectares (19,179 ac) of SAV were mapped for 2021, a 4% increase over 2020. In the Oligohaline Bay Zone (25 CBP segments), 3,393 hectares (8,384 acres) of SAV were mapped for 2021, a 2% increase from 2020.  In the Mesohaline Bay Salinity Zone (41 CBP segments), 9,749 hectares (24,091 ac) of SAV were mapped for 2021, a 6% increase from 2020. In the Polyhaline Bay Zone (8 CBP segments), SAV 6,625 hectares (16,371 ac) of SAV were mapped for 2021, a 19% increase from 2020. 

In the Delmarva Peninsula Coastal Bays Zone (10 segments covering Assawoman, Isle of Wight, Sinepuxent, Chincoteague, and Southern Virginia coastal bays), 6,954 hectares (17,185 ac) of SAV were mapped for 2021, a 4% decline from the estimated coverage of SAV in this region in 2020. 

The 2021 SAV report can now be viewed at: https://www.vims.edu/research/units/programs/sav/reports/2021/index.php

 and also on VIMS’ interactive map: https://www.vims.edu/research/units/programs/sav/access/maps/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.

Virginia CZM Program: 2021 Coastal Grant Project Description and Final Summary 

Project Task Number

8

Grantee:

Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation 

Project Title:

Healthy Waters in the Coastal Zone 

Project Description:

Funding through this grant will be used to support the implementation of the Virginia Healthy Waters Program (HWP) within the Natural Heritage Program (NHP) at the Virgnia Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) as it applies to advancing the identification, interpretation and protection of aquatic communities. Through a partnership with the Virginia Commonwealth University, (VCU), this task includes the administration and development of the HWP, delivery of tools and products of the DCR NHP such as the Virginia Ecological Value Assessment (VEVA), development of Element Occurences (EO’s), Stream Conservation Units (SCU’s), INSTAR data, Coastal GEMS, and ConservationVision Watershed Model, in the Coastal Zone of Virginia. The Program Manager will work with both the DCR NHP and the Virginia Dept. of Environmental Quality (DEQ) to fully implement the Program to achieve lasting benefits for the Commonwealth.

The DCR will implement a contractual agreement with VCU for an Environmental Scientist/Analyst to be retained through the VCU Life Sciences Department and the Rice Rivers Center to serve as the HWP Manager. The HWP Manager will continue to be housed in the DCR NHP, have access to the facilities, equipment, vehicles and expertise of the DCR and continue to integrate the skills and abilities of VCU, as well. The position 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 DCR NHP and the CZM, as it relates to coastal zone ecology, management, and restoration.  

Governor Northam officially launched ConserveVirginia, as a data-driven, state-wide, land conservation strategy that identifies high value lands, waters, and conservation sites across the Commonwealth of Virginia. ConserveVirginia was created as a living “smart map” for the synthesis of 19 mapped data inputs, divided into six categories, each representing a different overarching conservation value to guide investments to conserve the highest value lands. These mapped acres will help guide a long-term land conservation strategy for Virginia by serving as a “menu” to guide and inform state land acquisitions, environmental mitigation projects and Virginia Land Conservation Foundation Grants. In addition to the six categories, the NHP will integrate the HWP aquatic community classifications. The ConserveVirginia tool will be used to maximize the benefits derived from land conservation efforts within the State and is designed to include regular updates as new data are available and priorities refined, such as the inclusion of ecologically healthy waters to inform protection and restoration efforts in the Commonwealth.

Virginia has committed to a Chesapeake Bay Program goal of 100 percent of state-identified, ecologically healthy waters and watersheds to remain healthy, as identified in 2014, by 2025. This goal was set by the Chesapeake Bay Program Healthy Watersheds Goal Implementation Team (GIT) and for Virginia is based on INSTAR data and the identified Healthy Watersheds in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. To achieve that goal, NHP utilizes a process of evaluating different scales of contributing drainage areas (based on NHDPlus-HR) and different metrics to predict stream health as assessed by INSTAR and to refine those areas to conserve, further validated with INSTAR sampling.

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 DCR 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:

10/1/21 -9/30/22; Project Completed 

Final Product:

Healthy Waters in the Coastal Zone - FY21 Task 8 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 Program 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 Rice Rivers Center as an effort of Healthy Estuarine Waters to reclaim waste oyster shell and return it to the Chesapeake as part of Bay restoration and replenishment activities.

The Healthy Waters Program, at the VDCR Natural Heritage Division focused on the development of capacity to advance the Program into on-the-ground actions achieving the goals under the Chesapeake Bay Program to conserve HWs by 2025. Meetings were held with senior management to characterize the challenges of the program and to communicate the value of HW conservation to the new Administration and DCR management. Conclusions were reached that DCR NHP had created the models necessary to move into developing a HW Field Coordinator to work locally with private land owners, land brokers, Soil and Water Conservation Districts and other field partners to leverage those existing resources to achieve a conservation outcome. The HWP Manager worked with the senior staff of the DCR NHP to work toward a resolution of managing the potential workload increase if the Stream Conservation Unit is converted to a catchment based approach of Stream Conservation Catchments.

The Program Manager continued to participate in the Chesapeake Bay Program, Goal Implementation Team 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 VDCR and VDEQ. The Program Manager continued to advance Healthy Waters Bay Agreement Goal of 100% protecting the 2014 HW sites in the Chesapeake Bay by 2025.

A small portion of the grant from the VA Coastal Zone Management Program to the VCU Rice Rivers Center’s VA Oyster Shell Recycling Program. The goals are to reclaim waste oyster shell and return it to the VA portion of the Chesapeake. The grant supported the development of signage, stickers, purchase of containers and supported the bulk movement of shell from local storage sites to the VCU Rice Rivers Center. A public event to dedicate a new shell recycling container was held in Deltaville with signage that includes VA CZM.

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: 2021 Coastal Grant Project Description and Final Summary

Project Task Number:

9.01 

Grantee:

Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources 

Project Title:

Eastern Shore Forest and Wetland Conservation Initiative

Project Description:

The Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources proposes to restore and/or enhance 200 acres of upland habitat and 100 acres of wetland habitat on recently-acquired lands on Virginia’s Eastern Shore.  This restoration project presents outstanding opportunities to facilitate natural marsh migration, support coastal resiliency, provide access to new public lands for wildlife-related recreation, and, most importantly, improve habitat for migratory birds and species of greatest conservation need in an area of hemispheric importance.  The Delmarva Peninsula, including Accomack and Northampton counties, supports 7-10 million birds in fall migration annually. The lack of sufficient food and shelter on the Eastern Shore in the Virginia portion creates an energy deficit for birds attempting to cross the Chesapeake Bay and continue southward migration. Changes in population demographics and industrial agriculture in the area, along with loss of existing natural habitats, are additional stressors on wildlife.  The DWR and partners estimate that improvement of the forest quality and availability on these properties will significantly improve the food resources available to migratory birds in this region.

The Eastern Shore of Virginia has long been recognized for its ecological, economic and recreational significance not only for the Commonwealth, but also for the Delmarva Peninsula.  In 2021 and 2022, the Virginia DWR acquired more than 7,800 acres of industrial forests, in Accomack County, from the New Forest Fund, a subsidiary of The Conservation Fund.  While these properties have been in conservation ownership for more than 20 years, little activity has occurred to improve habitats or provide public access.  Recognizing the significance of these lands, the DWR has developed an ambitious management plan to restore wetlands and improve upland habitats to increase the value of these lands for wildlife, particularly migratory birds.  The actions provided in this project will:

•     Improve Chesapeake Bay water quality by restoring and enhancing the capacity for wetlands to trap and store nutrient and sediments (a goal of Virginia’s Chesapeake Bay Watershed Improvement Plan III);

•     Restore 200 acres of forested and 100 acres of wetland habitats to build coastal resilience for communities and lands against impacts associated with storms, flooding, erosion, and sea level rise;

•     Enhance forest habitat for roosting, breeding and foraging for the federally-listed threatened Northern Long-eared Bat (Myotis septentrionalis) by managing the forest mosaic in a manner compatible with this species diverse habitat requirements;

•     Enhance foraging habitat and potential nesting habitat for the federally-threatened and state-listed endangered Eastern Black Rail (Laterallus jamaicensis jamaicensis); foraging and breeding habitat for the recently-delisted Delmarva Fox Squirrel (Scurius niger cinereus); summer foraging and maternity habitat for state endangered Little Brown Bat (Myotis lucifugus) and state endangered Tri-Colored Bat (Perimyotis subflavus);

•     Restore and enhance breeding and wintering habitat for the internationally declining American Black Duck (Anas rubripes) and migration and wintering habitat for six North American Waterfowl Management Plan Bird Conservation Region 30 priority species and at least ten additional coastal dependent migratory waterfowl;

•     Restore and enhance breeding, migrating, and wintering habitat for numerous coastal dependent bird species identified as top priorities in the Partners In Flight Conservation Plan for the Mid-Atlantic Coastal Plain and the Atlantic Coast Joint Venture Bird Conservation Region 30 Implementation Plan;

•     Restore and enhance foraging, breeding, migration, and wintering habitat for numerous waterbird species of concern included in the North American Waterbird Conservation Plan;

•     Restore and enhance foraging, breeding, migration, wintering and resting habitat for 29 Species of Greatest Conservation Need identified in Virginia’s 2015 Wildlife Action Plan; and

•     Enhance public access for outdoor recreation, including hunting, fishing, wildlife watching, and other compatible activities.

Upland Restoration: The upland restoration will consist of daylighting existing overgrown road systems and managing invasive species, to support regeneration in different stages of succession to increase food production for neotropical migrants. To enhance understory vegetation, forestry mulching, mowing, and prescribed fire, along with cut and/or stump and basal bark treatments, will be used as tools to maintain select areas in early successional stages. Invasive species present or emerging during restoration will be treated via cut/stump, basal bark treatment, or foliar herbicide application.  Vegetation regeneration prioritized will be that identified by the Center for Conservation Biology as high to highest priority for migratory bird species using the Peninsula, including native species, such as:  American beautyberry (Calicarpa americana), Highbush blueberry (Vaccinium coymbosum), Sweetleaf (Symplocos tinctoria), Red bay (Persea palustris), American holly (Ilex opaca), Red maple (Acer rubrum), Black cherry (Prunus serotina), Sassafras (Sassafras albidum), Water oak (Quercus nigra), Southern red oak (Quercus falcata), Post oak (Quercus stellata), Black oak (Quercus velutina), Cherrybark oak (Quercus pagoda), Hickories (Carya alba, C. glabra, C. ovata), Persimmon (Diospyros virginiana), Yaupon holly (Ilex vomitoria).

Wetland Restoration:  The wetland restoration will consist of plugging manmade ditches that are currently draining the property, utilizing the existing side cast from ditch construction.  Specifically, the proposed work will include invasive species mapping and removal, elevation surveys, project mapping, wetland restoration design, vegetation removal, mowing, disking and planting, and water level control.

These restoration efforts will directly support coastal wildlife and aid in coastal resilience.  Plugging the ditches will disseminate storm water flows, capture sediment, raise the local groundwater table, and enhance groundwater recharge. Proposed habitat work will give native wetland trees and shrubs a competitive edge and will aid in the re-establishment of native plant communities.  Ensuring adjacent lands are prepared to support marsh migration provides space for high marsh to establish and provide important habitat for imperiled species like the saltmarsh sparrow and the Eastern black rail, both of which are flagship species of the Atlantic Coast Joint Venture. Restoring native coastal forest stands to both upland and wetland forests will allow these areas to be able to withstand severe impact from intense coastal storms better than intensively managed timber stands. Selecting for and enhancing native shrub habitats within these coastal forest lands will support a host of migratory song birds by providing high quality foraging, nesting, and roosting habitat.  The Department of Wildlife Resources is working with The College of William and Mary’s Center for Conservation Biology to implement a long term monitoring plan to determine the increased food availability and its use by neo-tropical migrant birds. The DWR will conduct restoration monitoring for twelve months post construction, evaluating planting success and wetland vegetation response. The project restores areas of high to very high ecological value, as identified by the Virginia CZM’s Virginia Ecological Value Assessment.

Federal Funding:

$396,964 

Project Contact:

David Norris; 894-641-6698; david.norris@dwr.virginia.gov 

Project Status:

2/1/23 - 9/30/23; Project Open 

Final Product:

Project Summary:

Disclaimer: This project summary provides the federal dollars initially awarded to the grantee. Due to underexpenditure or reprogramming of grant funds, this figure may change. For more information on the allocation of coastal grant funds, please contact Ryan Green, Virginia Coastal Program Manager, at 804.698.4258 or email: 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: 2021 Coastal Grant Project Description and Final Summary

Project Task Number:

41 

Grantee:

Accomack-Northampton Planning District Commission 

Project Title:

A-NPDC Technical Assistance Program & Coastal Resiliency Planning

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 FY2020, 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 design a large mesh “LOVE” statue for collecting marine debris. Staff will work with local partners, such as The Nature Conservancy (TNC) and localities to develop a plan for donating the statue and designating where the statue will be housed to collect marine debris. The intention is to bring awareness to the impact and amount of marine debris throughout the Eastern Shore region, both along the Seaside and Bayside.

Federal Funding:

$64,500 

Project Contact:

Jessica Steelman; 757-787-2936 x114; jsteelman@a-npdc.org 

Project Status:

10/1/21 - 9/30/22; Project Completed 

Final Product:

Accomack-Northampton PDC Technical Assistance Program & Coastal Resiliency Planning Final Product Report (PDF)

Project Summary:

The A-NPDC staff continues to provide four (4) training events relevant to the goals outlined in the scope of work: resiliency, navigability and working waterfronts, coastal resources, and coastal community development. Coastal Management efforts involved collaboration with Chambers of Commerce, Eastern Shore of Virginia Ground Water Committee (GWC), Eastern Shore Regional Navigable Waterways Committee (ESRNWC), Local Government Advisory Committee (LGAC), Virginia Tech AREC, Eastern Shore Soil & Water Conservation District (ESSWCD), Eastern Shore Community College (ESCC) and Workforce Development, and local stakeholders for identifying local needs and seeking input on public issues such as prioritizing of creeks for dredging, access to clean drinking water, and promoting the coastal industries (aquaculture, working waterfronts, etc.)

The Eastern Shore of Virginia Ground Water Committee (GWC) is the only region in coastal Virginia whose public water supply has been designated by the EPA to be derived from a Sole Source Aquifer. Since the region is solely reliant on groundwater for its public water supply, A-NPDC staff has worked with the GWC to facilitate and host educational programs in accordance with GWC goals.

A-NPDC staff intended to plan and design a mesh marine debris collecting “LOVE” sign to increase awareness and public education for residents and tourists alike on prevention measures and the impacts of marine debris. Unfortunately, during the planning phase, this initiative was unsuccessful at this time. Rather, the funds were used to register A-NPDC staff in a formal ESRI GIS training to increase staff capacity for in-house mapping and providing mapping technical assistance to localities in need. Remaining funds were used to purchase public engagement supplies to increase staff capacity for facilitating, hosting, and developing engaging and interactive trainings and public meetings.  

A-NPDC staff identified measurable benefits accrued from previous grant products that have served as a foundation for additional projects. These benefits build on existing CZM-funded initiatives and emphasize the importance of the work being done, and highlights the amount of outreach and collaboration that was implemented. Furthermore, the benefits accrued provide insight to the continued positive impacts CZM-funded projects have on the Eastern Shore.

Under this grant, the A-NPDC received funding resilience planning. The A-NPDC plays a critical role in regional resiliency coordination, providing technical assistance and collaboration with local governments, while also serving as liaisons to the state and federal agencies in charge of developing new policies and regulations. The Climate Adaptation Working Group (CAWG) is a regional platform for resilience and climate impact awareness and initiatives. The CAWG Summer Workshop 2022 was very successful in engaging stakeholders and local partners to work on understanding, identifying, and discussing resilience priorities.

Moffatt & Nichol was procured to complete all survey, sediment sampling, planning, design, and community outreach activities for an area of Nassawadox Creek in Northampton County. Pre-implementation activities included the development of a dredge material management planning (DMMP) and community engagement, as supported by the Waterway Maintenance Fund managed by the Virginia Port Authority.

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: 2021 Coastal Grant Project Description and Final Summary 

Project Task Number:

42 

Grantee:

Crater Planning District Commission 

Project Title:

Crater PDC Technical Assistance Program/ Advancing Ecosystem and Community Resilience in Virginia’s Coastal Zone

Project Description:

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

Technical Assistance Program

Crater PDC staff will work with the Commission’s established 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 within its region with environmental impact reviews, provide technical assistance, coordination, training, and staff support to the Friends of the Lower Appomattox River (FOLAR).

Crater PDC staff will continue work under this proposal in concert with the Friends of the Lower Appomattox River (FOLAR). Staff will continue looking into developing 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.

Community Resilience (year 2 of 3)

The purpose of this project is to improve regional capacity at the Planning District Commissions (PDCs) for resilience planning; to support local, regional, and state efforts; and to develop and implement new projects and policies.  Collaboration with the other seven coastal zone PDCs streamlines the development of procedures and products and will lead to synergic results for the most efficient and effective use of funds.  Since resilience means different things to different communities and regions, this scope includes common tasks across PDCs (4 base tasks) and allows for PDCs to focus on local priority concerns (PDC-specific tasks).  In general, each task will be worked on in each year to initiate, fully develop, and implement the tasks.  

Crater PDC will focus on the four basic tasks:

1. Support the regional resiliency stakeholder group and conduct at least two (2) annual stakeholder meetings.
2. Identify regional resiliency needs, such as data gaps, local capacity, etc., and establish regional resilience priorities (such as identifying areas to protect/relocate/adapt, natural resource protection, planning for migration of flora and fauna, etc.) and potential projects. 
3. Support the development of the CZM resilience database by providing feedback on structure, usability, and procedures based on local and regional needs, project priorities, and a list of regional projects and data on those projects.
4. Participate in development of state level resilience planning initiatives by attending meetings and providing information to state entities. 

Federal Funding:

$64,500 

Project Contact:

Andrew Franzyshen; 804-861-1666; afranzyshen@craterpdc.org 

Project Status:

10/1/21 - 9/30/22; Project Completed 

Final Product:

Crater Planning District Commission Technical Assistance Program Final Report (PDF)

Project Summary:

(1) Environmental Impact Review Comments

Crater PDC Staff processed multiple environmental impact reviews for local, state, and federal projects. See final report for details.

(2) Report of Coastal Meetings

CPDC held successful coordination meetings for stakeholders on December 15, 2021 (jointly with George Washington Regional Commission); March 30, 2022; June 22, 2022; July 27, 2022; and September 20, 2022 (joint with GWRC). Crater staff also participated in regional meetings such as the Middle James and Lower James Roundtable meetings on 10/14/21, 11/10/21, and 9/1/22.

(3) Coastal Training

Cater PDC hosted four training events: 1. Training on the VA Outdoors Plan and the parks master plan for the Crater region with Bill Conkle from DCR; 2. Environmental Justice and Dam Safety/Monitoring Training with Angela Davis and Mark Kilgore (DCR); 3. A roundtable discussion and short presentation on marine debris and stream litter by Jeff Flood (DEQ); 4. Culvert Impacts on Wildlife and Design Conveyances, Regulations and Permitting Training by Lisa Moss and Jessica Pica (USFWS) and Daniel Redgate (VDOT).

(4) Friends of the Lower Appomattox River

Crater PDC staff continued to provide technical support to FOLAR, such as aiding FOLAR in their marine debris mapping efforts. CPDC are also assisting FOLAR in identifying outfalls and sources of litter close to the river trails to help coordinate planning and volunteer cleanup efforts. Crater PDC staff provided technical and GIS mapping support for updates to master plan maps that are used to reflect progress in trail development. Crater staff provided help and support for the two-year update to the Appomattox River Trail Guide.

(5)  Benefits Accrued from Prior CZM Grants

Through the CZM program, CPDC helped FOLAR grow into a formalized organization that held multiple annual events and stream cleanups, developed a Master Plan for the Appomattox River Trail, and an extensive portfolio of completed trailheads and trail segments along the river. CPDC’s growing repertoire of mapping tools and data has given it the ability to better respond to localities’ needs and to create new tools to meet those needs and new CZM goals.

(6)  Resilience Planning

CPDC held successful coordination meetings for resilience stakeholders through the Environmental Resources Management Task Force to discuss resiliency needs and define what resilience means for the region, including topics on environmental justice and renewable energy.

CPDC is working with stakeholders to identify regional resiliency needs, such as data gaps, local capacity, etc. and establish regional resilience priorities. The needs and priorities were shared and discussed at regional meetings.

CPDC will contribute projects to the streamlined Coastal Resilience Master Plan (CRMP) database in coordination with locality needs.

Crater PDC participated in the Coastal Resilience Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) meetings to discuss ongoing VA-CRMP as well as other state- and region-wide CZM-related meetings. CPDC staff have also attended numerous webinars and other presentations in order to stay abreast of grant opportunities and information regarding environmental policy and regulation updates.

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: 2021 Coastal Grant Project Description and Final Summary

Project Task Number:

43

Grantee:

Hampton Roads Planning District Commission 

Project Title:

Hampton Roads Coastal Resources Management Technical Assistance Program 

Project Description:

Technical Assistance (TA)

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

1. 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.

2. Public Information, Education, and Training

   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. The HRPDC will also conduct or host at least six training programs or activities for local government staff. Generally, while meetings and training activities are targeted toward serving local government staff, most are also open or available to the public. 

3. Regional Coordination Process

   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. This component includes participation by the HRPDC staff in the Coastal PDC Committee, Coastal Policy Team, Chesapeake Bay Program, and other state and federal environmental initiatives. The Regional Coordination Process is integral to all program components, linking them into a comprehensive environmental planning program.

4. Regional Special Projects/Technical Studies

   This includes the development of policy and technical analysis or projects related to environmental and coastal issues. Specific studies will be determined in cooperation with local governments, with an emphasis on water quality, Chesapeake Bay related issues, and coastal resiliency.

5. Technical Assistance

This includes providing information, data, and technical assistance, including GIS data provision and similar tasks, to help localities or other entities (including state and federal agencies and non-governmental organizations) with comprehensive planning, ordinance updates, or other technical needs related to coastal resources management. 

Resiliency Focal Area (RFA)

In addition, the HRPDC will continue efforts to enhance local and regional resilience through coordination with local, state, and federal governments and development of policy and analysis products. The HRPDC has been working on resilience initiatives for over ten years, several of which were supported by the Virginia Coastal Zone Management Program. Other regional efforts, including the creation of the HRPDC’s Coastal Resilience program, have been supported through local contributions and agreements. Tasks supported through this grant will include continuation of the region’s coastal resilience coordination process, contribution to CZM and statewide resilience efforts, including the Coastal Zone Resilience Projects Database and other state level resilience initiatives, and assistance to local governments on resilience issues.

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:

$99,000 

Project Contact:

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

Project Status:

10/1/21 - 9/30/22; Project Completed 

Final Product:

Hampton Roads Coastal Resources Management Technical Assistance Program Fiscal Year 2021-2022 Final Report (PDF)

Project Summary:

This report describes the technical assistance program conducted by the Hampton Roads Planning District Commission (HRPDC) during FY 2021-2022 through its Coastal Resources Management Technical Assistance (TA) 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, including support for various resiliency initiatives. It describes the various products generated and used in assisting the region’s seventeen local governments, supporting the Virginia Coastal Zone Management Program (CZM), and working with the other Planning District Commissions (PDCs) in the Coastal Zone.

Product #1 – EIA/EIS and Federal Consistency Review: Comments were provided on three (3) federal consistency determinations and one other transportation project study.

Participation in State and Federal Programs: HRPDC staff represents the region on several state and federal technical advisory committees. HRPDC staff continued to participate in Coastal PDC quarterly meetings and CZM’s Coastal Policy Team (CPT).

Product #2 - Public Information, Education, and Training: HRPDC staff maintained information on its website and provided regular briefings to local elected officials, local governing bodies, and to professional and civic organizations. HRPDC provided or helped to provide nine (9) training opportunities for local government staff.

Product #3 - Regional Coordination Process: HRPDC staff facilitates regional advisory committees addressing a variety of coastal and environmental issues. During this grant period, the Regional Environmental Committee met eleven (11) times.

Product #4 - Regional Technical Studies and Special Products: HRPDC staff completed three studies and projects: updates to FishSwimPlay.com, digitizing riverine floodplain data, and improvements to regional resilient stormwater management design guidelines. HRPDC staff assisted local government staff, consultants, businesses, and citizen environmental organizations with environmental and planning issues on request.

Product #5 - Benefits Accrued from Prior CZM Grants – HRPDC included a summary of Benefits Accrued in the FY21 final report, highlighting the ongoing regional coordination HRPDC that has been able to achieve with localities and federal installations (primarily DoD) with support from CZM TA grant funds.

Product #6 – Resilience Planning: During this grant period, the Coastal Resiliency Committee met four (4) times. HRPDC staff maintained its regional resiliency dashboard and project database, provided access to that database to CZM, and submitted regional resilience projects to the database associated with the Virginia Coastal Resilience Master Plan (VCRMP). HRPDC staff supported the development of the VCRMP by participating on the Technical Advisory Committee and its subcommittees and providing feedback on Plan products. The HRPDC staff, Coastal Resiliency Committee, and HRPDC board identified several key data and analysis needs and public policy proposals for consideration by localities, state agencies, and the General Assembly.

This final 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 

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: 2021 Coastal Grant Project Description and Final Summary

Project Task Number:

44

Grantee:

Middle Peninsula Planning District Commission

Project Title:

MPPDC Technical Assistance Program 

Project Description:

Middle Peninsula Planning District Commission’s (MPPDC) Coastal Resources Technical Assistance (TA) 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.  

MPPDC staff will build upon previous planning activities and continue to promote coastal resilience solutions at the local level, which is critical to maintaining and preserving Virginia’s coastal resources. The MPPDC Coastal TA program has provided the basis for the development of several key resilience programs, including the overarching MPPDC Fight the Flood program under which the Living Shoreline Revolving Loan Fund and the Virginia Port Authority Virginia Waterway Management programs exist. Additionally, these programs support FEMA mitigation programs (i.e. Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) and Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA)) and coordinate the intake of constituent flood applications for numerous flood mitigation funding programs that result in more shovel ready projects.   

MPPDC will continue to advance the status of the Fight the Flood program by expanding and supporting resiliency planning activities, coordination, outreach, and implementation of various flood mitigation projects. The MPPDC approach is a systematic/programmatic solution driven program that protects local government’s tax base, structures, coastal lands, habitat, and water quality.  The MPPDC Fight the Flood program  (https://fightthefloodva.com/)  supports local, regional, state, and private efforts with the development and implementation of new flood mitigation projects, policies, and solutions (i.e. financial, technical and entrepreneurial).  Proposed work will be centered on the delivery of resiliency solutions for recurrent flooding, sea-level rise, storm surge, and subsidence while emphasizing the protection of water quality.

MPPDC staff will also provide ongoing technical assistance and coordination to member local governments.  In part, MPPDC staff will serve as liaisons and coordinators to various state and federal agencies in charge of developing new resiliency policies and regulations. 

For the federal FY 21 grant, the work program will consist of 5 distinct products: 

1. Coastal Management Analysis and Policy Support;
2. Local and State Planning Coordination;
3. Middle Peninsula Chesapeake Bay Public Access Authority (MP CBPAA) Work Plan & Support for Online Facility Reservation system;
4. Benefits Accrued from Ongoing and Prior CZM Grants
5. Resiliency Planning;
   • Support for regional and state-level resiliency planning
   • CZM Resilience Database Support
   • Fight the Flood Constituent Flood Mitigation applications intake.
   • Resiliency Special Project: Resilient Wastewater System Design Research
   • General Assembly Pilot Program to support vertically elevating septic; 

Federal Funding:

$64,500

Project Contact:

Lewie Lawrence; 804-758-2311; llawrence@mppdc.com

Project Status:

10/1/21 - 9/30/22; Project Completed

Final Product:

Middle Peninsula Planning District Commission CZM Technical Assistance and Resilience Program (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 made 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 technical assistance on issues such as the regional impacts of dredging and beneficial use of dredged material, nature-based flood mitigation solutions, and resiliency. For the Federal FY21 grant, there were five 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 of local governments, local planning staff, local planning commissions, and wetlands board staff.

-Local and State Planning Coordination. MPPDC staff attended, convened, and participated in various monthly and quarterly meetings with local government planners, government administrators, and other appropriate government and NGO committees to assist with improved coastal planning.

-Middle Peninsula Chesapeake Bay Public Access Authority (MPCBPAA) Work Plan & Support for Online Facility Reservation System. MPPDC staff assisted the MPCBPAA in implementation of their annual work plan. Three meetings were held throughout the year.

-Benefits Accrued from Ongoing and Prior CZM Grants. MPPDC contracted with Consociate Media to develop an ongoing strategic outreach and awareness initiative to inform localities and stakeholders of the PDC and MPCBPAA’s work and the benefits of CZM funding.

-Resiliency Planning.  MPPDC staff continued to enhance the Middle Peninsula Fight the Flood (FTF) program with upgrades to the database and website to ultimately encourage citizens to register for the program and connect them with contractors offering resiliency or mitigation solutions and financial incentives. During this project period, MPPDC staff submitted 53 resiliency grant applications requesting more than $11 million from various funding agencies. 

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: 2021 Coastal Grant Project Description and Final Summary

Project Task Number:

45 

Grantee:

Northern Neck Planning District Commission 

Project Title:

Northern Neck Planning District Commission Technical Assistance and Advancing Ecosystem and Community Resilience 

Project Description:

Technical Assistance

NNPDC staff will assist the four (4) member local governments of the Northern Neck Planning District on coastal and other environmental issues, including coastal resilience. This project is a continuation of activities undertaken by the NNPDC through the Virginia CZM Program over the last twenty+ years. NNPDC staff will perform the following coastal management 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 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.
4. 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. Coordination with stakeholders and efforts to increase traffic to the site will continue.
5. Coordinate with stakeholders to conduct and update to the Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan. Address resiliency in the hazard mitigation plan by incorporating the outcomes of the RAFT, Regional Resiliency Coordination, Regional Resiliency Priorities, and the Virginia Coastal Resilience Master Planning Framework.
6. Complete a special project conducting a regional green infrastructure assessment for the purposes of developing a land use planning tool to assist local governments with land use planning decisions potentially impacting coastal resources, water quality, and community resiliency.
7. Create a report that highlights the benefits that have accrued during the grant period based on previous Virginia CZM Grants.
   
   Advancing Ecosystem and Community Resilience
   
   NNPDC staff will assist the four (4) member local governments of the Northern Neck Planning District on issues related to ecosystem and community resilience as part of a special 306 funded, 3-year resilience focal area project in collaboration with the eight coastal planning districts. This project is a continuation of activities undertaken by the NNPDC under year one of the special project. NNPDC staff will perform the following tasks:
8. Provide regional resiliency coordination to support local governments on resiliency.
9. Aid local governments in developing regional resilience priorities and to address resilience capacity building needs.
10. Provide support to the ongoing CZM resilience database effort.
11. Provide support in the development and implementation of the Virginia Coastal Resilience Master Plan by attending Technical Advisory Committee and Subcommittee meetings. 

Federal Funding:

$64,500 

Project Contact:

Brianna Heath; 804-333-1900 x21; bheath@nnpdc17.state.va.us 

Project Status:

10/1/21 - 9/30/22; Project Completed 

Final Product:

Northern Neck Planning District Commission Virginia Coastal Zone Management Program Technical Assistance Grant FY 21, Task 45 Final Report (PDF)

Project Summary:

Final Project Summary unavailable.

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: 2021 Coastal Grant Project Description and Final Summary

Project Task Number:

46 

Grantee:

Northern Virginia Regional Commission 

Project Title:

NVRC Coastal Resources Technical Assistance Program and Resiliency Focal Area

Project Description:

This proposal consists of two sections: a Technical Assistance Program and Resiliency Focal Area: Utilizing PDC’s to Advance Ecosystem & Community Resilience in Virginia’s Coastal Zone.  

Technical Assistance (TA)

TA grants have been critical in providing coastal assistance to NVRC localities since 1992. NVRC serves as an entity that promotes coordination among all government agencies in the region, which administer enforceable laws, regulations, and policies that protect our coastal resources. For FY21, NVRC proposes the following efforts to continue the promotion of sustainable management of the coastal zone in Northern Virginia:

1. Local Coordination and Training: NVRC will convene four workshops/meetings, including at least four trainings on topics of local interest and/or that promote collaborative measures for discussing or addressing CZM interests. NVRC will continue to review and respond to environmental impact statements (EIS) and reviews for consistency with local, regional, and state interests. 
2. Special Project: Since 2003, NVRC has managed the Northern Virginia Clean Water Partners Regional Social Marketing Campaign. TA funds will continue to support the overall administration of this project, including the acquisition of leveraged funding from partners, the development of social media content, website content and promotional materials, and procurement of contractual services such as social media management, cable advertising, and post campaign surveys.
3. Benefits Accrued from prior CZM grants: The TA grant provides an opportunity to leverage the efforts and funds of multiple partners that extend the impact of the investment. NVRC will track the amount of funds that are leveraged by our partners during this grant period and report this to CZM.

Resiliency Focal Area

This project will improve the long-term capacity for community resilience planning and support local, regional, and state efforts to develop and implement new projects and policies. This funding will allow all eight coastal planning districts (PDC’s) to support local governments to advance resiliency plans and ensure the coastal zone of Virginia is equipped with knowledge, tools, and policies to adaptively manage for the future. NVRC proposes the following efforts as initial actions within CZM’s overall 3-year Resiliency Focal Area strategy:

1. Regional Coordination for Resilience Planning: NVRC will continue to coordinate the Northern Virginia Climate Resiliency Team (NVCRT), created during a FY18 CZM grant. A working group of stakeholders from across the region, NVCRT meets quarterly to share information on best practices and increase local capacity around critical infrastructure. Continued coordination of NVCRT will allow NVRC to provide support to the development of the Coastal Resilience Database as well as state level resilience planning.
2. State level resilience planning: The Commonwealth’s Chief Resilience Officer (CRO) and the Special Assistant to the Governor for Coastal Adaptation and Protection (SACAP) will create and implement coastal resilience planning, which will incorporate all ongoing planned and proposed federal, state, and local projects and infrastructure to reduce tidal and storm surge flooding and flood risk. The CRO and SACAP will consult with stakeholders including local governments and PDC’s. This proposal’s funding will allow NVRC to participate in state level resilience planning, including attending meetings and providing information to state entities as needed.
3. Identification of Local Needs in the Northern Virginia Region: The SACAP will provide guidance for local governments with respect to regional or statewide sea level rise projections and work collaboratively to ensure these projections are useful for local decision-making. The CRO/SACAP will consult with localities and PDC’s to identify regional resiliency needs, e.g. data gaps, local capacity, etc. This funding will allow NVRC to identify needs in the region. 

Federal Funding:

$64,500

Project Contact:

Normand Goulet; 703-642-4634; ngoulet@novaregion.org 

Project Status:

10/1/21 - 9/30/22; Project Completed 

Final Product:

Northern Virginia Regional Commission Coastal Resources Technical Assistance Program & Resiliency Focal Area Annual Report (PDF)

Project Summary:

NOVA Coastal Resources TA Program: The Virginia CZM Technical Assistance (TA) Grant Program allows NVRC to support and advance local, regional, and state coastal resources management efforts through participation and coordination of meetings, trainings, and workshops. In FY21, NVRC staff conducted four resilience-focused training webinars and led, took part in, or provided general technical assistance for the following meetings: semi—annual Virginia Coastal Policy Team meetings, quarterly Coastal Planning District Commission meetings, quarterly Coastal VA CRS Workgroup meetings, Resilient Fairfax Infrastructure Advisory Committee meetings, a Coastal Virginia Shoreline Stakeholders Group (CVSSG) meeting, and a Northern Virginia Salt Management Strategy meeting. NVRC Staff also responded to 3 EIS/EA requests and participated in one NEPA process (I-495 Southside Express Lanes Study) over the fiscal year.

Regional Stormwater Education Campaign: NVRC continued to coordinate the Northern Virginia Clean Water Partners (NVCWP) program, which aims to address stormwater pollution and source water protection in the region through an annual Regional Stormwater Education Campaign. NVRC held two NVCWP meetings during the fiscal year to coordinate campaign goals and activities amongst the partners. The 2022 campaign included a combination of social media and video advertising efforts with targeted pollution issues, including salt, illicit discharge, bacteria, and nutrients. Video advertisements consisted of two public service announcements (one in English and one in Spanish) on a combination of English and Spanish language networks for a total of 820,154 impressions, or views. The campaign also utilized Facebook and Twitter as part of the campaign strategy with 405 posts, 29,216 post engagements, and 12,740 post link clicks on the NVCWP Facebook page and 408 tweets, 1,051 tweet engagements, and 68 link clicks on NVCWP Twitter page.

As new strategies in 2021, the campaign incorporated several new marketing tools, including a quarterly e-newsletter, a Facebook Group for people to interact and connect on reducing stormwater runoff, and a “Clean Water Pledge” on the program’s website (onlyrain.org). Following the campaign, a 500-participant survey was conducted to track changes in knowledge and behavior for Northern Virginia residents. A summary of the annual campaign and survey results has been published to the NVCWP website: https://www.onlyrain.org/annual-summaries. 

Resilience Focal Area: To support and advance regional resilience efforts, NVRC has convened regional stakeholders to coordinate resilience planning for over four years. In FY21, NVRC staff held a total of five meetings that focused on sharing best practices and ongoing programming as well as identifying local needs and project priorities. In particular, the stakeholder meetings for the NOVA Flood Mitigation and Resiliency Workgroup was created to serve as a collaborative framework to identify and prioritize relevant resilience projects. In turn, stakeholders have been able to establish a network to determine the top issues coming from localities and collaborate on targeted resilience planning efforts, policies, programs, and projects. 

NVRC staff also took part in the planning and development of the Virginia Coastal Resilience Master Plan (VCRMP), including participation in the Technical Advisory Committee and Community Outreach and Project Identification Subcommittees. To share information with local and regional stakeholders throughout the process, Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation presented the VCRMP final Phase I document and website to the Commission on 02/24/22 as well as to the NOVA Flood Mitigation and Resiliency Workgroup on 6/6/2022.

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: 2021 Coastal Grant Project Description and Final Summary

Project Task Number:

47 

Grantee:

George Washington Regional Commission 

Project Title:

George Washington Regional Commission Technical Assistance and Advancing Ecosystem and Community Resilience

Project Description:

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

Technical Assistance (TA)

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

1. Training and Coordination within GWRC, among the other coastal PDCs, and with the CZM Coastal Policy Team (CPT) will continue. The GWRC Regional Environmental Managers Technical Committee (Committee) includes local environmental planners, stormwater program managers/staff and/or planning directors, development review personnel, Rappahannock River Basin Commission, Soil & Water Conservation Districts, and Friends of the Rappahannock.
2. Physical Features Special Project: In accordance with the GWRC Environmental Services Strategic Plan (Plan), the FY21 special project targets Plan Goal 3. Physical Features (CZM’s Goal 1): to protect and restore coastal resources, habitats, and species of the Commonwealth, including, but not limited to, wetlands, subaqueous lands and vegetation, beaches, sand dune systems, barrier islands, underwater or maritime cultural resources, riparian forested buffers, and endangered or threatened species.                                                                                                         
3. CZM Benefits Accrued: GWRC will continue to support and report on benefits accrued from prior CZM grants, including reporting on the impact to the Flood Risk Communication Program, reporting on the Environmental Services Strategic Plan implementation, and supporting the continuation of the Plant Central Rappahannock Natives campaign by hosting two semi-annual meetings, storing campaign materials, and supporting other activities as needed. 

Advancing Ecosystem and Community Resilience Focal Area (RFA) 

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

1. Review and update, if necessary, the regional resiliency stakeholder group roster and conduct at least two (2) stakeholder meetings.
2. Continue to identify regional resiliency needs, such as data gaps, local capacity, etc., and establish regional resilience priorities (such as identifying areas to protect/relocate/adapt, natural resource protection, planning for migration of flora and fauna, etc.). Develop the scopes of conceptual projects to address the identified needs and priorities.
3. Support the development of the CZM resilience database by continuing to provide feedback on structure, usability, and procedures and updating/coordinating the list of regional projects and data on those projects.
4. Continue participation in state level resilience initiatives, including attending meetings and providing information to state entities, as necessary, and participate in implementation planning.

Federal Funding:

$64,500 

Project Contact:

Meredith Keppel; 540-642-1575; meredith.keppel@gwregion.org 

Project Status:

10/1/21 - 9/30/22; Project Open 

Final Product:

George Washington Regional Commission Coastal Zone Management Technical Assistance & Advancing Ecosystem & Community Resilience Report FY 2021 (PDF)

Project Summary:

1. Training & Coordination Outcomes: GWRC staff hosted meetings of the Regional Environmental Managers Technical Committee (REMTC) on 12/15/22, 02/15/22, 03/15/22, 04/19/22, 05/17/22, 06/21/22, 07/19/22, and 09/20/22. The December and September meetings were held jointly with Crater PDC. Meeting minutes were posted to the GWRC website (link). At the 12/15/21 meeting, DCR staff Angela Davis and Mark Kilgore gave a presentation on how DCR and other state agencies are approaching equity and environmental justice in resilience and conservation and on dam safety, regulation, monitoring, classification, and potential remediation funds. On 2/15/22, Lindsay Edwards and Luke Peters of the Berkley Group gave presentations on upcoming Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act funds and how GWRC localities could leverage them, as well as on updates to the conclusion of the Virginia Coastal Resilience Master Plan Phase I and associated data and mapping tools and how they can be used to plan forward for flood and community resilience. On 3/15/22, an interview was conducted with Craig Pennington and David Nunnally of Caroline County on their multi-year solar facility ordinance update process with a major focus on stormwater issues, leading to a discussion of regional solar policy to bring to the state’s attention via the Rappahannock River Basin Commission. On 4/19/22, master’s students from Duke University’s Nicholas School of the Environment gave a training presentation on the Town of Nags Head’s Electric Vehicle (EV) Action Plan and how to apply lessons learned to GWRC localities, followed by a Q&A and discussion. On 9/20/22, Lisa Moss of the USFWS and Daniel Redgate from VDOT gave a training to the REMTC on how culverts impede endangered fish migration, relevant regulations, and how to locally plan for and design conveyances. GWRC also hosted the Coastal PDC Quarterly meeting on 5/31/22 with CZM staff including a tour of Crow’s Nest Natural Area Preserve and attended Coastal PDC Quarterly meeting on 1/26/22 and 9/21/22 and the September Coastal Policy Team meeting to discuss CZM projects and funding updates.

2. Coastal Resource Toolbox: GWRC met with the REMTC on 3/15/22 to discuss model policy and ordinances for utility-scale solar facilities (especially in regard to stormwater) and reported outcomes from the discussion to the Rappahannock River Basin Commission Technical Committee on 3/30/22 with plans to share a list of best practices with localities as part of the resiliency toolbox. On 6/21/22, the REMTC discussed the need for resiliency toolbox, local data, and knowledge gaps, with a highlight being urban heat island data, in addition to previous discussions on utility-scale solar, as well as erosion and sediment control.

3. Benefits Accrued: GWRC conducted the Plant Central Rapp Natives (PCRN) ongoing semi-annual meetings on 2/22/22 and 8/23/22. At the 4/19/22 REMTC meeting, the regional resilience stakeholder group discussed methods, challenges, and successes of communicating flood risk for each locality and the trajectory of the Flood Risk Communications Plan. On 6/21/22, the REMTC reviewed the goals and progress of the Environmental Services Strategic Plan (funded by the FY20 CZM TA grant), aiming to continuously update the Plan to meet localities’ needs and coincide with new CZM another environmental program goals.

4. Resiliency Planning: Regional Resiliency Coordination Outcomes: GWRC discussed the role of environmental justice in resiliency at the 12/15/22 joint meeting and solar facility resiliency topics at the 3/15/22 REMTC meeting. Future resilience topics will include microgrids and planning for electric vehicles. On 5/17/22, Friends of the Rappahannock (FOR) and the Berkley Group gave presentations on myriad resiliency grants applicable to the region.

Regional Resiliency Projects: GWRC is continuing to work with stakeholders to identify regional resiliency needs, such as data gaps, local capacity, etc. Current issues include weather and river level monitoring stations, mapping tools, and projects for grant funds such as FEMA grants, the upcoming Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), and the Department of Conservation & Recreation (DCR)’s Community Flood Preparedness Fund (CFPF).

CZM Resilience Database Contributions: GWRC will continue to coordinate with localities and Bay PDC partners to maintain the CZM project list. It has been determined by group collaboration of the Coastal PDCs and CZM staff that the CZM project database should be discontinued. Instead, the Coastal Resilience Master Plan (CRMP) should be used. GWRC will submit existing and future projects to this database as needed.

State Resilience Planning Support: GWRC attended and participated in several state and regional meetings on resilience topics, including several Rappahannock River Basin Commission (RRBC) meetings, the York River and Small Coastal Basin Roundtable (YRSCBR), American Planning Association (APA) legislative recaps, Wetlands Watch CRS Workgroup meetings, the Coastal Resiliency TAC to discuss the VCRMP Phase II, and others.

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: 2021 Coastal Grant Project Description and Final Summary 

Project Task Number:

48 

Grantee:

Richmond Regional Planning District Commission - PlanRVA 

Project Title:

Richmond Regional Technical Assistance and Resiliency 

Project Description:

TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE

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

1. Coordination & Training Meetings

   PlanRVA staff will host quarterly meetings of local staff representatives who work with coastal resource management issues.  These meetings will provide both training and coordination opportunities for attendees.

2. Regional Coordination and Local Technical Assistance

   PlanRVA staff will respond to identified gaps in and requests for regional coordination or local technical assistance.  Examples of these activities are:

   • Local plan or ordinance development, support, or review
   • Participate in regional or local technical advisory committees
   • Processing of environmental or intergovernmental Reviews
   • Regional Awareness Campaign Assistance – provide assistance or support to local or regional partners for awareness or education campaigns concerning coastal resources issues such as anti-litter and marine debris awareness or native plants
3. Support for the Lower Chickahominy Watershed Collaborative

   This component originated under the VCZM Program FFY16 – FFY20 309 Strategy on Cumulative and Secondary Impacts to Development in the Lower Chickahominy Watershed.  The Lower Chickahominy Watershed Collaborative was formed as the product of a Memorandum of Understanding signed by the local governments, tribes, and other stakeholders of the watershed region that includes Charles City, James City, and New Kent Counties.  The Collaborative seeks to improve relationships and understanding among the signatories.  The Collaborative serves a forum for signatories to discuss and coordinate action items on policy and program solutions that support natural resource conservation and sustainable economic development.  PlanRVA staff will do the following:

   • coordinate and facilitate Collaborative meetings,
   • maintain a Collaborative SharePoint site for improved communication and coordination among Collaborative members, 
   • maintain a project website on the PlanRVA website for the benefit of Collaborative members and the general public, and
   • Participate in the Collaborative as signatory member of the MOU.
4. Benefits Accrued from Prior CZM Grants
   PlanRVA staff will summarize how projects funded by CZM grants in the past have produced measurable benefits.

RESILIENCY

The concept behind this proposal is to improve regional capacity for resilience planning to support local, regional, and state efforts to develop and implement new projects and policies.  PlanRVA staff will work with regional partners to coordinate with state level resilience initiatives and to move forward a regional resilience planning effort which previously did not exist in the Richmond Region. 

In year one, PlanRVA staff focused on the fundamentals of organizing a functional planning committee and understanding existing data sources and gaps.  Relationships were established and strengthened among stakeholders; resources and priorities for the following two years were identified. 

In year two, PlanRVA staff will work with the identified primary resiliency engagement committee and other relevant agency committees to solicit and prioritize a list of projects according to the goals and criteria developed in year one.  PlanRVA staff will publish this list of resiliency projects and submit it to relevant resilience project databases or lists associated with state or federal agencies.  The committee will also identify data gaps or public awareness gaps and the means to address them. PlanRVA staff will coordinate internally, identifying opportunities to consider resiliency in agency or regional planning processes and ensuring steps are taken towards those ends.  Finally, PlanRVA staff will provide support to the Commonwealth of Virginia in continuing state level resilience initiatives. 

Federal Funding:

$64,500 

Project Contact:

Sarah Stewart; 804-323-2033; sstewart@planrva.org 

Project Status:

10/1/21 - 9/30/22; Project Open 

Final Product:

Final Report: Richmond Regional Technical Assistance - Federal Fiscal Year 2021 (PDF)

Project Summary:

Coordination & Training Meetings: On 12/2/21, PlanRVA staff hosted a regional coordination meeting with DCR staff focused on the next update of the Virginia Outdoors Plan. Staff from localities and other stakeholder organizations discussed recreation and land conservation projects with DCR staff. On 1/21/22, DCR Dam Safety staff provided training on updates to the Dam Safety Program and associated regulations. Locality staff gained a better understanding of changes to the program and regulations.  On 4/19/22, DCR staff provided training on state resilience programs including the Coastal Resilience Master Plan and the Flood Preparedness Plan. Locality staff gained a better understanding of how to use Plan related data, enter projects into the planning processes, and respond to engagement requests.  On 8/31/22, DEQ staff provided a training on the state water supply planning program. Locality staff left the meeting with a better understanding of how the State anticipates the water supply planning process at the regional and state levels to proceed. On 9/19/22, Virginia Energy staff presented an overview of solar planning resources in Virginia and the results of the Virginia Solar Survey. Following the presentation, locality staff considered the option of regional pursuit of SolSmart designation through a group discussion. The discussion concluded with interest and general support for the designation. At all Environmental TAC meetings there is a roundtable opportunity for attendees to share and discuss local program issues. PlanRVA staff coordinate meetings for the Don’t Trash Central Virginia campaign with local litter managers and campaign partners; see below for more information.

Regional Coordination and Local Technical Assistance: PlanRVA staff provided technical support to the Town of Ashland by completing several maps required for the Comprehensive Plan as part of the Chesapeake Bay Preservation Act Program Audit. PlanRVA staff continued their work with the Don’t Trash Central Virginia campaign and promoted regional coordination through quarterly meetings where members and partners engaged in roundtable discussions about their ongoing efforts. Additionally, PlanRVA staff provided various tools for members and partners to utilize as social media content. PlanRVA staff continues to share information regarding local clean up events on social media platforms, as well as provides support when possible. During this grant year, PlanRVA staff processed 64 environmental reviews.

Lower Chickahominy Watershed Collaborative Support: PlanRVA staff maintained the LCWC SharePoint site and webpages, as well as providing administrative support for Steering Committee and Workgroup meetings, intermeeting coordination with signatories and stakeholders, and related technical assistance in support of LCWC priorities.

Benefits Accrued: Throughout the year, PlanRVA staff make notes about items to include in the final report.  This grant term the Benefits Accrued report focuses on use of land conservation GIS data by a regional partner.

Resilience Planning: At the 1/21/22 Environmental TAC meeting, DCR Floodplain Management Program staff provided an overview of the program, grant funding opportunities, and resources available for flood related projects. At the 4/19/22 TAC meeting, PlanRVA staff discussed the resilience program at PlanRVA including the introduction to the new PlanRVA Resilience Planner. At the August and September TAC meetings, PlanRVA staff discussed the regional resilience project list and the prioritization process. PlanRVA staff finalized the PlanRVA resilience priorities and began scoring projects on the list. Additionally, at the September TAC meeting, PlanRVA staff discussed how support for planning for solar, and its habitat and water quality impacts, could be incorporated into the PlanRVA work program. To support resilience program work, PlanRVA staff are seeking grants for critical infrastructure mapping (VDEM/FEMA) and urban heat island mapping (VDOF).  If awarded, these data will support the regional resilience dashboard and other projects at PlanRVA.

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: 2021 Coastal Grant Project Description and Final Summary

Project Task Number: 

49

Grantee:

Virginia Aquarium and 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. 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 98/year from 2014-2020) and sea turtle strandings (average 251/year from 2011-2020) 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 (11) and 2019 (9) were record years for large whale strandings. 2015-2019 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 succesfully 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 60 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 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 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:

Alex Costidis; 757-385-6482; acostidi@virginiaaquarium.com 

Project Status:

1/1/22 - 12/31/22; Project Completed 

Final Product:

Virginia Sea Turtle & Marine Mammal Stranding Network 2022 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. VAQS reported 437 Virginia strandings in 2022, more than 140 above the previous year, involving 113 marine mammals and 324 sea turtles. In comparison, 77 marine mammal and 212 sea turtle strandings were recorded in 2021.

In 2022, 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. 2022 was noteworthy because of the continued strandings of bottlenose dolphin (n=81; 72%) and common dolphins (n=20; 19%), but low strandings of large whales (n=1). The common dolphin strandings included a mass stranding of a large group along the bay side of the Eastern Shore in March 2022 believed to have been pushed in by a large storm. The 4 phocid (seal) strandings in 2022 were considered average for the last 10 years. While no manatee strandings were reported in 2022, there were 17 reported sightings.

Sea turtles stranded in above average numbers in 2022 (324), resulting in the highest number of strandings since 2004.(359). VAQS continued to receive numerous reports of sea turtles that were incidentally hooked by recreational fishers. These incidental hookings resulted in 71 known interactions, comprising 49% of all human induced strandings in 2022. 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, although cold stunned sea turtle strandings were significantly lower in 2022 (n=19) compared to 2021 (n=31). Similar to 2020, VAQS recovered the partial remains from 10 sea turtle carcasses found in hopper dredges in the lower Chesapeake Bay. VAQS recorded many live strandings (92) in Virginia in 2022, representing a significant increase over 2021.(n=61) and almost twofold increase over 2020 (n=34). The stranding response team continued the recovery and rehabilitation of sea turtles at the VAQS Stranding Center. During the year, 77 of the 92 live stranded sea turtles were successfully recovered from the field, 56 of which were rehabilitated and released by VAQS, 9 were sent to other facilities, and 9 are still undergoing rehabilitation at VAQS.

Virginia marine mammal and sea turtle stranding levels were increased in 2022. Continued monitoring and reporting of these trends in strandings of protected species will be priorities for the Virginia stranding network in 2023. VAQS will continue its efforts on behalf of sea turtles and marine mammals in the mid-Atlantic region. A complete listing and discussion of 2022 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 2023-01. 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 

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: 2021 Coastal Grant Project Description and Final Summary

Project Task Number:

71 

Grantee:

Virginia Institute of Marine Science 

Project Title:

Conservation Targeting for Resilience (year 2 of 3)

Project Description:

We propose to enhance current conservation targeting by developing future projections of likely migratory patterns and abilities of natural habitat and species guilds to shift under climate change and sea level rise. The period of future projections will be determined by the project team based upon conservation program needs and availability of robust data. Our approach would focus on species guilds linked to coastal wetlands, beaches and riparian forests, and collaborate with the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation Natural Heritage Program to identify habitat thresholds, metrics and access to data, and with the Virginia Coastal Policy Center to determine the overall scope of conservation strategies and their policy implications. Project partners will confer with the Department of Wildlife Resources to identify habitats and species of import for DWR conservation programs. 

Climate change and sea level rise pose a substantial threat to Virginia’s living resources. Changes in temperature, precipitation patterns, and accelerating sea level rise are expected to result in considerable changes to species distributions throughout the Commonwealth. The natural communities and native species of coastal Virginia provide numerous ecological, cultural, and commercial functions and services to the Commonwealth, the Chesapeake Bay, and beyond. Species distributions are predominately determined by the physiological tolerances of the species (e.g., temperature and salinity ranges), the availability of suitable habitat, and predatory restraints (e.g., both natural and anthropogenic). The largest driver of species distribution shifts in coastal Virginia is expected to be through changes in habitat as a result of sea level rise. In Virginia, the rate of sea level rise is among the highest in the nation, and is accelerating. This rapid sea level rise is resulting in major redistribution and loss of coastal marshes, a critical habitat for many coastal inhabitants.

We propose to work in collaboration with the Virginia Departments of Wildlife Resources (DWR) and Conservation and Recreation (DCR) Natural Heritage Program and the Virginia Marine Resources Commission (VMRC) to develop spatially explicit projections of shifts in coastal habitats and their cascading impacts on natural communities and native species throughout the Tidewater region. Faunal guilds provide a useful mechanism for examining the impacts of climate change on species distributions by aggregating species into guilds based on shared functional (e.g., filter feeders), taxonomic (e.g., shorebirds), managerial (e.g., gamefish), and/or habitat (e.g., salt marsh) characteristics. These guilds increase the data density and facilitate the clear translation to defined ecological, cultural, and commercial impacts. In anticipation of policy analysis focused on gaps and barriers to climate adaptive habitat and species management, the Virginia Coastal Policy Center will collaborate via participation in planning meetings and calls.

Quantifying the impacts of the shifts in distributions of species and natural communities as a result of climate change will provide scientists and managers with the necessary information to plan for and guide conservation and restoration activities in the coming years.

Federal Funding:

$101,250 

Project Contact:

Pam Mason; 804-684-7158; mason@vims.edu
Co-Manager: Robert Isdell; 804-684-7718; risdell@vims.edu

Project Status:

10/1/21 - 9/30/22; Project Completed

Final Product:

NOAA CZM FY 2021, Task 71 - Conservation Targeting - Final Report (PDF)

Project Summary:

This project was the second year of a three-year project focused on conservation mapping.

The focus for the Virginia Institute of Marine Science, Center for Coastal Resources Management is to map out potential marsh habitat migration and its spatial impacts on local and State-level stakeholders throughout the coastal zone. VIMS-CCRM has completed modeling projected coastal habitat shifts in response to sea level rise for time intervals from now up to the year 2100. Shifts are expected to be relatively slow in the initial decades (through 2050), but to substantially speed up by 2070 through 2100. These shifts will result in management implications on the consideration of the impacts of those shifts on aquatic and terrestrial species associated with the habitats. Habitat shifts will mean the upland migration/incursion of marshes, as well as the conversion of vegetated intertidal to unvegetated intertidal and subtidal. The model data will be used to produce visualization and possibly other products, the process of which will be informed by stakeholders from local PDCs, and State and Federal agencies. 

The Natural Heritage Program - Department of Conservation and Recreation used information from year one of the project to identify needs for updated data on the presence/absence of certain plants, animals and natural communities to update biodiversity information for prioritized sites. Field biologists surveyed for and/or discovered 166 element occurrences (EOs) of plants, natural communities, and animals. Of these, 61 had been identified as High or Very High inventory priorities. Since October 2022, biologists have been preparing field data for entry by Information Management staff into DCR's database management system, called Biotics. This updated biodiversity information will be used in the conservation planning tools developed in Year 3 of this project. 

Virginia Coastal Policy Center has supported the project team in coordinating with DCR/Heritage and DWR on the models and analyses being done by these entities to determine the overall scope of policy work for VCPC in Year 3. This coordination has involved participation in team meetings and email correspondence as needed.

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: 2021 Coastal Grant Project Description and Final Summary

Project Task Number:

72 

Grantee:

Accomack-Northampton Planning District Commission 

Project Title:

Promoting Ecotourism to Support Conservation of Conserved Lands and Resilient Communities

Project Description:

This collaborative project will build on the efforts completed during fiscal years 2017-2019 (Task 72, Section 306) under the project titled "Virginia Oyster & Water Trail Eco-Tourism Promotion". This proposal is for continuing the 2020-2022 (Task 72, Section 306) project “Promoting Ecotourism to Support Conservation of Conserved Lands and Resilient Communities” into year two of the three-year program.

Improving ecotourism opportunities, resources, and trainings helps to protect economic resiliency and supports keeping conservation lands open. Due to low development and the abundance of green infrastructure, Rural Coastal Virginia minimizes risk to sea-level rise for the entire coastal region and thus the Commonwealth as a whole. An assessment of the economic benefit of conserved lands has already been shown through previous CZM investment in studies of both the Eastern Shore and the Lower Chickahominy regions.

During Year 2, the Coastal Virginia Ecotourism Alliance (CVEA) Steering Committee (Committee) will continue to guide the overall project, coordinate with local Tourism Commissions and localities, and will work with the new Office of Outdoor Recreation (the Office) and the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) to provide statewide support and integration of CVEA goals and products into state planning efforts. Each PDC will develop a list of proposed actions for their respective regions and together for the CVEA, as the Office requests, in order to move Ecotourism and the associated ecological and economic benefits forward.

The Water Trails website will continue to be maintained and updated as needed, which will include a working map of the Lower Chickahominy River water trail assets. The Committee will continue efforts to work with the Office and DCR, providing statewide support and integration into state plans and resources. Also, during Year 2, the Virginia Ecotourism Guide Certification Course (Course) will be offered and recertification efforts for certified guides will be tracked. The Course promotes entrepreneurship and helps retain young people in these regions through an understanding of the economic potential of ecotourism. The Committee will work to develop a long-term sustainability plan for the Course during Year 2. The Virginia Oyster Trail (VOT) will complete its inventory of which communities have provided input about involvement in the VOT Community Program and identify those interested in using the program’s assessment tools to track the level of implementation interest in their community. Year 2 will include working with localities and Public Works Departments for installment of fabricated launch sites signage on existing structures on public property, and PlanRVA will begin a tiered priority list for launch sites in need of signage and begin graphic design for enhancement of these prioritized launch sites.

Federal Funding:

$74,000 

Project Contact:

Jessica Steelman; 757-787-2936 x114; jsteelman@a-npdc.org 

Project Status:

10/1/21 - 9/30/22; Project Completed 

Final Product:

Promoting Ecotourism to Support Conservation of Conserved Lands & Resilient Communities (PDF)

Project Summary:

1. CVEA Steering Committee – The Committee met during quarterly meetings (May & August) to assess deliverables and next steps. During each meeting, website analytics were presented; an upward trend continues, with the anticipatory dip after the paddling season.
2. 36-Month Marketing Matrix – Leveraging VTC MLP funds, a marketing consultant continues to manage social media engagement on Facebook and Instagram as well as publishing experience-curated blogs for the website.  PlanRVA staff submitted blog posts for the Virginia Water Trails website continuing the theme of Exploring the Lower Chickahominy by highlighting public access points. MPPDC staff continued contracting with Consociate Media to develop and post 11 blogs on the website. Blog post topics included A paddle to New Point Comfort Lighthouse, An Escape to Gwynn’s Island, and Unspoiled Dragon Run a Perfect Place to Paddle with Friends. 
3. virginiawatertrails.org Website Maintenance – ANPDC provided updated map layers for the Coastal GEMS mapping tool.  PlanRVA staff reviewed the Lower Chickahominy page and determined that no additional edits were necessary for accuracy of the page. MPPDC staff developed a data layer for the Town of Urbanna that focused on historical locations in the Urbanna Creek. This layer will be added to the website once the Town Council approves the location of the water trail to connect the historical locations.
4. Ecotour Guide Course – The Course saw 9 certified guides for 2022. ANPDC is developing the flier and curriculum for the 2023 iteration.
5. PA Signage & Resiliency Assessment – ANPDC coordinated with localities, counties, and DWR to fabricate and affix (to pre-existing infrastructure) new interpretive signage at 12 public access sites along the Eastern Shore water trails. ANPDC developed a public access assessment to identify vulnerable shorelines and infrastructure.  The MPPDC designed and printed three new signs to be posted at Middle Peninsula Chesapeake Bay Public Access Authority (PAA) properties. MPPDC completed resilience assessments for seven PAA properties along the Water Trails and began identifying funding opportunities for the identified resilience needs.  PlanRVA staff conducted two-phase resiliency assessments for public access sites along the Lower Chickahominy including desktop analysis and outreach to site managers.  The assessments have been compiled into a report that will be included in the final report.  PlanRVA staff also reached out to the same public access site managers about the opportunity for signage; while there was genuine interest, there were no opportunities to develop signs that could be installed on existing posts or structures this grant year.
6. Lower Chickahominy Water Trails – PlanRVA staff added 1 additional water trail to the water trails map: Wright Island Loop.  PlanRVA staff engaged on the topics of water trail development, recreational infrastructure enhancement, and additional public access points with the Lower Chickahominy Watershed Collaborative (LCWC) and associated workgroups.  Work with LCWC partners to further develop and implement these projects is currently underway and will be added to the Virginia Water Trails website when appropriate.
7. VOT Communities & Resiliency – As new information was learned about the potential candidates, VOT representatives refined the list of communities developed during their four unique meetings with the Alliance regions. This analysis resulted in a final list that will guide implementation of the VOT Community Program in CY2023.
8. Governor’s Environmental Excellence Award – This deliverable was completed prior to the April report. The Virginia Water Trails received the Gold Medal.
   
   

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: 2021 Coastal Grant Project Description and Final Summary

Project Task Number:

73

Grantee:

Middle Peninsula Planning District Commission 

Project Title:

Next Generation Integrated Shoreline Plan Guidance & Pilot

Project Description:

Coastal regions must evolve shoreline planning and designs based on everchanging public need driven by Federal, state, and local governmental priorities, socio-economic need, and environmental protection. With regards to Federal priorities, the Middle Peninsula (specifically the York-Piankatank-Mobjack Bay system) has been identified by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and NOAA as an area of special interest for the restoration of coastal resources that support resilient shorelines. USACE and the Commonwealth of Virginia have stated in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Comprehensive Plan that the York-Piankatank-Mobjack Bay system is a “priority sub-watershed” for coastal habitat restoration. In addition, NOAA is considering recognizing this location as a Habitat Focus Area with an emphasis on supporting climate resilient nearshore habitat demonstration projects and oyster restoration. From a state level, recent changes to the Code of Virginia to establish living shorelines as the default rather than the preferred alternative for shoreline protection (see Extended Project Summary) has also shifted the policy focus toward promoting resiliency through nature-based solutions. Accordingly, Virginia shoreline planning must evolve to find a new balance between water quality, habitat enhancement, and resiliency protection. This new integrated approach will form the foundation of the next generation of living shoreline guidance and implementation. Specifically, under this grant award, MPPDC will contract with the Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS) Shoreline Studies Program to develop two deliverables. 

1. Exploratory whitepaper to identify elements and issues needed for the development of next generation shorelines plans using both shoreline practices of today and next generation solutions. Through a literature review, the whitepaper will examine the use of technology, modeling, alternative materials, proprietary products and innovative nature-based mitigation measures in the planning process. The focus will be on Chesapeake Bay with a limited view of other US coastal areas. The purpose of this white paper is to develop a process for how best to approach the full design for the next generation shoreline plans that consider how to balance cost-effective shore protection and habitat goals as well as how to engage stakeholders and educate and transfer knowledge to the private sector to assist with project designs at the parcel scale.
2. Develop one “Pilot-Model” high energy example shoreline plan, which will begin the design discussion of how and what a next generation shoreline plan might entail. This plan will occur on a public waterfront holding. The preferred site is anticipated to include project match funding from either Virginia Port Authority and regional or local partners as described in the match table. The designs may be located in high-energy setting and is anticipated to emphasize natural and nature-based features. 

The outcome of these two deliverables will help to advance forward future Section 309 next generation shoreline plans for larger reach based solutions. The final product will also result in one shovel-ready publicly owned high-energy setting design to be included into the MPPDC Fight the Flood program (https://fightthefloodva.com/) which supports local, regional, state and private efforts with the development and implementation of new flood mitigation projects, policies, and solutions including financial, technical and entrepreneurial necessary to grow and support a mitigation industry to build nature based solutions. 

Federal Funding:

$50,000 

Project Contact:

Lewie Lawrence; 804-758-2311; llawrence@mppdc.com

Project Status:

10/1/21 - 9/30/22; Project Completed 

Final Product:

Next Generation High Energy Shoreline Plan Development Final Report (PDF)

Project Summary:

Middle Peninsula Planning District Commission (MPPDC) staff established a comprehensive foundation to the next generation of shoreline management guidance in Virginia. The Federal FY21, Task 73 grant, consisted of two tasks outlined and completed under the work program:   

Product 1: Next Generation Shoreline Plan Exploratory Whitepaper -  

VIMS-SSP completed the first year of a two-year literature review to examine the successful and proven use of technology, modeling, alternative materials, proprietary products in the planning process for engineered shoreline protection with ecological benefits on high and medium energy shorelines in Chesapeake Bay. This literature review summary examined the ideas, tools, and materials that are being used successfully in developing resilient shoreline management planning. The goal was to determine the best practices for proven shore protection that balances habitat restoration and resiliency in Chesapeake Bay. 

Product 2: Pilot-Model for Next Generation Shoreline Plan - VIMS-SSP staff completed all necessary field work to supplement the development of the plan for the New Point Comfort Natural Area Preserve including LiDAR surveys, bathymetric surveys, and sediment core sampling. A suite of alternatives was presented for consideration by the property owner (The Nature Conservancy) and manager (Dept. of Conservation & Recreation) as well as alternatives that could be conducted entirely on state-owned bottom land. TNC staff selected a design for shoreline protection and habitat restoration that would utilize structures designed and constructed by Natrx. The design for the pilot site also took into consideration design recommendations for the rehabilitation of a public observation deck on the property to be funded through a separate NOAA/VCZMP award. VIMS-SSP worked with Natrx to develop a draft plate design for the plan which is intended to serve as the template for future high-energy next generation shoreline plans. A draft Joint Permit Application for the preferred alternative was developed and MPPDC submitted the project for consideration for funding under the US EPA Chesapeake Bay Technical Assistance program. Consociate Media conducted interviews of MPPDC and VIMS-SSP staff to document the pilot process and developed a draft outline/script for a presentation summarizing the process and outcomes. Consociate Media in partnership with MPPDC staff, completed a presentation summarizing the Next Generation Shoreline Management Planning process with expansion of the presentation planned for the second year of the project involving low-moderate energy shoreline conditions.

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: 2021 Coastal Grant Project Description and Final Summary 

Project Task Number:

91.01 

Grantee:

The College of William & Mary - Virginia Coastal Policy Center 

Project Title:

Narrative Enforceable Policies and Climate Change Resilience

Project Description:

In June, 2020, Virginia submitted draft “narrative enforceable policies” to NOAA to replace the original enforceable policies used, and periodically updated, by Virginia since 1986.  The new policies will provide a clear and concise statement of the Commonwealth’s coastal resource management structure under the Coastal Zone Management Act.  The policies address management of:

• Tidal Wetlands and Non-Tidal Wetlands
• Subaqueous Lands
• Dunes and Beaches
• Chesapeake Bay Preservation Areas
• Marine Fisheries
• Wildlife and Inland Fisheries
• Commonwealth Lands
• Point Source Air Pollution
• Point Source Water Pollution
• Nonpoint Source Water Pollution, and
• Shoreline Sanitation. 

While the policies provide a strong framework for protecting and managing coastal resources, they were not typically designed with coastal resilience issues in mind.  Some may have only a minor connection to the Commonwealth’s resilience goals.  Others, however, may provide a significant opportunity to address resilience goals if they are revised to better address coastal hazard issues, including those related to climate change. 

The 2020 General Assembly also added the goal of promoting climate resiliency to the purpose of the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (HB 1164), which is responsible for five of the eleven enforceable policy areas of the Virginia CZM Program. The Department is responsible for developing and implementing policy and regulatory approaches to address this goal, and has already begun a process of self-evaluation. 

Legislation passed by the 2020 Virginia General Assembly formalized the positions of Chief Resilience Officer and Special Assistant to the Governor for Coastal Adaptation and Protection as positions in state government with the goal of aligning government activities around resilience issues.  

In this project, the Virginia Coastal Policy Center will evaluate each of the Virginia CZM enforceable policies and identify opportunities for strengthening resilience.  Meetings will be held with agency personnel responsible for administering each of the policies and a list of mutually agreed upon recommended actions will be developed.  These policy actions will be reviewed and prioritized by the Virginia CZM Coastal Policy Team in conjunction with the Chief Resilience Officer and Special Assistant to the Governor for Coastal Adaptation and Protection. 

A more detailed analysis of enforceable policy resiliency recommendations will be undertaken in subsequent years of the Coastal Hazards Strategy for policy areas that have been prioritized.  This next phase will include additional stakeholder input and technical assistance to agencies to enhance the policies with respect to their resilience components. 

Federal Funding:

$56,000 

Project Contact:

Elizabeth Andrews; 757-221-1078; eaandrews@wm.edu 

Project Status:

10/1/21 - 9/30/22; Project Completed 

Final Product:

Strengthening Resilience: Incorporating Climate Resiliency in Virginia's Coastal Zone Management Enforceable Policies (PDF)

In-Lieu Fee Program Case Studies: Lessons Learned for Potentially Expanding In-Lieu Fee Habitat Coverage in Virginia (PDF)

Project Summary:

The Virginia Coastal Policy Center (VCPC) at William & Mary Law School was awarded a grant from the Coastal Zone Management Program to work with state agencies to incorporate resilience to climate change into Virginia’s Narrative Enforceable Policies. That project is being delayed awaiting the new Administration's direction on climate change issues. VCPC’s tasks under this multi-year grant therefore were modified.

VCPC’s altered scope of work entails research on the potential development of an in-lieu fee program for impacts to certain types of habitats, such as subaquatic vegetation, shallow water habitats, non-vegetated wetlands, coastal habitats for protected species (dunes and beaches, shorebird and sea turtle habitats), and surface waters with raw water intakes that impact anadromous fish. The work done by a student team in Spring 2022 was focused on researching appropriate case studies and collecting lessons learned from other states that have in lieu fees for a variety of natural resources impacts. Specifically, the Spring 2022 team researched in lieu fee programs in Maryland, Maine, Florida and California, and investigated other coastal states re: in-lieu fee programs for the listed habitats, beyond just wetlands. In looking at the various state programs, VCPC researched the regulatory and management structures of these out-of-state programs, how the collected funds are spent, and how the states ensure compliance with performance and monitoring standards in granting award money. This information was used to develop a white paper with case studies featuring the various state programs’ successes and encountered challenges.

In September 2022, a new team of VCPC students conducted interviews with staff from Virginia state agencies that work closely with Virginia’s existing in-lieu fee program for nontidal and tidal wetlands impacts. The student team specifically focused their research on lessons learned from Virginia’s existing programs and began developing a summary report of their findings to inform the development of an expanded in-lieu fee program in Virginia. The student team also conducted research and interviews with state agency staff members to gain insight on developing a VMRC Enforceable Policy under the CZM program to address beneficial use of dredged material. A summary report of recommendations from these findings is also being developed. Work on both summary reports will continue into the next fiscal year and grant cycle.

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: 2021 Coastal Grant Project Description and Final Summary 

Project Task Number:

91.02 

Grantee:

The College of William & Mary - Virginia Coastal Policy Center

Project Title:

RAFT Expansion, Assessments & Workshops 

Project Description:

Through VCPC and others’ work with localities to assist them in their resilience efforts, it became clear that an important gap in the toolbox of Virginia’s coastal communities that are dealing with sea level rise is an easy and accessible scorecard to define and measure a locality’s resilience. In response, The Resilience Adaptation Feasibility Tool (The RAFT) was developed by an interdisciplinary academic collaborative (the “Project Team”), which includes the Virginia Coastal Policy Center (VCPC) at William & Mary Law School, the Institute for Engagement & Negotiation (IEN) at the University of Virginia, 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”) of a locality’s policies and programs conducted by the Project Team, lending both independence and academic collaboration to the process. Next, to assure that the Scorecard leads to real action, the Project Team engages in a two-step process of presentations to the locality Board of Supervisors or City/Town Council followed by a regional community workshop. This collaborative process enables each community’s thought leaders to identify their community’s resilience strengths and opportunities. The workshop product is a Resilience Action Checklist (“the Checklist”) for each locality, with clear goals and an implementation timeline. A final component of The RAFT process is that the Project Team and partners (such as the Planning District Commission and state agencies) continue to work with the community as Implementation Teams (“IT”) through one year of implementation to provide various forms of assistance, whether technical assistance or help in finding funding sources to achieve specific resilience goals identified in the Checklist. The Project Team leads monthly IT meetings for each locality throughout the year to work through the Checklist items and sustain the momentum for changes in policy and programs. 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 in order to help generate change.

The portions of the project for which the Project Team seeks 309 funding are vital to the implementation of The RAFT. With 309 funding, the Project Team will use the outcomes from its first three rounds of application of The RAFT (three pilot localities, a regional approach of seven localities in Virginia’s Eastern Shore, and a regional approach of six localities in Virginia’s Northern Neck) to: 1) conduct the implementation phase for a fourth round of The RAFT in a regional approach for six localities in the Middle Peninsula; 2) conduct the RAFT scoring process for localities in the Richmond Regional (“PlanRVA”) and Crater planning districts; and 3) host Resilience Action Workshops for PlanRVA and Crater planning districts to develop each locality’s Implementation Team and Resilience Action Checklist. 

Federal Funding:

$80,000 

Project Contact:

Elizabeth Andrews; 757-221-1078; eaandrews@wm.edu 

Project Status:

10/1/21 - 9/30/22; Project Completed

Final Product:

Final Project Summary serves as Final Product.

Project Summary:

The Resilience Adaptation Feasibility Tool (The RAFT) was developed by an interdisciplinary academic collaborative (the “Project Team”), which includes the Virginia Coastal Policy Center (VCPC) at William & Mary Law School, the Institute for Engagement & Negotiation (IEN) at the University of Virginia, and Old Dominion University’s Institute for Coastal Adaptation / Virginia Sea Grant Resilience Program (ODU).

The Project Team is using the outcomes from its first three rounds of application of The RAFT (three pilot localities, a regional approach of seven localities in Virginia’s Eastern Shore, and a regional approach of eight localities in Virginia’s Northern Neck) to: 1) conduct the implementation phase for a fourth round of The RAFT in a regional approach for six localities in the Middle Peninsula; 2) conduct the RAFT scoring process for localities in the Crater Planning District Commission (PDC); and 3) host a Resilience Action Workshop for Hopewell and Petersburg in the Crater PDC to develop each locality’s Implementation Team and Resilience Action Checklist. 

The RAFT Project Team hosted the kickoff meeting for the six localities in the Middle Peninsula on January 28, 2022. Resilience Action Checklists produced during the meeting for the six localities (King William County, King & Queen County, Middlesex County, Essex County, Mathews County, and the Town of West Point) were refined and implemented through implementation team meetings (IT) held monthly from March 2022-Feb. 2023, depending on the needs and capacity of each locality to participate in the implementation process. The final close-out meeting for the RAFT Middle Peninsula localities was held on March 22, 2023. 

The Project Team, led by VCPC, has also scored two localities in the Crater region (the cities of Hopewell and Petersburg). The Project Team has met with each locality’s staff and presented to each locality’s elected governing body the assessment results, including the locality’s strengths and opportunities, as well as a list of policies and programmatic changes that could increase locality resilience. The RAFT Crater kickoff meeting was held on February 16, 2023, with locality IT meetings commenced on March 31, 2023 for Petersburg and April 3, 2023 for Hopewell. RAFT partners IEN have been leading implementation meetings for Petersburg and ODU led implementation meetings for Hopewell as a part of the FY22 Task 91.02 grant. RAFT Crater informational materials, including workshop recordings and opportunity lists, were published to the RAFT website and provided to the localities. Draft Resilience Action Checklists were shared with localities and implementation team members during the first meetings, and will be published to the RAFT website when they are taken from “draft” format.

Links to final products posted on the RAFT website:

Middle Peninsula March 2023 Final Workshop PowerPoint slides, including all locality report-outs on the results of monthly implementation team meetings and progress toward achieving Resilience Action Checklist items. This workshop represents the culmination implementation team meetings, however, this grant supported meeting progress through September 2022.

Petersburg’s Scorecard: https://raft.ien.virginia.edu/system/files/Petersburg%20Scorecard_Updated_08182023.pdf.

Petersburg’s Resilience Action Checklist: https://raft.ien.virginia.edu/system/files/Petersburg%20Resilience%20Action%20Checklist_Final_Updated08182023.pdf.

Hopewell’s Scorecard: https://raft.ien.virginia.edu/system/files/Hopewell%20Scorecard%202022_Updated_08182023.pdf.

Hopewell’s Resilience Action Checklist: https://raft.ien.virginia.edu/system/files/Hopewell%20Draft%20Resilience%20Action%20Checklist_Updated08182023.pdf. 

Crater Regional Kick-Off Workshop recording, PowerPoint slides, and summary: https://raft.ien.virginia.edu/2022-2023-crater.

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: 2021 Coastal Grant Project Description and Final Summary 

Project Task Number:

91.03 

Grantee:

Wetlands Watch

Project Title:

Supporting & Growing the CRS Program in Virginia’s Coastal Zone

Project Description:

Wetlands Watch will complete five products that will support and grow the Community Rating System (CRS) Program in Virginia’s Coastal Zone. Four of the five products will work within existing projects previously funded by the Virginia Coastal Zone Management Program, enhancing their influence across Virginia’s Coastal Zone, and growing interest and success in the CRS Program. These projects will include contributions from four Wetlands Watch staff. Wetlands Watch staff will coordinate with VA Department of Conservation and Recreation senior Floodplain Program staff, Wendy Howard-Cooper, to inform the agency of Wetlands Watch’s outreach efforts.

Wetlands Watch will continue managing the Coastal Virginia CRS Workgroup in Product 1. This community of practice helps inform professional staff across Virginia’s coastal zone, and recently beyond, on various FEMA programs. In addition to spreading general information, the Workgroup tracks upcoming program changes, communicating to CRS communities how the changes could impact success. The Workgroup’s role in the state is particularly important for rural and under-resourced communities that cannot afford to attend meetings in person and where training opportunities are less frequently available.

Wetlands Watch will continue providing CRS Trainings/Evaluations in Product 2. This opportunity to meet in person with locality staff and spend time reviewing the NFIP and CRS Program has been well received across Virginia’s coastal zone, supporting the continued need for financial support. The CRS Trainings/Evaluations increase education and awareness of the CRS Program, grow participation in the CRS Program, and encourage locality staff to adopt enforceable policies in communities to enhance flood risk reduction.

Wetlands Watch will partner with the Resilience Adaptation Feasibility Toolkit (RAFT) team to bring the CRS Program training and education into the local government RAFT program in Product 3. RAFT communities will participate in at least two CRS Program presentations that link the RAFT analysis to the CRS Program. This formal integration of RAFT and CRS outreach will spread awareness of the CRS Program, which previous grants indicated is needed to grow community participation in the CRS Program.

Wetlands Watch will create a guidance document on the potential CRS value of Virginia’s shoreline buffer restrictions in Product 4. This guidance document is intended to help CRS communities monetize existing enforceable policies, while strengthening those policies to safeguard those credits. This product will also help non-CRS participating communities see the potential value in participating in the CRS, because of the point earning potential of shoreline buffer development restrictions.

Wetlands Watch will monitor a pivotal emerging policy change to the National Flood Insurance Program that will have dramatic impact on the CRS Program in Product 5. An overhaul to the NFIP, called “Risk Rating 2.0,” will result in an overhaul of the CRS. CRS communities rely on Wetlands Watch’s expertise and experience in the CRS to inform them on major updates and programmatic changes. In addition, Wetlands Watch’s strong relationships with FEMA Region III and FEMA Headquarters, as well as state agencies, positions the organization as a trusted source of pertinent information. As more media attention elevates locality staff and constituent interest in Risk Rating 2.0, CRS communities will begin questioning how the overhaul will impact current class ratings and activities. 

Federal Funding:

$40,000 

Project Contact:

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

Project Status:

10/1/21 - 9/30/22; Project Completed 

Final Product:

Coastal Virginia Community Rating System (CRS) Workgroup Education Summary FY 2021 (PDF)

Technical Assistance: CRS Training/Evaluations Summary 2021 - 2022 (PDF)

CRS Technical Assistance: RAFT Scorecard Review Summary 2021 - 2022 (PDF)

CRS Credits for Chesapeake Bay Act Buffers & Wetlands in Virginia Fact Sheet (PDF)

CRS Technical Assistance: Monitoring Impact of National Flood Insurance Program Overhaul on CRS Communities Summary 2021 - 2022 (PDF)

Project Summary:

Coastal VA CRS Workgroup - Increasing Education to Floodplain Professionals: The Coastal Virginia CRS Workgroup met six times during the grant reporting period. All meetings were held both in person and online. The hybrid meetings, that utilize audio/visual equipment financed by previous CZM grant funding, continue to afford the greatest benefit to those resource-stressed localities with limited to zero travel budgets. Workgroup participation continues expansion statewide, due to hybrid meeting capability. Wetlands Watch staff developed more than the five graphics included in this grant and these materials are available to view on the Coastal VA CRS Workgroup website, Wetlands Watch website, & will be emailed to Coastal Zone Management Program grant staff: http://www.coastalvacrs.com/

Technical Assistance – CRS Trainings/Evaluations: Wetlands Watch conducted the two CRS trainings/evaluations planned under this grant. Wetlands Watch staff delivered the training in Chesterfield County on July 26, 2022 and Lancaster County on August 31, 2022. Training reports and final deliverables are currently being finalized and were sent to local staff. Each training included a new section on the National Flood Insurance Program’s updated insurance premium rating methodology called Risk Rating 2.0. Local staff were unaware of this massive change, highlighting the value of this training resource. The final report will be emailed to Coastal Zone Management Program grant staff. 

Integration of the CRS Program into the RAFT: Wetlands Watch reviewed the six completed RAFT report cards for the completed Middle Peninsula Planning District Commission communities, offering a comprehensive assessment of how the actions currently underway in the community could receive credit in the CRS Program. The following Counties were reviewed: Essex, King and Queen, King William, Mathews, and Middlesex, and the Town of West Point. The revised RAFT scorecards were sent by the RAFT team in September and October 2022 with the invitation to contact Wetlands Watch staff for a follow up meeting, as interested. The RAFT team did not engage PlanRVA or Crater PDC communities during this grant period, due to capacity issues. The final report is posted on Wetlands Watch’s website: https://tinyurl.com/n6ruzpsy 

Guidance on Regulated Shoreline Buffers & the CRS Program: Wetlands Watch completed “CRS Credits for Chesapeake Bay Act Buffers & Wetlands in Virginia Fact Sheet” available here: https://tinyurl.com/4kdfewpk

Monitoring Impact of National Flood Insurance Program Overhaul on CRS Communities: Wetlands Watch staff created Risk Rating 2.0 videos and talking points, available on our website. The summary document listed as a deliverable on this grant were broken into two fact sheets available on Wetlands Watch’s website: one for national impacts (https://tinyurl.com/ysvj38cr) and Virginia specific impacts (https://tinyurl.com/2yku5u4u). 

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: 2021 Coastal Grant Project Description and Final Summary

Project Task Number:

92.01 

Grantee:

The College of William & Mary - Virginia Coastal Policy Center 

Project Title:

Virginia Ocean Plan Policies 

Project Description:

This project will assist the Virginia CZM Program in developing a Virginia Ocean Plan that will further detail and build upon the Mid-Atlantic Ocean Action Plan completed in 2016.  The Virginia plan will consider a variety of issues including identification of potential sites for additional offshore wind energy leases, aquaculture, shipping and military needs, and protection of ocean wildlife and habitats.  It may also address state actions to minimize ocean acidification and improve ocean health.  A Virginia Ocean Plan, once developed, could be implemented through a number of possible mechanisms including a gubernatorial executive order, MOUs among state and/or federal agencies, or formally adopted specific policies and guidelines. The plan will also strive to engage stakeholders from the neighboring states of North Carolina and Maryland.

A Virginia Ocean Plan would be a comprehensive mechanism for addressing a variety of ocean issues that affect Virginians and neighboring states.  These include but are not limited to protection and promotion of commercial and recreational fisheries, provision for adequate and safe shipping lanes for a growing Port of Virginia, identification and protection of ocean wildlife and habitats, and development of measures to prevent and mitigate ocean acidification, as well as identification of appropriate areas for additional offshore wind energy lease areas.

Although the Mid-Atlantic Regional Council on the Ocean has created a new intergovernmental body, the Mid-Atlantic Committee on the Ocean (“MACO”), to address regional ocean issues, the time has arrived for development of a more specific state plan in light of Virginia’s needs mentioned above. Some years have passed since any state ocean plans have been adopted. While Virginia could benefit from the work and experience gathered through these plans, Virginia could also advance the state of ocean planning and provide a new, updated model for effective state-driven ocean plans.  As the first state to have offshore wind turbines in federal waters, Virginia is well placed to undertake such work. 

Federal Funding:

$60,000 

Project Contact:

Elizabeth Andrews; 757-221-1078; eaandrews@wm.edu 

Project Status:

10/1/21 - 9/30/22; Project Completed

Final Product:

Virginia Ocean Plan Policies (PDF)

Project Summary:

This project proposes to develop a Virginia Ocean Plan to further detail and build upon the Mid-Atlantic Ocean Action Plan completed in 2016.  The Virginia Ocean Plan will be a comprehensive mechanism for addressing a variety of ocean issues that affect Virginians and neighboring states.  These include but are not limited to protection and promotion of commercial and recreational fisheries and aquaculture, provision for adequate and safe shipping lanes for a growing Port of Virginia, identification and protection of ocean wildlife and habitats, identification of military needs, and development of measures to prevent and mitigate ocean acidification and improve ocean health, as well as identification of appropriate areas for additional offshore wind energy lease areas. 

In the first year of this multi-year grant, the Virginia Coastal Policy Center (VCPC) worked to develop the early framework of the ocean plan development process.  In Fall 2021 and Spring 2022, a student team researched other states’ ocean plans, presented an overview of their findings at a meeting of state natural resource agencies, and produced a white paper that has been published on the VCPC website. The team then distributed that paper to the Virginia natural resource agencies and obtained their input and feedback on a draft outline for the Ocean Plan. The team and VCPC Director also assisted the CZM Program Manager with planning and hosting a meeting with the Virginia Tribes to gain their input into the draft plan outline, and one of the law students worked with CZM staff to develop a Communications Plan for the Ocean Plan. Finally, the VCPC Assistant Director and a research assistant helped the CZM Program Manager host another meeting of state natural resource agencies in Summer 2022, and a research assistant drafted an email to federal partners to brief them concerning the first meeting of the full Ocean Planning Committee, which will be held in October 2022.

In September 2022, a new team of VCPC students continued to support the Coastal Zone Management Program in planning for hosting the first committee meeting, including assisting with development of an agenda. They also began meeting with state partners to ask for suggestions for best management practices (BMPs) that could be incorporated into the plan to support the safe and sustainable conduct of offshore activities. This work will continue into the next fiscal year and grant cycle.

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: 2021 Coastal Grant Project Description and Final Summary 

Project Task Number:

92.02 

Grantee:

Virginia Commonwealth University

Project Title:

Virginia Ocean Plan Stakeholder Engagement  

Project Description:

Virginia Commonwealth University will provide an Environmental Scientist/Analyst/Program Manager to serve as the VA Ocean Planning Stakeholder Engagement Coordinator (OPSE) for the VA CZM.  The Stakeholder Coordinator will work under the direction of the Virginia CZM Program Manager as a member of Virginia’s Ocean Planning Committee. He will further the development of authentic relationships with Virginia ocean stakeholders through personal contact, public meetings, PGIS workshops and other techniques to refine Virginia’s role as it relates to ocean activities and information. He will also assist with addressing emerging issues, researching relevant topics, providing policy input and analysis to advance the Virginia Ocean Plan.  The OPSE Coordinator will focus especially on the commercial fishing sector, as their activities relate to renewable energy.

Engagement of the commercial fishing sector will address changes in ocean use, particularly offshore wind to maximize compatibility of multiple uses and sustainability of ocean resources.  The lack of a central coordinating organization for the Virginia commercial fishing industry necessitates this ongoing engagement by the OPSE Coordinator. Changes in ocean use are likely to result in changes in Virginia seafood landings resulting from increases in cargo and shipping, deployment of renewable energy and regulations affecting available fishing areas. As Virginia develops a Virginia Ocean Plan and construction begins in 2024 on the Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind (CVOW) commercial lease, the need for maintaining a close relationship with the commercial fishing industry will be greater than ever to ensure that communication between the fishing and wind industries is clear and effective and that development proceeds smoothly with minimal disruptions. The OPSE Coordinator will be a primary point of contact for coordinating outreach and engagement of fishing industry stakeholders, arranging and establishing meetings, and communicating with those stakeholders.

The Stakeholder Coordinator will assist with obtaining data from the Commercial fishing community, Ports, Renewable Energy developers, Defense, Recreational users and Transportation sectors regarding Virginia-based activities to inform the development of the Virginia Ocean Plan.  He will also work with the Mid-Atlantic Regional Council on the Ocean (MARCO) and Mid-Atlantic Committee on the Ocean (MACO) on priorities related to commercial and recreational for-hire fisheries in a regional and local context. The OPSE Coordinator will participate in MARCO work groups as needed. Outreach and facilitation of stakeholder meetings will be summarized and analyzed such that a Virginia perspective on management objectives will be available for informing and advancing Virginia’s participation. The OPSE Coordinator will work with other Mid-Atlantic fisheries and wind related coordinating groups as needed.

Federal Funding:

$44,000 

Project Contact:

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

Project Status:

10/1/21 - 9/30/22; Project Completed

Final Product:

Virginia Ocean Stakeholder Engagement Final Report (PDF)

Project Summary:

The VCU Environmental Scientist/Analyst/Program Manager, as retained by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, Coastal Zone Management Program, served as the Ocean Planning Stakeholder Engagement and Fisheries Coordinator (OPSE) for the grant reporting period under the VACZM Section 309 Ocean Resources Strategy. The focus of the effort was targeted to the commercial fishing industry with the key output of strengthening the relationship with the CZM as it relates to changes in ocean use. During the reporting period, the OPSE Coordinator continued to work with the commercial fishing industry to advance the VA Ocean Plan, engaged in changes in ocean use, and refined the title of the role as “Commercial Fisheries Coordinator.” The success of VCZM support to engage the commercial fishing industry has resulted in garnering financial support from VMRC to increase the effort to meet the growing demand.

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, and Nature Conservancy. 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. These sectors have been brought together both in the Commonwealth as well as in the region to share information regarding ocean uses for the purpose of understanding the complexity of overlapping and abutting uses. The relationship with the commercial industry has continued to grow where representatives from the east coast have shared their experiences with respect to changes in ocean use. Fishermen 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 due to the lack of formal organization. The 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 OPSF 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), Responsible Offshore Science Alliance (ROSA), Long Island Commercial Fisheries Association, Virginia Watermen’s Association, NYSERDA and representatives from the Virginia commercial fishing fleet. The grant period was extended, and additional funds permitted the VCZM to directly solicit input from the commercial fishing industry in the development of a regional fiduciary administrator for compensatory mitigation. The Responsible Offshore Development Alliance served to coordinate the Fisheries Survival Fund, Town Dock (RI), Massachusetts Lobstermen’s Association (MA), Maine Lobstermen’s Association (ME), Garden State Seafood Association (NJ) and Northeast Seafood Coalition (MA) with the nine-state led effort for establishing regional fisheries compensatory mitigation for impacts from the deployment of offshore wind.

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: 2021 Coastal Grant Project Description and Final Summary 

Project Task Number:

92.03

Grantee:

Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources

Project Title:

Integration of Marine Mammal/Sea Turtle Conservation into Virginia Ocean Plan

Project Description:

Virginia is preparing a comprehensive ocean plan that will include enforceable ocean conservation and management policies and address ocean acidification, offshore wind development, sustainable fisheries, military and shipping uses and updated sea turtle conservation and new marine mammal conservation plans. The original Management Plan for Sea Turtles and Marine Mammals in Virginia was published in 1995. The sea turtle component was updated in 2015, but never finalized in Virginia. The current draft of the 2015 Plan needs to be updated to incorporate new information on the ecology of the federally and state listed species that occur in mid-Atlantic waters. The conservation framework, which consists of a series of goals and strategies accompanied by prioritized action items and effectiveness measures, needs to be updated. 

A similar effort needs to be undertaken for the marine mammal component of the original 1995 plan. The Virginia Plan will cover roughly 30 marine species, including seven listed species, most of which occur in ocean waters. To start this effort, in 2016, the Virginia CZMP funded the preparation of the plan’s introductory component, which includes: 

1. Information on species distribution, abundance estimates and life history parameters most relevant to Virginia
2. Current limiting factors and threats, with a focus on those most relevant in Virginia
3. Brief synopsis of existing legislation, regulations & Cooperative Agreements in Virginia
4. Current Virginia marine mammal conservation efforts
5. A comprehensive literature review  

The introduction was completed in 2017 and needs minor revisions and updates. It will serve as the foundation for the new plan. Greater priority will be given to endangered species and species known to occur in the mid-Atlantic region with regular frequency. Building upon the 2017 effort, all new available data on marine mammal ecology and threats will be incorporated into the new plan.

The most significant task at hand for the marine mammal conservation plan is the development of a science-based conservation framework which will identify conservation goals and strategies, specify and prioritize the actions necessary to fulfill the stated goals and strategies, and pair action items with measurable effectiveness measures. This effort will require: (1) establishing research, conservation and management priorities; (2) identifying data gaps and critical conservation issues that hinder the development, implementation and evaluation of management actions and regulatory policies and laws; and (3) identifying and convening key partners and stakeholders that represent the regulatory, conservation and regulated communities equally. This is designed to be a multiyear effort with year 1 addressing priorities 1 and 2. For this proposal, we will be developing marine mammal management priorities, analyzing data gaps and drafting descriptions of conservation issues as well as identifying stakeholders. A future proposal will request funds to engage stakeholders, finalize priorities and develop the final conservation plan framework.

The finalized plans will help (1) guide the conservation and management of sea turtles and marine mammals in mid-Atlantic waters; (2) encourage buy-in from the regulated and conservation communities through participation in the development of the plans; (3) inform the development, implementation and/or evaluation of laws and policies designed to protect marine species in a manner acceptable to the regulated community; (4) strengthen cooperation in the region in the management of shared protected marine resources; (5) establish the framework needed to ensure cooperation among partners when managing unusual mortality events, fishery interactions,  and other incidents involving sea turtles and marine mammals; and (6) ensure that conservation and management of these species is conducted through an informed planning process and integrated into the Virginia Ocean Plan.

Federal Funding:

$50,000

Project Contact:

Becky Gwynn; 804-593-2043; becky.gwynn@dwr.virginia.gov

Project Status:

10/1/21 - 9/30/22; Project Open

Final Product:

Project Summary:

Disclaimer: This project summary provides the federal dollars initially awarded to the grantee. Due to underexpenditure or reprogramming of grant funds, this figure may change. For more information on the allocation of coastal grant funds, please contact Ryan Green, Virginia Coastal Program Manager, at 804.698.4258 or email: 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: 2021 Coastal Grant Project Description and Final Summary 

Project Task Number:

92.04 

Grantee:

Coastal States Stewardship Foundation

Project Title:

MARCO Liaison to Virginia’s Ocean Plan

Project Description:

Human activities offshore and ocean ecosystems span state boundaries and thus regional coordination among state decision-makers and planners helps ensure a deeper understanding of how shared ocean resources are used both now and in the future. As Virginia pursues its Ocean Plan, coordinating with regional priorities will create efficiencies in the development and implementation of the actions within the Plan.

There are several regional ocean planning working groups relevant to the Virginia Ocean Plan. We propose that the MARCO Program Director serve as a Regional Liaison, with support from the MARCO Finance and Administration Manager (the “project team”), to coordinate among these work groups and Virginia to help inform the Virginia Ocean Plan about regional activities and data that could be leveraged or elaborated upon at the state level, and to connect Virginia’s priorities to regional resources. The Liaison will participate in calls and meetings of the regional ocean planning community and the Virginia Ocean Planning Committee to connect these efforts in light of Virginia’s ocean planning needs. These regional working groups and their goals are:

1. The Non-Consumptive Recreation Work Group (NCR) led by New Jersey is working to characterize nearshore and offshore non-consumptive recreational uses. The group is currently developing regional best practices for minimizing impacts of these activities (e.g. surfing, boating, whale watching, birding, diving) on wildlife, and may also begin an effort to account for the regional economic contributions of these activities to the Mid-Atlantic Blue Economy. 
2. The Mid-Atlantic Coastal Acidification Network (MACAN) led by the MARCO Program Manager and MARACOOS seeks to answer basic questions about the intensity, frequency, and location of acidification events. MACAN works to educate managers, elected officials, industry representatives, and the public about solutions to reduce those sources of acidification. MACAN is also working closely with Mid-Atlantic states on informing their Ocean Acidification Action Plans, helping define associated data needs and identifying opportunities to coordinate monitoring efforts.
3. The Mid-Atlantic Offshore Wind Regional Collaboration (OWRC) led by New York characterizes state and federal activity related to planning and siting offshore wind in the Mid-Atlantic. The OWRC also works with the Ocean Mapping and Data Team to identify data needs, compile information about best practices, and identify issues that would benefit from closer collaboration. This work is especially relevant given the Biden Administration’s offshore wind priority and individual states’ clean energy goals such as those outlined in Virginia’s Clean Economy Act.
4. The Ocean Mapping and Data Team (OMDT) led by Virginia’s CZM Manager is a group of state, federal, tribal agencies and consultants working to promote and develop data products, tools, ocean stories and news for the Mid-Atlantic Ocean Data Portal (Portal). There is a wide range of ocean data presented on the Portal including (but not limited to): administrative boundaries, marine life abundance, oceanography, and human uses. The Portal is widely used to characterize and inform offshore resource use and planning. In addition, the MARCO Program Manager works with the MARCO Portal Team to apply for Regional Ocean Partnership funds from NOAA to produce, update and enhance ocean data. This information will be shared with Virginia’s Ocean Planning Committee.

This funding will result in:

1. Deepened coordination between Virginia ocean planning efforts and regional efforts.
2. Presentations and reports that connect Virginia Ocean Plan initiatives with regional efforts and resources.
3. Resources for regional ocean planning groups to better understand Virginia’s Ocean Plan priorities.
4. A best-practices whitepaper for other states to reference to inform regional engagement processes in the development and implementation of state-level ocean plans. 

Federal Funding:

$29,000 

Project Contact:

Avalon Bristow; 302-561-2520; abristow@midatlanticocean.org 

Project Status:

10/1/21 - 9/30/22; Project Completed

Final Product:

Final Project Report: FY21, Task 92.04 - Connecting Virginia's Ocean Action Plan with Regional Ocean Planning Efforts and Data (PDF)

Project Summary:

With funding from Virginia’s CZMA FY21 program, MARCO successfully coordinated the Virginia Ocean Planning efforts over the course of October 2021 - September 2022 with ongoing and future regional coordination opportunities. The project team, which included the MARCO Program Director as well as the MARCO Operations Manager, coordinated among three topic-specific work groups to help inform the Virginia Ocean Plan about regional activities and data that could be leveraged or elaborated upon at the state level, and to connect Virginia’s priorities to regional resources. The Liaison participated in calls and meetings of the regional ocean planning community and the Virginia Ocean Planning Committee to connect these efforts in light of Virginia’s ocean planning needs.

MARCO proposed that this project would result in the following:

1. Deepened coordination between Virginia ocean planning efforts and regional efforts.
2. Presentations and reports that connect Virginia Ocean Plan initiatives with regional efforts and resources.
3. Resources for regional ocean planning groups to better understand Virginia’s Ocean Plan priorities.
4. A best-practices whitepaper for other states to reference to inform regional engagement processes in the development and implementation of state-level ocean plans.

MARCO Program Director attended all work group meetings in addition to all Virginia Ocean Planning meetings during the project period. Virginia Ocean Planning meetings were held on: October 21, 2021; February 17, 2022; June 14, 2022; and October 18, 2022. The MARCO Project Team attended all regional, collaborative work group meetings for topics that include: ocean acidification, offshore wind energy, and ocean mapping and data. Having one person be able to attend all these various meetings is helpful for communicating regional priorities to the state, and vice versa. The Liaison reflected the work of the regional collaborations into the draft Virginia Plan outline where applicable, and likewise helped make relevant connections within meetings of these collaborations. A key contribution of regional efforts mentioned in the Virginia draft outline is a theme of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice. In addition, a representative from the Virginia offshore wind project Virginia Offshore Wind Technology Advancement Project was interviewed as part of the Offshore Wind Regional Collaboration’s transmission subcommittee’s final product. Finally, recommendations for ocean acidification action items from MACAN will be incorporated into the Virginia Ocean Plan.  (Outcomes 1, 2, and 3)

Note that the Non-Consumptive Recreation work group is currently not actively meeting, but there are several recreation-related data updates that have been added or scoped for adding to the Mid-Atlantic Ocean Data Portal, including whale watch vessel trips. Additionally, a new collaborative work group around ocean conservation was identified, scoped during the summer of 2022, and approved in September 2022, led by the states of Virginia and New Jersey.  The regional meetings that were attended included:

• MARCO addresses ocean acidification through the Mid-Atlantic Coastal Acidification Network (MACAN), coordinated by both MARCO and the Mid-Atlantic Regional Coastal and Ocean Observing System (MARACOOS). The core team for MACAN meets bi-weekly, and the Steering Committee meets quarterly (Dr. Emily Rivest of the Virginia Institute of Marine Sciences sits on the MACAN Steering Committee).
• MARCO convenes monthly calls for state representatives to discuss issues related to offshore wind energy, and coordinate where opportunities arise. Additionally, there is a collaborative ocean planning working group called the Offshore Wind Regional Collaboration, composed of federal and state members, that meets quarterly to coordinate around data and information needs, and updates regarding offshore wind development.
• The Ocean Mapping and Data Team meets quarterly to identify spatial data products and enhancements for the MARCO Ocean Data Portal (portal.midatlanticocean.org). All regional work group information can be found on the MARCO website, at https://www.midatlanticocean.org/ocean-planning/work-groups-collaborative-efforts/

Deliverable 1: Ocean Acidification report for Virginia based on MACAN regional ocean acidification action planning meeting. During the February meeting, the Liaison provided a report on the outcomes from the October Mid-Atlantic Coastal Acidification Monitoring workshop. The workshop recordings and summary can be found at www.midacan.org/resources, or you can download the summary directly: https://www.monmouth.edu/uci/documents/2022/09/finalsummarymacan-oa-alliance-workshop-2021.pdf/

This presentation was done in place of providing a written summary to the ocean planning team to encourage discussion. The Liaison also coordinated with Virginia representatives on the MACAN Steering Committee to determine coordination opportunities between Virginia’s Ocean Action Plan and MACAN’s Work Plan. As a result of those

discussions and the February presentation, coordination was initiated between MACAN and the Virginia Aquarium water quality monitoring staff to discuss the incorporation of acidification metrics into existing community science programs managed by the Aquarium. This work is ongoing and will continue as part of MACAN’s focus on encouraging community science activities to both educate the public about ocean acidification, and also collect data from a wide variety of 

locations. Supporting and scoping community science initiatives is further described in the MACAN 2022 Work Plan, as well as in the final whitepaper report funded by this grant.

Deliverable 2: Semi-annual Reports on Regional Efforts & Data to Inform the VA Ocean Plan. MARCO provided semi-annual summaries of regional activities to the Virginia CZM program. In addition, the Regional Liaison held regular check-ins with the Virginia CZM Program Manager (February 2, 2022, April 1, 2022, October 5, 2022).

Deliverable 3: Report: State-Regional Coordination in State-led Ocean Action Planning. MARCO will provide this report to the Virginia CZM Program Manager, and will post it to the MARCO website upon MARCO Management Board approval - expected December 2022. This report will be useful as a reference for ocean planning staff to understand ongoing regional ocean planning efforts. As part of developing this report, the Liaison received feedback from other states on how coordination with MARCO and with Virginia has contributed to their planning process. The feedback is pasted below. (Outcome 4)

“How Delaware Coastal Programs (DCP) staff have learned from VA’s Ocean Plan process to inform the development of the Delaware Ocean and Bay Plan:

• Used the “Toward a Virginia Ocean Plan: Lessons from Other States and Policy Recommendations” summary of other state’s plans to determine which type of plan makes the most sense for Delaware. Additionally, a majority of the document’s recommendations were adopted into our plan’s goals.
• Modeled our “Planning Area” boundary after VA’s – instead of using BOEM’s federal OCS revenue sharing boundary, we have defined our boundary similarly as in VA (drawing a line directly eastward of the northern and southern state boundary in the Atlantic Ocean).
• In order to provide updates to stakeholders and the public, DCP is developing a series of fact sheets to be published on our website. This was a direct result of seeing VA’s Fact Sheet posted on their site.
• Informed process and timeline for engaging with external stakeholders, such as federal agencies.

How DCP staff have capitalized on its participation in MARCO to inform the development of the Delaware Ocean and Bay Plan:

• Building on efforts listed in the Ocean Action Plan
• Utilized the MARCO data portal to identify human uses and marine resources located within the Planning Area
• Used MACO’s principles of fostering relationship-building to identify and reach out to contacts within federal agencies who are working on aspects of ocean planning in the region
• Staying abreast of emerging issues and topics in ocean planning”

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: 2021 Coastal Grant Project Description and Final Summary

Project Task Number:

93 

Grantee:

Longwood University 

Project Title:

Development & Implementation of Marine Debris Reduction Strategies 

Project Description:

This task supports the VA CZM Program’s leadership in reducing marine debris through multiple approaches:

1. Development and implementation of new laws and policies that will be created due to (or inspired by) the VMDRP and Section 309 5-year strategies on marine debris.
2. Implementation of the updated Virginia Marine Debris Reduction Plan (VMDRP) and collaboration with the Mid-Atlantic Regional Planning Body’s Marine Debris Work Group through a current grant from NOAA’s Marine Debris Program. Provide support for pilot programs by partnering with local governments, NGOs, and others to develop projects that address VMDRP Actions.
3. Assist in in conducting the Virginia Marine Debris Summit in spring 2022.
4. Inspire and measure public support for new laws and policies that will reduce the sources of marine debris. Survey will also gather data on attitudes, trusted messengers, and information that will assist in crafting successful behavior change campaigns.
5. Quarterly monitoring of Fisherman Island for balloon and other debris items (part of VA’s participation in the regional MARCO grant project). 

The VMDRP (created in 2012-14 and updated in 2021) charts a course to measurably reduce marine debris in Virginia coastal waters focusing on specific actions (e.g., policies, procedures, outreach campaigns). These Actions were determined to be politically, socially, and economically feasible in Virginia. 

Actions in the updated VMDRP are organized under four major debris types:

• Consumer Debris
• Derelict Fishing Gear
• Microplastics and Microfibers. Recognizing that concerns about microplastics have increased since the first VMDRP was published in 2014, addressing microplastics and microfibers is now a major Goal of the updated Plan. According to a paper co-written by Robert Hale of the Virginia Institute of Marine Science (Jan. 2020 Journal of Geophysical Research) “…the amount of microplastics in some oceanic compartments is predicted to double by 2030.”
• Abandoned and Derelict Vessels (ADV); In 2020-21, VA CZM Program and CVW provided leadership on this growing problem by forming the VA ADV Work Group. 

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

This grant project will also include further implementation of previously developed campaigns. These  include the Kick the Straw campaign for colleges and high schools, and the Keep It Beachy Clean campaign to reduce litter from cigarette butts, beverage and food packaging as well as shade tents, beach toys and other items that are “left behind” or abandoned at the end of the day by beach visitors. Also, the VA Plastic Pollution Prevention Network’s monthly webinars will be supported by this grant. 

Coordinated reduction of marine debris will have positive impacts on coastal resources, protected species such as marine mammals and sea birds, and economically important species such as blue crabs and will make significant contributions to Virginia’s coastal economy as well as protect coastal and ocean resources. Plastic tarps, abandoned nets and fishing gear, tires, and other debris can smother and crush sensitive ecosystems as far away from land as the deep sea corals found in the submarine canyons 50 miles off Virginia’s coast. Boaters’ safety can be compromised by debris items – derelict fishing gear (fishing line, nets, rope pieces), consumer debris (plastic bags) as well as abandoned and derelict vessels. 

Federal Funding:

$170,000 

Project Contact:

Katie Register; 434-395-2602; registerkm@longwood.edu

Project Status:

10/1/21 - 9/30/22; Project Completed 

Final Product:

Virginia Marine Debris Reduction Plan Refinement Final Report (PDF)

Project Summary:

From tiny microplastics to large abandoned boats, the sources of marine debris in Virginia were addressed by Clean Virginia Waterways, Virginia Coastal Management (CZM) Program, and their partners through this year-long grant from the VA CZM Program.

CVW’s work supported the VA CZM Program’s commitment to provide leadership in reducing the amount of trash and marine debris from land-based and water-based sources in Virginia and the Mid-Atlantic region. The Virginia Marine Debris Reduction Plan (VMDRP), a roadmap and common framework for nonprofit organizations, local governments, state agencies, regional partners, researchers, and industry as they work together on sustained approaches to reducing the flow of plastic trash and other trash items into our coastal waters, includes 60 strategic and definitive actions to reduce debris. The actions are grouped under four main Goals:

Consumer Debris (mainly single-use plastics) (22 Actions); Derelict Fishing Gear (17 Actions); Microplastics & Microfibers (13 Actions); Abandoned & Derelict Vessels (8 Actions)

Of the 60 Actions in the plan, 22 of them can be found under “Prevention, Behavior Change, Education and Outreach,” reflecting the consensus of the stakeholders who felt that prevention of litter and waste through behavior change is key to reducing marine debris from specific sources such as balloons, single-use plastic bags, food and beverage items, cigarette butts, and abandoned boats.

Highlights:

• Co-led the VA Abandoned & Derelict Vessel Work Group that resulted in creating an inventory of ADV, publication of a thorough review of other states’ responses to ADV, and mapped out steps to develop a sustainable VA ADV Prevention & Removal Program.
• Increased public awareness and facilitated data-based policy decisions to reduce plastic pollution and marine debris.
• Conducted a statewide public perception survey of Virginia voters, revealing broad bi-partisan support for various public policy measures designed to reduce plastic pollution. The research revealed a Virginia public that is deeply concerned about plastic pollution, worried about the impact of plastic on aquatic life, and concerned about the prevalence of microplastics making their way into the food supply. The full report and an 8-page summary can be downloaded from Clean Virginia Waterways’ publication page .
• Brought together (in person and on-line) hundreds of researchers, educators, and government agency employees at the Virginia Marine Debris Summit, Stormwater & Plastic Pollution Workshop, and several webinars.
• Provided training in Community-Based Social Marketing to partners in Virginia & the Mid-Atlantic.
• Conducted targeted research on single-use plastic bags, expanded polystyrene (EPS), Virginia’s Litter Tax, abandoned vessels, balloons, abandoned beach equipment & more.
• Monitored Fisherman Island National Wildlife Refuge for marine debris (balloon-related litter continues to be frequently found).
• Provided extensive support to MARCO’s campaign to reduce balloon releases in Mid-Atlantic states.
• Managed monthly meetings (and eNewsletters) for the Virginia Plastic Pollution Prevention Network .
• Maintained targeted websites and social media for Joyfulsend.org, PreventBalloonLitter.org, Virginia Plastic Pollution Prevention Network, KeepItBeachyClean, and Clean Virginia Waterways, as well contributed to LitterFreeVA.org 

Detailed reports can be downloaded from Clean Virginia Waterways’ publication page  (http://www.longwood.edu/cleanva/publications.html)

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: 2021 Coastal Grant Project Description and Final Summary

Project Task Number: 

9.02

Grantee:

The College of William & Mary - Center for Conservation Biology

Project Title:

Managing forest patches for birds and other wildlife in Accomack County: Adaptive Management Program

Project Description:

The Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) has recently acquired nearly 9,000 acres of forest land located along the Delmarva Peninsula in Accomack County.  This area is of hemispheric importance to bird conservation.  Among other roles, the area supports 1) large numbers of passerines during fall migration and 2) breeding populations of imperiled birds that are salt marsh specialists.  Stated objectives for acquiring the land include active management to increase the number of bird “support days” for fall migrating passerines and to facilitate the migration of salt marsh habitat over the next 20-40 years as sea-level rise moves marshes upslope to displace current maritime forests.  A third objective is to conduct management activities within an experimental framework so that responses to management (migrant passerines, saltmarsh birds) may be measured and used to inform future management decisions for the agency and beyond.

This project will be integrated with concurrent DWR Section 306A forest thinning (FY21 Task 9.01). We will identify lands that are anticipated to convert to marsh as sea level rises. These lands may benefit from more extensive thinning to increase future marsh habitat quality. Habitat patches that are projected to remain upland will also be subject to forest thinning. Generally, forest thinning is expected to increase habitat quality for migrating songbirds by allowing more sunlight to penetrate the forest floor which should lead to increased arthropod production as well as a greater opportunity for fall-fruiting shrubs and vines to establish, both of which provide fuel to migrating songbirds. However, it is not clear how different levels and techniques of thinning contribute toward migratory songbird habitat quality. This study will quantify the effects of these treatments by comparing resource abundance and migrant use among treatment and control patches.

In order to inform the management of acquired forest patches, we envision a three-phase program including Phase I – Desktop Assessment, Phase II – Study Design and Patch Selection and Phase III – Study Execution.  After patches are assigned to their appropriate management endpoints (upland forest supporting fall migrants, low forests to be converted to support salt marsh), two management studies will be executed that are designed to drive forest patches to reach their management endpoints. 

We are proposing to complete Phase I – Desktop Assessment and Phase II – Study Design and Patch Selection, with Phase III to be completed in the future.  We feel that completing the initial patch-level assessments and selection are essential first steps toward working with DWR to design an appropriate management approach moving forward.

Federal Funding:

$31,276 

Project Contact:

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

Project Status:

1/1/23 - 9/30/23; Project Completed 

Final Product:

Accomack Forest Patch Management Final Report (PDF)

Project Summary:

CCB staff involved with GIS database – Laura Duval, Marie Pitts, Chance Hines 

CCB staff involved with Narrative Report – Chance Hines, Laura Duval, Bryan Watts 

The Center for Conservation Biology completed a GIS database with forest patch assignments and a narrative project report describing the GIS database and how it will be used to implement future studies.  Included in the report and GIS database are attributes describing current habitat and projected habitat given a range of sea level rise scenarios. Forest patches were prioritized for management practices focused on either marsh migration or forest songbird habitat.

To do this, CCB staff biologist Laura Duval performed a desktop review of all DWR tracts using Coastal Change Analysis Program Land Cover Data and available aerial imagery. She also visited tracts in person to ascertain age and forest composition when aerial imagery was insufficient. CCB staff biologist Chance Hines constructed the narrative report and assisted with desktop review. Laura Duval and CCB director Bryan Watts reviewed the report. Marie Pitts assisted with desktop review. All project work occurred between January and May 2024 and the final report was submitted on 15 May 2024.

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: 2021 Coastal Grant Project Description and Final Summary

Project Task Number: 

10 

Grantee:

The College of William & Mary - The Center for Conservation Biology

Project Title:

Assessing the status and distribution of colonial waterbirds in urban coastal Virginia (2023 breeding season)

Project Description:

Colonial waterbirds are highly visible components of coastal avifaunas that share the unusual characteristic of nesting in dense assemblages. Species in this group include herons, egrets, ibises, gulls, terns, skimmers, cormorants and pelicans. One consequence of having large portions of populations nesting in few locations is that even restricted disturbance may have profound consequences on a population level. Development of conservation strategies for these sensitive species requires current status and distribution information.  In the fall of 1992, a consortium of agencies and individuals agreed that a comprehensive monitoring program for the Virginia colonial waterbird community was needed and that assessments should be made every five years for trend analyses.  The 2023 survey will represent the sixth in the time series.  All of these surveys have systematically covered all 24 species of colonial waterbirds throughout the Coastal Plain physiographic area of Virginia.  The resulting data have been used by the regulatory and conservation community for a wide range of purposes.

We propose to conduct the 2023 colonial waterbird survey for coastal Virginia.  The survey will include several partners including the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources, The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, The Nature Conservancy and The Center for Conservation Biology.  As in previous surveys, the Coastal Plain has been subdivided into five sectors for survey purposes.  This grant will provide funding to survey the “urban” sector including five independent cities (Newport News, Hampton, Portsmouth, Norfolk and Virginia Beach) of lower tidewater.

Funding or in-kind services required to survey other sectors is being provided by the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources, The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, The Nature Conservancy and The Center for Conservation Biology.

The urban surveys will be visual surveys conducted from the ground using high-powered binoculars and will not impact any species or habitats.

Federal Funding:

$14,622 

Project Contact:

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

Project Status:

3/1/23 - 9/30/23; Project Completed

Final Product:

Assessing the Status and Distribution of Nesting Herons in Urban Areas of Lower Tidewater, Virginia (2023 Breeding Season) - PDF

Project Summary:

Twenty-five species of colonial waterbirds nest in Virginia including herons, egrets, ibises, gulls, terns, skimmers, cormorants, and pelicans.  A coalition of agencies, organizations, and individuals has systematically surveyed waterbird nesting colonies throughout the Coastal Plain periodically since 1993.  The objectives of these surveys have been to develop timely data resources that may be used for environmental review and to assess long-term trends in breeding populations.  The 2023 survey represents a continuation of the series.  The objective of this project was to survey heronries throughout urban areas of lower Tidewater including the cities of Newport News, Hampton, Norfolk, Virginia Beach, and Portsmouth.

Lower Tidewater was surveyed for heron colonies between 12 April and 8 July 2023 by systematically driving or walking through neighborhoods and other urban areas.  A total of 111 heronries that supported great egrets, yellow-crowned night herons and green herons was mapped.  Colony size varied from 2 to 392 breeding pairs with 79% below 10 pairs and 94% below 20 pairs.  The total number of breeding pairs has increased by nearly 58% since 2003 but is comparable to the number found in 1993.  The number of colonies has increased steadily over time and is nearly triple that found in 1993.  The increase is due entirely to the proliferation (30 vs 105) of yellow-crowned night herons over this time.  The number of colonies of great egrets (7 vs 4) and green herons (11 vs 9) has declined over this same time.  

Data from this survey will be combined with the broader Coastal Plain survey conducted during 2023 to provide estimates of colonial waterbird populations and to identify colony sites.  A digital atlas of the survey will be provided to resource agencies and will be available to the public on The Center for Conservation Biology data portal (https://ccbbirds.org/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.