Virginia CZM Program: 2023 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: 

Virginia CZM Program: 2023 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:

Virginia CZM Program Outreach & Social Marketing

Project Description:

This task funds the Virginia CZM Program Outreach Coordinator position.  The coordinator is responsible for developing and implementing targeted outreach and social marketing strategies for the Virginia CZM Program. This includes effectively communicating key CZM messages to the program’s various target audiences; raising awareness and increasing understanding of coastal resource issues;  encouraging stewardship of Virginia’s coastal resources and changing behaviors that impact these resources; and, heightening the Virginia CZM’s visibility and unique position to coordinate solutions to cross-cutting coastal challenges.  In addition, the coordinator works with Virginia CZM Program manager, 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 the Virginia Coastal Zone Management Magazine.

Federal Funding:

$143,900

Project Contact:

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

Project Status:

10/1/23 - 9/30/24; 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: 2023 Coastal Grant Project Description and Final Summary

Project Task Number: 

1.03

Grantee:

Virginia Commonwealth University

Project Title:

Coastal Management GIS Support and Coastal GEMS Maintenance

Project Description:

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

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

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

$135,222

Project Contact:

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

Project Status:

10/1/23 - 9/30/24; 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: 2023 Coastal Grant Project Description and Final Summary

Project Task Number: 

2

Grantee:

Virginia Department of Environmental Quality

Project Title:

EIR & Federal Consistency

Project Description:

• Conduct federal consistency reviews of activities that can affect Virginia's coastal uses and resources pursuant to the CZMA and the federal consistency regulations.
• Periodically submit routine program changes, as needed.

• Participate in the existing program revision efforts (enforceable policies, listed activities and geographic location descriptions)

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

Federal Funding:

$212,474

Project Contact:

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

Project Status:

10/1/23 - 9/30/24; 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: 2023 Coastal Grant Project Description and Final Summary

Project Task Number: 

3

Grantee:

Virginia Department of Environmental Quality

Project Title:

Stormwater Local Assistance Fund – Fairfax County – Popes Head Tributary at Havenner Road – Stream Restoration

Project Description:

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

The Popes Head Tributary at Havenner Road Stream Restoration project will restore approximately 4,150 linear feet (LF) of an unnamed tributary in the Popes Creek watershed using Natural Channel Design. The project is immediately downstream of a privately maintained inline stormwater management pond and located on a property owned by the Fairfax Station Homeowners’ Association. To ensure the project can be maintained by Fairfax County, it is within storm drainage and floodplain easements. Approximately 368 acres of urbanized development drain to the project site, 13% of which is impervious. The unknown tributary to Popes Head Creek is degraded due to urbanization and the potential impact of the wet pond immediately upstream of the project limits. The channel alignment is unstable and the banks are actively eroding therein threatening public and private infrastructure. If left alone, the channel will continue to erode resulting in further bed and bank instability, increased sediment and nutrient loads downstream, and compromised infrastructure. The project drainage area is part of the larger Popes Head Creek and Bull Run watersheds, both of which have sediment TMDLs in addition to the Chesapeake Bay TMDLs. Restoration objectives include stream bed and bank stabilization, public safety, infrastructure protection, water quality improvement, aquatic and riparian habitat enhancement, and floodplain reconnection. The project will provide a stable cross section dimension, pattern, and profile for the stream, utilize instream rock and wood structures to provide stability and enhance habitat, and restore a native riparian buffer. The project will maintain channel capacity, provide long-term stability, and reduce sediment and nutrient loads conveyed downstream.

Calculated water quality benefits for the Popes Head Tributary at Havenner Road Stream Restoration project include the annual reduction of 264 pounds of total phosphorous (P), 1,068 pounds of total nitrogen (N), and 45.6 tons of total suspended sediment (TSS). These benefits help achieve the reductions required in the Chesapeake Bay TMDL and are in support of compliance with Fairfax County's Chesapeake Bay TMDL Action Plan.

The final design is complete and construction is scheduled to begin in the fall of 2023.

The total project cost is $3,422,500. The state share of that cost is $1,578,500. $1,105,599 of the state share will be used as match for the Virginia CZM award.

Federal Funding:

$0; Match only - $1,105,599

Project Contact:

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

Project Status:

10/1/23 - 3/31/25; 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: 2023 Coastal Grant Project Description and Final Summary

Project Task Number: 

4

Grantee:

Virginia Marine Resources Commission

Project Title:

Permit Review and Compliance

Project Description:

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

Responsibilities in implementing core permit functions are:

• Issuing permits for encroachments in, on or over State-owned submerged lands (last year approximately 2,733 applications were processed and  permits were 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 8 equivalent Environmental Engineer positions. Each Environmental Engineer is assigned a specific geographic territory. They conduct application reviews, correspond with applicants and other concerned citizens, conduct site inspections, coordinate application reviews with other agencies, prepare project briefings, present contested cases to the full Commission at public hearings and draft permit documents. In addition they assist local wetlands boards with their wetland management responsibilities and attend all wetland board meetings in order to conduct the required review of wetland board actions.

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

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.  In addition to administrative and clerical duties associated with permit review, the office service specialist will support the clerical duties associated with permit review and compliance monitoring.

Federal Funding:

$181,200

Project Contact:

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

Project Status:

10/1/23 - 9/30/24; 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: 2023 Coastal Grant Project Description and Final Summary

Project Task Number: 

5

Grantee:

Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, Division of Natural Heritage

Project Title:

Habitat Conservation/Locality Liaison

Project Description:

The Department of Conservation and Recreation’s Division of Natural Heritage (DCR-DNH) Locality Liaison (LL) 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-DNH consultative services. A key service is review of projects to identify and recommend mitigation for potential impacts to natural heritage resources. Certain layers displayed within Natural Heritage Data Explorer (NHDE) website-Version 2.19 (www.vanhde.org) will undergo updates, including an update to ConserveVirginia 4.0, the development of a Mussel Richness Map, and changing Stream Conservation Units (SCU) to Stream Conservation Sites (SCS). The LL will include new features or functionality of the upgraded website into training. The LL will continue to work to make it available to localities, PDCs, land trusts, Virginia Indian Tribes, 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 LL will work consultatively with locality planners to incorporate natural heritage resource concerns into local comprehensive plans and permitting processes. The LL will also assist localities and local conservation partners to identify habitat conservation opportunities using tools such as ConserveVirginia, Virginia ConservationVision and the Coastal Virginia Ecological Value Assessment (Coastal VEVA). An overall goal of the DCR-DNH Program is that 100% of the counties and cities throughout the Virginia Coastal Zone will have Natural Heritage information by the end of September 2024. As of February 2023, the percentage of localities with Natural Heritage information is 98% within the Coastal Zone of Virginia. DCR-DNH 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, including the development of a Virginia native seed industry.

Federal Funding:

$56,600

Project Contact:

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

Project Status:

10/1/23 - 9/30/24; 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: 2023 Coastal Grant Project Description and Final Summary

Project Task Number: 

6

Grantee:

Virginia Institute of Marine Science

Project Title:

Tidal Wetlands Management Technical Support

Project Description:

This project provides operational support for tidal wetlands management technical support provided by the Virginia Institute of Marine Science, Center for Coastal Resources Management staff.  The proposed project addresses an identified need for an improved understanding of coastal resources and issues particularly with respect to shoreline management.  We target shoreline decision-makers for outreach efforts and training, track permit decisions and maintain a database and provide advice on the 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 the 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-Newsletters on current coastal management topics, and support for social media outreach via the CCRM Facebook page. 

2) Technical Guidance Support:  Provision of advice to shoreline property owners, shoreline professionals, local government staff, state agency personnel, Virginia tribes, and NGO staff as well as input to the CZM Shoreline Stakeholders Group and VIMS advisory activities coordinated by the Office of Research and Advisory Service. This effort includes web service of historical permit records. We will continue to maintain a database for tracking permit data and decisions and enhance it as possible by adding parameters and georeferenced location for all historical permits. The data collected includes living shoreline projects, and is referenced, requested, and used by CCRM scientists, VIMS scientists, Virginia agency personnel, NGO staff and others studying or tracking shoreline management in and outside of Virginia.

Federal Funding:

$47,550

Project Contact:

Karen Duhring; 804-684-7159; karend@vims.edu;
Pamela Mason; 804-684-7158; mason@vims.edu

Project Status:

10/1/23 - 9/30/24; 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: 2023 Coastal Grant Project Description and Final Summary

Project Task Number: 

7

Grantee:

Virginia Institute of Marine Science

Project Title:

2023 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 2023, 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 2023 aerial photography will be delineated on-screen using ArcInfo geographic information system (GIS) software and stored in an ArcInfo GIS database.  A final report will include maps of all SAV beds, and areas of these beds, as well as any ground truth information submitted to VIMS.  The report will be published on the VIMS web site, as in past years.  SAV polygons will also be available on the VIMS SAV interactive web site (https://www.vims.edu/research/units/programs/sav/access/index.php).

Federal Funding:

$68,000

Project Contact:

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

Project Status:

10/1/23 -12/31/24; 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: 2023 Coastal Grant Project Description and Final Summary

Project Task Number: 

8

Grantee:

Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, Division of Natural Heritage

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 conservation of the highest priority aquatic communities. Through a partnership with the Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), this task includes the administration and management of the HWP, informing the development of tools and products of the DCR NHP such as Element Occurences (EO’s), Stream Conservation Units (SCU’s), INteractive Stream Assessment Resource (INSTAR) data, Coastal GEMS, and ConservationVision Watershed Model, ConserveVirginia (see Extended Project Description for more details), and to support of a HWP Field Coordinator to work in the Coastal Zone of Virginia. The HWP Manager will work with both the DCR NHP and the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) to fully implement the HWP to achieve lasting aquatic-based land conservation benefits for the Commonwealth. The HWP Field Coordinator will directly work in the field with conservation agencies, land conservation organizations, Planning District Commissions and private landowners to advance conservation efforts for those aquatic resources characterized as ecologically healthy aquatic resources.

The DCR will implement a contractual agreement with VCU for an Environmental Scientist/Analyst/Program Manager and Environmental Specialist to be retained through the VCU Life Sciences Department and the Rice Rivers Center to serve as the HWP Manager and HWP Field Coordinator. Both positions will be housed in the DCR NHP, have access to the facilities, equipment, vehicles, and expertise of DCR and continue to integrate the skills and abilities of VCU. The positions serve to liaise between DCR and VCU to promote joint, applied research, and outreach projects. For the HWP Manager, this includes the oversight of programs, projects, grants and grant budgets, providing technical support to DCR NHP and CZM, as it relates to coastal zone ecology, management, land conservation, and restoration activities. For the HWP Field Coordinator, this includes working directly with the DCR NHP Land Conservation Section to advance land conservation efforts supporting ecologically healthy aquatic resources and build on-the-ground capacity that will lead to lasting conservation of ecologically healthy resources. 

Virginia has committed to a 2014 Chesapeake Bay Program goal that 100 percent of state-identified, ecologically healthy waters and watersheds remain healthy, 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, the development of field capacity, combined with resources from USEPA Section 319 and Chesapeake Bay Implementation Grant (CBIG), will support the on-the-ground measures needed to advance those conservation actions from planning tools into tangible implementation. Such measures may include the application of agricultural or forestry best management practices to meet local TMDL WIP measures in impaired but ecologically healthy waters.

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

Federal Funding:

$30,500

Project Contact:

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

Project Status:

10/1/23 - 9/30/24; 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: 2023 Coastal Grant Project Description and Final Summary

Project Task Number: 

9

Grantee:

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

Project Title:

Enhancing Public Access in the York River System

Project Description:

The York River and Small Coastal Basin Roundtable (YRSCBR), led by the Chesapeake Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve – Virginia (CBNERR-VA), is a forum for information sharing and collaboration among water quality and conservation-minded stakeholders within the York River, Mobjack Bay and Piankatank watershed system. The YRSCBR supports Virginia’s efforts to protect water quality and conserve coastal resources for the betterment of its communities by fostering place-based analysis, collaboration and education to improve and protect the health of our watershed and communities. The YRSCBR is presently composed of more than 90 members, representing government, non-profit, industry, academia and civic interest groups.  

In 2022, as part of its goal to promote environmental literacy for all people, the YRSCBR sought to better understand access to the York River and its associated tributaries, as well as community understanding of related natural and cultural resources. Understanding community uses, visitation, perceptions and observations, in addition to questions, needs, and intergenerational local and Indigenous knowledge is essential in shaping continued management and access of watershed resources and related programming.  In turn, a NOAA Hollings Scholar, under the supervision of CBNERR-VA, studied public access signage in the watershed with the aim to explore three questions: who has access where; what does the who have access to; and how are the who interacting with signage/resources at the where? Among the scholar’s findings, were the conclusions that little to no watershed-specific interpretation was enhancing user experience at site; and that a visitor’s experience post site visitation did not leverage or apply communications conveyed by signage at a site. These conclusions have since motivated the YRSCBR to develop collective messaging on the watershed and its benefits/values to residents and visitors alike, in addition to programming that can complement place-based communications. Notably, this messaging would leverage a collective effort presently in development by watershed members: the synthesis of a watershed-wide report on status, trends and opportunities related to watershed health.

The YRSCBR recognizes that providing equitable access to the watershed and related state properties requires a more holistic understanding of access and the benefits natural systems provide for watershed residents. Visitor use with respect to the watershed, physical access, or the digital landscape is not well studied. YRSCBR seeks to supplement the summer 2022 Hollings study findings with a study focused on infrastructure. Watershed literacy has the potential to foster stewardship and inspire the continued support of such services and experiences, many of which are provided by YRSCB members. To this end, CBNERR-VA proposes to expand upon the Hollings study in conjunction with the watershed synthesis, to develop collective YRSCBR messaging that will meet the following needs, with the goal of increasing watershed awareness and literacy: communicating watershed connectivity, communicating resident/visitor responsibility, through mindful stewardship and best practices, and communicating opportunity, through the YRSCBR and its efforts, as well as at other public access sites in the watershed. 

Complementing these communication efforts would be a continued study of public access infrastructure to inform the most effective approaches to interpretation moving forward. Specifically, this study would meet the following needs, with the goal of enhancing existing participation and infrastructure where/when future opportunities surface: assessing the availability of infrastructure for enhanced interpretation at public access sites throughout the watershed and assessing the status of accessibility to interpretation on public access sites, as well as the sites themselves (e.g. ADA compliance).

Federal Funding:

$62,008

Project Contact:

Cirse Gonzalez; 804-684-7144; cagonzalez@vims.edu

Project Status:

10/1/23 - 9/30/24; 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: 2023 Coastal Grant Project Description and Final Summary

Project Task Number: 

10

Grantee:

Virginia Marine Resources Commission

Project Title:

Virginia Dredged Material Beneficial Use Guidance Document

Project Description:

Despite the known benefits of reusing dredged material to restore coastal habitats, Virginia does not currently have a working process or policy to align dredging projects with beneficial use (BU) projects. A myriad of project elements including design, permitting, construction timeline, ecologic and socio-economic considerations, and financing must align between both the dredge and the proposed restoration project to properly coordinate and implement a BU project. Due to the complexity of the process, few BU projects have historically been implemented in Virginia, although the Commonwealth has committed and increased levels of funding in recent years to support local government dredging activities with preference for projects which involve BU. It is anticipated that the demand for BU projects will increase substantially over the coming years with the increase in funding and more frequent and severe storm impacts resulting in greater negative impacts to coastal habitats and property. 

This project will result in a guidance manual that will create a framework for coordinating, planning, siting, and implementing BU of dredged material. The intent of this manual is to inform, expedite dredge projects and dredge material use planning and approvals and encourage new forms of sediment management in Virginia. It can support new enforceable policy development for BU projects and will support  Virginia’s Wetland Action Plan wetland restoration goals and the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement Wetland Outcomes. Additionally, it will support new BU goals for the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE)’s Norfolk District. The guidance document will summarize best management practices from a national review of BU projects and describe the state and federal permitting process to inform Virginia specific criteria, and technical standards for project design, construction, and monitoring. It will describe the range of BU opportunities in coastal Virginia, identify potential project partners and locations, include recommendations to achieve net benefits that are typically associated with habitat restoration projects. The project will assess the application of existing dredged material decision tools to evaluate the feasibility of several projects proposed in Virginia and propose tool modification, as needed, to serve Virginia’s needs more specifically. 

The proposed guidance manual will assist both governmental and non-governmental entities to plan, propose, permit, and implement projects that use dredged material from navigation channels, harbors, and other sources with projects that potentially provide multiple ecosystem, resilience, and water quality benefits. Economic benefits could be achieved in the reduction of time spent planning and permitting, and in reducing costs that would otherwise be incurred to transport dredged material to an upland placement site or to bring fill material to a restoration site.

The project will be managed by Rachael Peabody of the Virginia Marine Resources Commission (VMRC), who will oversee a competitive bid process to select a qualified consulting firm to perform the project tasks; 1) produce a Technical Guidance Document, 2) create the Project Feasibility Decision Framework, and 3) lead and collaborate with the project team on Stakeholder Engagement, including the creation of a Project Advisory Committee. VMRC will also assist with Stakeholder Engagement and will produce the final report summarizing efforts associated with Products #1, #2, and #3. The Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS), Virginia CZM, and the Middle Peninsula Planning District Commission (MPPDC) will assist in development of Products #1, #2, and #3 by providing regional and local knowledge of dredging projects and practices, scientific assessments of dredged material and site suitability mapping, and document review.

Federal Funding:

$250,000

Project Contact:

Rachael Peabody; 757-247-8027; rachael.peabody@mrc.virginia.gov

Project Status:

10/1/23 - 9/30/24; 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: 2023 Coastal Grant Project Description and Final Summary

Project Task Number: 

11

Grantee:

University of Virginia - Environmental Institute

Project Title:

Evaluating Virginia’s Status as a Low Water State in the Context of Shoreline Restoration

Project Description:

Federal Funding:

$31,000

Project Contact:

Karen McGlathery; 434-982-3100; Kjm4k@virginia.edu

Project Status:

5/20/24 - 8/11/24; Project Pending

Final Product:

Project Summary:

Disclaimer: This project summary provides the federal dollars initially awarded to the grantee. Due to underexpenditure or reprogramming of grant funds, this figure may change. For more information on the allocation of coastal grant funds, please contact 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: 2023 Coastal Grant Project Description and Final Summary

Project Task Number: 

41

Grantee:

Accomack-Northampton Planning District Commission

Project Title:

A-NPDC Coastal Management TA & Resiliency

Project Description:

The Accomack-Northampton Planning District Commission (A-NPDC) serves two counties and 19 incorporated towns on the Eastern Shore of Virginia.  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 this grant year’s Technical Assistance Program have been developed in a manner that will benefit the Eastern Shore as its communities continue working towards establishing a sustainable, viable, and prosperous future.

A-NPDC staff will implement coastal resource management by providing technical assistance, coordination, and trainings. Throughout the grant year, A-NPDC staff will track and identify measurable benefits accrued from previous grant products that have served as a foundation for additional projects. A-NPDC staff will continue to facilitate Eastern Shore Regional Navigable Waterways Committee (ESRNWC) public meetings; coordinate with dredging project consultants; and liaise between the ESRNWC and the Virginia Port Authority. With regards to protecting the region’s limited and vulnerable water supply, A-NPDC staff will continue to facilitate Eastern Shore of Virginia Ground Water Committee public meetings and management of the consulting hydrogeologist who provides critical guidance and oversight to the Committee. In support of the Virginia Abandoned & Derelict Vessels Work Group, A-NPDC staff will participate in full work group meetings and continue to participate in the Prevention & Public Education Subcommittee as Chair. A-NPDC staff will work to build regional resilience and sustainability through promoting certification of ecotour guides and ecotourism using the Eastern Shore Water Trails asset as a platform. Lastly, in an effort to collaborate with and support state efforts for coastal resilience planning, A-NPDC staff will continue facilitation of the Climate Adaptation Working Group (CAWG), whose mission is to provide educational outreach and develop planning tools to assist local governments and residents.

Federal Funding:

$64,500

Project Contact:

Anne Doyle; 757-787-2936 x115; adoyle@esvaplan.org

Project Status:

10/1/23 - 9/30/24; 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: 2023 Coastal Grant Project Description and Final Summary

Project Task Number: 

42

Grantee:

Crater Planning District Commission

Project Title:

Crater PDC Technical Assistance and Resiliency

Project Description:

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

Technical Assistance Program

The Technical Assistance Program will focus on Coordination, Training, and Issue Analysis/Special Projects through the following activities:

• Crater PDC staff will work with the Commission’s established Environmental Resource Management Task Force (ERMTF), comprised of the planning directors of the Crater Planning District localities, to both share information and coordinate on implementing this Technical Assistance program. 
• The Commission staff will assist Tidewater communities within its region with environmental impact reviews, the provision of technical assistance, planning and data coordination, training, and technical and staff support to Friends of the Lower Appomattox River (FOLAR) as needed. 
• FOLAR has grown from needing Crater PDC’s help to become established to acting as a full-fledged organization with their own mission and objectives. Crater will work to support FOLAR in their current and future vision, including developing educational resources, providing GIS and other technical assistance, coordinating regional partnerships, and planning for advocacy efforts within and beyond the Appomattox River Trail. 

Community Resilience (Year 1 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 (3 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 four tasks: 

1. Support the regional resiliency stakeholder group and conduct at least two (2) annual stakeholder meetings. Through this task, work to identify regional resiliency needs, such as data gaps, local capacity, etc., and establish regional resilience priorities (such as identifying areas to protect/relocate/adapt, natural resource protection, planning for migration of flora and fauna, developing best practices for the installation of renewable energy, etc.) and potential projects, which will be added to the Coastal Resilience Master Plan project database. 
2. Support the ongoing Resilience Adaptation Feasibility Tool (RAFT) implementation in Petersburg and Hopewell while translating lessons learned and potential projects to other localities in the Crater region. 
3. Participate in the development of state level resilience planning initiatives by attending meetings and providing information to state entities.

Work to develop and catalogue existing GIS-based maps and tools that will aid in local resilience initiatives within the region, such as mapping critical infrastructure, areas suited for conservation, geographic low-income and environmental justice areas, and stormwater infrastructure.

Federal Funding:

$64,500

Project Contact:

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

Project Status:

10/1/23 - 9/30/24; 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: 2023 Coastal Grant Project Description and Final Summary

Project Task Number: 

43

Grantee:

Hampton Roads Planning District Commission

Project Title:

Hampton Roads Technical Assistance Program & Resiliency Focal Area

Project Description:

Technical Assistance (TA): Hampton Roads Planning District Commission (HRPDC) staff will assist the seventeen (17) member local governments of HRPDC, other public entities, 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 Virginia CZM over the last twenty plus years. 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 CZM-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. HRPDC will also conduct or host at least four 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 Virginia CZM, Chesapeake Bay Program, and other state and federal programs. This component also includes participation by HRPDC staff in the Coastal PDC Committee, Coastal Policy Team (CPT), 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 analysis, technical products, or other projects related to environmental and coastal resources management issues. Specific studies will be determined in cooperation with local governments, with an emphasis on water quality, Chesapeake Bay related issues, and coastal resiliency.

5. Technical Assistance

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): HRPDC will continue efforts to enhance local and regional resilience through coordination with local, state, and federal government entities, development of policy and analysis products, and provision of technical assistance to Hampton Roads localities. HRPDC has been working on resilience initiatives for over ten years, several of which were supported by CZM. Other regional efforts, including the creation of HRPDC’s Coastal Resilience program, have been supported through locality contributions and other state and federal funds. Tasks supported through this grant will include continuation of the region’s coastal resilience coordination process, contribution to CZM and statewide resilience efforts, including the Resilience Projects Database and other state level resilience initiatives, and assistance to local governments on resilience issues. To the degree feasible, HRPDC will document program measures consistent with the NOAA Performance Measurement System. This will include numbers of individuals participating in the various educational components and discussion of local ordinances, plans, policies, and acquisitions being considered.

Federal Funding:

$99,000

Project Contact:

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

Project Status:

10/1/23 - 9/30/24; 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: 2023 Coastal Grant Project Description and Final Summary

Project Task Number: 

44

Grantee:

Middle Peninsula Planning District Commission

Project Title:

Middle Peninsula Technical Assistance Program and Resiliency Focal Area

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 to advance coastal management. Through the coordination of localities, and sharing of coastal zone management tools and techniques, the MPPDC focuses on balancing economic development with protecting coastal resources. MPPDC staff will build upon previous planning activities and will continue to promote coastal resilience solutions at the local level and support coastal resilience planning at the state level, which is critical to maintaining and preserving the Commonwealth’s coastal resources. At the local level, the Fight the Flood (FTF) program (https://fightthefloodva.com/) supports resiliency planning activities, coordination, outreach, and implementation of various flood mitigation projects. This approach is a systematic/programmatic solution driven program that protects local government’s tax base, structures, coastal lands, habitat, and water quality. FTF has driven over $24,000,000 into parcel level flood protection. MPPDC staff will also provide ongoing technical assistance, training, and coordination to member local governments and will serve as a liaison to various state and federal agency partners for coastal resource management and resiliency. For the federal FY23 grant, the work program will consist of five (5) distinct products: 

• Coastal Management Analysis and Policy Support (TA-1)
• Local and State Planning Coordination (TA-2)
• Middle Peninsula Chesapeake Bay Public Access Authority (MPCBPAA) Work Plan & Support for Online Facility Reservation system (TA-3)
• Benefits Accrued from Ongoing and Prior CZM Grants (TA-4)

Enhancing Regional Resiliency and Supporting State Level Resiliency Efforts (RFA-1)

Federal Funding:

$64,500

Project Contact:

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

Project Status:

10/1/23 - 9/30/24; 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: 2023 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 Resilience

Project Description:

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 Coastal Zone Management Program (CZM) over the last 20+ years. For this grant year, NNPDC staff will:

Technical Assistance

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

Resilience Focal Area

Assist the ten (10) local governments of the Northern Neck Planning District on issues related to ecosystem and community resilience as part of a second special Section 306 funded, 3-year Resilience Focal Area (RFA) project in collaboration with the other seven coastal PDCs. This project is a continuation of activities undertaken by the NNPDC under previous three years of the RFA. NNPDC staff will 1) Provide regional resiliency coordination to support local governments on resiliency. 2) Aid local governments in developing regional resilience priorities and to address resilience capacity building needs. (3) Continue to work with localities through hazard mitigation and resilience planning to identify potential projects or planning needs for inclusion in the CRMP database. 4) Provide support to state efforts in developing and implementing resilience through participation in advisory groups and through input on state plans and programs.

Federal Funding:

$64,500

Project Contact:

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

Project Status:

10/1/23 - 9/30/24; 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: 2023 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: the Technical Assistance (TA) Program and Resiliency Focal Area (RFA): Utilizing PDC’s to Advance Ecosystem & Community Resilience in Virginia’s Coastal Zone. 

1. TA Program: Since 1992, the CZM TA program has allowed NVRC to serve as a technical resource for Northern Virginia localities on coastal resource management issues and activities, including education and outreach, local planning and projects, and regulatory processes. For FY23, NVRC proposes the following activities to advance regional coordination and coastal resource management efforts:
   1. Local Coordination and Training: NVRC will hold at least four workshops or other training events on topics of local interest and/or that promote collaborative measures for discussing or addressing CZM topics of interest, such as shoreline management, marine debris, climate adaptation and resiliency, and other coastal resource issues. NVRC staff will also participate in any relevant local, regional, or state planning initiatives or workgroups, including the Potomac Watershed Roundtable, Shoreline Stakeholders Group, and Northern Virginia Salt Management Strategy Workgroup. NVRC will also review and respond to any relevant EIA/EA/EIR interagency review processes for consistency with local, regional, and state interests.
   2. Special Project: Since 2003, NVRC has managed the Northern Virginia Clean Water Partners (NVCWP)’s annual Stormwater Education Campaign. TA funds will continue to support the overall administration of this project, including acquisition of leveraged funding from partners, development of social media content, website content and promotional materials, and procurement of contractual services such as social media services and tv advertisements. The NVCWP will also procure services for an online survey of Northern Virginia residents to better understand changes in their stormwater-related knowledge and behaviors over time. NVRC will hold at least two NVCWP meetings to continue collaboration and advancement of new and ongoing pollution reduction initiatives.
   3. Benefits Accrued: The TA Program has provided NVRC the opportunity to leverage the efforts and funds from programs, such as the NVCWP, to extend the impact of regional investment. NVRC will continue to track the amount of funds that are leveraged by its partners in FY23 and report this to the CZM Program.
       
2. RFA: Through the RFA, NVRC looks to not only sustain its stakeholder network, but also expand its programming to identify and build new resilience initiatives throughout the region. To continue its regional resilience support and coordination, NVRC proposes the following activities for FY23:
   1. Regional Resilience Coordination: NVRC will continue to coordinate and convene with resilience stakeholders in Northern Virginia, including the NOVA Flood Mitigation and Resilience Workgroup. NVRC will host workgroup meetings on a quarterly basis to collaborate, share best practices, and prioritize resilience strategies relating to flooding and other relevant hazards for the region.
   2. Public Outreach and Education: The NOVA Flood Mitigation and Resilience Workgroup identified expanded public outreach and education as a regional priority to increase knowledge and community action around flood hazards. NVRC proposes to collaborate with the workgroup to develop a consolidated framework that will identify gaps in current outreach across jurisdictions and support the creation of region-wide messaging and outreach tools for future public engagement efforts.

State-level Resilience Support: NVRC will continue to contribute to Phase II of the Virginia Coastal Resilience Master Plan (VCRMP) development, including participation in the VCRMP’s Technical Advisory Committee and any subcommittees as designated. NVRC will also continue to support any data and mapping needs identified by the state.

Federal Funding:

$64,500

Project Contact:

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

Project Status:

10/1/23 - 9/30/24; 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: 2023 Coastal Grant Project Description and Final Summary

Project Task Number: 

47

Grantee:

George Washington Regional Commission

Project Title:

George Washington Regional Commission Technical Assistance/Resiliency Focal Area

Project Description:

This grant proposal includes annual Technical Assistance (TA) and the first 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 (REMTC) includes local environmental planners, stormwater program managers/staff, planning directors, and/or development review personnel.
   
   
2. Physical Features Special Project: In accordance with the GWRC 2023 Environmental Services Strategic Plan Update (Plan), the FY23 special project targets building outreach and engagement platforms.  This corresponds to Coastal Management Coordination (CZM’s Goal 10): To promote informed decision-making by maximizing the availability of up-to-date educational information, technical advice, and scientific data including the use of new tools such as marine spatial planning.
3. CZM Benefits Accrued: GWRC will continue to support and report on benefits accrued from prior CZM grants, including supporting the continuation of the Plant Central Rappahannock Natives campaign by hosting quarterly 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 both common themes across PDCs and allows for PDCs to focus on local priority concerns. In general, each task will be worked on in each year to initiate, fully develop, and implement the tasks. GWRC will focus on the four (4) 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 to identify resiliency themes of regional importance. Continue to support the development of Phase II of the Virginia Coastal Resilience Master Plan (VCRMP), including participation in the VCRMP’s Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) and any subcommittees as designated. GWRC will also continue to support any data and mapping needs identified by the state.
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.). This process may be aided by the Resilience Adaptation Feasibility Tool (RAFT). GWRC may receive assistance from the RAFT consultant team for planning future participation by the GWRC region in the RAFT process as funding allows for CZM FY23, Task 91.02 – The RAFT: Maintaining Progress in Coastal Virginia.
3. Work with university partners to assess resiliency through the lens of urban heat island (UHI) effect in PD16. This may take the form of continued Urban Heat Island Listening Session or workgroup meetings. University partners may collaborate to conduct a cost-benefit analysis of UHI effect in the region, and GWRC will package any products into the environmental services website.

GWRC will develop a regional working definition of resiliency with the support and input of stakeholders and the REMTC. This will guide future conversations around resiliency and give context about what is most important to localities and the community.

Federal Funding:

$64,500

Project Contact:

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

Project Status:

10/1/23 - 9/30/24; 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: 2023 Coastal Grant Project Description and Final Summary

Project Task Number: 

48

Grantee:

PlanRVA (Richmond Regional Planning District Commission)

Project Title:

Richmond Region Technical Assistance and Resiliency

Project Description:

This grant proposal includes annual Technical Assistance (TA) and the first year of the 2023-2024 Resilience Focal Area (RFA). 

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

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

Advancing Ecosystem and Community Resilience Focal Area (RFA) 

This proposal aims to improve regional capacity for resilience planning to support local, regional, and state efforts to develop and implement new projects, programs, and policies. PlanRVA staff will work with regional partners to coordinate with efforts of state agencies and to move forward a regional resilience planning process.  In the previous 3-year RFA, PlanRVA staff focused on the fundamentals of organizing regional staff engagement of localities and stakeholders and understanding existing data sources and gaps. PlanRVA staff worked with the Environmental Technical Advisory Committee (EnvTAC) and other relevant agency committees to solicit and prioritize a list of resilience projects. PlanRVA coordinated internally, identifying opportunities to consider resiliency in agency or regional planning processes.  PlanRVA staff cooperated with and provided support for agencies of the Commonwealth of Virginia in resilience planning.

In year one of the 2023-2025 RFA proposed herein, PlanRVA staff will continue regional coordination and collaboration efforts through the EnvTAC.  PlanRVA staff will continue technical planning activities including data analysis and visualization and improvement of a regional resilience framework document.  PlanRVA staff will maintain and update information about resilience on the PlanRVA website.  Additionally, PlanRVA staff will work with partners to engage the public about resilience risk and solutions.  A focus will be placed on communities that are projected to be most at risk given geography, demographic, and/or socioeconomic background.  PlanRVA staff will continue to provide support to state agencies in resilience planning.

Federal Funding:

$64,500

Project Contact:

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

Project Status:

10/1/23 - 9/30/24; 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: 2023 Coastal Grant Project Description and Final Summary

Project Task Number: 

49

Grantee:

Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center Foundation

Project Title:

Virginia Marine Mammal and Sea Turtle 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 96/year from 2014-2021) and sea turtle strandings (average 255/year from 2012-2021) 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. In 2022, VAQS documented a record number of incidental captures of sea turtles in recreational fishing, and the second highest number of sea turtle strandings (n= 324) on record since 2004. 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:

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

Project Status:

1/1/24 - 12/31/24; 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: 2023 Coastal Grant Project Description and Final Summary

Project Task Number: 

71

Grantee:

Virginia Institute of Marine Science

Project Title:

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

Project Description:

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

The Center for Coastal Resources Management, VIMS, is proposing to partner with appropriate Planning District Commissions to apply an adaptive management approach to the collection of current comprehensive coastal inventory and tidal wetlands inventory data to support an update of SMM. This will entail generating new inventory information, as well as other critical datasets, and applying this information to increase currency, precision, and robustness to best management practices recommendations in the SMM. Model improvements and additions will be made within a resiliency context. Taking advantage of the new technology and satellite data that are currently available, as well as the incorporation of community science into this effort, we propose to 1) apply machine learning techniques (Lv et al., 2023) to update the inventory of shoreline conditions and expand the features surveyed based on locality needs; 2) update the SMM to include new data inputs and new advanced model approaches; 3) map marsh migration corridors to assist with marsh conservation and restoration decisions under multiple sea level rise scenarios; and 4) develop and implement a community-science web application for citizens, local government, and PDC staff, where they can share information to more accurately and efficiently maintain current shoreline conditions in Virginia. We propose that the PDCs will provide feedback on the inventory features surveyed, as well as on the development and testing of the web application. 

The greatest drivers of change to the shoreline are climate (sea level rise), storms (erosion, and human development). These factors are having the greatest impacts on the outer coastal plain, which will be the focus of this study. The entire project will take three years. Each year would be comprised of elements listed in Table 1, rotating to different localities (Table 2). The entire study will be conducted at a county level for better coordination with local government on the implementation and application of final products; in particular, inventory input and WebApp development. In addition, previous inventories conducted by county set a mapping extent that could be used for change detection between inventories. Target localities for Year 1 (Table 2) were selected based on a combination of prioritizing oldest inventories and current localities' needs.

Federal Funding:

$120,052

Project Contact:

Dr. Karinna Nunez; 804-684-7273; karinna@vims.edu
Pamela Mason; 804-684-7158; mason@vims.edu

Project Status:

10/1/23 - 9/30/24; 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: 2023 Coastal Grant Project Description and Final Summary

Project Task Number: 

72

Grantee:

Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation

Project Title:

Resilience Planning for Protected Lands

Project Description:

The Virginia Natural Heritage Program (VNHP) currently maintains a database of lands in need of additional protection for Natural Heritage Resources (NHRs), as well as to enhance the resilience of existing Natural Area Preserves (NAPs).  This database consists of two main types of parcels:  those adjacent to existing NAPs that have a foreseeable impact on the longevity, persistence, and manageability of the NAP and their protected resources (called “Resiliency Tracts"); and parcels known to support one or more occurrences of NHR classified as essential by an analysis conducted by VNHP where land protection is most urgently needed to establish NAP or other appropriate forms of formal designation (called “Resiliency Areas").  An occurrence of a NHR is considered essential if it is the only extant occurrence, or one of only two extant occurrences (five extant occurrences for the most globally rare species), in a region or the Commonwealth.  Essential occurrences of NHR are used to identify Essential Conservation Sites (ECS) and a custom version of ECS for the Virginia coastal zone is being developed currently under NOAA grant NA22NOS4190187.  In both cases, parcels may be targeted for acquisition or for partnerships and collaborative conservation strategies.  Further work is needed to determine which of these parcels would best contribute to the overall protected lands network in light of new resilience determinations.  This work is especially critical in the Virginia coastal zone where challenges from ongoing and predicted sea level rise are extraordinary.

The key focus of this project is to further evaluate and expand on Resiliency Areas, not just for NAPs, but for other strategically important protected lands in the Virginia coastal Zone.  VNHP proposes to build upon the strategic plan developed as the culmination of the FY2020-2022 focal project (NOAA grants: NA20NOS4190207, NA21NOS4190152, NA22NOS4190187; VNHP technical reports: 22-08, 23-03, TBD) by estimating the resilience contribution of parcels adjacent to or nearby all protected lands in the Virginia coastal zone that both support NHR and are managed at least for general natural resource conservation.   While the strategic plan addresses the conservation of the most vulnerable and highest priority NHR on resilient sites, it does not address directly how the NAP system could be most effectively expanded to ensure resilience at individual sites and across the network.  There are new tools available that may lead to more precise predictions of resilience.  VNHP will explore use of the most current and accurate data on sea level rise, marsh migration and building, natural land, species distributions, species observations, and other data, to expand and update the resilience dataset and further illustrate the significance of these data to known NHRs.   VNHP will use these results to inform future conservation decisions, even if those decisions are to let available lands go unprotected because they have low levels of resilience and are not expected to persist.  The results will greatly inform VNHP and our partner efforts to strategically focus limited funding and stewardship resources.

The VNHP proposes collaboration with other land management agencies (e.g., DWR, DOF, USFWS), non-government organizations (e.g., TNC, CBF), and at least one Planning District Commission (to be determined) to ensure that priority lands with NHR are included in the Year 1 assessment.  In Year 2 of this project, the VNHP proposes conducting field inventory of protected-lands adjacent, resilient, and high priority parcels identified in this Year 1 assessment to further guide protection and management decisions.  In Year 3 of this project, the VNHP proposes entering the data collected during Year 2 into Biotics, VNHP’s database management system, and then using the NAP resilience analysis and updated NHR inventory data to update the strategic plan developed under the FY2020-2022 focal project.

Federal Funding:

$44,920

Project Contact:

Joe Weber; 804-371-2545; joseph.weber@dcr.virginia.gov

Project Status:

10/1/23 - 9/30/24; 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: 2023 Coastal Grant Project Description and Final Summary

Project Task Number: 

73

Grantee:

Virginia Department of Energy/Virginia Energy

Project Title:

Aggregate Resource Mapping for Localities within the Middle Peninsula, Virginia

Project Description:

To address research needs outlined in the Virginia Coastal Resilience Master Plan (VCRMP) (DCR, 2021), Virginia Energy proposes to conduct mapping of aggregate materials (i.e., sand, gravel) in the Middle Peninsula Planning District. The resulting products will be used by local planners, developers, engineers, and contractors to develop resilient roadways and infrastructure in regions that may be impacted from increased flooding. Aggregate-specific mapping has not been completed for the Virginia Coastal Plain Province. Virginia Energy’s web site hosts an interactive story map resource entitled, “Aggregate in Virginia”, which identifies different types and uses of aggregate across the state and the supply chain and costs associated with transportation of these resources. In many coastal localities, the existing permitted aggregate operations do not meet current or projected future demand (Mineral Mining Program). The project has the potential to occur in three phases across three separate Virginia CZM grants. This scope of work pertains to FY23 only, but a description of how the work may transfer into FY24 and FY25 Virginia CZM-funded projects is included in the Extended Project Description.

For FY23, Virginia Energy will develop an ArcGIS geodatabase, a 1:100,000-scale digital map, and a summary report with economic data for aggregate resources for the Middle Peninsula Planning District. These products are intended to complement existing geological map data at the 1:24,000- to 1:250,000-scale (e.g., Berquist, 2013; Witt et al., 2021), providing a valuable tool for land-use decisions by planning authorities. Additionally, data on aggregate resource potential will benefit the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) and associated contractors in identifying potential source material locations. This work will benefit land-use planners by identifying land areas that are restrictive to extractive resources, and potential resource areas that are compatible with local land-use plans.

As stated in the 2022 Middle Peninsula Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy, traditional sand and gravel mining provides high wage jobs for the local community and is a recommended industry for growth within the Middle Peninsula region (2022 Plan). An economic study on the cumulative effects of natural resource extractive industries was completed in 2020 for localities within the Middle Peninsula (2020 Study). While the report indicated that sand and gravel mining operations offer high worker wages and revenue returned, the authors also noted the current tax framework should be reassessed to ensure revenue benefits are received by the localities in which the operations occur. Data obtained from these products would provide information on potential economic incentives for aggregate operations, and where more evaluation may be needed. At the end of the project, end-users may incorporate the data into their specific ArcGIS-compatible web browsing applications for increased usability. The proposed work will also support efforts outlined in NOAA’s Middle Peninsula Habitat Focus Area (NOAA Habitat Blueprint), by providing data on potential aggregate for use in living shoreline and coastal resilience projects and identifying areas more vulnerable to disruption by hazards over time.

Federal Funding:

$59,677

Project Contact:

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

Project Status:

10/1/23 - 9/30/24; 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: 2023 Coastal Grant Project Description and Final Summary

Project Task Number: 

90

Grantee:

Virginia Sea Grant at the Virginia Institute of Marine Science

Project Title:

Section 309 Legal & Policy Technical Assistance

Project Description:

Given the dissolution of William & Mary Law School’s Virginia Coastal Policy Center (VCPC) in June 2023, Virginia CZM will help fund a legal/policy position(s) at Virginia Sea (VASG) to provide legal analysis capacity to Commonwealth stakeholders at the local, regional and state levels with respect to Virginia’s Section 309 5-year strategies. Legal and policy analysis capacity at VASG will leverage a summer legal research assistant and a lawyer at VASG to support the legal and policy analysis of resilience. Although no match is required on Section 309 projects, this task will leverage up to $70K of funds from the VASG, plus additional VASG fund-raising efforts to support legal and policy analysis capacity.  For example, in the past VCPC had received funding from Virginia Environmental Endowment and the Commonwealth Center for Recurrent Flooding Resiliency (CCRFR). The CCRFR had been co-hosted by VCPC, along with the Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS) and Old Dominion University’s Institute of Coastal Adaptation and Resilience (ODU ICAR), and was the direct recipient of funds from Virginia’s General Assembly (GA). Current GA budget negotiations are proposing appropriation language to transfer VCPC’s CCRFR funding to VASG for legal/policy analysis capacity. The Virginia CZM Program intends to maintain funding for this Task 90 indefinitely to provide legal and policy assistance to all Section 309 5-year strategies. For FY23 this position(s) to be hired in summer 2023 would work with Tasks in the 91 series (Coastal Hazards), 92 series (Ocean Resources) and 93 series (Marine Debris) as time allows. The priority for FY23 will be the Ocean Resources tasks. The VASG Director and Virginia CZM Manager will continue their ongoing communication and coordination efforts to jointly set workload priorities among Virginia CZM’s Section 309 strategies.

Federal Funding:

$20,000

Project Contact:

Troy Hartley; 804-684-7248; thartley@vims.edu

Project Status:

10/1/23 - 9/30/24; Project Pending

Final Product:

Project Summary:

Disclaimer: This project summary provides the federal dollars initially awarded to the grantee. Due to underexpenditure or reprogramming of grant funds, this figure may change. For more information on the allocation of coastal grant funds, please contact 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: 2023 Coastal Grant Project Description and Final Summary

Project Task Number: 

91.01

Grantee:

Middle Peninsula Planning District Commission

Project Title:

Working Waterfront Assessment

Project Description:

Working waterfronts provide critical access to coastal waters for people engaged in commercial and recreational fishing, seafood processing, boat building, aquaculture, and other water-dependent businesses. Unfortunately, working waterfronts across the nation face serious challenges due to recurrent flooding, storm surge, wave attenuation deficiencies, and lack of investment to adjust to water management challenges. These and other factors have resulted in Virginia slowly losing its working waterfronts. 

A loss of working waterfronts constitute a potential loss of infrastructure and jobs for watermen (e.g. finfish and shellfish farmers); a loss of the identity of the region; and a loss of support industry jobs (e.g. boat building, transport, seafood processing, etc.) as well as loss of tax revenue. While threats to the existence of working waterfronts remain, there is growing recognition of the problem associated with adapting to water management challenges and an expanding list of possible flood mitigation solutions.

The proposed project will build on previous efforts that have taken place over the last decade to strengthen the working waterfronts found in Virginia’s portion of the Chesapeake Bay and the Seaside area of the Eastern Shore. Each PDC will identify 5 working waterfronts within their region that are suffering from flooding. These sites will be assessed for water management flooding challenges and associated cost estimates will be prepared with enough detail for entry into the Virginia Coastal Resiliency Master Plan (VCRMP) database for future funding consideration. The PDCs will strive to submit these projects as watershed specific community scale projects for consideration under the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR)’s Community Flood Preparedness Fund (CFPF). The PDCs will work with DCR staff to determine how to enter project criteria into the DCR database so that an application for funding can be made to the CFPF. This includes the awareness of development for specific PDC Resiliency Plan(s) according to the criteria established by DCR. Each PDC must have a DCR-approved Resiliency Plan in place as a requirement to make application to DCR for funding of the resiliency project. To date only MPPDC has a DCR-approved plan in place.

This initiative will help communities with both public and privately owned water-dependent commercial infrastructure understand the long-term costs associated with protecting working waterfronts from water management challenges.

Federal Funding:

$54,505

Project Contact:

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

Project Status:

10/1/23 - 9/30/24; 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: 2023 Coastal Grant Project Description and Final Summary

Project Task Number: 

91.02

Grantee:

University of Virginia - Institute for Engagement & Negotiation

Project Title:

The RAFT: Maintaining Progress in Coastal Virginia

Project Description:

Through the Institute for Engagement & Negotiation (IEN) and partners’ work with localities to assist them in their resilience efforts, it became clear that an important gap in the toolbox of Virginia’s coastal communities that are dealing with the impacts of climate change is an easy and accessible scorecard to define and measure a locality’s resilience coupled with a supporting process for defining local priorities for resilience and implementing those priorities. In response, The Resilience Adaptation Feasibility Tool (The RAFT) was developed by an interdisciplinary academic collaborative (the “Project Team”), which has included IEN at the University of Virginia, the Virginia Coastal Policy Center at William & Mary Law School, and Old Dominion University's Institute for Coastal Adaptation and Resilience (ODU).

The goal of The RAFT is to help Virginia’s coastal communities improve resilience to flooding and other coastal hazards while striving to be economically viable and socially relevant. Because this is an “adaptive management” effort, continued refinements to the RAFT are expected in the years ahead. The RAFT is an 18-month process of assessment, engagement, and implementation that bridges the gap between science and action by catalyzing meaningful action by localities to increase their resilience through policies and programmatic changes.

Unlike many resilience initiatives that begin with self-assessments by the locality government, The RAFT process begins with an external resilience assessment (the “Scorecard”) of a locality’s climate-related policies and programs conducted by the Project Team. More recently, to increase a focus on climate equity, the assessment phase has expanded to include a qualitative assessment of community resilience through interviews and focus groups with locality and regional PDC staff, local non-profits, community organizations, critical service providers, and other groups to identify resilience challenges and opportunities. A report of these findings is shared with localities and participants alongside the Scorecard results, and all participants are invited to participate in the community workshop and implementation phase. External assessment of resilience through both qualitative and quantitative processes lends both independence and academic collaboration to the process.

Next, to assure that the assessment of needs and priorities 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 co-produced one-year priority 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, studies, facilitation, networking of expertise, 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. Through this sustained engagement, the RAFT catalyzes community-level knowledge sharing, networking across silos, and capacity building that is missing from the scope of most resilience assessments performed by private consulting firms on contract. Since the founding of The RAFT, local government representatives have made it clear that the Project Team must continue to provide localities with independent academically-scored and qualitative results, as well as the facilitated implementation and networking support, in order to help generate change.

The portions of the project for which the Project Team seeks 309 funding are vital to the implementation and continuing success of The RAFT. With 309 funding, the Project Team will use the outcomes from its first five rounds of application of The RAFT to continue to grow, develop, and deliver resilience planning resources to Virginia coastal communities. Previous applications of the RAFT included three pilot localities in Hampton Roads, a regional approach of seven localities in Virginia’s Eastern Shore, a regional approach of eight localities in Virginia’s Northern Neck, a regional approach of six localities in the Middle Peninsula, as well as current work in two cities in the Crater region.

Expansion in 2023-2024 will involve: 1) implementation of the fifth round of The RAFT in two localities in the Crater planning district (Hopewell, Petersburg)  and closing out implementation via a workshop; (2) pre-RAFT engagement in George Washington Regional Commission (GWRC) localities;  (3) continued support for resilience planning activities in alumni localities, particularly in the Middle Peninsula and Crater regions, and (4) continued review and potential revision of the RAFT scorecard and process to improve inclusion and community connections.

Federal Funding:

$80,000

Project Contact:

Tanya Denckla Cobb; 434-924-1855; td6n@virginia.edu

Project Status:

10/1/23 - 9/30/24; 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: 2023 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 three products that will support and grow the Community Rating System (CRS) Program in Virginia’s Coastal Zone. Much of this project continues the work previously funded by the Virginia Coastal Zone Management Program (CZM), enhancing their influence across Virginia’s Coastal Zone, and growing interest and success in the CRS Program. Wetlands Watch will also continue coordinating with the Resilience Adaptation Feasibility Tool (RAFT) program team to offer technical assistance for current RAFT programming and host follow-up meetings for alumni RAFT communities in the Northern Neck region of coastal Virginia. Additionally, this project will build Wetlands Watch’s staff capacity to conduct floodplain management technical assistance to communities, by supporting one staff member to earn the Certified Floodplain Manager (CFM) certification.

Wetlands Watch will continue supporting and managing the Coastal Virginia CRS Workgroup in Product 1. This community of practice helps inform professional staff across Virginia’s Coastal Zone, and recently beyond, on various Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) programs. The CRS Workgroup’s role in the state is particularly important for under-resourced communities that cannot afford to attend meetings in-person. We will grow the value of the CRS Workgroup across Virginia’s Coastal Zone through the creation of one additional educational video that will provide specific CRS information for local staff and other stakeholders. These educational videos are critical to expanding knowledge on the CRS to under-resourced communities who do not have the time or travel budget to attend training in-person. Additionally, Wetlands Watch staff will attend the Association of State Floodplain Managers conference to present on our role as technical assistance provider and capacity builder, while learning from other floodplain professionals on how to improve our current work in coastal localities.

Wetlands Watch will provide two additional CRS Trainings/Evaluations in Product 2. If awarded, Wetlands Watch will have conducted 18 CRS trainings in Virginia’s Coastal Zone at the close of the grant period. This opportunity to meet in-person with locality staff and spend dedicated time reviewing the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and CRS Program has been well received and appreciated 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 reduce flood risk. To support this work, Wetlands Watch will have one staff member pursue CFM certification.

Wetlands Watch will continue expanding its partnership with the RAFT team in Product 3, bringing the NFIP and CRS Program training and education to local government RAFT teams. Technical assistance for current RAFT communities includes participating in RAFT team meetings or hosting separate meetings with RAFT communities, as requested, to provide specific information about the NFIP and the CRS. In consultation with the RAFT team, Wetlands Watch will also offer NFIP and CRS assistance to five alumni communities that participated in the RAFT evaluation process in 2020-2021. Technical assistance for RAFT alumni communities includes hosting in-person meetings that seek to accomplish two goals: (1) collect feedback on the community’s progress on implementing resilience initiatives since completing the RAFT process and (2) provide additional technical assistance on the NFIP, CRS, and additional floodplain management technical and funding resources. This follow-up work will continue to build local knowledge and capacity that is critical for Virginia’s Coastal Zone communities.

Federal Funding:

$39,125

Project Contact:

Madison Teeter; 984-220-4878; madison.teeter@wetlandswatch.org

Project Status:

10/1/23 - 9/30/24; 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: 2023 Coastal Grant Project Description and Final Summary

Project Task Number: 

91.04

Grantee:

Hampton Roads Planning District Commission

Project Title:

Developing a Model Floodplain Management “Review, Assess, and Document” Policy

Project Description:

Compliance with the minimum standards of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) is mandatory for communities that wish to give their residents the option of purchasing NFIP policies. These minimum standards, which are found in CFR § 60.3, require communities to review and permit “all proposed construction or other development in the community, including the placement of manufactured homes, so that it may determine whether such construction or other development is proposed within flood-prone areas.” Many types of development are also subject to other permitting processes in Virginia. These include stormwater, erosion and sediment control, Chesapeake Bay Preservation Act, zoning, subdivision, and other requirements. However, a relatively limited number of types of development do not fall under these existing requirements. In many cases, these types of development also have little or no impact on flooding or floodplains. Recognizing this, the Federal Emergency Management Agency has established a mechanism (“Review, Assess, and Document” or “RAD”) for allowing localities to use general permits or a similar class-based process to ensure that the minimum standards are being followed without placing an undue burden on locality staff or residents.

This project will help develop a model policy for Virginia communities (with a focus on coastal communities) wishing to adopt a “RAD” policy as part of their floodplain management programs. The project will include significant coordination and communication with FEMA and Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) staff, coastal Planning District Commissions, local government representatives, and other engaged stakeholders to identify issues, questions, and concerns. The project will include significant research into existing examples from communities in FEMA Region 3 (where Virginia is located) and other FEMA regions as well as examples of similar policies for other regulatory programs. Following this research and in consultation with stakeholders the HRPDC staff will develop a model policy and process that could be used by interested localities. The HRPDC staff will also develop a training module and conduct at least one (1) training event with PDC and locality staff.

Federal Funding:

$25,000

Project Contact:

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

Project Status:

10/1/23 - 9/30/24; 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: 2023 Coastal Grant Project Description and Final Summary

Project Task Number: 

92.01

Grantee:

Virginia Marine Resources Commission

Project Title:

Interagency Large Whale Stranding MOU – Year 1: Identifying Needs

Project Description:

There have been a large number of large whale strandings in recent years along Virginia’s coast. There are multiple causes for these strandings such as increases in ship traffic causing more whale strikes, increases in the humpback whale population and therefore an increase in strikes, and the steady rate of whale entanglements in fishing gear.  The Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center is the sole stranding agreement holder from NOAA Fisheries for the Commonwealth of Virginia. However, dealing with stranded and entangled large whales, requires cooperation and coordination from many state, federal and other stakeholders that are impacted by these events.  Through development of a Virginia stranding response Memorandum of Understanding focusing on large whales, the Virginia Marine Resources Commission (MRC) and the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) seek to codify state efforts to assist the Virginia Aquarium with resources towards the effort required for large whale responses. This project proposes a two-year effort. In year one (FY23) MRC, working with DWR and the Virginia Aquarium will evaluate the resources required for consistent, scientifically-based large whale stranding response in Virginia. Specifically they will:

• Identify and document the current "regulatory and stranding response/disentanglement resources required" for large whales in Virginia
• Document the future communication structure for when a large whale event occurs
• Identify and reach out to other state agencies and personnel with jurisdiction over public resources needed for recovery, examination and disposal of stranded large whales and “on the water” response to entangled animals.
• Compare other states’(e.g. MD, NC, FL) engagement in stranding response to Virginia’s stranding response for justification and future funding

They will also identify gaps discovered through the exploration of the above.  Specifically they will identify: 

• communication gaps
• equipment and supply gaps
• permissions, agreements and other resources needed for recovery, examination and disposal
• training needs
• funding required for all the above

Meetings among the Virginia Aquarium, MRC, DWR and other as yet unidentified agencies will be held 3-4 times during the grant period to ensure all relevant information is collected and accurate. The Aquarium will have final review of documents and agreements for accuracy.

As yet unidentified agencies may include the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation to explore the possibility of using appropriate State Parks and Natural Area Preserves as landing and burial sites for dead whales. Owners of other conserved lands, either publicly owned or owned by The Nature Conservancy, may also be consulted for their potential involvement in this effort. Federal resources such as the Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Coast Guard, NOAA Fisheries Protected Resources Division and NOAA Office of Law Enforcement may also be included in some discussions.

In Year two (FY24), a final large whale stranding plan and interagency MOU will be developed and the group will explore other aspects of marine mammals and sea turtle stranding response and disentanglement in Virginia that could be addressed in future agreements.

Federal Funding:

$40,000

Project Contact:

Rachael Peabody; 757-247-2269; rachael.peabody@mrc.virginia.gov

Project Status:

10/1/23 - 9/30/24; 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: 2023 Coastal Grant Project Description and Final Summary

Project Task Number: 

92.02

Grantee:

Virginia Commonwealth University

Project Title:

Virginia Ocean Fisheries Stakeholder Coordinator

Project Description:

Virginia Commonwealth University will provide an Environmental Scientist/Analyst/Program Manager to serve as the Ocean Fisheries Coordinator (OFC) for the VA CZM Program.  The OFC will work under the direction of the Virginia CZM Program Manager as a member of Virginia’s Ocean Planning Committee. The Coordinator will further the development of relationships with Virginia’s ocean-based, commercial fishing  stakeholders through personal contact, public meetings, PGIS workshops and other techniques to refine Virginia’s role as it relates to ocean activities, engagement, policy analysis and information. The OFC will also assist with addressing emerging issues, researching relevant topics, providing policy input and analysis to advance the Virginia Ocean Plan and changes in ocean use.  The Coordinator will concentrate on the commercial fishing sector, as their activities relate to renewable energy, seafood production and processing and ensuring a sustainable seafood industry.

Engagement of the commercial fishing sector will continue to 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 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 continues to refine their strategy around ocean resources, construction begins in 2024 on the Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind (CVOW) commercial lease, and new leased areas increase the pressure on limited areas, the need for maintaining a close relationship with the commercial fishing industry will be greater than ever. The VA CZM has supported this activity for more than ten years and has resulted in the VA Marine Resources Commission (VMRC) matching the contribution of funds to support an Ocean Fisheries Coordinator. The VMRC supports that activity through the Commercial Fishing License Fund permitting more time is dedicated to bringing the industry to the table to be part of the decision process and obtain immediate feedback to inform policies.  The Coordinator is a primary point of contact for coordinating outreach and engagement of fishing industry stakeholders, arranging and establishing meetings, and communicating with those stakeholders and the support from the VMRC validates the need.

Integrating the interests of commercial fishing in the existing VA lease area and development of future areas will benefit long-term sustainability of the seafood industry and changes in ocean use. The Coordinator communicates with Cabinet members, state agencies, wind industry developers (Orsted, Dominion Energy, Avangrid, etc.) and the commercial for-hire fishing sectors regarding information sharing, fisheries science and management.  They engage these sectors to better understand their needs and perspectives and to make those available for decision making. The Coordinator is a member of the BOEM Intergovernmental Task Force for the Central Atlantic Call Area, which also strengthens this coordination role.

The Coordinator will assist with obtaining data from the Commercial fishing community, Ports, Renewable Energy developers, and recreational fishers regarding Virginia-based activities to inform the development of Virginia’s ocean strategies and policies.  The OF Coordinator 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 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 Coordinator will work with other Mid-Atlantic fisheries and wind related coordinating groups as needed.

Federal Funding:

$55,000

Project Contact:

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

Project Status:

10/1/23 - 9/30/24; 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: 2023 Coastal Grant Project Description and Final Summary

Project Task Number: 

92.03

Grantee:

Virginia Commonwealth University

Project Title:

Virginia Ocean Fisheries Data Development

Project Description:

Virginia Commonwealth University will provide an Environmental Scientist/Analyst/Program Manager, serving as the Ocean Fisheries Coordinator (OFC) for the Commonwealth, to oversee the development of ocean fisheries data as it relates to developing products from the NOAA GARFO Fishing Footprint data. The OFC will work under the direction of the Virginia CZM Program Manager as a member of Virginia’s Ocean Planning Committee and directly with the VA Marine Resources Commission to further quantify fisheries exposure as it relates to changes in ocean use.

Changes in ocean use, particularly through the deployment of offshore wind, will require the Commonwealth to obtain more detailed information regarding fishing activity, fisheries shifts, migration, and affects from changes in climate to inform policies. The goal of this effort is to ensure those important fisheries to Virginia are sustainably and economically managed. As Virginia continues to refine their strategy around ocean resources, construction begins in 2024 on the Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind (CVOW) commercial lease, and new leased areas increase the pressure on limited areas, the need for understanding the direct impacts to ports and fishing sectors will be greater than ever. The VA CZM has supported the engagement of commercial fisheries for more than ten years and has resulted in the VA Marine Resources Commission (VMRC) matching the contribution of funds to support an Ocean Fisheries Coordinator. The VMRC support of these activities through the utilization of the Commercial Fishing License Fund has permitted more time to bring the industry to the table to be part of the decision process and obtain immediate feedback to inform policies.  Integrating additional commercial fishing data broken down by port and sector, cross-walked with wind development areas will benefit long-term sustainability of the seafood industry and historic ocean use.

The NOAA Northeast Fisheries Science Center (NEFSC) maintains and publishes reports on fisheries data in a variety of formats including Socioeconomic Impacts of Atlantic Offshore Wind Development. This report been extremely useful in providing a baseline of understanding of the potential fisheries and businesses affected by wind development and deployment. NOAA clearly states the limitations of these reports, “we do not recommend these summary reports be used for project-specific analysis, but they can be used to identify fundamental data that are available and should be included in such an analysis.” Working directly with the NOAA GARFO, the VCU will coordinate with fisheries economists, fisheries researchers, state agencies and the commercial sector to refine those data to improve upon those NOAA data products.

Federal Funding:

$41,370

Project Contact:

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

Project Status:

10/1/23 - 9/30/24; 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: 2023 Coastal Grant Project Description and Final Summary

Project Task Number: 

93

Grantee:

Longwood University - Clean Virginia Waterways

Project Title:

Implementation of Marine Debris Reduction Strategies

Project Description:

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

1. Development and implementation of new laws and policies that will be created inspired by the VA Marine Debris Reduction Plan (VMDRP) and Section 309 5-year strategies.
   • This will include sharing with policy makers the results of the 2022 public opinion survey which measures support for laws and policies that will reduce marine debris.
2. Implementation of the 2021-2025 VMDRP and NOAA’s Mid-Atlantic Marine Debris Action Plan. Also, collaboration with the Mid-A Committee on the Ocean’s Marine Debris Work Group.
3. Monitoring of Fisherman Island for balloon debris.

The VMDRP (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 VA.

Actions in the VMDRP are organized under four Goals:

• Consumer Debris (22 Actions)
• Derelict Fishing Gear (17 Actions)
• Microplastics & Microfibers (13 Actions)
• Abandoned & Derelict Vessels (8 Actions)

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

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

1. Analyze existing legislation & policies. Provide recommendations to local and state elected officials to support waste minimization of common and harmful marine debris (e.g., plastic bags, food & beverage packaging)
2. Analyze policy recommendations from government-mandated work groups (i.e., the Plastic Waste Prevention Advisory Council; Waste Diversion and Recycling Task Force)
3. Increase engagement with state and local advocacy groups and the public regarding policies that are proven to reduce marine debris
4. Facilitate adherence to Virginia’s laws and policies by raising public awareness and working with vendors
   • assist communities in placing a 5-cent fee on plastic shopping bags
   • stop the intentional releasing of helium-filled balloons
   • phase out the use of expanded polystyrene food packaging
5. Continue to co-facilitate the work of the Virginia Abandoned & Derelict Vessel Work Group. Support adoption of laws and policies that prevent or remove abandoned boats.
6. Virginia Plastic Pollution Prevention Network: facilitate coordination, collaboration, and communication among groups working to reduce marine debris and plastic pollution
7. Provide financial support to local governments and NGOs for pilot programs to reduce marine debris
8. Explore alternatives to netting used in clam aquaculture as well as alternative disposal options
9. Reach out to the media regarding intentional balloon release events
10. Work with mid-A partners to develop and implement a social marketing campaign to increase the use of reusable water bottles at beaches (led by MARCO)
11. Conduct an economic assessment of the cost of mismanaged waste (Phase 2)
12. Continue monitoring at Fisherman Island. Also prepare a report summarizing ten years of monitoring there
13. Support existing community-based social marketing campaigns

Overall Impacts

Reduction of marine debris will have positive impacts on coastal resources, protected species such as marine mammals and sea birds, and economically important species 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 off VA’s coast. Derelict fishing gear (e.g., fishing line, nets, and rope pieces), consumer debris (e.g., plastic bags) as well as abandoned and derelict vessels can compromise boaters’ safety.

Federal Funding:

$160,000

Project Contact:

Zach Huntington; 804-214-1905; huntingtonza@longwood.edu

Project Status:

10/1/23 - 9/30/24; 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.