Project Task:

92

Grantee:

Virginia Institute of Marine Science

Project Title:

Developing a Working Waterfronts Plan for Virginia's Coastal Zone

Project Description as Proposed:

Coastal areas are experiencing dramatically increased demand for residential development. This demand often results in the need for services and resources that are not compatible with the nature and character of the community that attracted the development in the first place. As a result, historic industries that support the functionality of many waterfront communities become disadvantaged by impacts of new development. Localities with working waterfronts often lack sufficient information and/or organizational capacity to effectively respond to the changes presented by increased growth and development. The proposed project will establish a coastal zone-wide Working Waterfronts plan for Virginia that will serve to guide communities in protecting, restoring and enhancing their water-dependent commercial and recreational activities. The strategy to develop this program change is designed to help communities with existing water-dependent commercial infrastructure understand the long-term costs associated with the loss of working waterfronts, develop new policy tools to help them manage the increasing growth pressures, and build capacity to develop working waterfronts as a thriving component of local economic development.  Four coastal Planning District Commissions (PDCs) with significant working waterfront infrastructure will be involved in implementing this project: Accomack-Northampton, Hampton Roads PDC, Middle Peninsula PDC and Northern Neck PDC.  Project management and coordination from the Virginia Institute of Marine Science/Virginia Sea Grant Marine Extension Program allows for expertise in comparative economic analyses to identify the long-term economic impacts of incoming development versus the maintenance and enhancement of existing water dependent commercial activities. This first step will lay the foundation for development of a working waterfront plan for Virginia’s Coastal Zone, to guide communities in decision making and policy development to retain the water-driven elements of their economic structure and cultural heritage.Federal Funding:

$50,000

Project Contact:

Tom Murray, 804.684.7190; tjm@vims.edu

Project Status:

10/1/2011 - 9/30/2012

Final Product Received:

 

Project Summary Provided by Grantee:

 

 

 

 

Disclaimer: This project summary provides the federal dollars initially awarded to the grantee. Due to underexpenditure or reprogramming of grant funds, this figure may change. For more information on the allocation of coastal grant funds, please contact Laura McKay, Virginia Coastal Program Manager, at 804.698.4323 or email: Laura.McKay@deq.virginia.gov

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