The State of Virginia's Coast.
Piecing it All Together.
Sessions and Downloadable Presentations
Five main sessions engaged all participants in discussions of water quality, coastal habitats, fish and wildlife, public access, and coastal planning and development.
The PowerPoint presentations made during these sessions are provided below.
Water Quality
Speaker: John Kennedy, Virginia Department of Environmental Quality
Water Quality Presentation (PPT, 7.6KB)
John presented the evolution of our thinking about water quality concerns. He showed the progression from a focus on reducing nutrient loads of pollutants into Virginia's waters to defining water quality "Endpoints" or criteria for living resources. Chesapeake Bay 2000 Commitments, Tributary Strategies, the Coastal Nonpoint Pollution Program, Virginia Clean Marina Program, and other water quality programs were woven into the discussion.
Coastal Habitats
Speaker: Tony Watkinson, Virginia Marine Resources Commssion
Coastal Habitats Presentation (PPT, 2.5KB)
Tony presented an overview of three major habitat "regions" that range from underwater to upland and the programs that address these resources. The discussion of underwater or submerged lands includeed oyster reefs, aquaculture sites, SAV and benthic habitat . The intermediate water/land region included tidal and nontidal wetlands and shorelines. Tony covered upland areas such as dunes, riparian buffers, songbird migration corridors and maritime forests, as well as natural heritage inventory information.
Fish and Wildlife
Speaker: David Whitehurst, Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries
Fish and Wildlife Presentation (PPT, 9KB)
David presented information on our current fish and wildlife programs. Discussions of fish and marine species included anadromous fish passage, shad restoration, horseshoe crabs, blue crabs, marine mammals and sea turtles, and their management plans. Discussions of bird species included eagles, migratory songbirds, water fowl, and shorebirds and the programs that protect them. Other issues and programs discussed included mapping, threatened and endangered species designations, terrestrial and aquatic gap analysis, and invasive species management. Potential future funding was also discussed including , CARA Light, and the Interior Appropriation Budget.
Public Access
Speaker: Lewie Lawrence, Middle Peninsula Planning District Commission
Public Access Presentation (PPT, 5.8KB)
Lewie presented an overview of the evolution of public access from colonial times to the present. He looked at the history of how coastal resources were used for recreation, the public trust doctrine, the need for land acquisition and the economic value of coastal tourism, and the recent interest in ecotourism. He also looked at current policies affecting public access, and how federal, state and local players are involved. Lewie reviewed the unique needs of a variety of users, including boaters, birders, bikers and hikers, and the programs addressing these needs. Examples of integrating public access policies and programs included the Northumberland Fishing Pier, the York River Water Trail and the DGIF Coastal Birding and Wildlife Trail.
Coastal Planning & Development
Speaker: Shepard Moon, Chesapeake Bay Local Assistance Department
Coastal Planning and Development Presentation (PPT, 1.4KB)
Shep presented the comprehensive plan requirements of the Chesapeake Bay Preservation Act, the Better Site Design Workbook and the Economic Development Partnership's Crossroads Handbook. He also discussed the Dillon Rule and the High Growth Coalition. The Coastal Program's Section 309 Shorelands Project, Special Area Management Plans for Southern Watersheds, Dragon Run and Northampton County were presented as examples of integrated planning approaches.
For comments or questions concerning this program's web pages, contact the Web Author.
This web site is provided by the Virginia Coastal Zone Management Program through a federal Coastal Zone Management Act grant from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, US Department of Commerce.