2007 Virginia Coastal Zone Partners Workshop
PRESENTATIONS
"Introduction to Global Climate Change: Science, Impacts, Solutions" (PDF, 4.8 KB)Senior Scientist, Pew Center on Global Climate Change
"As Virginia's Population Increases, Do We Each Know Our Own Ecological Footprint?"
Ann Regn
Director, Office of Environmental Education/Department of Environmental Quality
Virginia CZM Program
In 1999, the Virginia CZM Program decided to discontinue its competitive grants process and focus funding on a resource or special geographic region for three-year increments. This would enable the program to more effectively concentrate its efforts. The first focal area was the Virginia Oyster Heritage Program which brought various partners together to establish large scale oyster reefs in the lower Rappahannock River. The second was the Seaside Heritage Program which began in 2002 and was so successful that it was extended through September 2008. This session included a slide show on the accomplishments of the Seaside Heritage Program. That was followed by a panel of the partners who discussed the importance of preserving the Seaside of Virginia's Eastern Shore in the face of climate change and increasing population and offered insights into their experience working on a focal area.
Panelists
- Ruth Boettcher, Biologist, Department of Game & Inland Fisheries
- David Burden, Supervisor-elect for Northampton County and President, Southeast Expeditions
- John Davy, Division of Planning & Recreation Director, Department of Conservation & Recreation
- Dot Field, Biologist, Department of Conservation & Recreation
- Rick Myers, Stewardship Program Manager, Department of Conservation & Recreation
- Art Schwartzchild, Site Director, Long-Term Ecological Research Station, University of Virginia
- Barry Truitt, Chief Conservation Scientist, Virginia Coast Reserve, The Nature Conservancy
Workshop attendees were encouraged to think about ideas for the next focal area throughout the workshop. Ideas were discussed and voted upon at the end of the workshop.
Coastal Hazards Planning
As global warming creates more frequent and severe storms, what can we expect in Virginia and how prepared are we?
Moderator:
Director of Regional Planning
Middle Peninsula Planning District Commission
"Expected Changes in Weather and Climate" (PDF of PP available soon)
Ron Gird, NOAA National Weather Service
"Mapping Hurricane Storm Surge Risk" (PDF, 4.0 KB)
Michelle Hamor, Corps of Engineers
"How Prepared Are We?" (PDF, 1.4 KB)
Patricia Chappell, Virginia Department of Emergency Management
Land Conservation
Both state and local governments have a role to play in achieving the Governor’s 400,000 acre conservation goal. What existing or new land conservation prioritization tools can help us achieve this goal in a coordinated and effective way? What are the benefits of coordinated conservation planning, and what services are available to localities striving to meet this goal?
Moderator:
Department of Conservation and Recreation
- "Implementing Virginia's Wildlife Action Plan" (No PP available)
Chris Burkett , Department of Game and Inland Fisheries
Jason Bulluck, Department of Conservation and Recreation
- "Using the Virginia Natural Landscape Assessment (VaNLA) for prioritizing land conservation opportunities" (Demo of site, no PP available)
Joe Weber, Department of Conservation and Recreation
- “Green Infrastructure in Hampton Roads” (PDF, 5.9 KB)
Eric Walberg, Hampton Roads Planning District Commission
- “Green Infrastructure Tools for Coastal Conservation” (PDF, 10.6 KB)
Karen Firehock, Green Infrastructure Center
Integrated Shoreline Management -
Preparing for Sea Level Rise
As sea level rises, can we maintain wetlands, beaches and other ecologically and economically important shoreline features?
Moderator:
Deputy Chief, Habitat Management
Virginia Marine Resources Commission
- "Wetlands, Shoreline Management & Sea Level Rise" (PDF, 7.0 KB)
Skip Stiles, Wetlands Watch
- "Shoreline Evolution and Living Shorelines" (PDF, 5.3 KB)
Scott Hardaway, Virginia Institute of Marine Science
- "Integrated Shoreline Management Guidance" (PDF, 3.9 KB)
Carl Hershner, Virginia Institute of Marine Science
Land Conservation Panel Discussion
As population increases and open space diminishes, are we setting aside enough land and the right types of land for sufficient ecosystem functions? What do we need to change at the local, state and federal levels in order to ensure we meet the 400,000 acre goal by 2010? Is there something in addition to fee simple acquisitions or conservation easements that would help?
This panel addressed various topics such as the value of conservation easements especially where related to prioritizing lands for conservation/acquisition, encouraging land conservation through social marketing, strategies for obtaining a dedicated funding source for statewide conservation, implementing prioritization tools, and effective strategies for meeting the Governor’s 400,000-acre goal.
Moderator and Speaker:
Deputy Secretary of Natural Resources, Commonwealth of Virginia
"Progress on the Governor’s 400,000 acre goal" (PDF, 235KB)
Panelists:
- Sarah Richardson, Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation
- Pete Henderson, Virginia Eastern Shore Land Trust
- Helen Tansey, Virginia Forever
- Jaffray Cox, The Trust for Public Land
- Heather Richards, Piedmont Environmental Council
- Bob Lee, Virginia Outdoors Foundation
- David Phemister, The Nature Conservancy
Primary Ecosystem Impacts of Climate Change and Potential
Solutions
What will be the impacts on water quality (temperature and precipitation), plants (underwater grasses, harmful algal blooms, wetlands) and animals (oyster disease, birds, fish, mammals, etc.) as Virginia’s climate warms? Are there actions we can take to address these impacts?
Moderator:
Chris Burkett , Department of Game and Inland Fisheries
- "Impacts on Virginia's Coastal Resources" (PDF, 4.1 KB)
Roger Mann, Virginia Insitute of Marine Science
- "Climate Change and the Chesapeake Bay: Challenges, Impacts and the Multiple Benefits of Agricultural Conservation Work" (PDF, 2.8 KB)
Joe Lerch, Chesapeake Bay Foundation
Doug Inkley, National Wildlife Federation
Population Increases, Water Quality Declines and Shellfish
Production - Challenges and Solutions
As population has increased, water quality has declined and wild fisheries have begun to collapse. The collapse of wild fisheries (particularly oysters and clams) has led to the need for innovative shellfish management plans and for cultivation of these animals both for human consumption and their water filtering benefits. As Virginia begins to delve into this activity in earnest, the need for clean water and for more organized approaches to which waters should be used for what purposes become paramount concerns. How can we have our shellfish, our recreational water uses and our coastal views?
Moderator: Ellen Gilinsky
Director, Water Division
Department of Environmental Quality
- "Rappahannock Oyster Management Plan, New State Shellfish Aquaculture Regulations/General Permit" (PDF, 968 KB)
Jim Wesson, Virginia Marine Resources Commission
- "Shellfish Aquaculture Suitability Model - mapping optimal areas for shellfish farming" (PDF, 612 KB)
Marcia Berman, Virginia Institute of Marine Science
- "Shellfish Enhancement Zone Designations in Water Quality Standards on the Seaside of Virginia's Eastern Shore" (PDF, 364 KB)
Elleanore Daub, Department of Environmental Quality
- "York River Use Conflict Roundtable Study" (PDF, 4.7 KB)
Lewie Lawrence, Middle Peninsula Planning District Commission
Alternative Energy Options Affecting Coastal Resources
As we look for alternatives to fuels that increase CO2, what are the implications for our coastal resources and how can we minimize impacts on them?
Moderator: Sharon Baxter
Manager, Pollution Prevention Program
Department of Environmental Quality
- "Virginia’s Energy Plan" (no PP)
Senior Advisor for Energy Policy, Commonwealth of Virginia
- "Virginia Coastal Energy Research Consortium (VCERC): Offshore Wind Power and Marine Biofuels" (PDF, 2.3 KB)
Director of Research for the Virginia Coastal Energy Research Consortium, Virginia Tech
Director, Hampton Roads Clean Cities Coalition
Preserving & Enhancing Waterfront Access
The historical balance between working waterfronts and residential development is changing to predominantly residential waterfront. As coastal population increases, particularly along the shoreline, how can we conserve space for uses other than high-dollar residential development? How do we balance the rights and privileges of all Virginians to access common public trust areas with private property ownership rights?
Moderator:
Director, Division of Planning & Recreation
Department of Conservation and Recreation
- "Public Access, Why the Concern?" (PDF, 2.4 KB)
John Davy, Department of Conservation and Recreation
Middle Peninsula Chesapeake Bay Public Access Authority
- "Working Waterfront Issues and Solutions" (PDF, 1.1 KB)
- Tom Murray, Virginia Sea Grant
- Lewie Lawrence, Middle Peninsula Public Access Authority
- "Guiding State Waterfront Access Policy & Programs in North Carolina" (PDF, 947 KB)
Mike Voiland, North Carolina Sea Grant
Closing Plenary Session
Michael Murphy, Director, Division of Environmental Enhancement, Department of Environmental Quality (introductions)
L. Preston Bryant, Jr., Virginia Secretary of Natural Resources (no PP)
The Secretary commented on Governor Kaine’s announcement about establishing a Climate Change Commission and what that Commission’s goals will be.
Next Virginia CZM Program Focal Area
A new focal area, to begin in October 2008, needs to be developed. Should Virginia CZM’s next big investment be in preparing for climate change or dealing with increasing coastal population? Is there some other pressing need that Virginia CZM should address with about $1.5M in NOAA funds (matched by the same amount in non-federal funds) over the next 3 years? Ann Regn of DEQ’s Office of Environmental Education helped CZM staff facilitate this session - a "Coastal Cafe". Attendees visited tables formed by grouping focal area ideas, table hosts provided a brief description of the general idea for a focal area and attendees than voted on their top three choices for a new focal area.
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.