States / Virginia
Virginia
Coastal Management
The focus is on managing coastal areas to increase resilience, with an emphasis on balancing environmental, economic, and human wellbeing. Mandated by the Coastal Zone Management Act, the two federal programs designed for this task are the National Coastal Zone Management Program and the National Estuarine Research Reserve System. Programs are administered, on the federal side, by NOAA’s Office for Coastal Management, in partnership with the coastal states.
State Programs
Coastal Zone Management
Virginia Coastal Zone Management Program. Established in 1986, the Department of Environmental Quality leads the program in collaboration with state agencies and coastal localities. Together they enforce laws, regulations, and policies for sustainable development in Virginia’s coastal zone. A coastal policy team addresses cross-cutting issues, and the coastal management office manages an annual $3 million grant from NOAA to fulfill its mission under the Coastal Zone Management Act.
National Estuarine Research Reserves
Chesapeake Bay-Virginia National Estuarine Research Reserve. Designated in 1991 and protecting 3,072 acres, this reserve is located one hour north of Norfolk, Virginia. As the nation’s largest estuary, a diverse collection of habitats are found here, including oyster reefs, seagrass beds, tidal wetlands, sandy shoals, and mudflats. (See handout)
Impact Stories
Stories that showcase the recent work of this state's coastal management efforts.
- Eastern Shore Barrier Island Stabilization and Marsh Habitat Engineering Design and Permitting in Virginia
- Building Community Capacity for Coastal Resilience Planning in Atlantic Coastal Plain
- Constructing Stormwater Wetland to Improve Flood Management and Water Quality in Norfolk
- Building Coastal Resilience in the Underserved Communities of Southside Norfolk
- Leveraging Cooperative Extension to Build an Enduring Capacity for Equitable and Inclusive Resilience in Rural Agricultural Communities across Coastal Virginia, Maryland, and Delaware
- Conservation and Restoration of Biodiverse Chowan Watershed to Provide Climate Resilience, Tribal Collaboration, and Public Access
- Record-Breaking Eelgrass Restoration in Virginia's Eastern Shore
- Upper Mattaponi Indian Tribe's Return to the River
- Virginia Balances Economic Growth and Ecological Preservation through Ecotourism
- Virginia Collaborative Promotes Economic Perks of Lower Chickahominy Conservation
- Befriending Coastal Birds
- Environmental Educators Tailor Lessons to Diverse Student Needs
- NOAA Provides Assistance to Coastal Communities
- Making Virginia Beach “Sea Level Wise”
- Program’s Leadership and Data Maps Lessen Ocean-Use Conflicts
- Expanding Coastal Opportunities for People with Disabilities
Additional Resources
*Fast Fact Sources:
People: American Community Survey Five-Year Estimates
Beaches and Estuaries: Shoreline Mileage of the United States
Employment and Economy:
Marine Economy for the Coastal U.S. States
Marine Economy for the U.S. Territories