Dragon Run Steering Committee
Middle Peninsula Planning District Commission
Fall Quarterly Meeting
November 13, 2002
Agenda
1. Welcome Chair Davis
2. DCR Chesapeake Bay Watershed Grant update David
Fuss
3. Farmland Preservation Steering Committee update
David Fuss
4. DGIF Birding and Wildlife Trail Guide - Coastal
Area overview David Fuss
5. SAMP update - Where are we now? Where are we going?
David Fuss
6. Adjourn Chair Davis
Attendance
Steering Committee: Prue Davis - Chair,
Dorothy Miller (Essex); Keith Haden (King and Queen);
Rick Allen (Gloucester); Robert Major, Davis Wilson
(Middlesex)
Others: Robert Hudgins (Gloucester/Mathews);
Mary Ann Krenzke (Middlesex); David Fuss (MPPDC)
Welcome
Chair Davis welcomed everyone and began
introductions.
DCR Grant Update
David Fuss provided a one-page summary
of the grant awarded to the PDC from the Virginia
Dept. of Conservation and Recreation for Improving
the Effectiveness of Local Land Use Policies in Protecting
the Natural Resources of the Dragon Run Watershed:
A Blackwater Tributary of the Chesapeake Bay. David
explained the key components of the $25,000 grant
that will take one year to complete. The PDC was awarded
1 of 17 grants. A short question and answer period
followed that included questions about: any relation
to the proposed state park for the Middle Peninsula;
the source of the matching funds; and whether DCR
might have strings attached to the grant for future
DCR initiatives.
Farmland Preservation Steering Committee
Update
David announced an upcoming seminar
entitled Preserving Family Farms to be held Wednesday,
November 20 from 2-4:30 PM at the Cooperative Law
Library of Rappahannock Community College in Warsaw.
Seminar topics include conservation easements, FarmLink
program, legal considerations, and tax considerations.
The seminar is sponsored by the Cooperative Law Library,
the Virginia Farm Bureau, and the Tidewater Resource
Conservation and Development Council (RC&D). Chair
Davis explained that the Tidewater RC&D has formed
the Farmland Preservation Steering Committee, which
consists of those interested in farmland preservation
in the 10-county region that includes the Middle Peninsula
and Northern Neck.
DGIF Birding and Wildlife Trail Guide
Overview
David provided a brief overview of the
newly released Virginia Birding and Wildlife Trail
Guide for the Coastal Area, published by the Dept.
of Game and Inland Fisheries (DGIF). The product's
main concept is to provide a platform for nature-based
tourism in the state. David explained that sites are
linked by driving loops and that each site was nominated
by a landowner and/or confirmed with the landowner.
In many cases, sites are owned by federal, state,
or local government. Signs will be erected at each
site and on major roadways. Questions focused on landowner
permission and trespassing concerns on adjacent property.
SAMP Update
David offered an update of the Dragon
Run Special Area Management Plan (SAMP) project. The
Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) has been signed by Essex,
Gloucester, King and Queen, and Middlesex Counties,
and the Middle Peninsula Planning District Commission.
The signatories agree to participate in the project,
agree to the project's goals and objectives, and agree
to consider the Steering Committee's recommendations
for ways to achieve the goals and objectives. David
congratulated the Committee on getting the MOA signed
in such a short period of time.
David also expressed the need to develop
action plans to achieve the goals and objectives.
This part of the project will entail 3 primary areas
of activity:
1. Research - e.g. aquatic inventory, land use policy
analysis, natural heritage inventory
2. Outreach - presentations to civic groups and decision-makers,
local newspaper articles about the project
3. Recommendations - incorporate research results
and feedback from outreach efforts into process of
developing action plans to achieve the project's goals
and objectives
David reminded the Committee that one SAMP grant deliverable
is to develop a draft watershed management plan by
the end of March 2003 that is consistent with the
components required by the Chesapeake Bay Program's
Chesapeake 2000 Watershed Commitments Task Force.
A final plan - only from the Steering Committee, not
yet adopted by the local governments - will be due
at the end of September 2003. This is towards what
the SAMP process is leading.
David emphasized that he will need contacts,
if available, from Steering Committee members for
civic groups that may be interested in a speaker to
discuss the Dragon Run SAMP project. It was suggested
that dinner meetings for Royster Clark and Southern
States might be an excellent way to make presentations
to the farming community.
Other Business
Dorothy Miller raised the idea of trying
to diversify the economy so that the communities are
not so dependent on forestry, citing similar scenarios
that played out in the Pacific Northwest when the
forestry industry collapsed. Ms. Miller indicated
that the Committee needed to realize the future pressures
on land in the Dragon Run due to shifts in natural
resource markets.
David Fuss mentioned several items:
1) Dr. Garman of VCU is actively performing the aquatic
inventory in the Dragon Run; 2) the concept of incorporating
the idea of Dragon Run Stewardship Awards into a Dragon
Run Festival for the communities sponsored by the
Steering Committee; and 3) Committee members would
be very effective as speakers to Boards of Supervisors
and Planning Commissions.
The Committee decided to set the dates
for its 2003 meetings as follows:
Winter February 12
Spring May 14
Summer August 13
Fall November 12
All meetings are to be held at the Middle
Peninsula Planning District Commissions at 7:30 PM
unless the Committee agrees upon an alternate site.
Adjourn
A motion was made, seconded and carried
to adjourn the meeting.
Dragon Run Steering Committee
Middle Peninsula Planning District Commission
Special Meeting
October 15, 2002
Agenda
1. Welcome
2. Overview of U.S. EPA Watershed Initiative agenda
item at August Committee meeting
3. The Nature Conservancy's proposal to VA DEQ to
select the Dragon Run for the U.S. EPA Watershed Initiative
4. Should the Committee support this proposal? - Discussion
5. Adjourn
Attendance
Steering Committee Members: Prue Davis,
Dorothy Miller (Essex); Frank Herrin, Russell Williams
(King and Queen); Robert Major, Jack Miller (Middlesex)
Others: Andy Lacatell (The Nature Conservancy);
Julie Bixby (VA Coastal Program); Rachel Williams
(King and Queen); Mike Anderberg, Mary Ann Krenzke,
Davis Rhodes (Friends of Dragon Run); David Fuss (MPPDC)
Welcome
Committee Chair Prue Davis welcomed
everyone and initiated introductions.
Overview of U.S. EPA Watershed Initiative
David Fuss reminded the Committee that
they had given tentative support for The Nature Conservancy's
proposal to nominate the Dragon Run for the U.S. EPA
Watershed Initiative at the August quarterly meeting.
At that time, however, the Committee did not have
program details or a detailed proposal. The Committee
had decided that it should call a special meeting
if asked to write a letter of support. The Nature
Conservancy is now asking for a letter of support
from the Committee. David provided a Fact Sheet from
the US EPA web site about the Initiative. He then
reviewed the program goals, program characteristics,
allowable activities, and selection criteria. The
main goal is to provide a way for localities and states
to voluntarily achieve water quality standards through
a holistic, coalition-based approach. The program
will provide funding of $300,000 to $1.3 million for
up to 20 watersheds nationwide. Proposals must be
based on existing watershed management plans and must
provide 25% non-federal match.
The Nature Conservancy's Proposal
Andy Lacatell distributed a one-page
summary of The Nature Conservancy's proposal to VA
Dept. of Environmental Quality to select the Dragon
Run as one of Virginia's nominations for the U.S.
EPA Watershed Initiative. He indicated that the Initiative
is a good funding opportunity, but that it will be
highly competitive.
Mr. Lacatell described the ecological
value of the Dragon Run as the basis for The Nature
Conservancy's interest in protecting the watershed.
The Nature Conservancy's primary goal in the Dragon
Run watershed is to protect working forests as part
of the largest remaining forest complex in the Chesapeake
Bay region. Forests are one of the best land uses
in protecting water quality.
The Nature Conservancy's proposal involves
the establishment of the Dragon Run Conservation Forestry
Program, including the hiring of a Conservation Forester.
The Conservation Forester would provide forestry consultation
services to landowners and facilitate the purchase
of working easements on forestry land. The program
would mesh with the Dragon Run Special Area Management
Plan and the existing Dragon Run Watershed Management
Plan (1996). The Nature Conservancy's objective is
to manage for water quality.
A question and answer discussion period
followed. The following is a summary of the discussion:
· Concern about flexibility in managing forests
· Concern that the funding is all going to
support TNC initiatives
· Discussion about fee simple purchases vs.
easements - TNC's belief is that the most efficient
way to accomplish conservation goals is to directly
protect stream/wetland buffers and pay for development
rights on adjacent uplands
· Concern about grant requirements and how
state budget cuts might affect local government budgets
and their ability to meet any liabilities under this
grant agreement - TNC did not believe that local governments
would be financially liable under this grant agreement
· Concern about federal government involvement
and that mandates would be passed down later after
the grant funding has been awarded - this does not
appear to be the case according to the funding program
details
· What would happen if Steering Committee did
not support the grant proposal? TNC's proposal is
unlikely to success without local support
· Concern about how this funding initiative
will affect the SAMP and the Memorandum of Agreement
signed by the four counties and the PDC
· Worried about development pressure increasing
adjacent to easements that offer recreational access
- too much recreational use?
· Discussion about the details of a conservation
easement - probably will not have easement details
until the full proposal would be due to US EPA, after
selections are made nationwide
· The funding initiative has the potential
to channel money to landowners in the watershed that
could benefit by keeping their land in forest/farm
production instead of selling to development interests
Adjourn
After considerable discussion, no motions
were made to vote on whether to support The Nature
Conservancy's proposal. The Committee decided that
more discussion time was needed and elected to continue
the meeting on Friday, October 18 at 10:00 AM at the
Middle Peninsula Planning District Commission offices.
On October 16, The Nature Conservancy
opted to withdraw its plans to submit the proposal
to the VA DEQ to select the Dragon Run as Virginia's
nomination for the U.S. EPA Watershed Initiative.
Without full local support, TNC felt that it was not
the right time to proceed with the grant proposal.
Consequently, the meeting on October 18 was cancelled.
Dragon Run Steering Committee
Middle Peninsula Planning District Commission
August 21, 2002
Agenda
1. Welcome
2. Picnic at Mr. Robert Major's home
3. Dragon Run SAMP update
MOA
Presentations to BOS, civic groups
Web Site Updates· DEQ Impaired Waters List
Natural Resource Agency/Organization meeting
Story of the Dragon Run: Its History, Its People,
Its Culture
DCR Chesapeake Bay grants
EPA Watershed Initiative
Shoreline Erosion Advisory Service
Research/data database
Landowner Liability
4. CBNERR-VA/VIMS
Land Purchase
Ecotourism Operator Training
5. Other Business
6. Adjourn
Welcome
Robert Major welcomed everyone to his
home for a picnic meeting of the Dragon Run Steering
Committee. Those in attendance were: Robert and Carolyn
Major (Middlesex); Bill Major (King George); Prue
Davis, Dorothy Miller, Scott Owen (Essex); Frank and
Elise Herrin; Keith Haden (King and Queen); David
Fuss (MPPDC).
Dragon Run SAMP Update
David Fuss updated the Committee about
several items:
· The Memorandum of Agreement
was signed by the Middle Peninsula Planning District
Commission and Essex County and is on the agenda for
the King and Queen Board of Supervisors meeting in
September. Gloucester and Middlesex Counties will
be visited in October.
· The Dragon Run SAMP web site has been enhanced
with a new look and more information, including the
Steering Committee's 1996 Watershed Management Plan.
· The Dragon Run has been listed on the VA
Dept. of Environmental Quality's Impaired Waters [303(d)]
list for fecal coliform, pH, 2 fish tissue samples
for mercury, and 1 fish tissue sample for lead. These
impairments are most likely due to natural causes
according to DEQ and many other experts. They are
based on water quality and fish samples taken at two
locations (US 17 bridge, Mascot).
· There have been recent reports of fish with
lesions being taken from the Dragon Run by hook-and-line
fishermen. This does not amount to a fish kill, according
to DEQ. The lesions are most likely due to naturally
occurring bacteria and fungi that are affecting fish
under great stress from high salinities in the lower
Dragon.
· The SAMP project is at the point where presentations
should be given to community/civic groups to make
more people aware of the project. David asked the
Committee members to use any connections they have
to line up presentations, since he has a 15-minute
program prepared.
· David convened a meeting of regional, state,
and federal agencies, universities, and non-profit
conservation organizations involved in data collection
in the Dragon Run. The purpose was to identify studies
that had been done, are being completed, and will
be performed. During this meeting, several data gaps
were identified: mussels and other benthic macroinvertebrates,
migratory birds, natural heritage species in headwaters
and uplands areas, and fisheries.
· A representative from the VA Dept. of Conservation
and Recreation's Shoreline Erosion Advisory Service
attended the data collection meeting and indicated
that he is available to survey eroding shorelines
to provide solutions for these problem areas. David
asked the Committee to let him know of any areas that
they felt warranted an erosion survey.
· In response to concerns about landowner liability,
David found that Virginia has a Landowner Liability
Law that protects landowners from frivolous lawsuits
whether permission has been given or not. Furthermore,
if an access easement is given to a state or local
government entity, then the easement holder, not the
landowner, is responsible for any legal costs associated
with a defense of a liability lawsuit, frivolous or
not.
· VIMS/CBNERR-VA is trying to purchase a 120-acre
tract along the Dragon Run near Mascot. This is not
finalized, but should go through. CBNERR-VA will restrict
access to the site, using it for a research site and
educational trips.
· VIMS/CBNERR-VA is working on a training program
for ecotourism operators, which may be useful to outfitters
using or planning to use the Dragon Run.
· David reported that a new VA Dept. of Forestry
study indicates that forestry provides more than $30
billion in benefits to Virginia each year and employs
more than 248,000 people.
David then reported on several items
that required action from the Committee.
1. DCR's Chesapeake Bay Watershed Office
Grant Application
Following consultation with Andy Lacatell of The Nature
Conservancy, David proposed to submit a grant application
to the VA Dept. of Conservation and Recreation's Chesapeake
Bay Watershed Office. The proposed project will document
the effectiveness of local land use policies within
the Dragon Run Watershed in achieving commitments
in the Chesapeake 2000 Agreement (C2K) and incorporate
improvements to those policies into a locally supported
watershed management plan. Specifically, the project
will contribute to the development of the Middle Peninsula
Planning District Commission's Dragon Run Special
Area Management Plan project by: 1) filling data gaps
in a comprehensive environmental inventory; 2) evaluating
the consistency, enforceability and effectiveness
of land use policies of the four counties within the
watershed; and 3) disseminating this information to
local decision-makers and landowners. The Committee
agreed to write a letter in support of the grant application,
which is due Sept. 13.
2. EPA Watershed Initiative
Andy Lacatell of The Nature Conservancy informed David
that TNC would be lobbying the Warner administration
to select the Dragon Run as one of its nominations
for the U.S. EPA's Watershed Initiative. This new
funding program will fund 20 watersheds with $21 million
over 2-3 years. The focus is on watersheds where active
watershed management and planning are occurring. The
funding might be used for environmental inventory
work, purchase of conservation easements, and related
activities. David sought guidance on this issue from
the Committee, in light of past efforts to designate
the Dragon Run as a Scenic River. The Committee was
tentatively supportive of the idea to seek more funding
for the SAMP effort. There were questions that could
only be answered after seeing the program details,
which David did not yet have. It was agreed that,
if a support letter from the Committee was needed,
the Committee would call a special meeting to discuss
the program details and any outstanding questions.
3. Story of the Dragon Run
Andy Lacatell of The Nature Conservancy suggested
to David the idea of a project called "The Story
of the Dragon Run." This project would be similar
in nature to a project done on the Eastern Shore of
Virginia by the Edgewise partnership between William
and Mary, Virginia Tech, and The Nature Conservancy.
The idea is to document the people, the history, and
the culture of the region is a succinct ~20-page report
to distribute to residents of the watershed. It might
include library and museum records, county records,
and personal interviews with residents. The project
would be done by students and would not cost very
much to produce and distribute. David asked the Committee
for guidance on this topic. The Committee thought
that this project had potentially great value and
should be pursued.
Adjourn
The meeting was adjourned at dusk.
Dragon Run Steering Committee
Middle Peninsula Planning District Commission
May 15, 2002
Agenda
1. Welcome
2. Overview and preliminary results of The Nature
Conservancy's beaver dam assessment project
3. Dragon Run SAMP update - Draft/final MOA
4. Legislative update
5. Other business - BFI landfill concerns?
6. Adjourn
Attendance
Steering Committee: Prue Davis, Dorothy
Miller (Essex); Frank Herrin, Russell Williams (King
and Queen); Rick Allen (Gloucester); Robert Major
(Middlesex); Jerry Horner (Gloucester)
Others: Andy Lacatell (The Nature Conservancy);
Hugh Markham (Tidewater Resource Conservation and
Development); Davis Rhodes (Friends of Dragon Run);
Neal Barber (Middle Peninsula Land Trust); Rachel
Williams (King and Queen); David Fuss (Middle Peninsulal
Planning District Commission)
Welcome and Introductions
Chairwoman Margaret "Prue"
Davis welcomed everyone and began introductions.
Beaver Dam Assessment Project
Chairwoman Davis introduced Andy Lacatell
of The Nature Conservancy. Andy delivered a presentation
concerning The Nature Conservancy's project to assess
beaver dams and their permeability to anadromous fish.
He passed out a fact sheet describing The Nature Conservancy's
Chesapeake Rivers Program.
Andy noted that The Nature Conservancy's
mission is to "preserve plants, animals and natural
communities that represent the diversity of life on
Earth by protecting the lands and waters they need
to survive." Within the Chesapeake Rivers Program,
he indicated that anadromous fish are a priority,
citing them as indicator species of system health
and noting the depressed populations of American shad,
alewife, and blueback herring. For anadromous fish,
the Chesapeake Rivers Program considers invasive species
as the highest threat, fishing as a high threat, and
structural impediments to fish passage as a medium
threat. Strategies are to address invasive/non-native
species, promote sound fishery management policy to
increase anadromous fish populations, and to assess
structural impediments to fish passage.
The goal of the current project is to
improve access to historic reproductive habitat for
shad and herring. The objective is to assess permeability
of beaver dams to anadromous fish. The project stresses
community volunteer efforts to assess locations and
parameters of beaver dams in the Dragon Run and Cat
Point Creek, utilizing the Cat Point Creek Steering
Committee and the Friends of Dragon Run. Furthermore,
the Center for Environmental Studies at Virginia Commonwealth
University will be collecting and analyzing fish data.
Preliminary results indicate that there
are: 16 beaver dams between Rt. 602 and Rt. 603 bridges;
10 beaver dams between Rt. 603 and Rt. 17 bridges;
and 5+ beaver dams between Rt. 17 and the Piankatank
River. Based on fish sampling between February and
May, 27 native species of fish were found in the Dragon
Run, but no herring. Andy passed out a list of fish
collected in the Dragon Run and in Cat Point Creek.
Robert Major pointed out that, in his family's extensive
experience on the Dragon Run, herring are always caught
on a full moon in January and February. Andy noted
that 6 non-native species were caught in the Dragon
Run, including blue catfish. The presence of these
species is cause for concern. In Cat Point Creek,
alewife and blueback herring were found in abundance,
including some above significant beaver dams.
VCU will finish fish sampling next week
and perform data analysis over the summer. Hugh Markham
of Tidewater Resource Conservation and Development
will do presentations to community groups. Later,
VCU will perform a juvenile fish study and volunteers
will reassess the beaver dams. Ultimately, VCU will
analyze data and advise TNC about where to install
a Denil fish ladder structure - probably one structure
on Cat Point Creek during next winter. This would
not be tried on the Dragon Run due to lack of herring.
Questions followed the presentation.
The extent of Phragmites, an invasive plant, in the
Dragon Run was discussed. It is found only in a few
places. Contact with landowners was discussed. Andy
noted that permits to install in-stream structures
would be needed from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
and would not be installed without adjacent landowner
permission. The fish ladder structures are small,
short-term devices that would be installed for several
months on dams less than 4 feet tall. There was some
discussion about the relative merits of beavers in
the system.
Dragon Run SAMP Update
David Fuss explained the purpose and
structure of the Memorandum of Agreement for the Dragon
Run Watershed Special Area Management Plan. He passed
out a draft version that had been recommended by the
SAMP Advisory Group. He asked the Steering Committee
members to review the document and offer comments
and suggestions.
Frank Herrin suggested that language
about 'managing access' was not necessary until there
was action to provide access. He proposed to strike
the last phrase of Goal II. Davis Rhodes spoke about
needing a distinction between education and publicity.
How much is too much? There was also discussion about
the wording specific to the Chesapeake 2000 Agreement
in Objective A under Goal II.
Chairwoman Davis proposed to discuss
the Goals and Objectives in order and began to ask
for comments on them in sequential order. The sole
change made to the draft was to strike the last phrase
of Goal II, as suggested by Frank Herrin. Chairwoman
Davis asked for a vote on approving the MOA to send
to the Planning District Commission. The members voted
to approve the MOA, except Robert Major abstained.
The Committee asked David Fuss to make the necessary
changes and prepare the MOA for the Planning District
Commission at its May meeting.
Dorothy Miller commented on the importance
of the Special Area Management Plan and the need to
plan for future development pressure in 10-15, 50,
or even 100 years. Frank Herrin noted that the Committee
has not saved the Dragon by approving the MOA - there
is plenty left to do.
Legislative Update
David Fuss briefed the Committee on
several bills passed by the General Assembly and signed
the Governor. HB 1144 authorized the issuance of General
Obligation Bonds in an amount not exceeding $119,040,000
for capital projects for state parks and recreational
facilities, subject to a majority vote of qualified
voters on November 5, 2002. Of this amount, $30,000,000
is allocated for acquisition of land for new preserves
and parks - $10 million for Natural Area Preserves
and $20 million for State Parks. Three parks are proposed,
one of which is expected to be in the Middle Peninsula
fronting the Chesapeake Bay or its major tributaries.
There is a search committee designed to find 600-1000
acres of land in the Middle Peninsula and this committee
is not currently searching in the Dragon Run.
Next, David spoke about HB 619 that
establishes the Middle Peninsula Chesapeake Bay Public
Access Authority. It would consist of representatives
from all of the counties and towns on the Middle Peninsula
and is designed to manage public land and the terminus
points of roads ending at the Chesapeake Bay or its
tributaries that are currently owned the VA Dept.
of Transportation. The land would be deeded to the
Authority for the purpose of developing it as public
access or selling to the adjacent landowners. Each
county or town would have to approve any action of
the Authority concerning a property within its jurisdiction.
Then, David mentioned HB 344, which
makes an amendment to allow local governments to acquire
property for the preservation of open-space land.
Finally, David spoke about HB 346, which makes an
amendment that allows local governments to incorporate
clustering of single-family dwellings into zoning
or subdivision ordinances for the purpose of preserving
open space.
Other Business
David Fuss observed that several Committee
members had expressed concern about the BFI landfill
in King and Queen County and asked the group if he
should arrange for a presentation by a BFI representative
for a future Committee meeting. Committee members
asked David to arrange for a presentation at the November
quarterly meeting.
Adjourn
Chairwoman Davis adjourned the meeting.
Dragon Run Steering Committee
February 20, 2002
Middle Peninsula Planning District Commission
Agenda
1. Welcome
2. Annual Officer Elections
3. Update on James V. Morgan Memorial Bridge Dedication
4. Anadromous Fish Inventory projects
5. Update on Dragon Run SAMP
6. 2002 Work Plan and Schedule
7. Other Business
8. Adjourn
Welcome
Vice-chairwoman Dorothy Miller welcomed
everyone to the winter quarterly meeting of the Dragon
Run Steering Committee on February 20, 2002 at the
Middle Peninsula Planning District Commission offices
in Saluda, Virginia. Steering Committee members in
attendance were: Margaret "Prue" Davis, Dorothy Miller,
M. Scott Owen - Essex; Charles "Rick" Allen, Jerry
Horner - Gloucester; William "Frank" Herrin - King
and Queen; Robert Major, John "Jack" Miller - Middlesex.
Also in attendance were: Mike Anderberg, Davis Rhodes
- Friends of the Dragon Run; Davis Wilson; David Fuss
-MPPDC staff. David Fuss informed the Committee that
he had presented a plaque to outgoing Chairman Edward
Hall for his exemplary leadership for three years.
He also presented a thank-you letter from Mr. Hall's
wife, Sandra.
Officer Elections
The Committee held annual officer elections.
Frank Herrin nominated Prue Davis for Chairwoman.
The motion was seconded and carried with no opposing
votes. Prue Davis nominated Frank Herrin for Vice-chairman.
Jack Miller seconded the motion and the motion carried
with no opposing votes.
Bridge Dedication Update
David Fuss provided an update on the
status of HB 614 which proposes to dedicate the twin
bridges over the Dragon Run on US Route 17 as the
"James Vincent Morgan Memorial Bridges." The bill
has passed both the House and Senate in the Virginia
General Assembly and will soon be enrolled to send
to the Governor for his signature. This effort was
sponsored by the Friends of Dragon Run. The Dragon
Run Steering Committee provided a letter of support
for this effort.
Anadromous Fish Projects
David Fuss gave an update on anadromous
fish projects in the Dragon Run Watershed. The MPPDC
has submitted a grant proposal to the National Fish
and Wildlife Foundation for an aquatic inventory of
the Dragon Run. Grant program results will be announced
in mid-May. Independently, The Nature Conservancy
is undertaking a beaver dam assessment and anadromous
fish passage study on the Dragon Run between the bridges
at Rt. 603 and Rt. 602. The project has been funded
for one year, but future action plans will be developed
based on the results of the assessment. Future funding
is uncertain. Mike Anderberg described volunteer assessment
work for the project in which he had participated.
Robert Major expressed concern that historical knowledge
from landowners was not solicited during the course
of this and other natural resource studies. Several
Committee members asked what The Nature Conservancy
intended to do with the results. David advised Committee
members to speak with Andy Lacatell of The Nature
Conservancy for more information. David also suggested
that the Committee could invite Mr. Lacatell to present
the study results at a future Committee meeting.
Dragon SAMP Update
David provided an update of the Dragon
Run Special Area Management Plan (SAMP). He distributed
a flowchart that visualizes the SAMP process. He described
the outcome of two public meetings to discuss issues
of concern in the Dragon Run Watershed. At this point,
an Advisory Group is forming with three working groups
focusing on specific topic areas - Local Government
and Policy, Traditional Uses and Habitat Management,
and Public Education and Public Access. The next SAMP
Advisory Group meeting will be on Tuesday, March 5
at the MPPDC offices at 7:30 PM. David also addressed
concerns that landowners' opinions were not adequately
represented during the SAMP process. He indicated
that every attempt is being made to involve landowners
and to present landowners' perspectives during the
SAMP planning process. David also informed the Committee
that he is developing a resource library, both digital
and textual, that is designed to assist the Advisory
Group in developing goals, objectives, and action
plans for the SAMP. David presented a fact sheet from
the Chesapeake Bay Program describing the Chesapeake
2000 Agreement among Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania,
the District of Columbia, the Chesapeake Bay Commission,
and the U.S. EPA. The agreement outlines their commitment
to the restoration and protection of the Chesapeake
Bay. In so doing, the State of Virginia hopes to avoid
direct regulatory oversight by the U.S. EPA, which
lists the Chesapeake Bay and its major tributaries
as impaired. The State of Virginia is developing tributary
strategies and Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDL's)
for impaired waters to achieve water quality standards.
This process is ongoing and may impact the work of
the Steering Committee and the Dragon Run SAMP.
2002 Work Plan and Schedule
David presented a proposed 2002 work
plan to the Steering Committee for their consideration.
The plan will serve as a guide for the Committee's
activities over the next year. There was considerable
discussion - weighing the negatives and positives
- about the concept of a Dragon Festival. Jerry Horner
provided background information about the past Dragon
Festival, which is no longer in operation. The Festival
was hosted by Rappahannock Community College. The
Steering Committee adopted the work plan as follows:
·
Legislative issues
VA DEQ Tributary Strategy
Anadromous fish (shad, etc.) restoration
Ecotourism certification program - VA Coastal Program,
CBNERR-VA/VIMS
How to improve dialogue/communication with Boards,
citizens
Dragon Festival pre-planning
RCC On-site - recommendation from Land/Water Quality
study
Property rights
David also presented a proposed 2002
meeting schedule. After discussion and changes to
the proposed schedule, the Steering Committee agreed
that Wednesdays at 7:30 PM were the best meeting time
for the majority of Committee members. The Steering
Committee adopted the following schedule with all
meetings scheduled for 7:30 PM at the Middle Peninsula
Planning District Commission offices:
Winter Wednesday, February 20
Spring Wednesday, May 15
Summer Wednesday, August 21
Fall Wednesday, November 13
A copy of the Steering Committee By-laws
were distributed, along with a list of current Committee
members:
Essex: Margaret H. "Prue" Davis
(elected); Dorothy Miller; M. Scott Owen
Gloucester: Charles R. "Rick" Allen, Jr. (elected);
Elizabeth J. DeHardit; Jerry Horner
King and Queen: Edward Hall (elected); William
F. "Frank" Herrin; Russell Williams
Middlesex: ohn D. "Jack" Miller, Jr. (elected);
Robert W. Major; Cathy Wilson
Adjourn
There was no other business and the
meeting was adjourned.