Notice of document availability:  This public notice is to inform interested parties that the Virginia Coastal Zone Management Program’s Final Draft of the Section 309 Needs Assessment is available for review, and to invite the public to comment on this Needs Assessment.

Purpose of the notice:  The Virginia Coastal Zone Management Program was established in 1986 as the state’s response to the federal Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 (CZMA). The Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) serves as the lead agency of a network of state agencies that administer state regulations and policies to protect and enhance coastal resources. Section 309 of the federal Coastal Zone Management Act (CZMA) is known as the Coastal Zone Enhancement Program. Created in 1990, Section 309 is a voluntary grant program in which federal funds are available to coastal states with federally approved coastal management programs. To receive funds, the programs must assess nine specified areas of coastal zone management as they relate to the state and identify which are the highest priorities. The nine areas are: public access, coastal hazards, ocean resources, wetlands, marine debris, cumulative and secondary impacts of growth and development, special area management planning (SAMP), energy and government facility siting, and aquaculture.

        This report presents the Virginia Coastal Zone Management Program’s 2005 Assessment of the nine enhancement areas.  

Public Comment period:  October 24, 2005-November 23, 2005

How to Comment:    Comments on the Final Draft - Section 309 Needs Assessment should be submitted in writing, by email, or fax directly to the Virginia Coastal Zone Management  Program by November 23, 2005 at the following address:  Julie Bixby, Virginia Coastal Zone Management Program, Department of Environmental Quality, 629 East Main Street, Richmond, VA 23219; Fax: (804) 698-4319; Email: Julie.Bixby@deq.virginia.gov

To review documents:  The Final Draft - Section 309 Needs Assessment is available on the Virginia Coastal Zone Management Program’s Web site beginning October 24, 2005 at www.deq.virginia.gov/coastal

             If you require paper copies of any of these documents, please contact the Virginia Coastal Zone Management Program through Rachel Bullene at (804) 698-4122.