Governor Launches Coastal Resilience Master Planning For Virginia

Governor Ralph Northam released the Virginia Coastal Resilience Master Planning Framework, which lays out the core principles of the Commonwealth’s approach to coastal protection and adaptation, and will serve as a blueprint for implementing Virginia’s first project-driven Coastal Resilience Master Plan by the end of 2021. Governor Northam made the announcement against the backdrop of the LaValette Avenue Kayak Launch and Fishing Pier in Norfolk where coastal flooding and sea level rise has led to severe tidal intrusion.

The Virginia Coastal Master Planning Framework is the result of a nearly two-year process initiated by the Governor in Executive Order Twenty-Four involving state agencies, key stakeholders, and local and regional partners to develop mitigation strategies to reduce the near and long term impacts of natural hazards and extreme weather. This document is a roadmap that puts the full strength of the Commonwealth into creating a comprehensive Coastal Resilience Master Plan that will protect communities, commerce, and the coastal environment. The approach recognizes the scientific and fiscal realities—and challenges—that underserved communities in both urban and rural areas are facing and emphasizes local and regional efforts to combat flooding and protect people and assets.

Flooding is the most common and costly natural disaster in the Commonwealth and is magnified by population density: Virginia’s coastal region is home to more than 70 percent of the Commonwealth’s population. In 2018 and 2019, Virginia experienced nine major flooding events with damages totaling approximately $1.6 billion. Virginia has the highest rate of sea level rise of any east coast state, putting billions of dollars in private property and public infrastructure in danger.

The Virginia Coastal Master Planning Framework takes decisive steps to address these threats by:

• Aligning state government hazard mitigation efforts to maximize support for coastal resilience
• Dividing coastal Virginia into four planning regions for the purposes of the Master Plan
• Establishing a Technical Advisory Committee to further define regional approaches and to help evaluate and prioritize projects
• Emphasizing the importance of green infrastructure and strategic relocation to reduce flood risk and provide additional community benefits
• Elevating the Virginia Coastal Zone Management Program to support the development and implementation of the Master Plan
• Initiating a comprehensive public outreach effort to receive input from all impacted communities, particularly those that are underserved

The Framework will also help inform the development of guidance for coastal flood protection grants and loans under the Community Flood Preparedness Fund, to which Governor Northam and the General Assembly have dedicated 45 percent of the revenue from Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative carbon credit auctions that begin next spring. These auctions are estimated to generate approximately $500 million over the next decade to address coastal and riverine flooding statewide. This significant stream of dedicated revenue will help ensure progress in implementing the Framework and Master Plan.

An overview of the Virginia Coastal Master Planning Framework can be found here. The full document is available here. See below for photos from the announcement in Norfolk.