Virginia Coastal Resilience Master Planning Framework
Virginia announced the release of the Virginia Coastal Resilience Master Planning Framework (the Framework) on October 22, 2020.
The Framework, is Virginia's roadmap to resilience in coastal Virginia. This innovative, science-based approach guides the use of cost-effective, nature-based, and equitable strategies to protect our people, our communities, our infrastructure, and our economy right now and for generations to come.
The Framework divides coastal Virginia into four master planning regions. The Master Plan will identify priority projects within each of the four regions, which reside within the boundaries of the eight coastal Planning District Commissions and Regional Commissions (PDCs/ RCs).
Fall Line North (George Washington Regional Commission and Northern Virginia Regional Commission)
Fall Line South (Crater PDC and PlanRVA- formerly Richmond Regional Planning District)
Guiding Principles and Goals
The Framework lists five guiding principles that will influence the Master Plan and related resilience initiatives:
Acknowledge climate change and its consequences, and base decision-making on the best available science.
Identify and address socioeconomic inequities and work to enhance equity through coastal adaptation and protection efforts.
Recognize the importance of protecting and enhancing green infrastructure like natural coastal barriers and fish and wildlife habitat by prioritizing nature-based solutions.
Utilize community and regional scale planning to the maximum extent possible, seeking region specific approaches tailored to the needs of individual communities.
Understand fiscal realities and focus on the most cost-effective solutions for protection and adaptation of our communities, businesses and critical infrastructure.
The Framework identifies four primary goals that must be achieved prior to the completion of a Master Plan.
Identification of priority projects to increase the resilience of coastal communities including both built and natural assets at risk due to sea-level rise and flooding.
Establishment of a financing strategy, informed by regional differences and equity considerations, to support execution of the plan.
Effective incorporation of climate change projections into all of the Commonwealth’s programs addressing coastal zone built and natural infrastructure at risk due to sea-level rise and flooding.
Coordination of all state, federal, regional and local coastal adaptation and protection efforts in accordance with the guiding principles of this Framework.
Department of Conservation and Recreation
