Document Type

Report

Department/Program

Virginia Institute of Marine Science

Publication Date

2-2015

Abstract

The shores of Charles City range from exposed open river to very sheltered creeks, and the nature of shoreline change varies accordingly. This shoreline management plan is useful for evaluating and planning shoreline management strategies appropriate for all the creeks and rivers of Charles City. It ties the physical and hydrodynamic elements of tidal shorelines to the various shoreline protection strategies.

Much of the Charles City County’s shoreline is suitable for a “Living Shoreline” approach to shoreline management. The Commonwealth of Virginia has adopted policy stating that Living Shorelines are the preferred alternative for erosion control along tidal waters in Virginia. The policy defines a Living Shoreline as a shoreline management practice that provides erosion control and water quality benefits; protects, restores or enhances natural shoreline habitat; and maintains coastal processes through the strategic placement of plants, stone, sand fill, and other structural and organic materials.” The key to effective implementation of this policy at the local level is understanding what constitutes a Living Shoreline practice and where those practices are appropriate. This management plan and its use in zoning, planning, and permitting will provide the guidance necessary for landowners and local planners to understand the alternatives for erosion control and to make informed shoreline management decisions.

DOI

https://doi.org/10.21220/V5FP4T

Keywords

Shoreline Management, James River, Charles City, VA

Creative Commons License

Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.

Funding

This project was funded by the Virginia Coastal Zone Management Program at the Department of Environmental Quality through Grant #NA13NOS4190135 of the U.S. Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, under the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972, as amended.

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