Strategy to Accelerate the Protection and

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Strategy to Accelerate the Protection and
Restoration of Submerged Aquatic Vegetation in
the Chesapeake Bay
Initiative 2 Provide existing SAV beds greater
protection from anthropogenic activities and
invasive species
Action 3.1.1 Characterize direct and indirect
localized threats to existing SAV beds on a
Bay Program segment-specific basis
(Virginia waters)
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Threats vary by region (open Bay, major rivers,
smaller tribs, eastern v. western
shoreline) Related to conflicting uses of the
waterway (direct) and to adjacent land use
practices (indirect)
Direct threats shading from piers boathouses,
displacement by aquaculture structures, root
disturbance from channel dredging, propeller
scarring (recreational and commercial boating),
commercial fishing (clam dredging), invasive
species (mute swan, water chestnut)
Indirect threats sediment resuspension
(storm-related, boating activities), sediment
introduction (erosion of adjacent uplands,
runoff from residential waterfront
development), nutrient and pollutant loading
(agricultural and industrial runoff)
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Threats categorized into five areas, in order to
identify and prioritize areas of concern by Bay
segment in Virginia.
Target areas that need additional protection
(management) and identify areas where
restoration efforts will have the greatest
probability for success
1. Adjacent land use residential/commercial
development, agriculture runoff, increased
sedimentation, nutrients

• Aquaculture and commercial fishing shading from
  structures,
• root disturbance from working beds, propeller
  scarring, haul seine,
• crab scraping (?)

• Boating activities propeller scarring, channel
  dredging,
• resuspension of sediments

• Invasive species grazing by herbivores,
  competition from
• introduced plants

• Shoreline erosion natural sedimentation and
  nutrient introduction
• from loss of adjacent uplands in dynamic areas

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Virginia Bay Segment Examples
Segment
Principal Threats
Eastern Lower Chesapeake Bay (CB7PH)
2,5,3,1 growing aquaculture (clam) industry (2),
exposed, eroding shorelines (5), increasing
recreational boating as residential development
increases (3), large agricultural tracts and
increasing residential development (E S
problems from clearing and grading) (1)
Lower Rappahannock River (RPPMH)
5,1,3 exposed, eroding high banks (5),
increasing residential development (E S
problems) (1), boating and channel dredging
for recreational access
Middle Elizabeth River (ELIMH)
1,3,5 heavy upland development
(resident/comm/indust) (1), commercial shipping,
dredging (3), wake-induced erosion(5)
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Management considerations

• Adjacent land use better E S controls
  associated with upland
• clearing, grading, etc.and agriculture practices
  (localities, CBLAD)

(2) Aquaculture and fishing growing aquaculture
industry needs to be managed so that SAV
recovery and aquaculture can coexist (permit
review, water column lease) fishery regulations
to minimize commercial fishing impacts
(3) Boating activities thoroughly evaluate
channel dredging applications, compensation if
appropriate, identify SAV/boating hot spots
and educate public about responsible boating
(4) Invasive species monitor and eradicate
invasive species ASAP before they become
unmanageable
(5) Shoreline erosion evaluate shoreline erosion
projects with SAV in mind (breakwaters with
associated plantings?)
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Recent regulatory actions in Virginia to reduce
SAV impacts from permitted structures and fishing
activities
Code 28.2-1205, amended in 1996, specifically
includes SAV presence as a factor to be
considered in the application review process
Regulation 4 VAC 20 335, adopted January 1998,
prohibits placement of new aquaculture
structures on existing SAV within leased
shellfish grounds
Regulation 4 VAC 20 1010, also adopted January
1998, prohibits clam and crab dredging within
200 meters of SAV beds in Chincoteague Bay
Code 28.2-1204, amended 1999, Commission (with
VIMS) to develop guidelines for defining
existing SAV beds and delineate areas for
future SAV restoration
Regulation 4 VAC 20 1010, adopted August 2003,
prohibits haul seine fishery from setting or
fishing net pocket in water less than 3 feet
depth reporting requirements added
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Recent regulatory actions in Virginia to reduce
SAV impacts from permitted structures and
fishing activities
Regulation 4 VAC 20 337, adopted November 2000,
establishes SAV transplantation guidelines for
restoration, compensation activities
Regulation 4 VAC 20 1010, adopted August 2003,
prohibits haul seine fishery from setting or
fishing net pocket in water less than 3 feet
depth reporting requirements added
Virginia Submerged Aquatic Vegetation (SAV)
Plan submitted to the Atlantic States Marine
Fisheries Commission, January, 2004 (VIMS and
VMRC)
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The beginning