Hampton Roads Conservation Corridor Study - MD

The Hampton Roads Conservation Corridor Study (HRCCS) was developed under a grant from NOAA via the Virginia Coastal Program. The goal of the study was to identify, prioritize, and potentially link several categories of open lands while taking into account local planning goals. Ideally, implementation of the conservation corridor system will provide multiple benefits to the region, such as habitat protection, stormwater management, wetlands mitigation, and recreation opportunities.

The model for identifying areas to include in the corridor was developed in GIS using data layers such as riparian areas, wetlands, and land use. In addition, the model incorporates the recent work done by the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR), Division of Natural Heritage in the pilot phase of its Virginia Conservation Lands Needs Assessment (VCLNA) Natural Landscape Assessment (NLA). The ecological “cores” identified and prioritized by DCR are one of the main components of the conservation corridor model.

Multiple opportunities were provided for stakeholder involvement as the project progressed. These included presentations by state and federal natural resource agencies, discussions at regular HRPDC Joint Environmental Committee meetings, a meeting with natural resource experts, and meetings with planners from Hampton Roads jurisdictions. Draft maps were also sent to local parks and recreation and planning departments for review and comment.

For more information on this project, see Related Links at bottom right of screen.