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What is the Dragon Run SAMP?
The Dragon
Run Steering Committee, the Middle
Peninsula Planning District Commission, and the Virginia
Coastal Program are co-sponsoring the development of
a Special Area Management Plan, or SAMP, for the Dragon
Run Watershed. The purpose of a SAMP is to protect significant
coastal resources when all levels of government are committed
to a collaborative planning process to produce enforceable
policies.
Where is the Dragon Run SAMP?
The
Special Area Management Plan (SAMP) spans the entire 140 square mile (90,000
acres) Dragon Run Watershed on the Middle Peninsula of Virginia, including
portions of the counties of Essex,
Gloucester,
King and Queen,
and Middlesex.
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Watershed
map
Who
is participating in the Dragon Run SAMP?
The
Dragon Run SAMP Director,
a watershed planner at the Middle
Peninsula Planning District Commission in Saluda, is coordinating
SAMP activities. Project co-sponsor, Virginia
Coastal Program, along with other state agencies and representatives
from diverse interests in each of the four counties in the watershed,
Essex, Gloucester,
King and Queen,
and Middlesex,
are actively participating in the planning. The process is open and
anyone who wishes to participate is welcomed and encourage to join the
group.
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List of participants
Why is the Dragon Run SAMP being undertaken?
The Dragon
Run Steering Committee, composed of elected officials
and landowners from each county, asked the Middle
Peninsula Planning District Commission staff to pursue
funding to focus and coordinate efforts within the watershed
to protect the Dragon Run. In partnership with the Virginia
Coastal Program, the Middle
Peninsula Planning District Commission officially
began the Special Area Management Plan (SAMP) in January
2002. The project's mission, as defined by the SAMP Advisory
Group, is to support and promote community-based efforts
to preserve the cultural, historic, and natural character
of the Dragon Run, while preserving property rights and
the traditional uses within its watershed.
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Project Goals
When will the Dragon Run SAMP be completed?
The SAMP is slated for 5 years starting in January 2002. However, it will
be the responsibility of the local governments and community members
to implement the principles and components of the SAMP.
How does the Dragon Run SAMP work?
The Special Area Management Plan began with planning forums in December
2001 and January 2002 for stakeholders in the watershed. Their purpose
was to raise many different issues and perspectives about the future
of the Dragon Run Watershed. Currently, the Dragon Run Steering Committee
and its Advisory Group, consisting of local government, landowners,
non-profits, industry and business, educators, and state agencies, has
developed goals and is working on action plans to achieve those goals.
The goals form the basis of a Memorandum of Agreement that has been
signed by the Middle
Peninsula Planning District Commission and the counties of Essex,
Gloucester,
King and Queen,
and Middlesex.
The signatories agree to participate in the Dragon Run SAMP and to consider
the Steering Committee's recommendations to achieve the project's goals.
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Meeting
minutes
Memorandum
of Agreement
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