HD44 - The Commonwealth's Tidal Shoreline Erosion Policy

  • Published: 1988
  • Author: General Assembly. Joint Subcommittee
  • Enabling Authority: House Joint Resolution 46 (Regular Session, 1987)

Executive Summary:
The joint subcommittee to study the Commonwealth's tidal shoreline erosion policy was established by the 1987 Session of the General Assembly (House Joint Resolution No. 46). It was requested to study whether the Commonwealth's shoreline erosion policy reflects an appropriate balance between the rights of individual property owners and the Commonwealth's responsibility to protect the environment. During its first year the subcommittee devoted a substantial amount of its time to receiving testimony detailing the current shoreline erosion control policies and programs of Virginia and other states.

The subcommittee continued its work during 1988. House Joint Resolution No. 226 requested that the subcommittee focus on the following issues:

1. The feasibility of initiating a comprehensive shoreline erosion policy for the Commonwealth;

2. Statutory definitions of wetlands, sand dune, and barrier islands;

3. The capability of state agencies to implement the intent of the General Assembly regarding coastal shoreline protection; and

4. The responsibility of the Commonwealth to help protect private shoreline property and funding alternatives for public and private beach protection programs.

In response to the charge of the enabling resolution the subcommittee spent a considerable portion of its time during the year in briefings and discussions with technical experts in an effort to identify those factors which are essential in the formulation of an effective shoreline management policy. Scientists with the Virginia Institute of Marine Science's Center for Estuarine Resource Management and Policy provided testimony which described (i) those natural processes which shape Virginia shoreline, (ii) problems inherent in the current management programs, and (iii) how these problems might be resolved through the development of new policies. In addition, the subcommittee received a status report on the state's new erosion control initiatives and a description of financial incentives being offered by the State of Maryland to property owners for controlling and mitigating erosion.