Management plan Chesapeake Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve System, Virginia

[From the U.S. Government Printing Office, www.gpo.gov]

Management Plan
January 1991

C BAY
morell mg, AL ESTUARINE RESEARCH RESERVE SYSTEM
VIRGINIA

Commonwealth of Virginia
L. Douglas Wilder, Governor

Virginia Institute of Marine Science
The College of William and Mary
P.O. Box 1346
Gloucester Point, Va. 23062
QH
76.5 U.S. Department of Commerce
.C48 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
M36 National Ocean Service
1991 Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management
1825 Connecticut Ave., N.W.
HESAP AKE

Washington, D.C. 20235

Management Plan
January 1991

CH SAP B
NATIONAL ESTUARINE RESEARCH RESERVE SYSTEM
NARGINIA

U . S . DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE NOAA
COASTAL SERVICES CENTER
2234 SOUTH HOBSON AVENUE
CHARLESTON , SC 29405-2413

Property of (7SC Libra--y

Commonwealth of Virginia
L Douglas Wilder, Governor

Virginia Institute of Marine Science
The College of William and Mary
P.O. Box 1346
Gloucester Point, Va. 23062

Qj U.S. Department of Commerce
National Oceanic- and Atmospheric Administration
Cb National Ocean Service
Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management
1825 Connecticut Ave., N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20235
AKE AY

A%
No

TABLE OF CONTENTS

LIST OF FIGURES ................................................................................................................... viii
LIST OF TABLES ....................................................................................................................... ix
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ............................................................................................................ Yd
INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................................................I
Chesapeake Bay-Virginia: A Reserve's Beginnings ..................................................................1
Segmentation by Salinity: Representative Sites .........................................................................I
Site Assessment and Selection ....................................................................................................5
Plan for Reserve Management ...................................................................................................5
MANAGEMENT BACKGROUND .............................................................................................6
The Multi-Site System .................................................................................................................6
Relationship with the Chesapeake Bay National Estuarine
Research Reserve in Maryland ...................................................................................................6
The Virginia Components, and How They Are Related ...........................................................7
Site Locations and Access ...........................................................................................................8

TUE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT .......................................................................................... 11
Hydrology and Climate ............................................................................................................. 11
Geology and Soils ...................................................................................................................... 17
Biology ....................................................................................................................................... 28
Habitats and Vegetative Communities ............................................................................. 28
Fauna .................................................................................................................................. 42
THE HUMAN ENVIRONMENT .............................................................................................. 44
Goodwin Islands ........................................................................................................................ 44
History and Socioeconomics ............................................................................................ 44
Cultural Resources ............................................................................................................ 44
Present Uses ....................................................................................................................... 44
Local Activities That Might Affect the Site ...................................................................... 45
Catlett Islands ............................................................................................................................ 45
History and Socioeconomics ............................................................................................ 45
Cultural Resources ............................................................................................................ 46
Present Uses ....................................................................................................................... 46
Local Activities That Might Affect the Site ...................................................................... 46
Taskinas Creek ........................................................................................................................... 47
History and Socioeconomics ............................................................................................ 47
Cultural Resources ............................................................................................................ 47
Present Uses .........................................................................o ............................................. 47
Local Activities That Might Affect the Site ...................................................................... 48
Sweet Hall Marsh ....................................................................................................................... 48
History and Socioeconomics ............................................................I................................ 48
Cultural Resources ............................................................................................................ 48

Present Uses ....................................................................................................................... 48
Local Activities That Might Affect the Site ...................................................................... 49
ADMINISTRATION ................................. ................................................................................. 49
Administrative Framework ..................... .................................................................................. 49
Virginia Institute of Marine Science, The College of William and Mary ...................... 50
The Board of Visitors, The College of William and Mary .............................................. 50
Endowment Association of the College of William and Mary in Virginia Inc . ............. 50
Virginia Council on the Environment ............................................................................. 50
Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation .................................................. 51
Other Relevant Agencies .................................................................................................. 51
Private Landowners ........................................................................................................... 51
Advisory Committees ........................................................................................................ 51
Sanctuaries and Reserves Division, National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration ............................................................................................ 51
Staffing Requirements, Roles and Responsibilities ................................................................ 52
Director ............................................................................................................................... 52
Research Coordinator ....................................................................................................... 53
Education Coordinator ..................................................................................................... 53
Marine Scientist/Laboratory Technician ........................................................................ 54
Administrative Assistant/Office Manager ....................................................................... 55
Advisory Committee Roles and Responsibilities ..................................................................... 55
Resource-Protection Advisory Committee ....................................................................... 55
Research and Monitoring Advisory Committee .............................................................. 56
Education Advisory Committee ....................................................................................... 56
Five-Year Plan of Activities and Staffing ................................................................................... 56
Five-Year Activities Plan ..................................................................................................... 56
Five-Year Staffing Plan ....................................................................................................... 57
PROGRAM GOALS, OBJECTIVES AND STRATEGIES ........................................................ 57
Mission, Goals and Objectives .................................................................................................. 57
Resource-Protection Goal ................................................................................................. 57
Resource-Protection Objectives ........................................................................................ 57
Research Goal .................................................................................................................... 57
Research Objectives .......................................................................................................... 57
Education Goal .................................................................................................................. 59
Education Objectives ........................................................................................................ 59
Site Boundaries and Acquisition Strategy ............................................................................... 60
Resource-Protection Plan ......................................................................................................... 64
Management Policies ........................................................................................................ 64
State and Local Regulations Affecting Reserve Sites ...................................................... 66
Existing Permits and Licenses .......................................................................................... 68
Reserve-Specific Permits ................................................................................................... 68
Surveillance and Enforcement ......................................................................................... 68

MANAGEMENT ISSUES .......................................................................................................... 68
Environmental Conditions within the York River Basin ......................................................... 69
The need to maintain the productivity and diversity of coastal habitats
within the York River basin in the face of accelerated population growth
and coastal development ................................................................................................. 69
The need to maintain freshwater flow regimes necessary to sustain
estuarine habitats within the York River basin ................................................................. 69
Environmental Conditions within Site Boundaries ................................................................ 70
Program Development and Administration ............................................................................ 71
The need to develop independent but complementary Reserve
programs in Maryland and Virginia recognizing the Chesapeake
Bay as one natural system .................................................................................................. 71
The need to develop the Reserve program within the framework of
the Chesapeake Bay Program and the Virginia Coastal Resource
Management Program ...................................................................................................... 71
The need to provide continuing oversight of program administration
and accomplishments ........................................................................................................ 71
Research and Monitoring at Reserve Sites .............................................................................. 71
The need to support long-term studies ........................................................................... 71
The need to develop a monitoring program ...................................................I................ 72
The need to promote non-destructive, non-manipulative research .............................. @72
The need to link the Reserve and the scientific community .......................................... 72
The need to provide for the transfer of scientific information
to coastal decisionmakers ................................................................................................. 72
The need to develop and maintain computer-based interactive database
and geographic information analysis capabilities .........*.................................................. 72
The need for peer review of proposals and technical reports ........................................ 72
Education, Interpretation and Visitor-Use Programs ............................................................. 73
The need to tailor education, interpretation and other visitor-use
programs to Reserve site needs and constraints ............................................................. 73
The need to establish a research, education or visitor center as part
of the overall Reserve management strategy ................................................................... 73
The need to enhance public awareness of the Research Reserve program
and its role in the Chesapeake Bay Program ................................................................... 73
PUBLIC ACCESS PLAN ........................................................................................................... 73
Background ............................................................................................................................... 73
Access Rules and Schedules ...................................................................................................... 74
RESEARCH AND MONITORING PIAN ................................................................................ 77
Research Priorities .................................................................................................................... 77
National Priorities for the National Estuarine Research Reserve System ...................... 77
Chesapeake Bay Program Priorities ................................................................................. 78

System-Wide Research Priorities ...................................................................................... 80
Site-Specific Research Priorities ......................................................................................... 81
Monitoring ................................................................................................................................. 84
Research Policies and Procedures ............................................................................................ 85
Types of Proposals ............................................................................................................. 85
Funding .............................................................................................................................. 85
Research Announcement and Prospectus ....................................................................... 85
Annual Proposal Timetable .............................................................................................. 86
Proposal Review ................................................................................................................. 86
Reports ............................................................................................................................... 86
Research Support ...................................................................................................................... 86
Information Dissemination ....................................................................................................... 87
Review and Evaluation .............................................................................................................. 87

RESTORATION PLAN ............................................................................................................. 88
Resource Degradation at the Reserve Sites ............................................................................. 88
Guidelines for Restoration ....................................................................................................... 89
Determine the extent and severity of resource degradation .......................................... 89
Convene expert panel and set goals for restoration ....................................................... 89
Synthesize existing information and evaluate results of similar projects ...................... 89
Design and implement project ......................................................................................... 89
Monitor results and evaluate success of restoration ....................................................... 89

EDUCATION PLAN ................................................................................................................. 89

Framework ................................................................................................................................. 89
Opportunities for and Limitations to On-Site Education ...................................................... 90
Evaluation Procedure ....................................................................................................... 90
On-Site Potential: Taskinas Creek .................................................................................... 91
On-Site Potential: Goodwin Islands ................................................................................. 92
On-Site Potential: Sweet Hall Marsh ................................................................................ 92
On-Site Potential: Catlett Islands ..................................................................................... 92
On-Site Education Programs .................................................................................................... 93
Current Programs: Taskinas Creek .......I........................................................................... 93
Current Programs: Goodwin Islands ............................................................................... 95
Current Programs: Sweet Hall Marsh .............................................................................. 95
Current Programs: Catlett Islands ................................................................................... 96
Expansion of Education Programs .......................................................................................... 96
Taskinas Creek ................................................................................................................... 96
Goodwin Islands ................................................................................................................ 97
Sweet Hall Marsh ............................................................................................................... 97
Catlett Islands .................................................................................................................... 97
On-Site Interpretive Media ...................................................................................................... 98
Current Media: Taskinas Creek ........................................................................................ 98
Current Media: Goodwin Islands, Catlett Islands and Sweet Hall Marsh ...................... 98

Expansion of Interpretive Media ............................................................................................. 98
Taskinas Creek ................................................................................................................... 98
Goodwin Islands, Catlett Islands and Sweet Hall Marsh ............................................... 100
Off-Site Programs and Media ................................................................................................. 100
Mobile Exhibits ................................................................................................................ 100
Presentations ................................................................................................................... 100
Outreach to Schools ........................................................................................................ 100

VOLUNTEERPLAN ............................................................................................................... 100
Organization ............................................................................................................................ 101
Scope ........................................................................................................................................ 102
Volunteer Teams ...................................................................................................................... 102
General Education Teams ............................................................................................... 102
Site-Specific Education Teams ........................................................................................ 103
Research Teams ............................................................................................................... 103
Administration Teams ..................................................................................................... 104
FACILITIES DEVELOPMENT PLAN .................................................................................... 104
Existing Facilities ..................................................................................................................... 105
Facility and Improvement Needs ............................................................................................ 108
REFERENCES ................................................................................................. ....................... 112
APPENDIX A ........................................................................................................................... 117
Conservation Easements, Management Agreements and Memoranda
of Understanding .................................................................................................................... 117
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the
Commonwealth of Virginia ............................................................................................. 119
Virginia Institute of Marine Science and Virginia Department
of Conservation and Recreation, Division of State Parks ............................................. 123
Private Landowners ......................................................................................................... 137
APPENDIX B ........................................................................................................................... 169
Management Policies for York River Sites ................................I ............................................. 169
Relevant State Statutes and Regulations Affecting Proposed Reserve Sites ........................ 172
Federal jurisdictions Affecting Proposed Reserve Sites ....................................................... 176
State jurisdictions Affecting Proposed Reserve Sites ............................................................ 177

LIST OF FIGURES

Certificate of Designation of the Reserve ............................................................................... xiii
Aerial Photographs of Reserve Sites ........................................................................................ xiv
1 Chesapeake Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve System
in Virginia and Maryland .....................................................................................................2
2 National Estuarine Research Reserve System ....................................................................3
3 Chesapeake Bay Segmentation Scheme ............................................................................4
4 Goodwin Islands: Poquoson West, Va. 7.5-minute series (topographic) .........................9
5 Catlett Islands: Clay Bank, Va. 7.5-minute series (topographic) .................................... 10
6 Taskinas Creek: Gressitt, Va. 7.5-minute series (topographic) ....................................... 12
7 Sweet Hall Marsh: New Kent, Va. 7.5-minute series (topographic) ............................... 13
8 Sweet Hall Marsh: NOAA Nautical Chart 12243, Pamunkey and Mattaponi Rivers ..... 16
9 Goodwin Islands Soils Map ............................................................................................... 18
10 Catlett Islands Soils Map ................................................................................................... 20
11 Taskinas Creek Preliminary Geologic Map ..................................................................... 24
12 Taskinas Creek Soils Map .................................................................................................. 26
13 Sweet Hall Marsh Soils Map ............................................................................................. 29
14 Goodwin Islands Wetlands Map ........................................................................................ 31
15 Catlett Islands Wetlands Map ........................................................................................... 34
16 Taskinas Creek Wetlands Map .......................................................................................... 37
17 Sweet Hall Marsh Wetlands Map ...................................................................................... 40
18 Catlett Islands Property Boundaries ................................................................................ 63
19 Sweet Hall Marsh Property Boundaries ........................................................................... 65

20 Trails at York River State Park .......................................................................................... 94

21 First-Floor Offices in Brown House, VIMS .................................................................... 106

22 Second-Floor Offices in Brown House, VIMS ............................................................... 107
23 East Wing of Visitor Center, York River State Park ....................................................... 110
24 West Wing of Visitor Center, York River State Park ....................................................... Ill

Viii

LIST OF TABLES

1 Goodwin Islands Soils ........................................................................................................ 19

2 Catlett Islands Soils ............................................................................................................ 21

3 Taskinas Creek Soils .......................................................................................................... 27

4 Sweet Hall Marsh Soils ...................................................................................................... 30

5 Goodwin Islands Wetland Acreage ................................................................................... 32
6 Catlett Islands Wetland Acreage ....................................................................................... 35
7 Taskinas Creek Wetland Acreage ...................................................................................... 38
8 Sweet Hall Marsh Wetland Acreage ................................................................................. 41

9 Five-Year Activities Plan ..................................................................................................... 58

10 Five-Year Staffing Plan ....................................................................................................... 60

11 Visitor Center Functions ................................................................................................... 74

12 Research Proposal Timetable, FYI 991 ............................................................................ 86
13 Reserve Equipment Inventory .......................................................................................... 87
14 Evaluation of On-Site Education Opportunities ............................................................. 91
15 Inventory of Environmental Education Equipment at York River State Park ............... 99

16 Distances and Travel Times between VIMS and Reserve Sites ..................................... 108

17 Recreation and Park Facilities at York River State Park ................................................ 109

18 Buildings at York River State Park .................................................................................. 109

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS The Research and Information Needs
Committee included William Apperson, De-
The Final Environmental Impact State- partment of Forestry; Stuart Bass, York
ment/Final Management Plan (Chesape County; Rick Berquist, Department of Mines,
ak' Minerals and Energy; Steve Brock, Depart-
Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve Sys- ment of Game and Inland Fisheries; Arthur
tem in Virginia, 1991) was published in Janu- Butt, State Water Control Board; Chris Daw-
ary 1991, prepared by the following project son, James City County; Maurice P. Lynch,
team at VIMS: Carroll Curtis, project direc- The College of William and Mary; Tom Mo-
tor and Reserve director through March 1992; dena, Department of Waste Management;
Sandra Hartenstine, research assistant; Paula Bob Munson, Department of Conservation
Hill, research assistant; and Tammy Rowe, lab- and Recreation; Chip Neikirk, Virginia Ma-
oratory technician. rine Resources Commission; Mitchell Nor-
Extracted from that publication, this man- man, Department of Game and Inland Fish-
agement plan was prepared in 1992-93 un- eries; Sarah Pugh, Department of Agriculture
der the direction of Maurice P. Lynch, Re- and Consumer Services; Chuck Rosenburg,
serve director, and with the help of Carroll Department of Game and Inland Fisheries;
Curtis. Bland Crowder, education coordina- Mel Thomas, Department of Highways and
tor and communicator, edited and designed Transportation; and Cloyde Wiley, Depart-
the plan. Lisa Ayers, graduate assistant, was ment of Health.
the editorial assistant. The assistance and support of the follow-
Portions of the management plan were de- ing sections at VIMS helped make this effort
veloped by Carvel Blair (research and moni- possible: Sponsored Research, Jane Lopez and
toring plan), Mary Causey (volunteer plan) Gayle Layman; Purchasing, John Wilkins and
and Carol Rideout (education plan). Ned Hedrick; Vessels Operations, George Pon-
Many other organizations and individuals gonis, Sharon Miller and Raymond Forrest;
helped in site evaluation, designation, and Report Center, Ruth Hershner, Janet Walker
development of the management plan. 1he and Valise Jackson; Printing, Sylvia Motley;
York Chapter of the Chesapeake Bay Foun- Wetlands Department, Carl Hershner, Gene
dation was particularly supportive. Silberhorn and Jim Perry; and the Dean and
The Education Planning Committee and Director's Office, Frank 0. Perkins, Hank
the Research and Information needs Commit- Humphreys, Sarah Hannick, Claudia Walthall
tee were particularly helpful in providing and Debbie McGee.
guidance for this management plan. The Edu- Many individuals and representatives of lo-
cation Planning Committee included Lynn cal, state and federal government reviewed
Clements, Virginia Marine Science Museum; this document and offered valuable com-
Joseph D. Exhne; Virginia Department of Ed- ments. In particular, we would like to thank
ucation; Lee Lawrence, Virginia Institute of Reed Bohne and Patmarie Maher of NOAXs
Marine Science, Sea Grant Marine Education Sanctuaries and Reserves Division and Steph-
Program; Viva Pizer, Chesapeake Bay Foun- anie Turner of York River State Park.
dation; Barbara Sills, Virginia Living Museum;
Stephanie Turner, superintendent, York River
State Park; Octavia Cubbins, The Mariners
Museum; Susan Gilley, Virginia Department
of Game and Inland Fisheries; Maurice P,
Lynch, The College of William and Mary; Ann
Regn, Council on the Environment; Ethel
Story, York County School System; and Holly
Walker, Virginia Department of Conservation
and Recreation.

W Of
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
The Under Secretary for
4F Oceans and Atmosphere
Washington, O.C. 20230

DESIGNATION OF THE CHESAPEAKE BAY
NATIONAL ESTUARINE RESEARCH RESERVE IN VIRGINIA
GOODWIN ISLANDS, CATLETT ISIANDS1 TASKINAS CREEK
AND SWEET HALL MARSH COMPONENTS

consistent with the provisions of section 315 of the Coastal Zone
Management Act, 16 U.S.C. � 1461, the Commonwealth of Virginia
has met the following conditions to establish Goodwin Islands,
Catlett Islands, Taskinas Creek, and Sweet Hall Marsh as
components of the Chesapeake Bay National Estuarine Research
Reserve in Virginia.

1) Goodwin Islands, Catlett Islands, Taskinas Creek, and
Sweet Hall Marsh are representative ecosystems that are suitable
for long-term.research and contribute to the biogeographical and
topological balance of the National Estuarine Reserve Research
System.

2) Virginia state laws provide long-term protection for
reserve resources to ensure a stable environment for research.

3) Designation of Goodwin Islands, Catlett Islands,
Taskinas Creek, and Sweet Hall Marsh as reserve components will
serve to enhance public awareness and understanding of estuarine
areas and provide suitable opportunities for public education and
interpretation.

4) The Commonwealth of Virginia has complied with the
requirements of the regulations relating to designation of a
National Estuarine Research Reserve.

Accordingly, I hereby designate the areas of Goodwin Islands,
Catlett Islands, Taskinas Creek, and Sweet Hall Marsh as
components of the Chesapeake Bay National Estuarine Research
Reserve in Virginia, the boundaries of which are specified in the
final management plan.

-Ir
j iknauss/
n Secretary for Oceans
and Atmosphere
ru

@
nauss-'
e retary
tmosp
and A

idU
THE ADMINISTRATOR

THE FOUR YORK RIVER RESERVE SITES

Goodwin Islands

Catlett Islands

Taskinas Creek

Sweet Hall Marsh

3dv

INTRODUCTION of the District of Columbia; the chair of the
Chesapeake Bay Commission; and the admin-
istrator of the Environmental Protection
The Chesapeake Bay, the nation's largest Agency, representing the U.S. government,
estuary, lies within its own sub-biogeographic established as one of the Bay region's research
region, the Virginian Province' which extends support priorities the "establishment of a sys-
from Cape Cod to Cape Hatteras. The Chesa- tem of research reserves which will provide
peake Bay proper is approximately 200 miles the research community with sites for long@-
long, running from the Virginia capes at its term habitat focused research that will be pro-
mouth to the Coniwingo Dam on the Susque- tected as far as possible from immediate
hanna. River in Maryland. The fidal Bay and threats from development."
its tributaries are shared by the states of Mary- It is within this context that the Common-
land and Virginia and touch upon the Dis- wealth of Virginia began its planning for the
trict of Columbia. The 64,000-square-mile Chesapeake Bay National Estuarine Research
drainage basin extends into Pennsylvania, Reserve System in Virginia. The Virginia In-
Delaware, West Virginia and New York. stitute of Marine Science, a component of
Both Maryland and Virginia are develop- The College of William and Mary and the
ing and administering multiple-site compo- Commonwealth's designated marine research
nents of a National Estuarine Research Re- laboratory, was designated by the governor
serve (Figure 1). Each state is developing a to take the lead role in establishing a suit-
system that best meets its needs, but both are able research reserve system for the Com-
coordinating their efforts to ensure that rep- monwealth.
resentative habitats of the Chesapeake, "the When the Commonwealth's Chesapeake
nation's estuary," are well represented within Bay concerns were reviewed, it soon became
the National Estuarine Research Reserve Sys- apparent that the greatest concerns focused
tem. on the major Western Shore tributaries,
The National Estuarine Research Reserve mainly the James, York, Rappahannock and
System (Figure 2) was established in 1972 as Potomac rivers. It was decided that an estua-
the National Estuarine Sanctuary Program un- rine research reserve system suitable for Vir-
der Section 315 of the Coastal Zone Manage- ginia would have to contain the range of habi-
ment Act. In April 1986, the name of the tats found along both the tributaries and the
program was changed to the National Estua- mainstem of the Bay. In addition, because
rine Research Reserve System by the Coastal different land-use patterns characterize the
Zone Reauthorization Act of 1985. At the drainage basin of each tributary, sites should
same time, the role of the Research Reserves be selected on each tributary and along the
in addressing national estuarine research and mainstem. to allowresearch on and monitor-
management issues was emphasized, as was ing of the effects of development in those
the need to make maximum use of the sys- drainage basins.
tem for research purposes through coordina-
tion.with NOAA and other federal and state SEGMENTATION BY SALINITY
agencies that sponsor estuarine research. The REPRESENTATIVE SITES
program is administered within the Sanctu- A research reserve planning group re-
aries and Reserves Division of the National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. viewed various schemes devised to divide the
Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries into sub-
CHESAPEAKE BAY-VIRGINIA: sections, settling on a segmentation scheme,
A RESERVE'S BEGINNINGS developed in the early days of the Chesapeake
In July 1988, the Chesapeake Executive Ba@ Restoration program, that divides the
main tributaries into three segments, a lower
Council, made up of the governors of Mary- estuarine reach, a .transition zone, and a tidal
land, Pennsylvania and Virginia; the mayor freshwater reach. It also divides the mainstein

Figure I
CHESAPEAKE BAY NATIONAL ESTUARINE RESEARCH RESERVE SYSTEM
IN VIRGINIA AND MARYLAND

Otter Point Cr
BALTIMO.R.E 3-1

.4RE
-WASHINGTON *4 r

mav
mav
Jug
may f..

moule Bay
c

.. .. ......

Ax
V

rah

Creek

lands 0.
lett zo

W.
Goodwin Islands
..... .....

. . .... .

0 10 20 30

NAUTICAL MILES
0

Figure 2
NATIONAL ESTUARINE RESEARCH RESERVE SYSTEM

Padilla Bay
St. Lawrenc
River Basin Wells

Great Bay
South Sloug Waquoit Bay
Narragansett Bay
Old
Dclaware

San Francisco Bay
Chesapeake Bay. MD
Chcsapcakc l1av. VA
Elkhorn Slough
North Carolina
. ........
North Inlet
ACE Basin
Tijuana River 0
pclo Island

Waimanu Ap la
ecks
Valley, HI
Bay
A Proposed
Rookery Bay
0 Designated Jobo% Bay. PR

Figure 3
CHESAPEAKE BAY SEGMENTATION SCHEME

Tidal Freshwater Reach

Transition Zone

Lower Estuarine Reach

Upper Middle Bay

Lower Middle Bay

Lower Bay West

Lower Bay East

Bay Mouth

EMBAYMENTS

Upper Middle

L-0 Upper Eastern

Lower Middle

Lower Western

fto- @Ooo

oo
INO ... I.,.
o"O

ININI.*
0

-0.

of the Bay into a number of embayments and of the York River (Mo1jack embayment), the
distinct segments. The overall planning goal Catlett Islands in the lower transitional reach,
became the location and designation of at Taskinas Creek in the transition zone, and
least one representative habitat in each des- Sweet Hall Marsh in the tidal freshwater Pam-
ignated section. On that basis, the Chesa- unkey River. The landowners of these prop-
peake Bay National Estuarine Research Re- erties were contacted, and most agreed to
serve System in Virginia eventually might in- enter into various legal agreements with VIMS
clude more than 20 sites. and William and Mary, allowing their hold-
It was decided to develop the program ings to be incorporated into the program.
tributary by tributary, starting with the York The specific agreements are included as Al>-
River system, the MoIjack embayment, the pendix A.
York proper and the Pamunkey River, high-
lighting the importance of including sites rep- PLAN FOR RESERVE
resenting the salinity regimes along an estu- MANAGEMENT
ary. The York River was chosen first because This Management Plan details the objec-
of logistics: site identification would be easier tives and goals of the research, education,
on the York because VIMS was located in its, monitoring and resource management plans
lower estuarine reach, allowing development for the York River component of the Reserve.
and testing of a site evaluation scheme on an In addition to the specific details that are
estuarine system familiar to VIMS scientists spelled out in this document, the Reserve
and staff. will be managed in accordance with the Na-
tional Estuarine Research Reserve System Pro-
SITE ASSESSMENT gram Regulations promulgated by NOAA in
AND SELECTION the Federal Register The version current as of
The effort began with reevaluation of all January 1991 is included in the Final Envi-
areas listed in an early Smithsonian compila- ronmental Impact Statement/Final Manage-
tion of coastal natural areas of the Chesa- ment Plan for the Reserve (Chesapeake Bay
peake Bay, providing a list of 18 sites in the National Estuarine Research Reserve System
York system. Those sites were evaluated using in Virginia, 1991) and therefore is not repro-
the general criteria promulgated by NOAA!s duced here.
Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Man- Characterization of the York River sites in-
agement, as expanded by VIMS to fit the spe- cluded compilation of species lists. The spe-
cific situation found in Virginia's portion of cies lists also were included in the Final Envi-
the Chesapeake Bay. ronmental Impact Statement/Final Manage-
Each site initially identified was ranked in ment Plan for the Reserve (Chesapeake Bay
terms of biological representation, ecologi:- National Estuarine Research Reserve System
cal characteristics, naturalness, research po- in Virginia, 1991) and are not presented here.
tential, educational opportunities, and man- After the York River component is desig-
agement considerations. This process used nated, site selection Will move to the Poto-
expert panels made up of state, federal and mac and Rappahannock river basins. When
local agency personnel and scientists from those tributary sites are identified and under
several Virginia colleges and universities. review by NOAA and other state, federal and
Close coordination was maintained with citi- local agencies, the site identification process
zen organizations and several industry lead- will move to the James River, the mainstem,
ers in the York basin. and other embayments on the Eastern and
By this process, four sites were identified Western shores of the Bay.
as priority candidates for inclusion in the York
River component of the Chesapeake Bay Na-
tional Estuarine Research Reserve System in
Virginia: the Goodwin Islands at the mouth

MANAGEMENT pansion. The need for further program ex-
pansion will be assessed after the second phase
BACKGROUND is completed. When fully established, the
Chesapeake Bay National Estuarine Research
THE MULTI-SITE SYSTEM Reserve System in Virginia could have as many
as 20 Reserve sites.
As the nation's largest estuary, the Chesa- The first components, located within the
peak 'e Bay contains a diverse collection of York River basin, are: (1) Goodwin Islands,
habitats and salinity regimes and is subject to at the mouth of the York River offshore a
different human stresses in various locations. moderately dense residential and industrial
In light of these differences, selecting one area of Yorktown; (2) Catlett Islands, in an
Reserve site to characterize the Chesapeake area of increasing residential density on the
Bay was neither appropriate nor practical. To north shore of the York River; (3) Taskinas
develop a more accurate picture of the Bay Creek, within York River State Park, sur-
conditions, the Commonwealth of Virginia rounded by low to moderately dense rural
and NOAA agreed to a multiple-site Chesa- development on the south shore of the York
peake Bay National Estuarine Research Re- River; and (4) Sweet Hall Marsh, in a low-
serve System in Virginia which collectively rep- density, rural area along the Pamunkey River,
resent Virginia's Chesapeake Bay. The multi- a tidal tributary to the York River.
site system better reflects the diversity ofhabi-
tats in the Chesapeake Bay subregion and
permits development of complementary re- RELATIONSHIP WITH THE
search and education programs within the CHESAPEAKE BAY NATIONAL
components of the Reserve. It maximizes the ESTUARINE RESEARCH
application of research and monitoring re- RESERVE IN MARYLAND
sults to pertinent management decisions at
state and local levels. In addition, multiple The goal of the National Estuarine Re-
sites make education programs available to a search Reserve System is to represent, with at
greater percentage of the state populace than least one estuarine Reserve, each biogeo-
would be reached by a single site. graphic region of the United States and to
The designation of sites is being conducted represent the major estuarine types found in
in phases, with each phase corresponding to each region. Usually an estuary is represented
specific geographic regions of the Virginia by a single state and a single National Estua-
portion of the Chesapeake Bay and its dde- rine Research Reserve. However, the Chesa-
water tributaries. For administrative purposes, peake Bay, because of its large size and diver-
these regions are grouped as follows: York sity, cannot be easily represented by a single
River basin; Rappahannock River and Poto- Reserve. Therefore, the Commonwealth of
mac River (Virginia shoreline) basins; James Virginia and the State of Maryland has each
River basin and Western Shore of the Chesa- been given the opportunity to have a.Chesa-
peake Bay; and Eastern Shore (Bayside) of peake Bay National Estuarine Research Re-
the Chesapeake Bay. An assessment of the serve System.
York River basin sites has been completed; In order to create strong research and edu-
this management plan addresses the designa- cational programs and a comprehensive sys-
tion of York River sites. It is anticipated that tem of Reserve sites throughout the Chesa-
the next phase of site selection, nomination, peake Bay, Virginia and Maryland have coor-
and designation (i.e., for sites in the Rappa- dinated many of their efforts. One of the first
hannock and Potomac River basins) will be- actions taken in 1986 was to meet and de-
gin after the designation of York River sites, velop compatible site selection criteria. This
contingent upon the availability of funds and ensured that sites eventually selected in the
demonstrated public interest in program ex- two states would be complementary and
would form a comprehensive Bay-wide net-

work of Research Reserves. The major cat- ment Association of the College of William
egories for site selection included represen- and Mary in Virginia Inc. to the College's
tativeness value for research, value for educa- Board of Visitors for incorporation into the
tion, and practical management consider- Reserve System.
ations.
The need to establish a system of Research The CATLETT ISLANDS are located ap-
Reserve sites throughout the Chesapeake Bay proximately 19 nautical miles (nmi) from the
is recommended in the Compnhensive Research mouth of the York River and represent
Plan for the Chesapeake Bay Program (Chesa- mesohaline conditions (8-18 ppt). They lie
peake Executive Council, 1988a). It is antici- within the lower estuarine reaches of the York
pated that once sites are designated, scien- River. The islands consist of parallel ridges of
tists from the Bay community may elect to forested wetlands surrounded by extensive
use any combination of the sites in Virginia saltmarshes along with adjacent shallow bot-
and Maryland suitable for their research toms and water areas where aquatic vegeta-
projects. tion once flourished. The property is privately
Virginia and Maryland will continue to ad- owned and is being incorporated into the
minister their Reserves as separate entities Reserve System through conservation ease-
reflecting the management, political and ments and a management agreement.
other differences between the two states. Each
state is eligible for the complete complement TASKINAS CREEK represents the transi-
of federal funding assistance, has its own state tion zone of the York River (3-13 ppt) and
funding mechanism, and has its own staff. consists of a tidal creek with fringing marshes
The Chesapeake Bay National Estuarine Re- that grade from brackish to freshwater-domi-
search Reserve in Maryland is located in the nated communities. The non-tidal portion
Department of Natural Resources, Tidewater contains feeder streams that drain mesic oak-
Administration, Coastal Resources Division. hickory forests, maple-gum-oak-ash swamps,
and freshwater marshes (Hobbs et al., 1975b).
THE VIRGINIA COMPONENTS, Much of the creek watershed is undeveloped
AND HOW THEY ARE RELATED and lies within the boundaries of York River
The first four Virginia Reserve component State Park. A memorandum of understand-
sites represent the different ecological zones ing between the Virginia Institute of Marine
of the York River as defined by the Chesa- Science and the Virginia Department of Con-
peake Bay segmentation scheme (Figure 3). servation and Recreation has been signed.
All four sites are natural areas that have re- SWEET HALL MARSH occupies a broad
ceived little disturbance by humans. They are meander of the Pamunkey River, a tributary
sites of active research, some educational ac- to the York River and one of the most pris-
tivides, and site-specific traditional activities tine rivers on the East Coast. It consists of an
such as hunting, fishing, crabbing, hiking, and extensive tidal freshwater marsh with adja-
recreational boating. cent non-tidal bottornland forest on the main-
The GOODWIN ISLANDS site consists of land side and shallow flats on the seaward
an archipelago of marsh islands surrounded side. This combination of ecosystem types is
by submerged vegetation beds, oyster reefs representative of tidal freshwater conditions
and shallow open estuarine waters. The larg- (0-0.5 ppt) within the upper reaches of the
est island is forested. Located at the mouth York River system. The property is privately
of the York River within the MoIjack owned and management agreements between
embayment of the western shore, the the owners and VIMS have been signed.
Goodwin Islands represent polylialine salin- Complementary programs of research and
ity conditions (16-22 parts per thousand). The education will be developed to make best use
property has been donated by the Endow- of the characteristics particular to each site

concomitant with protecting the sites from ashore. The islands can be seen from the
human impact. For example, because Taski- mainland along state routes 629, 656 and 622.
nas Creek is an area of ongoing environmen- There are no boat-launching facilities on any
tal education, is easily accessible, is located of those roads.
close to populated areas of moderate but Nearby residential and urban centers in-
growing density, and has facilities and im- clude Newport News (7 mi/11.2 km),
provements to accommodate increased edu- Poquoson (10 mi/I 1.6 km), Gloucester Point
cational use, it will be the focus of the (12 mi/19.2 km), Williamsburg (13 mi/20.8
System's public education programs. Catlett km), Hampton (16 mi/24 km), and Norfolk
Islands and Sweet Hall Marsh, on the other (21 mi/33.6 km).
hand, are areas of ongoing baseline research,
which requires undisturbed conditions. The CATTETT ISLANDS The Catlett Islands
sites are pristine, relatively inaccessible, and are located approximately 19 nmi upstream
remote from industrial and urban centers, from the York River mouth and about 32 nmi
which makes them ideal for continued -use in downstream from West Point. The islands are
environmental characterization and monitor- offshore of Timberneck Farm between Tim-
ing studies. The Goodwin Islands are also an berneck and Cedarbush creeks on the north
area of ongoing research and education but shore of the York River (Figure 5). They are
are located near moderately densely popu- separated from the farm by tidal wetlands
lated areas and tourist attractions. Access to and creeks. Timberneck Farm is one of the
the site is possible only by water, and some largest working family farms and remaining
sections of the largest island show signs of King's Grant parcels on the York River in
human disturbance. Use of the Goodwin Is- Gloucester County. The islands are named
lands will be kept at current levels of research for the Catlett family, which has owned
and education while studies are conducted Timberneck Farm since 1793. Nearby resi-
on possible visitor impacts and the need for dential and urban centers include Gloucester
restoration. Point (9 mi/14.4 km), Gloucester (10 mi/16
The Chesapeake Bay National Estuarine Re- km), Mathews (23 mi/36.8 km), Newport
search Reserve System in Virginia will be man- News (23 mi/36.8 km), and West Point (26
aged to achieve National Estuarine Research mi/41.6 km).
Reserve objectives. Each component will have The Catlett Islands are accessible prima-
its own program to meet individual research, rily by boat. They are located approximately
education and general use needs. All of the 5 nautical miles from VIMS. There are two
programs will be coordinated by VIMS. piers on the islands; one is unusable and the
other one is reserved for private (hunting)
SITE LOCATIONS AND ACCESS use. Other permitted visitors must moor their
GOODWIN ISLANDS The Good-Ain Is- boats and wade ashore. The islands can be
lands are located near the mouth of the York reached only on a flooding tide. Visitors are
River at the northeastern tip of york County advised to leave before low tide, lest they be-
(Figure 4). They are separated from the main- come stranded by the ebbing tide.
land on the west by the Sand Box Thorofare, By land, there is limited entry through
which varies in width from 1/8 to 1/2 nmi. Timberneck Farm, and the landowners' per-
The islands are bounded on the north by the mission is required. The farm road is used by
York River and on the east and south by the farm vehicles, and the only areas suitable for
Chesapeake Bay. They are located approxi- parking are narrow filter strips alongside cul-
mately 12 nmi from VIMS and a public boat tivated fields and pasture. To reach the is-
ramp under the Coleman Bridge. lands, one must walk between crop rows in
The Goodwin Islands are accessible only cultivated fields, through dense forest, and
by boat. There are no piers on the islands across tidal marshes and creeks that are only
and visitors must moor their boats and wade navigable with hip boots at low tide.

Figure 4
GOODWIN ISLANDS
Poquoson West, Va. 7.5-minute series (topographic)

- - ----- ------
44

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-AT pe ...............
lot ......
...... ............... ............
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.... . ......
............
............................
........ ......... ... ......... ..............
.... ... ......... ... .......... .............
...........
........... ......

. ... ......
...............
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.............................. .......
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..............................
10 ..........................
4D
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............
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...............
-4f . N
=n I .
Point
oLight o Light
7-

oLight
a /&Inter

FIResearch Core Area
ElBuffer Area

Figure 5
CATLETT ISLANDS
Clay Bank, Va. 7.5-minute series (topographic)

31? 32

30
4,

633

635,

Providence
Rosewell
0
20 M arde..

Oliver
Landing J5

V '%1z.

ce r

C',

an4i x

L Green Point 2

...............
.............. ..
ft

..................

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CarTin,

FIResearch Core Area
ElBuffer Area
ElExcluded from CBNIERRS-VA

TA,@KINAS CREEK Taskinas Creek is lo- THE NATURAL
cated on the south shore of the York River in
James City County about 24 nmi upstream ENVIRONMENT
from the river mouth, 12 nmi upstream from
VIMS, and 8 nmi downstream of West Point HYDROLOGY AND CLIMATE
(Figure 6). The creek has its source near the GOODWIN ISLANDS Circulation patterns
small town of Croaker, located 6 mi north of around the Goodwin Islands are strongly in-
Williamsburg. The creek flows in northeast, fluenced by the discharge of the York River
covering a distance of about 3 nmi. Much of and the wind patterns in Mobjack Bay and
its watershed is located within York River State the Chesapeake Bay. Salinities are similar to
Park. those of adjacent Bay waters (16-22 ppt), and
Taskinas Creek can be reached from Inter- nearshore waters are shallow and clear
state 64 by taking Exit 231B (Croaker Exit) enough to permit light penetration for sub-
to Route 607. On Route 607, one turns right merged aquatic vegetation growth. Surface
on Route 606 and follows signs to the en- water temperatures range from 5.6*C to
trance of York River State Park. The park is 26.8*C (Brooks, 1983). Water quality is cat-
located near greater Richmond (39 mi/62.4
km), Hampton-Newport News (30 mi/48 egonzed as fair, although in general it is in
km), and the rural counties of New Kent, better condition than that of the other major
Charles City, King William, King and Queen, western shore tributaries (Spells and Frazer,
Mathews and Gloucester. 1984). No known water toxicity problems ex-
ist in this stretch of the York River system
SWEET HALL MARSH Sweet Hall Marsh (EPA, 1983a), but some areas are moderately
is located on the Pamunkey River in King enriched due to nutrients (EPA, 1983b). The
William County (Figure 7). The Pamunkey Goodwin Islands are located in an area of
River converges with the Mattaponi River at particular concern for low dissolved oxygen
West Point to form the York River. Sweet Hall levels; however, these conditions are attrib-
Marsh encompasses one of eight major uted to natural consequences of thermal and
marshes and swamps created by meanders of salinity stratification rather than to pollution
the Pamunkey River above White House. It is (Hyer, 1977). Seasonal ranges for dissolved
located approximately 45 nmi from the oxygen are 1.8-12.0 mg/1 (Brooks, 1983).
mouth of the York River and 19 nmi upstream CATLETT ISLANDS The hydrology of
from West Point. By water, Sweet Hall Marsh the lower estuarine reaches of the York River
is approximately 34 nmi from VIMS. By land, system is strongly influenced by tides. VIMS
it is about 7 mi/I 1.2 km from West Point, 34
mi/54.4 km from Williamsburg, 45 mi/72 km Slack Water Station No. 19.21 is located di-
from Gloucester Point, and 47 mi/75.2 km rectly offshore of the Catlett Islands, and data
from Richmond. recorded there from 1970 to 1980 are used
Access to Sweet Hall Marsh is possible only to characterize hydrologic conditions in the
by water. Tacoma Hunting and Fishing Club vicinity (Brooks, 1983). Surface water tem-
maintains a private road, a boathouse and a perature ranges from 5.4*C to 27.4'C, and
clubhouse on the uplands above Sweet Hall dissolved oxygen concentrations range from
Marsh. The club allows VIMS to keep a stor- 4.2 to 14.0 mg/1 (Brooks, 1983). Salinities
age trailer on site and to use an unimproved range from 14 to 18 ppt in the fall and from
ramp adjacent to the boathouse for launch- 8.2 to 12 ppt in the spring, indicative of
ing Jonboats and canoes. Research vessels mesohaline conditions. The salinity gradient
moor in the thoroughfare. tends to be cross-stream rather than vertical,
resulting in a westerly net advective flow of
water along the northern shore of the lower
York River in front of the Catlett Islands and
an easterly net flow along the southern shore.

Figure 6
TASKINAS CREEK
Gressitt, Va 7 5-mmute series (topographic)

Orobliler

11J. L

IOU"
tilt Creek

U@O

\M1

6 -

S
Vv@
Z-

607

M
f, c@

Mi W

rY
AEC

cdlt

Research Core Area

Buffer Area

Figure 7
SWEET HALL MARSH
New Kent, Va. 7.5-minute series (topographic)

00 29

Ha I
HII t

SwemL.
,@'Ce
Halt L
-- ---------
---------------

. . . . . . . . ..
. . . . . . . . ..

w e e t

0----

----------- T-

The York River channel hes approximately Condemnation of shellfish growing areas
one nautical mile off the Catlett Islands. Wa- is a water quality issue around the Catlett Is-
ter depths in the channel range froni 30 feet lands, but conditions are improving. Water
to 60 feet. The channel is used by large naval samples, collected in Timberneck and
ships in transit to and from Cheatham An- Cedarbush creeks by the Virginia Bureau of
nex and Camp Peary, tugboats with barges in Shellfish Sanitation, often have been rated
transit to and from West Point, commercial unsatisfactory because of fecal coliforin bac-
fishing boats, sportfishing boats, research ves- terial contamination, primarily from deficient
sels, the U.S. Coast Guard, and the Virginia residential septic systems, and shellfish beds
Marine Resources Commission marine patrol. were closed to harvest. Through the coordi-
The York River is fairly wide at the Catlett nated efforts of the Shellfish Enhancement
Islands. Fetches are 20 miles from the nor& Task Force and through stepped-up enforce-
west; 4 miles from the west; 2 miles from the ment efforts by the State Health Department,
southwest; and 2.5 miles fr6in the south. The some areas in Timberneck and Cedarbush
only storms and winds to directly attack the creeks have been reopened as residential sani-
Catlett Islands shoreline are those from the tation system violations have been corrected
northwest through the southeast during fall, (COE, 1987).
winter and early spring. Summer regional
winds generate wave activity that also attacks TASKINAS CREEK The mouth of Taski-
the shoreline, although with less force nas Creek is located midway between the Vir-
(Anderson et al., 1976). ginia Institute of Marine Science slack water
The lower York River shoreline is incised stations 36.95 and 47.62 (Brooks, 1983) and
by small tidal creeks. Of these, Timberneck almost directly onshore of a Chesapeake Bay
Creek flows into the York River on the east- Program water quality and benthic sampling
ern side of the Catlett Islands and Cedarbush station (COE, 1987). Data from these sam-
Creek enters the river on the western side. pling stations are used to characterize the
Timberneck Creek is approximately 4.1 miles hydrology and water quality of the transition
long and drains 3.83 square miles, and zone of the York River.
Cedarbush Creek is 3.7 miles long and drains The fetch across the river from the north-
2.57 square miles (Finkelstein and Hardaway, east is 1.5 to 2 nnii: Fetches from the north
1980). Poplar Creek, another small creek, bi- and east exceed 3 nmi. The York River chan-
sects the Catlett Islands into eastern and west- nel is used for the shipping of pulpwood and
ern lobes. Meanders from the creeks extend pulpwood products to and from West Point.
into the marshes between the ridges of the Water temperature data for 1970-1981 show
islands. a seasonal pattern that follows the air tem-
Overall, water quality conditions are good perature pattern through the year. Average
in the lower York River (EPA, 1983). A. Chesa- minimum winter surface water temperatures
peake Bay Program water quality monitoring are between 3*C and 6'C. Water tempera-
station is located off the Catlett Islands. Re- tures increase from 10*C to 19'C through
cent data (1985) suggest that non-point the spring, reaching maximum temperatures
sources are the major contributors of nitro- around 26*C in August. Water temperatures
gen and that point sources are the major con- decline throughout the fall (Brooks, 1983).
tributors to phosphorus in the lower York Salt water intrudes from the Chesapeake
(COE, 1987); however, there are no point Bay beyond Taskinas Creek to the region
dischargers near the Catlett Islands. Increased around West Point. Salinities near Taskinas
runoff, associated with groundcover removal Creek from 1970 to 1980 ranged from 9 to
and chemical contamination from lawn, gar- 13 ppt in late summer, fall, and winter and
den and farm fertilizer, and pesticide use are from 3 to 7 ppt in spring and early summer
implicati--d in water quality problems in Glou- (Haven et al., 1981; Brooks, 1983). Both
cester County (Anderson et al., 1976). ranges indicate transitional conditions and

reflect seasonal freshwater input. Salinities The Pamunkey River at Sweet Hall Marsh
within Taskinas Creek range from river sa- is narrow, averaging 1,400 feet in width, but
linities at the creek mouth to almost 0 ppt in at least 12 feet deep (Figure 8). The pre-
the non-tidal headwaters. dominant wind fetch at Sweet Hall Landing
Water quality in the transitional zone of is from the south and covers a distance of 1.5
the York River is satisfactory. Ammonium con- miles. Exposure to wind-generated waves is
centrations and nitrite/nitrate concentrations small due to the narrow width and meander-
are low year-round due to dilution by high- ing nature of the river.
salinity Chesapeake Bay water, which is typi- Mean tidal range in the Pamunkey River
cally low in these constituents. Organic nitro- gradually increases from West Point to Sweet
gen concentrations are high with a maximum Hall Marsh due to basin morphology. At Sweet
in the spring. Orthophosphate concentrations Hall, the range is 90 cm (NOAA, 1987), and
are low in the spring and elevated in the fall, much of the marsh is flooded at high tide.
while particulate phosphorus varies season- Flood hazard to the fastlands is low and non-
ally, usually in conjunction with high stream critical, primarily because of the marsh, which
flows. Silica concentrations decrease from absorbs flood waters and reduces flood peaks.
West Point to the mouth of the York River The marsh is bisected by a thoroughfare and
due to estuarine dilution (Virginia Water Con- incised by several meandering tidal creeks.
trol Board, 1989). Average quarterly water temperatures at
Dissolved oxygen levels range from good Sweet Hall Marsh are YC in winter, 20.5*C
to poor (Sturm and Neilson, 1977). Fecal coli- in spring, 26*C in summer, and 13*C in fall.
form bacteria levels are sufficiently high to The greatest rate of temperature change oc-
force condemnation of shellfish beds in Taski- curs during the spring quarter; autumn tem-
nas Creek (State Water Control Board, 1980). peratures decrease more gradually.
Heavy metal concentrations are considerably The Pamunkey and Mattaponi rivers are
greater than natural pristine levels in the up- the most pristine rivers on the East Coast.
per York River above Taskinas Creek; how- Unlike other Virginia rivers, the Pamunkey
ever, concentrations of copper, cadmium and and Mattaponi do not have major urban or
zinc in the tissues of oysters of the upper industrial developments at the fall line. Pres-
York River in the vicinity of Taskinas Creek sure is mounting, however, for major residen-
are consistent with metal concentrations in tial/commercial developments and water di-
oysters sampled elsewhere within the Chesa- version projects involving these river basins.
peake Bay (Huggett, 1977). The tidal freshwater portion of the Pam-
The York River is impacted by point-source unkey River contains moderate levels of nu-
discharges at West Point from Chesapeake trients. Trend analysis indicates that the ni-
Corporation (a large producer of pulp, pa- trogen compound levels are increasing (EPA,
per, and paperboard), a wood veneer plant, 1983). Dissolved oxygen levels range from 4.0
and a grain and fertilizer business. No other to 12.4 mg/l, with the lowest levels exhibited
towns or large industrial facilities are located in the summer. Heavy metal concentrations
in the transitional zone of the river, although in sediments in the lower Pamunkey River
residential development is increasing. and upper York River are considerably greater
than natural pristine levels (EPA, 1983). The
SWEET HALL MARSH The Pamunkey source of the metal contamination is believed
River is oligohaline from its mouth to the to be abandoned pyrite mines on Contrary
eastern side of Sweet Hall Marsh and is tidal Creek (RJ. Huggett, VIMS, pers. comm.). At
fresh from this point to the head of the tidal West Point, water quality in the Pamunkey
bore. A 20-year salinity record for the Pam- River is impacted by point-source discharges
unkey River shows a range of 0.0 to 5.0 ppt from a kraft paper mill and a veneer plant.
with an average of 0.5 ppt at Sweet Hall Marsh
(Brooks, 1983).

Figure 8
SWEET HALL MARSH
NOAA Nautical Chart 12243, Pamunkey and Mattaponi Rivers

6
r
\,j r

16
29 '215 22
.. ...........................
47 20 .... ......

60.:
sweet Hall
8:
17
16 2

30 33 woot Rmll:[@nding ...... 22
24 13--@t ..15 ........ 2.2. 50 Hill Marsh
. ........ .... .......
9
OYHO. PWR. CAB. 23'...
AUTH. CL. 90 FT.
m
4
3
5
24
15'1 7'
3
29".
21 15::::::
saic Marsh 5'-'.,.
Sweet Hall
Marsh
19
22 1
---- ------ @\
---------- 23
Coussic Landind :
35
f7

28
. ...........
16
3 25.
..56
15 [email protected]
Piling
//Z N ...40 29
2
6 43 1@ 18
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23 10 Lee
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.0

'%'-'Tjvr.OLOGY AND SOILS described for Poquoson (Gray, 1985),
GOODWIN ISLANDS The geomorphol- Plumtree Island (Johnson, 1972), and the
ogy of the Goodwin Islands consists of aridge- Goodwin Islands (Leonard, 1986) and for
and-swale topography that developed from a various locations on the Eastern Shore of the
series of beach ridges deposited during a late Chesapeake Bay (Mixo, 1985). Sea level
Pleistocene regression of the sea (Leonard ' change is the most frequently cited explana-
1986). Beach ridges are sandy and gravelly tion for the evolution of ridge-and-swale sys-
features that may develop during storms or tems. Current theory suggests that the ridges
during continuous spring-tide high waters. result from the deposition of beach ridges
The stratigraphic sequence of sediments en- parallel to the shore, marking successively
countered on the Goodwin Islands is lower stands of sea level as the shoreline re-
Yorktown Formation (Pliocene), Tabb (Pleis- ceded about 65,000 years ago during the late
tocene), Poquoson (Pleistocene), and Holo- Pleistocene glaciation (Leonard, 1986; Finkel-
cene. Vegetation patterns reflect the topog- stein and Hardaway, 1988). Following the dep-
raphy, with forests on the ridges and marshes osition of sediments, the area became emer-
in the swales. gent and covered by vegetation. When the
The shape and relief of the islands are be- last glaciation period came to an end, sea
ing modified by natural and human-induced level began to rise. In the past 5,000 years,
processes. The Goodwin Islands complex is the rise in sea level has flooded the low-lying
eroding along its northern (York River) shore swales between the Catlett Islands and, more
and prograding bayward (into the Chesa- recently, altered the configuration of the is-
peake Bay). The deposition of dredge mate- lands through erosion.
rial in 1951-1952 has acted to increase the The complex arrangement of soils on the
mass of the main island. Erosional patterns Catlett Islands is presented in Figure 10 and
around the perimeter of the islands, however, described in Table 2. The westernmost por-
show a net loss of mass. Approximately 104 don of the soil complex is dominated by
acres of marsh were lost between 1854 and Sulfaquents which are poorly drained, almost
1954 (Anderson et al., 1975), and islands to level (at an elevation slightly higher than sea
the southeast have been submerged in the level), and flooded daily by tidal water. The
past 400 years (Leonard, 1986). higher ridges are dominated by the Ochra-
In general, the predominant soil types on quults-Haplaquepts complex, which is almost
the Goodwin Islands may be classified as level and poorly drained and consists of a
TomotleyAltavista-Dragston. This soil associa- fine grayish-brown sandy loam. Surface run-
tion is described as being deep, poorly Off is slow and the surface layer and subsoil
drained to moderately well drained to some- are extremely acidic. A seasonal water table
what poorly drained soils that dominantly is found at the surface and to a depth of 12
have a loamy subsoil and are almost level (Fig- inches in winter and spring and to a depth
ure 9 and Table 1). of 30 inches throughout the remainder of
the year. The easternmost portion of the soil
CATLETT ISLANDS The lower York River complex is dominated by large areas of Eu-
shoreline above Gloucester Point is oriented nola fine sandy loam which is almost level
northwest-to-southeast. The Catlett Islands lie and moderately well drained. Surface runoff
in a stretch of the lower York River character- is slow and soils are acidic. The water table is
ized by moderately low to low fastland and found at a depth of 18-30 inches in winter
shorelines with extensive, fringed or embayed and spring. Fluvaquents, which are saline and
marshes (Anderson et al., 1976). found along creeks, and Lumbee, which is
The geomorphology of the Catlett Islands an almost-level, poorly drained, acidic sandy
is one of ridge-and-swale topography (Finkel- loam, are found. throughout the area.
stein and Hardaway, 1988). This topography Sea level rise and waves generated by local
is analogous to the ridge-and-swale systems winds are the dominant agents of erosion in

k igure 9
GOODWIN ISLANDS SOILS MAP

24
3
24,

13
36 13

Table I
GOODWIN ISLANDS SOILS
Soil Unit Soil Type Desc7iption
3 Axis very fine loam This soil is very poorly drained and is on sandy loam tidal
marshes. The permeability is moderate and the available
water capacity is high. Surface runoff is very slow for this soil
type, the organic content is high, and the natural fertility is
medium.

13 Dragston sandy loam This soil type is deep, nearly level, and somewhat poorly
drained. The permeability is moderately rapid and the
available water capacity is low. Surface runoff is slow and the
erosion hazard is slight. The soil is low in organic matter
content and low in natural fertility. The subsoil has low
shrink-swell potential. A high water table is between the
surface and a depth of 1-2.5 & in winter and spring.

24 Nimmo fine sandy loam This soil is deep, nearly level, and poorly drained. Permeabil-
ity is moderate in die upper layers of the soil and moderately
rapid in the substratum. Available water capacity is moderate
and surface runoff is slow. The erosion hazard is slight. The
soil is moderate in organic matter content and low in natural
fertility. The subsoil has low shrink-swell potential. A high
water table is between the surface and a depth of 0.5 ft. in
winter and spring.

33 Tomodey fine sandy loam This soil is deep, nearly level and poorly sandy loam drained.
The permeability is moderate to moderately slow and the
available water capacity is moderate. Surface runoff is slow.
The erosion hazard is slight and the subsoil has a low shrink-
swell potential. The soil is low in organic matter content and
natural fertility.

35 Udorthents, loamy This unit consists of deep, well drained. The permeability
ranges from moderately rapid to slow. The available water
capacity ranges from low to high, depending on the texture
and gravel content of the material. Surface runoff ranges
from very slow to rapid. The erosion hazard ranges from
slight to severe.

the lower York River. The magnitude of shore- the past 100 years. At the same time, the York
line erosion in the vicinity of the Catlett Is- River shore in Gloucester County lost 442
lands is moderate to severe. Historically, the acres. This indicates a loss of approximately
rate of shoreline retreat in the stretch of the four acres per mile of shoreline in the past
York River between Blundering Point and the century. Erosion is especially severe on the
southern extent of the Carmine Islands (in- western end of the Catlett Islands, where it
cluding the Catlett Islands area), has been has claimed several meters of shoreline in
approximately 0.7 feet per year (the maxi- recent years, toppled trees, and undermined
mum rate along the York River in Gloucester the foundation of a summer cottage.
County has been 1.9 feet per year). Based on
a comparison of shoreline positions between TASKINAS CREEK The shoreline along
the 1850s and 1940s and an assessment of the transitional zone of the York River trends
1930s and 1973 aerial photography, Ander- from northwest to southeast. The shoreline
son et al. (1976) estimated that the Catlett is mostly low with some bluffs and somewhat
Islands have lost approximately 56 acres in rugged uplands. Erosion rates range between

Figure 10
CATLETT ISLANDS SOILS MAP

24
2 7C@, 3016-
@90
,18
29A
148 145
14B
296 29C
10 16

30 148 14 7C
148 6
24b
Alp
27C@
14B 24B
2 23
I B
5 30
27C 29B
30 21 @21
1.4B,
6
7C 21 14B@
10 '6 q
14B 14B N
21. 6 6
29B
6
21: 21 29A 29A
30 14B
30 148 CD 298 Z

6 0-
2 30 21
10
14B
9 29B 6 6 29.
16 10
30
30 21 17- A 14B
8 2
30
21 8 21 22 16 10
17 8 6 12B 6 11c 29B
30
30
30 6
21 21 10
8 6 16
Green @rj
8 Zll@ 128 3
Point 30 30 8 21 wale
6 0

8 30 water &30
6
30 1@31 2
6 30
8 8
w 30-,30
ro 30

Table 2
CATLETT ISLANDS SOILS
Soil Unit Soil Type Desc7iption
1B Alaga loamy sand, This soil is nearly level or gently sloping, It is well drained
0- to 4-percent slopes and somewhat excessively drained. It is found on broad flats
and terraces at an elevation of less than 50 ft. Permeability is
rapid and available water capacity is low. Surface runoff is
slow and erosion hazard is slight.

6 Eunola fine sandy loam This soil is nearly level and moderately well drained. It is on
broad flats throughout the county. Permeability is moderate
and available water capacity is moderate. Surface runoff is
slow and the erosion hazard is slight. The soil has a seasonal
high water table at a depth of 1.5-2.5 ft. during winter and
early spring.

8 fluvaquents, saline These soils are nearly level and poorly drained. They are
along the lower courses of small streams next to areas of
saltwater and are frequently flooded by very high tides.
Permeability is moderately slow to slow and available water
capacity is moderate. Surface runoff is very slow. The water
table is at a depth of I ft. year-round.

9D Hapludults, steep These soils are moderately steep to steep and are well drained
or moderately well drained. They are in long and winding
areas on side slopes of streams. Seeps and springs are com-
mon at the lower edges of the slopes. The permeability is
moderate to slow and available water capacity is moderate.
Surface runoff is rapid, erosion hazard is very severe, and
there is a moderate shrink-swell potential.

10 Johns sandy loam This soil is nearly level and moderately well drained. The
permeability is moderate and available water capacity is
moderate. Surface runoff is slow, erosion hazard is slight and
the water table is at 1.5 to 3 ft- during the winter and early
spring.

11 Johns variant loamy sand This soil is nearly level and moderately well drained. It is on
broad flats at elevations of less than 20 ft. The permeability is
moderately rapid and available water capacity is low. Surface
runoff is slow and erosion hazard is slight. A seasonal water
table is at a depth of 1-2 ft. during winter and early spring.

12B Kalmia. sandy loam, This soil is nearly level and gently sloping. It is well drained
0- to 4-percent slopes and found on long, narrow areas at an elevation of less than
20 ft. The permeability is moderate, and available water
capacity is moderate. Surface runoff is medium, and erosion
hazard is slight.

14B Kenansville loamy fine sand, This soil is nearly level, gently sloping, and well and well
0- to 4-percent slopes drained. The permeability is moderately rapid, available
water capacity is low, and surface runoff is slow. Threat of
erosion is slight, but soil blowing is a hazard in unprotected
areas.

16 Lumbee sandy loam This soil is nearly level and poorly drained. The permeability
is moderate, available water capacity is low, and surface
runoff is very slow. The erosion threat is slight. A seasonal
water table is between the surface and a depth of I ft. during
winter and early spring.

Table 2, continued
CATLETT ISLANDS SOILS
Soil Unit Soil Type Deseyiption
17 Lumbee variant sandy loam It is nearly level, poorly drained, and found on broad flats at
elevations less than 10 ft. The permeability is moderately
rapid, available water capacity is low, and surface runoff is
vcry slow, Erosion threat is slight. There is a seasonal water
table between the surface and a depth of I foot during winter
and early spring.

21 Ochraquults-Haplaquepts This complex consists of nearly level, poorly drained, and
complex somewhat poorly drained soils that are so intermingled that it
is not practical to map them separately. 'Me complex is
usually found at an elevation of more than 20 ft. The com-
plex is about 60-percent Ochraquults, 30-percent
Haplaquepts, and 10-percent other soils. The overall perme-
ability is moderate to slow, surface runoff is very slow, and the
erosion hazard is slight. A seasonal water table is between the
surface and a depth of I ft. during winter and spring and is
mainly at a depth of 3040 in. for the rest of die year.

23 Oiser loamy fine sand This soil is nearly level and poorly drained. It is in long,
narrow areas at the base of escarpments and near areas of
water. The permeability is rapid, and available water capacity
is low. Surface runoff is very slow and erosion hazard is slight.
A seasonal water table is between the surface and a depth of
I ft. during winter ana spring.

24B Pactolus loamy loamy sand, This soil is nearly level and very gently sloping and is moder-
0- to 4-percent slopes ately well drained. It is on terraces at an elevation of less than
50 ft. The permeability is rapid, available water capacity is
low, and surface runoff is slow. The erosion hazard is slight,
but soil blowing is a moderate hazard in unprotected areas. A
seasonal high water table is at a depth of 1.5-2.5 ft. during
winter and early spring.

25 Pamlico and Portsmouth soils This unit consists of nearly level, very poorly drained soils in
depressional areas. The two types of soils are mapped to-
gether because they have no major differences in use and
management. The permeability of the soils is moderate,
available water capacity is low, surface runoff is very slow, and
water is ponded on the surface in some areas. The soils have
a seasonal water table between the surface and a depth of I &
from winter to early summer and at a depth of 2-3 ft. for the
rest of the year.

27C PsammentsHapludults This complex consists of sloping, well-drained and moderate-
complex ly well-drained soils that are so intermingled that it is not
practical to map them separately. The complex is in long,
narrow areas along drainageways and streams. Psamments
make up about 50 percent of the complex, Hapludults about
40 percent, and other soils about 10 percent. The overall
permeability of the major soils of this complex is moderately
slow to rapid, and available water capacity is low to moderate.
Surface runoff is medium to rapid. The erosion hazard is

severe. The soil has a low to moderate shrink-swell potential.
Table 2, continued
CATLETT ISLANDS SOILS
Soil Unit Soil Type Descyiption
27D Psamments-Hapludults This complex is moderately steep to steep, well drained and
complex, steep moderately well drained. It is comprised of about 60 percent
Psamments, 40 percent other soils. The permeability of the
major soils is moderately slow to rapid, and available water
capacity is low to moderate. Surface runoff is rapid. The
erosion is very severe. The underlying layers have a low to
moderate shrink-swell potential.

29A Suffolk fine sandy loam, This soil is nearly level and well drained. It is on broad flats at
0- to 2-percent slopes an elevation of more than 20 ft. The permeability is mod-
erate, and available water capacity is moderate. Surface
runoff is slow. The erosion hazard is slight.

29B Suffolk fine sandy loam, This soil is gently sloping and well drained. It usually is found
2- to 6-percent slopes in broad areas at an elevation of more than 20 ft. The slope's
permeability is moderate, available water capacity is moder-
ate, and surface runoff is medium. The erosion hazard is
moderate.

29C Suffolk fine sandy loam This soil is sloping and well drained. It is in long, narrow
areas on escarpments througout the county. The permeabil-
ity is moderate, and available water capacity is moderate.
Surface runoff is medium to rapid. The erosion hazard is
severe.

30 Sulfaquents, frequently flooded These soils are nearly level and are poorly drained and very
poorly drained. They are flooded mainly along areas of salt-
water at an elevation slightly above sea level and are flooded
daily by tidal water.

1 - 1 and 2.0 feet per year (Hobbs et al., 1975). The geologic units exposed at the surface
The shoreline is mostly composed of marshes in the Taskinas Creek watershed include the
grading into swamps. Eastover and Yorktown of the Chesapeake
The stratigraphic sequence near Taskinas Group (Figure 11). The Eastover and York-
Creek is composed of the Potomac Group town are layers of fossiliferous marine or tidal-
(Cretaceous), Pamunkey Group (Paleocene, flat sands and silts formed on a marine shelf
Eocene and Oligocene), Chesapeake Group that crops out in deep valleys of Taskinas
(Nfiocene and Pliocene), and Pleistocene and Creek. The Eastover Formation runs along
Holocene sediments. These deposits consist the marsh boundary and is composed of
of clay, silt, sand and gravel with variable quartzose, calcite and aragonite, micas, py-
amounts of shell material. The coastal plain rite, glauconite, selenite, and heavy minerals
is underlain -by sedimentary deposits, thin, in small amounts. The Yorktown Formation
unconsolidated sediments, and hard rock crops out in valleys and is exposed in bluffs
called "basement" (Berquist, in prep.). The along the York River. In steep areas, normal
Cretaceous sediments are mainly continental downslope wasting is occasionally accelerated
in origin and alternate sand and clay layers. by storms or flooding, exposing the forma-
These alternating depositional sequences are tion. The Bacons Castle, the dominant geo-
attributed to fluvial-deltaic processes. Tertiary logic type at Taskinas Creek, comprises inter-
sediments of marine origin overlie the Creta- tidal and marine silt, sand, and clay overlying
ceous deposits, and a thin layer of Pleisto- a thin, pebbly, coarse sand. This unit is iron-
cene sediments is found at the surface. stained and locally cemented by iron and

Figure 11
TASKINAS CREEK PRELIMINARY GEOLOGIC MAP

I L

a s
eel,

tv.

ej.

manganese nodules. The Shirley Formation by groundwater withdrawals by the papermak-
is found along the upland ridges adjacent to ing industry (Weigmann and Kroehler, 1988).
the York River and is composed of quartz, Overall, relative sea level rise at Sweet Hall
sandstone, granite, gneiss and schist. Peat lay- Marsh is between 3.5 and 4.5 mm per year.
ers exist in thin beds within the sands and The geology of Sweet Hall Marsh is part of
clays. the fluvial. depositional system of the Coastal
The Holocene deposits in the region cori- Plain of Virginia and is that of a "young"
sist of estuarine, marsh, swamp and alluvial marsh, according to Odum's (1984) descrip-
sediments. Swamp sediments (the peat layer) tion of the developmental stages of tidal fresh-
underlie most of the well-established swamps water marshes. Sweet Hall Marsh is divided
and are characterized by peat or organic-rich into four general geomorphic zones: creek
silt and clay. Marsh sediments are found be- bank, levee, low marsh flat, and high marsh/
neath brackish and freshwater marshes along upland edge (Frey and Basan, 1986). The
Taskinas Creek. Plant deposits are at least 34 creek bank is a wave-cut feature located along
feet thick in some places. Alluvium, or the the edge of the marsh and is the most dy-
fluvial sand layer, crops out along upland namic and tidally influenced region (Reay,
streams and beneath estuarine silts. This grav- 1989). The creekbank grades sharply to a
elly sand was deposited in the channel of levee over an average distance of 8 m. The
streams or along beaches during the Holo- backside of the levee gradually grades into
cene and Late Pleistocene. The soils are ae- an expansive low marsh flat bordered by a
scribed in Figure 12 and Table 3. narrow transition zone. The transition zone
(or high marsh/upland edge) consists of two
SWEET HALL MARSH The tidal fresh- components: a steep eroding sandy bank lev-
water portion of the Pamunkey River is ori- eling into an agricultural field, and a gently
ented east-west and is characterized by large sloping wedand transition to bottomland
sweeping river meanders vegetated by fresh- hardwood forest.
water marshes and forested swamps. The wet- Ledwin (1988) describes sedimentation
lands reduce erosion rates along the Pamun- and its role in Sweet Hall Marsh. Most sedi-
key River shoreline. Any erosion that does ment deposition to the marsh occurs during
occur takes place on the outside of the river the summer as plants trap sediment and slow
bends where there is fastland not protected the water velocity, allowing suspended par-
by wetlands. In times of unusually high water ticles to settle out. When the plants are rap-
associated with floods or storms, the fastlands idly growing, large quantities of nutrients and
in the apex of the river bends are particu- organic matter are deposited to the marsh.
larly susceptible to erosion from flood wa- In winter, ice scour and storm erosion ex-
ters. Elevated lunar tides and enhanced boat port nutrients from the marsh, although this
wake are additional sources of wave energy generally occurs only in the less vegetated
that undercuts and erodes the fastlands. Re- regions of the mars 'h.
duction of natural vegetation on fastlands also Preliminary information on the general soil
increases erosion because it allows a greater parameters at Sweet Hall Marsh is derived
percentage of rainwater to flow over the bank from a preliminary soils map for King Wil-
or cliff face, accelerating slumping and shore- liam County (Figure 13) and a recent study
line retreat (Hobbs et al., 1975a). on subsurface hydrology (Reay, 1989). The
Eustatic sea level rise in the area of Sweet creekbank and low marsh flat are composed
Hall Marsh is 1.5 mm per year. Compound- primarily of a silt-clay mixture of riverine ori-
ing this rise is localized land subsidence at gin. The levee region has a slightly higher
rates of 2 to 3 mm per year. The subsidence percentage of si iIt content, and the high
occurs in a cone of depression centered marsh/upland edge region has a large sand
around West Point and results from the col- component. Water content of soils is highest
lapse of the water-bearing formation caused in the high marsh/upland edge region where

Figure 12
TASKINAS CREEK SOILS MAP

Table 3
TASKINAS CREEK SOILS
Soil Unit Soil Type Desaiption
6 Bohicket muck This soil is deep, nearly level and very poorly drained. It is
found on tidal marshes and is commonly long and winding.
It has a low surface shrink-swell potential. Erosion is moder-
ate and available water capacity is high.

8B Caroline fine sandy loam, This soil is deep and gently sloping. It is found on upland
2- to &-percent slopes ridges and side slopes. It has a low to moderate shrink-swell
potential. Erosion is a moderate hazard, and water capacity is
moderate.

10B Craven fine sandy loam, This soil is deep and gently sloping. It is found on broad
2- to 6-percent slopes upland flats and narrow to broad ridges and side slopes. It
has a low shrink-swell potential. Erosion is a moderate threat
and the water capacity is moderate.

10C Craven fine sandy loam, This soil is deep and strongly sloping. It is found onnarrow
6- to 10-percent to medium upland ridges and side slopes. The shrink-swell
potential is low, erosion is moderate, and water capacity is
moderate.

lic Craven-Uchee complex, This soil is deep, strongly sloping, and so intermingled that it
6- to 10-percent slopes is not possible to map them separately. They are found on
side slopes and narrow ridge tops. 'Me shrink-swell potential
is low to moderate and the soils have a severe erosion hazard.
Water capacity is low to moderate.

12 Dogue loam This soil is deep and nearly level. It is found on narrow ridges
and low-lying terraces. The shrink-swell potential is low to
moderate. Erosion is slight, and water capacity is moderate.

14B Emporia fine sandy loam, This soil is deep and gently sloping and commonly found on
2- to 6-percent slopes medium and broad upland ridges. The shrink-swell potential
is low, erosion is moderate, and water capacity is moderate.

14C Emporia fine sandy loam, This soil is deep and strongly sloping and is found on side
6- to 10-percent slopes slopes and narrow ridges. Shrink-swell potential is low, threat
of erosion is severe, and water capacity is moderate.

15D Emporia complex, This soil complex is composed of deep, moderately steep
10- to 15-percent slopes soils that formed over layers of fossil shells. It is found on side
slopes along rivers, creeks, and drainageways. The shrink-
swell potential is low to moderate. Threat of erosion is severe,
and available water capacity is moderate.

15E Emporia complex, This complex consists of areas of deep, steep Emporia soils
157- to 255-percent slopes and areas of similar soils that have formed over layers of fossil
shells. It is found on side slopes along rivers, creeks, and
drainageways.

15F Emporia complex, This complex is very similar to the previous one, except that
25- to 50-percent slopes it is steeper.
17 Johnston complex This complex consists of areas of nearly level areas ofJohn-
ston soils and areas of similar soils that have formed over
fossil shells. They are on flood plains and along major
drainageways throughout York River State Park. The soil
complex has low potential for shrink-swell. Erosion is a
moderate threat and water capacity is high.

Table 3, continued
TASKINAS CREEK S01M
Soil Unit Soil Type Descyiption
18B Kempsville fine sandy loam, Deep, gently sloping soils found on side slopes and uplands.
2- to 6-percent slopes Shrink-swell potential is low, and erosion threat is moderate.
Water capacity is moderate.

19B Kempsville-Emporia fine sandy This complex is composed of deep, gently sloping soils on
loam, 2- to 6-percent slopes medium to broad upland ridges and side slopes. Shrink-swell
potential is low, threat of erosion is moderate, and the
available water capacity low.

20B Kenansville loamy fine sand, This soil is deep, gently sloping and found on upland ridges.
2- to 6-percent slopes Slopes are smooth, and the shrink-swell potential is low.
Erosion by water is slight and by wind is moderate. Water
capacity is low.

25B Norfolk fine sandy loam, This soil is deep and nearly level. It is found on medium up-
2- to 6-percent slopes land ridges and has a low shrink-swell potential. The water
capacity is moderate, as well as threat of erosion.

29A Slagle fine sandy loam, This soil is deep and nearly level. It is found on upland
0- to 2-percent slopes terraces, broad upland flats and in slight depressions. It has a
low shrink-swell potential, a slight threat of erosion, and a
moderate water capacity.

31B Suffolk fine sandy loam, This soil has a low to moderate shrink-swell potential, slight
2- to 6-percent slopes threat of erosion and moderate available water capacity. This
type of soil is deep and gently sloping and is generally found
on long narrow areas of broad uplands and on side slopes
next to drainageways.

34B Uchee loamy fine sand, This soil is deep, gently sloping and found on upland ridges
2- to 6-percent slopes and side slopes. The shrink-swell potential is low to moder-
ate. Erosion is slight by water and moderate by wind.

the soil is characterized by low bulk densi- ate to severe erosion, as evidenced by exposed
ties, high fiber content, and a high percent- peat substrate, wave cut terraces and overwash
age of organics. The creekbank and levee re- fans. The sand substratum is sparsely to mod-
gions show a pronounced decrease in water erately vegetated by beach grasses and shrubs.
content due to increased riverine clay and Extensive polylialine marshes with both low
silt deposition and decreased organic matter. and high marsh components characterize
The soils are described in Table 4. most of the Goodwin Islands complex. The
tall form of saltmarsh cordgrass (Spartina
BIOLOGY alternfflora) dominates the low marsh flora
Habitats and Vegetative, Communities and covers approximately 205 acres or 70 per-
cent of the emergent marsh area (Silberhorn,
GOODWIN ISIANDS The Goodwin Is- 1981). Common reed grass (Phragmites aust-
lands complex contains a representative as- rahs) has invaded several areas in the marsh,
semblage of marsh-island habitats and associ- replacing native big cordgrass (S. cynosuroides) -
ated biological communities (Figure 14 and The high marsh contains a mosaic of the
Table 5). following plant associations: monospecific
Prominent beach and overwash fan habi-
tat exists on the northern side of the main stands of short-form S. alternij7ora; monospe-
island. This habitat is experiencing moder- cific stands of saltmeadow hay (S. patens); salt
pans vegetated by saltgrass (Distichlis spicata)

Figure 13
SWEET HALL MARSH SOILS MAP

ol !,V

419

S44

rT*

L
ri ;. . . . . . . . . . .

2o"', -*f

7-c-
Axon

g@Q

q471
-ze:

Table 4
SWEET HALL MARSH SOILS
Soil Unit Soil Type Desc7iption
115A Bama soils These soils are fine loamy that formed in loamy marine sediments on
115B uplands in the Coastal Plain. Slope is dominantly 0 to 6 percent but
ranges to 15 percent The soils are well drained and runoff is slow to
medium. The permeability is moderate. The depth of the water table is
more than 6 ft.

11 Conetoe soils These soils are loamy and are on stream terraces and law marine
ten-aces of the Coastal Plain. Slopes range from 0 to 5 percent. These
soils are well drained and the runoff is slow. The permeability is moder-
ately rapid. The water table is deeper than 6 fL.

67A Kempsville soils These soils are fine loamy and were formed in loamy sediments on the
67B upper Coastal Plain. Slopes are dominantly 0 to 6 percent but range to
67C 25 percent. Kempsville soils are found on broad dissected uplands. They
are well drained with a moderate permeability. The runoff is slow to very
rapid. The depth of the water table is below 6 fL.

359A State soils These soils are fine loamy and were formed in loamy fluvial or marine
359B deposits on low Appalachian and Piedmont Plateau stream ten-aces and
359C on the Coastal Plain. Slopes dominantly range from 0 to 10 percenL
The soils are well drained and runoff is slow to medium. The permeabil-
ity is moderate. A seasonal high water table ranges from 4.0 to 6.0 ft
during the wet period of the year.

78A Tetotum soils These soils are fine loamy and were formed in moderately fine textured
78B fluvial stream terrace or lower Coastal Plain sediments. Slopes range
from 0 to 50 percent. They are moderately well drained, and runoff is
slow on nearly level areas and medium to very rapid on steeper areas.
The peirmeability is moderate in the subsoil and moderate to rapid in
the substratum. A seasonal high water table is between 1.5 and 2.5 &
below tlie surface from December through April during most years.

145A Tomodey soils These soils are fine loamy and were formed in loamy marine or fluvial
sediment. These soils are on nearly level flats and slight depression on
terTaces of the Coastal Plain. Slopes range from 0 to 2 percent. These
soils are poorly drained and have a slow runoff. The permeability is
moderate to moderately slow. In undrained areas, the water table is
within 1 ft. of the surface during the seasonal wet periods.

and glasswort (Salicomia t6ginica); and mono- habitat is Estuarine Shrub-Scrub/Forested
specific stands of black needlerush Uuncus Wetlands instead. The dominant shrub is wax
roenterianus). Marsh elder (Iva ftwtescens) is myrtle (Myfica cefifera). Subordinate species
abundant at the marsh/shrub-scrub wetland include black cherry (Prunus serotina),
ecotone. The forested wetland ridges on the groundsel tree (Baccharis halimifolia), marsh
main island are dominated by estuarine elder, red bay (Persea borbont), loblolly pine,
shrub-scrub wetlands (Cowardin et al., 1979) blackberry (Rubus argutus), and poison ivy
with a loblolly pine (Pinus taeda) overstory. (Toxicodendron radicans).
These areas are designated by the National The upland ridge is vegetated by red oak
Wetlands Inventory as Palustrine Forested (Qy--Yms rubra), loblolly pine, cottonwood
Wedand/Shrub-Scrub Saturated Wetlands. (Populus deltoides), and black gum (Nyssa
However, the wetland structure, species com- sylvatica).
position, and tidal influence suggest that the

Figure 14
GOODWIN ISLANDS WETLANDS MAP
Poquoson West, Va. National Wetlands Inventory Map

EZEMPo
2FLN F-ZFLN BOWL
E2EMP
POWZ F-ZFLNr,,,

F-2EMPoe

DESOIR
U-S 7 F-ZFLN 0
EZFLN PP04R

E2 MP
DOWL

Table 5
GOODWIN ISLANDS WETLAND ACREAGE
NNY Code Wetland Type Replicate Area in Acres
E2FLN Estuarine, intertidal, flat, regularly flooded 1 23
2 12
3 19
4 13
5 21
Total 88
E2EMP Estuarine, intertidal, emergent wedand, regularly flooded 1 129
2 7
3 108
4 6
5 26
Total 6
PSSIR Palustrine, scrub-shrub wetland, broad-leaved deciduous, 1 5
seasonally flooded-tidal 2 6
Total 11

U Uplands 1 26
2 3
3 1
4 8
5 20
Total 58
POWZ Palustrine, open water/unknown bottom, intermittently 1 5
exposed/permanently flooded Total 5

PF04R Palustrine, forested, needle-leaved, evergreen, seasonally
flooded-tidal. 1 7
Total 7

PFO/SSIR Palustrine, forested/scrub-shrub, broad-leaved deciduous, 1 29
seasonally flooded-tidal Total 29

ElOWL Estuarine, subtidal, open water/unknown bottom 1 18
Total 18

Grand Total 492

Subaqueous bottoms offshore of the mats and diatoms. They provide habitats for
Goodwin Islands are covered by 300 acres of a variety of shellfish and other invertebrates,
submerged aquatic vegetation dominated by as well as nursery, spawning and foraging hab-
Zostera matina (eelgrass) and Ruppia inafitima itats for many fishes, birds and other animals.
(widgeon grass). These are the only seagrass Onjune 14,1986, a lightningminduced wild-
beds on the south shore of the York River fire broke out on the Goodwin Islands and
near its mouth (Orth et al., 1987), and they burned between 80 and 115 acres of upland
have increased in size in recent years as a forest ' shrub-scrub/forested wetland, and
result of recruitment of seedlings from up- high marsh. The fire destroyed much of the
stream beds and by the rapid growth of the above-ground shrub and herbaceous vegeta-
recruits (Orth et al., 1985). tion in burned areas, charred tree trunks,
Sand flats around the Goodwin Islands are consumed organic soil layers, and exposed
regularly exposed at low tide and are ex- underlying peat layers. Studies to assess the
tremely productive because of benthic algal impact of fire on the Goodwin Islands system

and.its effect on plant recruitment and pri- communities are recognized on the larger
mary production are in progress (Silberhorn, ridges. In cross-section, the ridges are char-
in prep.). acterized by a marsh/shrub wetland ecotone;
a shrub wetland/forested wetland ecotone; a
CATLETT ISLANDS The Catlett Islands ridge terrace; and an interior forested high
complex consists of nine prominent ridges ground. In long section, the size and shape
ranging in size from 8 to 24 acres and 15 of the habitats varies from ridge to ridge. The
smaller ridges ranging in size from 2 to 6 size of ridge (length and width), topography
acres. Broad low-lying swales occur between and elevation profile, exposure to open wa-
the ridges. A variety of coastal habitats are ter (fetch), degree and duration of inunda-
associated with the ridge-and-swale system: tion, susceptibility to overwash, age of stand,
emergent wetlands, forested wetland ham- and distance from parental source appear to
mocks, forested upland hammocks, tidal flats, affect the development of communities within
and tidal creeks (see Figure 15 and Table 6). these habitat zones. The generalized descril>-
Several types of emergent wetland habitat tion of the habitat zones follows.
exist on the Catlett Islands: low marsh habi- The marsh/shrub wedand ecotone is char-
tat inundated twice daily by semi-diurnal tidal acterized by a fringe of marsh elder and
action; high marsh habitat usually inundated groundsel tree. The transition zone from
less than twice daily; and shrub-scrub wet- scrub-shrub wetlands to forested wetlands is
lands habitat irregularly or seasonally flooded. characterized by a sparsely forested overstory
The wetlands communities associated with dominated by young and/or stressed loblolly
these habitats fall into the Brackish Water pine, red cedar (juniperus virginiana), and,
Mixed Community type according to the tidal occasionally, American holly (Rex apaca) and
wedand inventory for the Catlett Islands black cherry. The shrub layer in the transi-
(Moore, 1976). tion zone contains wax myrtle, bayberry
Saltmarsh cordgrass dominates the low (Myyica pennsylvanica), saplings of the pine,
marsh flora and occupies approximately 39 cedar, holly and black cherry, and a variety
percent of the marsh area on the Catlett Is- of vines, including poison ivy, trumpet vine
lands. Saltmarsh cordgrass also grows in the (Gampsis radicans), blackberry, and Japanese
swale habitat, along with saltmeadow hay, honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica). Where hu-
saltgrass, and black needlerush. These latter man activity is evident, the shrubs and vines
three species occupy 11, 19 and 20 percent, are thick. The groundcover of the transition
respectively, of the total marsh area and grow zone is typically an extension of the high
in monotypic stands or in heterogeneous marsh and is dominated by saltmeadow hay
groups. The high marsh is dominated by and/or saltgrass with goldenrod (Solidagv
saltmeadow hay and saltgrass, and the shrub- sempervirens), panic grass (Panicum spp.), gi:-
scrub wetlands contain these same species ant foxtail (Setafia magna), and dog fennel
along with marsh elder and groundsel tree. (Eupatofium capifolium). On the seaward side
A variety of other salt-tolerant marsh plants of ridges exposed to open water with a north-
is found in these marshes. east fetch, trees are frequently uprooted.
All but one of the ridges on the Catlett The ridge terrace is usually dominated in
Islands are classified by the National Wetland the overstory by larger, densely distributed
Inventory as Broad-Leaved Deciduous For- loblolly pine. Red cedar, holly, black cherry,
ested Wetland, seasonally flooded by tidal ac- red maple (Acer rubrum), and persimmon
tion (NWI, 1986). One ridge is classified as (Diospyros %irginiana) grow in the subcanopy
Coastal Upland Forest. and are more numerous and densely distrib-
Several of the large ridges have been ex- uted than on the edge of the ridge. The un-
amined in a preliminary characterization of derstory consists principally of American
wetland and upland forest communities. Dis- holly, and the shrub layer is dominated by
tinct habitat zones and associated vegetative wax myrtle with dense to moderately dense

Figure 15
CATLETT ISLANDS WETLANDS MAP
Clay Bank, Va. National Wetlands Inventory Map

7 PFOIA
E2EMP
PFOIA----"\
EMP E2EMP
P R E2EVP
PF

PFOIE---o
E2EMP PFOIE
SlE2E KOIR PFOI
PFOIR:f 3 Of
G
PFG
PFO

E2FLM R
E2EMP
E2FLNO E2EMP
PFOIR(o

E2EM

E2EMP E2EM

Table 6
CATLETT ISLANDS WETLAND ACREAGE
NVW Code Wetland Type Replicate Area in Acres
Core Area

E2FLN Estuarine, intertidal, flat, regularly flooded 1 17
2 20
Total 37
E2EMP Estuarine, intertidal, emergent wetland, irregularly flooded 1 145
2 47
3 6
4 9
5 1
Total 208
PFOIR Palustrine, forested, broad-leaved deciduous, seasonally 1 9
flooded-tidal 2 5
3 19
4 13
5 9
6 8
7 5
8 5
9 4
10 5
11 6
12 5
13 19
14 2
15 6
16 2
17 3
18 2
19 24
20 9
21 8
22 12
23 2
24 3
25 4
Total 189
U Uplands 1 19
Total 19
Submerged bottoms 1 323
Total 323
Grand Total 776

BuoLerAreq

U Uplands on buffer 1 7
Total 7

Submerged bottoms 1 220
Total 220

Grand Total 227

thickets of poison ivy, trumpet vine, bull briar in 1975. Jones (1975) reported the trees to
(Smilax rotund@fblia), greenbriar (S. bona-nox), be of variable age, mostly of two different
andjapanese honeysuckle. The ground is cov- age groups, 15 to 20 years for the younger
ered with pine needles, and herbaceous pine and 40 to 50 for the older trees. Growth
groundcover is sparse. Saltmeadow hay grows was fair. The report advised the owners to
on the seaward side of the terrace and panic retain the timber stands for future volume
grass grows occasionally on the interior side. growth with a minimum of human activity
The interior high ground of the forested and to protect the timberland from forest
wetlands contains more hardwood species fire.
than the ridge terrace, although species com- The Catlett Islands once supported dense
position and dominance vary from ridge to submerged aquatic seagrass beds. Eelgrass dis-
ridge. Loblolly pine is always present but may appeared in the early 1970s and has not re-
be subordinate to hardwoods in places. Com- turned. A similar pattern has been observed
mon hardwood species include white oak elsewhere in the lower York River (e.g.,
(Quercus alba), black oak (Q velutina), south- around the Mumfort and Carmine Islands
ern red oak (Q falcala), northern red oak and at Clay Bank) (Orth et al., 1987). At-
(Q rubra), laurel oak (Q laufifolia)@, willow tempts to re-establish these important grasses
oak (Q. phellos), tulip poplar (Lifiodendron in historical areas has met with limited suc-
tulipifiera), sourwood (Oxydend7on arboreum), ccss. Survival rates of individual transplants
black gum, sassafras (Sassaftas albidum), planted in Fall 1984 to beds off Gloucester
sweetgurn (Liquidambar styracif7ua), Hercules Point, Mumfort Island, and Clay Bank aver-
club (Aralia spinosa), dogwood (Cornus aged 18.4 percent as of June 1985 (COE,
flwida), red maple, black cherry, persimmon, 1987).
black locust (Robinia pseudo-acacia) and holly.
The understory contains younger trees of the TASKINAS CREEK The shoreline along
canopy species, and the shrub layer is sparse. the transitional zone of the York River is char-
The vines listed for the ridge terrace, as well acterized by fringing marshes along with
as grape (Vitis spp.), morning glory (1pomoea pocket and tidal creek marshes extending
purpurra) and Virginia creeper (Parthmocissus landward into the uplands (Moore, 1980).
quinquefolia), grow in the interior zone; how- The biological characteristics of Taskinas
ever, the interior vine layer is not as thick as Creek typify those of the other creek systems
on the ridge terrace. The forest floor is cov- in the transitional zone of the York River.
ered with pine needles and a sparse herba- Based on vegetative composition, total acre-
ceous groundcover. age, area flooded, ratio of shoreline length
The one upland ridge on the Catlett Is- to marsh acreage, and lack of disturbance,
lands is forested with a mixed pine-hardwood Taskinas Creek is considered to be of pri-
forest. Habitat zonation and community com- mary ecological importance (Marcellus,
position are similar to those on the forested Silberhorn and Dawes, 1973).
wedand ridges. The major difference is the Several different vegetative communities
abundance of hardwood species on the up- exist within the Taskinas Creek watershed:
land ridge. A variety of oaks is found in the six different emergent creek marsh commu-
canopy and understory, including southern nities; forested wetlands; mesic hardwood for-
red oak, northern red oak, white oak and ests of upland ridges and ravines; and fring-
black oak, although loblolly pine dominates ing marshes bordering the York River shore-
in places. Hickories (Carya spp.), black gum, line (Figure 16 and Table 7).
sassafras, sweetgum, and red maple are also The low tidal creek marshes are dominated
part of the subcanopy and understory. by the following wetland communities:
A timberland examination of forested wet- saltmarsh cordgrass at the creek mouth and
land ridges owned by Dean A. Ablowich was downstream stretches, threesquare (Scirpus
prepared by the Virginia Division of Forestry amnicanus and S. olneyi) in the middle marsh

Figure 16
TASKINAS, CREEK WETLANDS W
Gressitt, Va. National Wetlands Inventory Map

E2EMP
E2EMF
00
FOI R E

..E2FLN

E2ENAP

CO,
&\Nzk

E 2 E

)W 50-

59
0 core

112

Table 7
TASKINAS CREEK WETLAND ACREAGE
NWCode Wetland Type Replicate Area in Acres
Core Area

E2EMP Estuarine, intertidal, emergent wedand, 1 83
irregularly flooded Total 83
EIOWL Estuarine, subtidal, open water/unknown bottom 1 1.3
PFOIR Palustrine' 'forested, broad-leaved, deciduous, 1 10
seasonally flooded-tidal 2 12
3 6
4 8
5 13
Total 49
PFOIA Palustrine, forested, broad-leaved deciduous, 1 0.6
temporarily flooded 2 2.6
3 2.2
4 1.7
5 1.6
6 1.1
7 1.2
8 1.7
9 1.8
Total 14.5

PFOIC Palustrine, forested, broad-leaved deciduous, 1 3
seasonally flooded Total 3
E2FLN Estuarine, intertidal, flat, regularly flooded 1 38
Total 38
U Uplands 1 791
Total 791
Grand Total 980
Buffer Area
PFOIA Palustrine, forested, broad-leaved deciduous, 1 1.1
temporarily flooded 2 7
3 1.5
4 2.3
5 1.6
6 1.5
7 2.4
8 2.2
9 2.2
10 2.8
Total 24.6

PFOIC Palustrine, forested, broad-leaved deciduous, 1 20
seasonally flooded 2 3
Total 23
PF01R Palustrine, forested, broad-leaved, deciduous, 1 9
Seasonally flooded-tidal Total 9
POWZ Palustrine, open water/unknown bottom, intermittently 1 7
exposed/permanently flooded Total 7
U Uplands. 1 350
Total 350

Grand Total 413.6

reaches, and freshwater mixed (where no of their dampness from upland and ground-
single species covers more than 50 percent water discharges. There are active beaver
of the site) in the upstream stretches. The ponds in the research core area. They differ
low marshes are regularly flooded at high in age and vegetative composition and repre-
tide. Slightly above the low marsh zone, the sent successive phases of development.
big cordgrass community exists and is flooded Upland forests cover mesic ravine slopes
generally by those tides exceeding mean high and mesic: ridges within the core area. This
water level. Saltmeadow hay and saltbush com- area is rugged and is typical of the terrain
munities occupy the interior of the marsh, found in the transitional zone of the York
above mean high water elevation, and are River. The ravines have a canopy of Ameri-
only flooded by spring tides and storm tides. can beech (Fagus grandifolia), tulip poplar,
Big cordgrass, cattails (Typha latifolia and T sweetgum., chestnut oak (Quffcuspfinus), and
angustifolia), and saltmarsh bulrush (Scirpw northern red oak and an understory of
robustus) border the uplands (Moore, 1980). American holly and mountain laurel (Kalmia
The saltmarsh cordgrass community occu- latifolia). These species are also found on the
pies about 53 percent of the creek wetlands, ridges above the ravines, along with sycamore
while saltmeadow communities occupy 12 per- (Platanus occidentalis), mockernut hickory
cent of the creek marsh area. The threesquare (Carya tommtosa), Virginia pine (Pinus
community covers about seven percent of the virginiana), loblolly pine, red maple, white
marsh and is significant both as a detritus oak, black oak, southern red oak (Q falcata
producer and in food value to wildlife. The var. falcata), sassafras, and princess-tree (Pau-
saltbush community covers nine percent of lownia tommtosa) (Perry, pers. comm.).
the marsh area, and the big cordgrass com- Fringing marshes are found along the York
munity occupies five percent (Marcellus, River shoreline at the mouth of Taskinas
Silberhorn and Dawes, 1973). Creek. The dominant vegetation in these
The freshwater zone of Taskinas Creek pro- marshes is big cordgrass. Between the big
vides the most diverse habitat in the entire cordgrass and the river, there is a narrow
creek marsh. This zone is flooded almost con- stand of saltrnarsh cordgrass. One of the most
tinuously and has a variety of plant species, significant values of this zone is erosion con-
including arrow arum. (Peltandra virginica), trol. Although the shoreline does erode, it
pickerel weed (Pontederia cordata), wild rice does so at a much slower rate than
(Zizania aquatica), narrowleaf cattail (Typha unvegetated shorelines. These fringing
angustifolia), soft stem bulrush (Scirpw marshes also act as a filter to upland runoff
validus), and various species of pondweed. and, thus, protect fish and shellfish spawning
The distribution of plant species in Ereshwa- and nursery areas from sedimentation
ter areas is heterogeneous and changes sea- (Marcellus, Silberhorn and Dawes, 1973).
sonaUy as the different species grow and die.
During the winter, the areas are barren mud SWEET HALL MARSH The Sweet Hall
hammocks with only scattered stalks of vari- Marsh Reserve consists of an extensive tidal
ous species of plants visible (Marcellus, freshwater marsh with adjacent bottomland
Silberhorn and Dawes, 1973). hardwood forest and uplands in agricultural
Forested wetlands (or bottomland hard- fields, a managed pine plantation, and mixed
wood swamps) occupy five percent of the hardwood forests (Figure 17 and Table 8).
Taskinas Creek area within the park bound- Sweet Hall Marsh is one of eight large wet-
aries. These wetlands are characterized by a land complexes between West Point and
mixed hardwood community of red maple, White House. It shows the best development
black gum, green ash (Frmdnus pmnsylvanica), of tidal freshwater marsh communities. Be-
and a variety of oaks and other water-tolerant low Sweet Hall Marsh, the marshes are
tree species. The swamps are flooded by ex- oligohaline, and above it, at Cousiac Marsh,
tremely high tides and generally receive most there is an abrupt transition from freshwater

Figure 17
SWEET HALL MARSH WETLANDS MAP
New Kent, Va. National Wetlands Inventory Map

P@561E
PFOIC
POWZVN PP701C pFOIC
0 "-e@T PEMR
L (0 VAIJ/ h prolp, 0

Q
PPOIP

RIOWV
IF PEMP
RiP-LM

PEMR

DEMP 3
FP'

P1--:oiR
pemP,
RIOW PEMP

pIf:OIR
ppoip

Table 8
SWEET HALL NLARSH WETLAND ACREAGE
AW Code Wetland Type Replicate Area in Acres
Core Area
PEMR Palustrine, emergent wetland, seasonally flooded-tidal 1 918
Total 918
PFOIR Palustrine, forested, broad-vleaved deciduous, seasonally 1 33
flooded-tidal 2 2
Total 35
RIFLN Rivezine, tidal, flat, regularly flooded 1 5
2 10
3 10
4 7
Total 32
RIOWV Riverine, permanently flooded- tidal, open water/ 1 .8
unknown bottom Total 8

PFO/SS1C Palustrine, forested/scrub-shrub, broad-leaved deciduous 1 9
seasonally flooded Total 9
PF01C Palustrine, forested, broad-leaved deciduous, seasonally 1 8
flooded 2 .9
Total 8.9
U Uplands 1 252
Total 252
Grand Total 1,255.7
Buffff Area

PFOIA Palustrine, forested, broad-leaved deciduous, temporarily 1 4
flooded 2 2.6
Total 6.6

Pssic Palustrine, scrub-shrub, broad-leaved deciduous, 1 3
seasonally flooded Total 3

POWZ Palustrine, Open water/unknownbottom, permanently 1 10
flooded/intermittently exposed 2 1
Total 11
U Uplands 1 501

Total 501

Grand Total 521.6

to forested swamp. Above Cousiac Marsh, for- ing and nursery areas. The freshwater marsh
ested wetlands are the dominant wetland type, communities are associated with the geomor-
and marshes are only occasional features phic zones described in the "Geology and
along the margins of swamps and uplands. Soils" section. The dominant species in the
The marsh communities at Sweet Hall creekbank zone are arrow arum, smooth cord-
Marsh are classified as freshwater mixed corn- grass, big cordgrass, smartweeds (Polygonum
munities (Silberhorn and Zacherle, 1987). spp.), rice cutgrass (Lmnia orywides), wild rice,
These communities are highly productive and water hemp (Amaranthus cannabinus), water
provide habitat and forage areas for a variety dock (Rumex verticillatus), Walter's millet
of wildlife and waterfowl, as well as fish spawn- (Echinochloa walten), and marsh milkweed

(Ascleftias incarnata). The levee zone of the The uplands in the buffer area consist of
marsh is dominated by big cordgrass, arrow an agricultural field and mixed hardwood-
arum, Walter's millet, smartweed, sedges pine woodlot immediately adjacent to the
(Carex spp.), rice cutgrass, wild rice, water marsh and a young loblolly pine plantation
dock, reed grass, rushes (Scirpus spp.), cat- behind the bottomland hardwood swamp.
tail, marsh mallow (Kosteletskya virginica), wa-
ter hemp, beggar ticks (Bidens spp.) and panic Fauna
grass (Panicum virgatum). The low marsh in- GOODWIN ISLANDS The waters around
terior is the most productive zone, with all of the Goodwin Islands support both sport and
the previously named species, and is domi- commercial fisheries. Oyster reefs (Crassostrea
nated by arrow arum. Also found here are virginica) and clam beds (Merrenaria
square stem spikerush (Eleocharis quadrangu- merrenafia) are commercially harvested. The
lata), royal fern (Osmunda regalis), pickerel- seagrass beds are scraped for molting blue
weed, marsh aster (Aster vimineus), water- crab (Callinecta sapidus). The dominant fin-
hemlock (Cicuta maculata), and chufa (Cyperus
shigosus). The sensitive jointvetch (Aes chenom- fish species taken by trawl in this area of the
ene viiginica), a candidate for federal. listing lower York River include hogchoker (Trineda
as an endangered species, is found in Sweet maculatus), white perch (Morone ameficana),
Hall Marsh. spot (Leiostomus xanthurus), oyster toadfish
The tidal flats around Sweet Hall Marsh, (Opsanus tau), striped bass (Morone saxatilis),
although not vegetated by vascular plants, are weakfish (Cynoscion regalis), bay anchovy
(Anchoa mitchiffi), and Atlantic croaker
extremely productive biological communities r go
(Mic opo nias undulatus) (Van Engel, 1968;
because of the microscopic algae and diatoms Bender, 1974; Jordan et al., 1972). Croaker,
that grow on the surface of the sediment. menhaden (Brevoortia tyrannus), spot, and
The tidal flats provide habitat for a variety of weakfish comprised 95 percent of the com-
shellfish, crabs, and other invertebrates, and mercial finfish landings between the Coleman
they are also important spawning, nursery, Bridge and the York River mouth (including
or foraging habitats for many fish, birds and Back Creek and Thorofare areas) in 1986 (Vir-
other animals. ginia Marine Resources Commission, 1987).
The dominant canopy species in the bot- The six most impbrtant species caught by
tomland hardwood forest of the research core sportfishermen in the York River from the
area are green ash, black gum, red maple, mouth to Pages Rock from 1955 to 1960 in-
and ironwood (Garpinus carohniana). TI-ie area cluded croaker, spot, summer flounder
also contains sweetgum, sweetbay (Magnolia (Paralichthys dentatus), striped bass, and puffer
virginiana), tulip-tree, mountain laurel, red (Richards, 1962).
cedar, smooth alder (Alnus serrulata) bald- The York River and its tributaries serve as
cypress (Taxodium distichum), arrow wood an important wintering area for migratory
(Viburnum spp.), greenbrier (Smilax spp.), wax waterfowl, including Mallard (Anas platy-
myrtle, and flowering dogwood. Two types of rhynchos), Black Duck (A. rubfipes), Canvas-
herbaceous communities exist as ground- back (Aythya valisineria), Lesser Scaup (A.
cover. A herbaceous community similar to affinis), Canada Goose (Branta canadensis),
that found on the open marsh occupies very Common Goldeneye (Bucephala clangula),
soft muck and is covered with water at high Bufflehead (R albeola), Ruddy Duck (Oxyura
tide. A different herbaceous community domi- jamaicmsis), and Tundra Swan (01or columbi-
nates soft substrate on the solid tussocks of anus) (Settle, pers. comm.).
royal fern and roots of trees and shrubs. This A variety of resident shorebirds, songbirds
community is dominated by royal fern, jewel- and birds of prey are found on the Goodwin
weed, tearthumb, and cattail (Doumlele, Islands, including Great Blue Heron (Ardea
1976). herodias), Herring Gull (Larus argentatus),
egrets, Seaside Sparrow (Ammospiza maritima),

and Osprey (Pandion haliaetus). White-tail Atlantic croaker, and the sheepshead minnow
deer (Odocoileus virginianus) and raccoon (Pro- (Cypfinodon vafiegatus).
iyon lotor) have been observed on the islands. The Taskinas Creek area supports a small
population of muskrats. White-tail deer,
CATLETT ISLANDS The waters around opposum. (Didelphis virginiana), raccoon, and
the Catlett Islands support both sport and gray squirrels (&iurus carofinensk) are plenti-
commercial fisheries. The dominant commer- ful in the watershed.
cial landings from Clay Bank to the Coleman The York River and its tributaries are an
Bridge in 1987 were American shad (Alosa important wintering area for migratory wa-
sapidissima) (101,969 pounds), Atlantic croak- terfowl, including Mallard, Black Duck, Can-
er (9,513 pounds), spot (3,567 pounds), weak- vasback, Lesser Scaup, Canada Goose, Com-
fish (3,394 pounds), bluefish (Pomatomus safta- mon Goldeneye, Bufflehead, Ruddy Duck and
trix) (2,612 pounds), summer flounder (1,121 Tundra Swan (Settle, pers. comm.).
pounds), catfish (1dalurus spp.) (256 A variety of resident shorebirds, songbirds,
pounds), mullet (Mugil spp.) (212 pounds), and birds of prey are found in the Taskinas
white perch (158 pounds), tautog (Tautoga Creek watershed, including Great Blue
onitis) (35 pounds), spotted weakfish (Cyno- Heron, Herring Gull, egrets, Seaside Spar-
scion nebulosus) (18 pounds), and other fish row and Osprey.
(13,984 pounds). In 1987, 1,860,000 pounds
of blue crabs were taken in this stretch of the SWEET HALL MARSH Sweet Hall Marsh
lower York River (VMRC, 1988). supports a variety of wildlife and waterfowl
The Catlett Islands are an important win- and more than 100 species of finfish. Musk-
tering area for migratory waterfowl, includ- rats inhabit the levee regions of the marsh
ing Mallard, Black Duck, Canvasback, Lesser and have burrows that crisscross the low
Scaup, Canada Goose, Common Goldeneye, marsh flat to the tidal creeks. Marsh rabbits
Bufflehead, Ruddy Duck and Tundra Swan. (Sylvilagus palustris) are common inhabitants,
A variety of shorebirds, songbirds, and birds and raccoon and white-tail deer visit the
of prey are also found on the Catlett Islands, marsh at certain times to feed. Eastern mud
including Great Blue Heron, Herring Gull, turtles (Finosternum subru&rum), banded wa-
egrets, Seaside Sparrow, Belted Kingfisher ter snakes (Natfix sipedon), and fiddler crabs
(Megaceryle akyon), Red-Winged Blackbird are frequently encountered along the shore-
(Agelaius phomiceus), Carolina Chickadee (Par- line.
us carolinensis), Marsh Wren (CistoUtorus platen- Hundreds of ducks consistently winter in
sis), Crow (Camus brachyrhynchos), and Osprey. Sweet Hall Marsh, where they feed on a vari-
In the spring of 1988, there were at least four ety of marsh plants and animal foods avail-
Osprey nests on the Catlett Islands. able in the shallow-water habitats. Among the
Other animals include white-tailed deer, more common winter residents are Canada
raccoon, muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus), East- Geese, Mallards, Black Ducks, Green-Winged
ern box turtle (Terrapme camlina), ribbed mus- Teal (Anas crecca), Ringnecks (Aythya collaris),
sel (VolseUa demissa), fiddler crab (Uca spp.), Pintails (Anas acuta), and Wood Ducks (Aix
and saltmarsh snails (Melampus bidentatus). sponsa). Great Blue Heron and other shore-
birds, as well as Northern Harriers (Circus
TASKINAS CREEK The brackish marshes cyaneus), Belted Kingfishers, Marsh Wren and
of Taskinas Creek provide habitat for marsh Red-Winged Blackbirds, are also common
species such as the brackish-water fiddler (Uca marsh inhabitants. Ospreys and Bald Eagles
minax) and the marsh periwinkle (Littorina (Haliaeetus kuco4halus) also live along the
irwata). The waters in and around Taskinas Pamunkey River near Sweet Hall Marsh.
Creek support a variety of finfish dominated
by spot, striped bass, oyster toadfish, weakfish,

THE HUMAN area with 2,000 condominiums, a motel, golf
course, convention center, 1,200-boat marina,
ENVIRONMENT and a bridge across the Thorofare. A group
of local individuals, first calling themselves
GOODWIN ISIANDS "Citizens to Save the Thorofare" and later
History and Socioeconomics incorporating as "York River Chapter of the
Chesapeake Bay Foundation," fought the de-
The Goodwin Islands are located near velopment of the islands for six years. After
Yorktown, which played a major role in the this proposal was defeated, the islands were
development of the United States. Most im- acquired by the Environmental Preservation
portantly, Yorktown and surrounding areas Company and, in 1984, again proposed for
were the locations of the culminating battles development (a marina, some commercial
of the Revolutionary War and subsequent Sur- development and housing). Facing strong lo-
render of Lord Cornwallis and his British cal opposition and a recommendation by the
army. The area also played minor roles in York County Planning Commission against
the War of 1812 and the Civil War. the development, the owners withdrew the
The development of York County was in- application and, also in 1984, donated the
fluenced in the early years by Yorktown be- islands to the Endowment Association of the
cause of its excellent port, and later by eco- College of William and Mary in Virginia Inc.
nomic, employment, and associated develop- for use by the College and its School of Ma-
ment characteristics of federal military instal- rine Science at Gloucester Point (i.e., VIMS).
lations and nearby defense-oriented Newport The islands remain uninhabited and are des-
News and Hampton. As Newport News and ignated as a Resource Management/Protec-
Hampton grew, the associated development tion Area in the 1983 York County Compre-
(primarily residential) expanded outward into hensive Plan, primarily because of the pres-
York County. York County's population rc- ence of saltmarshes and forested wetlands,
mains highly dependent on these military and lack of access and utilities, severe flooding
urban employment centers. potential and extreme wetness.
The Goodwin Islands are legally described
as "Goodwin's Islands and Too's Marshes." CUItUral SoUr
Re res
The property was originally patented to John An archaeological survey has not been con-
Chew in 1637 by John Harvey, Royal Gover- ducted at the Goodwin Islands. In the event
nor of Virginia. The islands acquired their that one is conducted, it is likely that the
name when deeded by Chew's heirs to Major Goodwin Islands will yield prehistoric and his-
James Goodwin in 1660. The property re- toric resources.
mained in the Goodwin family as one parcel
until 1877 when it was divided into six par- Present Uses
cels and deeded to siblings of a niece of one
of Major Goodwin's descendants. The islands Owned by The Endowment Association of
were reunited into one parcel by the Norfolk the College of William and Mary in Virginia
Fisheries Corporation, which purchased in- Inc., the Goodwin Islands serve the educa-
dividual parcels in 1911-1912. The islands, tion and research missions of the College and
"together with the entire plant and equip- its schools. A discussion of current educa-
ment," were purchased by the Goodwin tional activities is presented in the Education
Island's Land Corporation in 1920. This im- Plan component of this management plan.
plies that the islands were used as a fisheries The subaqueous bottoms below mean low
plant. The islands changed owners several tide mark are in the public domain and are
times until the mid-1960s when they were ac- protected and managed by the Virginia Ma-
quired by the Goodwin Islands Development rine Resources Commission. The subaqueous
Corporation, which, in 1968, proposed to de- bottoms and waters support commercial and
velop the islands as a summer home resort sport fisheries.

The Goodwin Islands are located offshore Reserve Training Center; Naval Fuel Depot;
of Goodwin Neck and Crab Neck, moderately Colonial National Historical Park; Naval
dense residential areas of York County (Cen- Weapons Station; Cheatham Annex; and
sus Area 505) whose population grew by 26.7 Camp Peary.
percent to 5,516 between 1960 and 1980 and
whose number of housing units increased by Local Activities That Might Affect
16.4 percent between 1970 and 1980. Popu- the Site %/%I
lation density (off military bases) for this cen- No activities exist or are planned that
sus area was 1.09 persons per net acre in 1980.
The majority of the neighboring Dandy and might have significant environmental impacts
Seaford areas are designated Low-Density on the Goodwin Islands. However, the fol-
Single-Family Residential in recognition of lowing events could harm the Goodwin Is-
lands: oil spills, industrial accidents, dredg-
the extremely wet conditions present over ing of the Thorofare, or a downriver bridge
much of the area and the need to protect crossing of the York River.
creeks from further siltation and water qual-
ity degradation. Most lots in subdivisions near CATLETr ISLANDS
the Goodwin Islands are one acre or larger.
Commercial land uses in the vicinity of History and Socioeconomics
Goodwin Islands include neighborhood con- In 1634, the Colony of Virginia was divided
venience activities in the centers of older, well- into eight shares. Among these was Charles
established residential areas such as Yorktown River County, later changed to York County.
and Seaford; general commercial activities In 1651, a portion of the county between the
along Route 17; tourist/commercial activities York and Piankatank rivers was separated
in the Yorktown area; and water-oriented com- from it and named Gloucester. In 1654, the
mercial/industrial activities in the Seaford western portion of Gloucester beyond the
and Dandy areas. Water-related activities have Poropotank River became part of New Kent
historically held a very important position in County, and in 1790, the county was sepa-
York County's commercial base. 1hey include rated into Gloucester and Mathews counties.
marinas, seafood businesses and boat-build- Early accounts describe Gloucester County as
ing operations. The Goodwin Islands are having a prosperous agricultural society, the
thought to have been used for a barrel fac- main crop being tobacco. Gloucester was the
tory and a menhaden reduction plant. scene of military encounters during the Revo-
Two major industrial plants, Amoco Oil Re- lution, the War of 1812 and the Civil War.
finery and a Virginia Power generating plant, The courthouse area, and the area immedi-
the York River Sewage Treatment Plant, and ately surrounding it, have served as a center
a county landfill are located on the Goodwin of residential and commercial activity for
Neck peninsula. The availability of rail ser- more than 300 years.
vice, good highway access, public utilities, and The York River was not settled until 1630,
large parcels of land combine to make this primarily because of the unhiendly attitude
area well suited for heavy industrial develop- of King Powhatan, whose capital was on the
ment. The Goodwin Islands were once pro- north bank of the river at Purtan Island
posed for a deepwater offshore marine ter- (upriver from the Catlett Islands). Once civi-
minal. A Superfand National Priority List site, lization reached the York River, however, plan-
Chisman Creek, is in the vicinity. tations developed and fine houses were built
Approximately half of York County's land quickly on its shores.
area is owned by the federal government The Catlett Islands were part of a 1639
(military installations, or park property) or King's Grant to George Menefie consisting
by adjacent jurisdictions (reservoir water- of 3,000 acres along the north shore of the
sheds). Federal land holdings near the York River from Timberneck Creek to Aber-
Goodwin Islands include the U.S. Coast Guard

deen Creek. Known originally as Timberneck ism took their tolls on it. The Ferguson hunt-
Plantation and later as Rosewell, the grant ing lodge has succumbed to a similar fate
included what became Timbemeck, Farm, and is not salvageable. The one intact struc-
Shelly Plantation and Rosewell Plantation. In ture is a small hunting lodge built and used
1680, the plantation then known as Rosewell by Homer Buck, who leases hunting rights
was acquired by John Mann in a game of frornJohn W.C. Catlett and William E. Catlett.
pushpin. Rosewell was inherited by John The Catletts' Timberneck Farm consists of
Mann's daughter Mary, who marriedMathew approximately 1,000 acres of uplands and ap-
Page, and later by son Mann Page, grandson proximately 500 acres of wetlands (on the
Mann Page 11, and great-grandson John Page. Catlett Islands). Approximately 500 acres of
In 1793, John Page sold the estate's Timber- uplands are farmed, producing soybeans and
neck Farm portion, including the marsh is- corn, and with a small-scale livestock opera-
lands, to the firstjohn W.C. Catlett. 'Descen- don. Today, Gloucester County is the fastest
dants of the Cadetts still own the property. growing county in the state. This increase re-
The main house, the second built on the site, flects a general area-wide increase in popula-
was built by the Catletts around 1800 and is tion throughout the Middle Peninsula and
on the National Register of Historic Places. the Newport News-Hampton area to the
The Catlett Islands have remained in the south. Although much of the northern half
Catlett family for almost 200 years, with the of the county remains rural and largely de-
exception of two parcels. One parcel, con- voted to agriculture (chiefly soybeans and
taining 64 acres on the eastern end of the corn) or forestry, the southern portion, par-
islands, was sold by the firstjohn W.C. Catlett ticularly the Route 17 corridor between Glou-
to Houlder Croswell in 1868. Croswell built a cester and Gloucester Point, has experienced
home on his island, locally callcd GrOSWC11's rapid residential and commercial develop-
Island. In 1921, Croswell's son sold the is- ment in recent years. Scattered residential de-
land to Francis LeGate, whose widow sold it velopment of the shoreline in this area, in-
in 1950 to William H. Fergusonjr., the present cluding the shorelines of Timberneck and
owner. A second parcel, 79 acres on the west- Cedarbush creeks, also has occurred at a
ern end of the islands, was sold by the first rapid pace, contributing to problems associ-
John W.C. Catlett's grandson Charles in 1920. ated with public witer supplies and septic
This parcel passed through seven different tank systems.
owners before being purchased in 1972 by
Dean A. and Merrilu Ablowich, the present Local Activities That Might Affect
owners. The Ablowich cottage was moved to the Site a,
the islands in the 1920s from a location across The only existing or planned activities that
the York River. might have significant environmental impacts
Cultural Resources on the Catlett Islands relate to increased resi-
dential development in adjacent watersheds.
An archaeological survey has not been con- Possible impacts are increased runoff, sedi-
ducted; however, in the event that one is con- mentation and nutrients. from septic fields
ducted, it is likely that the Catlett Islands will and fertilized lawns and gardens; displace-
yield prehistoric and historic resources. ment and poaching of wildlife; and introduc-
don of exotic plant species. Another relates
P@-esent Uses to a proposed upriver bridge crossing of the
Little direct human use of the Catlett Is- York River, which would encourage further
lands occurs today, except for waterfowl hunt- residential development in the county.
ing, research, and commercial fishing in the
waters around the islands. The islands are no
longer inhabited. The Ablowich cottage was
abandoned in 1985 as rising seas and vandal-

IDAVSKINAS CREEK who also owns a parcel of the Catlett Islands.
History and Socioeconomics Ferguson sold the 2,505 acres to the Com-
Before the seventh century, the Mattaponi monwealth of Virginia in 1969 Uohnson,
and Pamunkey Indians (Algonquians) inhab 1 1990).
ited the Peninsula. The names of many land Sycamore Landing, near the park, was
forms and creeks in the area are derived from originally public. When it became private,
Indian names. In York River State Park, Taski- Ferguson donated one acre of his land for a
nas Creek, Mattapom' Trall, Pamunlcey TrA new public boat ramp at Croaker Landing.
and Powhatan Forks Trail are such names. Cultural Resources
The first ownership record for Taskinas
Creek is for Mount Folly, which was built in There are 15 archaeological sites within
the 1600s and encompassed land at the west- York River State Park. Two of the sites have
ern end of the park (Abbott Associates, 1975). been fairly thoroughly investigated and have
In 1673, Mount Folly was owned by Brian been dated to between 1000 B.C. and 1500
Smith and consisted of 966 acres of high A.D. Egloff, et al. (1988) concluded that two
ground and 250 acres of marsh. Smith also sites near Croaker landing are locally unique.
owned 900 acres luiown as Taskinask. By 1689, The sites indicate an unusually dense human
Mount Folly and the 900 acres of Taskinask OccuPation in an area that was otherwise cul-
became the Daniel Parke estate (Virginia Ar- turally isolated. The cultural remains found
chaeological Services Inc., 1988.) Nearby is are well preserved. Of significance is a previ-
Stonehouse, a 17th-century military retreat ously undefined type of ceramic ware, Croaker
or outpost used during Bacon's Rebellion. It Landing, and a previously undefined type of
is on the National Register of Historic Places projectile point, Potts Side-Notche& The site
(Virginia Archaeological Services Inc., 1988). was probably a small, perhaps transient, en-
A tobacco inspection warehouse stood at camPment that was occupied for short peri-
the mouth of Taskinas Creek during the 17th ods at various times of the year, It did not
century. Colonial tobacco often was transport- play a special role widiin the prehistoric settle-
ed in poor condition, so an inspection sys- ment system and is rare for the Coastal Plain
tem was set up to standardize the quality of of Virginia-
the tobacco and improve its reputation
(McCartney, 1990). P@esent Uses
Riverview Plantation, located just outside The Taskinas Creek Reserve in York River
of the park's eastern boundary, was a tobacco State Park is used for day-use recreation and
plantation in the 18th and 19th centuries. In environmental education. A discussion of rec-
the Civil War, the Union Army is said to have reational and educational opportunities at
used Riverview Plantation as a hospital dur- Taskinas Creek is presented in the Education
ing the Battle of Richmond. The plantation Plan component of this management plan.
house has been restored by the current owner Adjacent properties are in large landhold-
on its original site (McCartney, 1990). ings, smaller single-family lots, and small con-
The Peninsula remained predominantly venience centers. Housing density in the
rural during the 18th century, and large plan- Taskinas Creek watershed is low, but residen-
tations were interspersed with small and tial development is increasing. Between 1975
middle-sized farmsteads. During the 18th and and 1980, a new trend in residential growth
19th centuries, Mount Folly and Taskinask in James City County began to appear: the
passed through several owners. growth of small-lot subdivisions scattered in
At the mouth of Taskinas Creek, a house the traditionally rural upper part of the
and an artesian bottling plant were located county.
at the mouth of Taskinas Creek in the 1930s.
The main tract of land that now comprises
the park was acquired by WilliamJ. Ferguson,

Local Activities That Might Affect Marsh and Cohoke Swamp. The estate ex-
the Site tended inland one mile. Claiborne divided
The only existing or planned local activi- the estate among three sons: Romancoke to
ties that might have significant environmen- William 11; Sweet Hall to Thomas; and
0 Gohokc to John. Romancoke remained in the
ftd impacts on TasEnas Creel relate to in- Claiborne family until 1686. Since then it has
creased residential development in the Taski- had several owners, including George Wash-
nas Creek watershed and adjacent watersheds. ington, John Parke Custis, George Washing-
Possible impacts include increased runoff, ton Parke Custis, and Robert E. Lee Jr.
sedimentation, and nutrient loadings from Romancoke is now owned by Sture Olsson,
septic fields and fertilized lawns and g-ardens; son of Ellis Olsson, who founded Chesapeake
displacement of wildlife; and introduction of Corporation.
exotic plant species. Other scenarios relate The Sweet Hall tract remained in the
to impacts associated with a possible upriver Claiborne family until 1756 when it was sold
bridge crossing of the York River, a possible as two tracts: Sweet Hall, which included the
Ware Creek reservoir, and possible changes Sweet Hall house built in 1720, and
in salinity distributions in the York River re- Tuckacomon or Tuckoman, which included
sulting from withdrawal of water from the Sweet Hall- Marsh, then called Tocoman or
Pamunkey and Mattaponi rivers. Tuckoman Marsh. The Tuckoman Tract con-
SWEET HALL NlARSH sisted of approximately 500 acres of uplands
and 500 acres of marsh. The first Tuckoman
History and Socioeconomics house, built before 1801, stood on the high
King William County was formed in 1702, ground overlooking the Pamunkey River near
50 years after Capt. John West, a brother of where the Southern Railway runs through a
Virginia's early governor, Lord Delaware, cut today. A fire destroyed this house. The
settled the lower county and named the pen- overseer's house, which still stands, became
insula West Point. Many homes built in the the second Tuckoman House. Tuckoman Es-
first quarter of the 18th century are still stand- tate changed hands several times during the
ing. The courthouse, built in 1725, is the old- late 19th century before the marsh was ac-
est courthouse in continuous service in the quired by the Tacoma Hunting and Fishing
United States. Club in 1898. Since then, Sweet Hall Marsh
Prior to Capt. John West, West Point was has been passed down to descendants of the
the seat of Opechancanough, chief of the original club members,
Pamunkey, brother of Powhatan and leader
of the massacre of 1622, which almost exter- Cultural Resources
minated the English in Tidewater Virginia. Sweet Hall Marsh has not been surveyed
At that time, the Pamunkey tribe was the larg- for archaeological resources. Because of its
est in the Powhatan confederacy. Descendants long history of use, Sweet Hall Marsh and
of this tribe live today on the Pamunkey and adjacent uplands probably would yield sig-
Mattaponi Indian reservations on the banks nificant prehistoric and historic resources if
of the Pamunkey and Mattaponi rivers, re- surveyed.
spectively.
Sweet Hall Marsh was part of the original present Uses
Romancoke Estate on the Pamunkey River Today, William and Fred Reed and
granted in 1653 to Col. William Claiborne, Coleman Worthani III, grandsons of original
Secretary of State of Colonial Virginia. Com- members of Tacoma Hunting and Fishing
prising more than 5,000 acres, Romancoke Club, are the principal club members and
extended from Herrick Creek (below Olsson's owners of Sweet Hall Marsh. A record book
Pond) to Cohoke Creek and included the in the clubhouse shows that Sweet Hall Marsh
marshes now called Lee Marsh, Sweet Hall

has been used exclusively for hunting and Local Activities That Might Affect
fishing for almost 100 years. With the excep- the Site
tion of John Dalton, every governor of Vir- The most significant proposals that might
ginia until Gerald Baliles has hunted at Sweet harm Sweet Hall Marsh are those to with-
Hall. Several presidents have been invited to draw water from the Pamunkey and
hunt but were prevented from coming by the Mattaponi rivers for urban needs. Several lo-
Secret Service, which felt that they could not califies in and around the York River basin
be adequately protected while hunting. The have identified the Pamunkey and Mattaponi
uplands above Sweet Hall have always been
used for timber and agriculture. The present rivers as being capable of meeting projected
clubhouse was built around 1947; prior to water needs into the next century. The con-
that, the clubhouse was where Wilton Dunn sequences of the water withdrawal include
and family now live. The Dunns hai- been long-term reduction in instream. flow; change
resident caretakers of Sweet Hall Marsh since in the salinity distribution within the York
1898. The boathouse was built in 1982. River and its tributaries; and loss and alter-
In addition to hunting and fishing, Sweet ation of wetlands, anadromous fish spawning
Hall Marsh is used for research and student areas, and migratory waterfowl wintering habi-
projects by investigators from VIMS. tats. Higher salinities resulting from freshwa-
Tick Hill, the loblolly pine plantation above ter reduction could destroy all of the herba-
Sweet Hall Marsh, was acquired by Chesa- ceous freshwater vegetation in Sweet Hall
peake Corporation in 1942. When purchased, Marsh and Cousiac Marsh and the woody veg-
the tract contained mixed loblolly and Vir- etation of Cousiac Marsh, Cohoke Swamp and
ginia pine seedlings that had recruited to the West Island.
site from seed trees left after a previous har- Other impacts to Sweet Hall Marsh result
vest. Chesapeake Corporation clear-cut Tick from excessive boat wake in the thorough-
Hill in 1982-1983. The site was prepared for fare and localized subsidence. Increased resi-
planting in the summer of 1983 and direct- dential development along the Pamunkey
planted by hand in the spring of 1984 usmig River poses a threat to Sweet Hall through
nine-month-old seedlings. The stand will be erosion and reduction in water quality.
harvested at age 30.
Adjacent lands, like most of King William
County, are primarily in agriculture or man- ADMINISTRATION
aged woodlands. The principal industry in
King William is based on abundant forests. ADMINISTRATIVE FRAMEWORK
Lumber mills are scattered throughout the The operation and management of the
county and a major pulp and paper mill, Chesapeake Bay National Estuarine Research
owned by Chesapeake Corporation, is located Reserve System in Virginia is the responsibil-
in West Point. One-fourth of the county's ity of VIMS. However, this management plan
population of 9,327 in 1980 lived in West is implemented through a cooperative effort
PoinL 1he remainder lived on grain and d i
'Y between VIMS, participating state agencies,
farms or in low-density housing develop- appointed advisory committees, affected land-
ments. The county's population grew by 24 owners, and the Sanctuaries and Reserves Di-
percent between 1970 and 1980 and is still vision of the National Oceanic and Atmo-
growing, primarily as a result of the growth spheric Administration. The following admin-
in employment opportunities in the north- istrative framework identifies the roles and
ern periphery of the Richmond metropoli- responsibilities of the agencies and advisory
tan area. committees involved in implementing this
plan. Landowners were also invited to serve
on advisory committees and participate in
decisionmaking. Agreements committing the

agencies and landowners to the long-term that use of the sites is consistent with rel-
protection and management of theReserve evant policies and agreements. The Board of
System are presented in the Appendix A. Visitors will approve proposals for property
acquisition and facilities development and use
Orgin;a -Institute of Ma-yine Science, of donated property value as state match for
The College of William and Mary federal acquisition and development awards.
VIMS has been designated by the gover- Endowment Association of the College
nor of Virginia to develop and manage the
Reser.ve System and to receive and adn-dnis- of William and Mary in Virginia Inc.
ter federal grants and state funds for it. Gen- The Endowment Association will hold gifts
eral Assembly funds received by VIMS for the donated to the College for the Reserve Sys-
Reserve System can be used as state match tem that are not transferred to the Board of
for SRD awards to VIMS. VIMS also can use Visitors or donated directly to VIMS. The En-
in-kind contributions and private sector funds dowment Association win set up endowments
as state match for SRD operations, research, for the Reserve System and distribute invest-
monitoring and education awards to VIMS. ment dividends to VIMS for use in approved
Funds from other state and federal agencies, research and education programs.
as well as from private donations, also will be
used by VIMS to fund specific research and Virginia Council on theEnvironment
educafion projects at Reserve sites. The Council on the Environment is the
VIMS will serve as the headquarters for Commonwealth's federally designated recipi-
the Reserve system and take the lead role in ent of funds under Sections 306 and 309 of
implementing and coordinating programs for the Coastal Zone Management Act. As such,
research, monitoring, resource protection and the council solicits proposals from VIMS and
education at Reserve sites. The Reserve di- other qualified applicants for projects that
rector and other staff are VIMS employees. are appropriate for funding under these sec-
VIMS will continue to provide research assis- dons of the Act and administers awarded fed-
tantships for graduate students in the School eral funds where appropriate. It is anticipated
of Marine Science, internships for high that some 306 and 309 projects will be con-
school, undergraduate and graduate students, ducted at the Reserve sites.
mentorships for teachers, and staff for the The Council on the Environment coordi-
advisory committees affiliated with the Re- nates state activities under the Virginia Chesa-
serve System. The specific roles and respon- peake Bay Initiative. VIMS reports to the
sibilities of Reserve program staff, research council on research activities, including the
assistants and volunteers are listed below. development and management of the Reserve
VIMS will be on-site manager for Reserve System. The council also coordinates state,
sites and will administer site-specific manage- regional and local government review of pro-
ment agreements pertaining to on-site opera- posals pertaining to the development and
tions. The dean and director will be the sig- management of the Reserve System. It will
natory official for VIMS on such agreements. mediate any disputes arising from the imple-
mentation of interagency agreements between
The Board of Visitors, VIMS and other participating state agencies
The College of William and Mary and between VIMS and NOAA,
The Board of Visitors of The College of
William and Mary will hold title to Reserve Virginia Department of Conservation
System properties (e.g., Goodwin Islands) and and Recreation
will serve as grantor on donated conserva- The Virginia Department of Conservation
tion easements. As on-site manager of Reserve and Recreation owns York River State Park,
sites, VIMS will ensure the Board of Visitors which contains the Taskinas Creek Research

Reserve. The department's Division of State tutions and the private sector to serve on the
Parks manages the park. The division will re- committees. The Reserve System director will
tain this responsibility and assist in the coop- provide the dean and director with a list of
erative management and operation of the candidates on the basis of interest shown by
Taskinas Creek Reserve site. The division will individuals and areas of expertise. Appoint-
provide office space for the Reserve System's ments will be made for two years. Three advi-
education coordinator as soon as appropri- sory committees are being contemplated: re-
ate space in the visitor center or proposed source protection; research and monitoring;
research and education center is available. and education. The composition, roles and
Although the education coordinator will be responsibilities of these committees are de-
supervised by the Reserve director, he or she scribed later in this plan.
will work closely with the park manager to
ensure that Reserve activities are coordinated Sanctuaries and Reserves Division,
with park events and programs. National Oceanic and Atmospheric
The division's additional responsibilities re- Administration
garding the Taskinas Creek site are listed in The Sanctuaries and Reserves Division is
the Memorandum of Understanding between authorized under Section 315 of the Coastal
the Department and VIMS (see Appendix A). Zone Management Act to make matching
Other Relevant Agencies (70:30) grants to states for acquisition, devel-
Other relevant agencies will retain respon- opment, operations, monitoring and educa-
sibilities for resource management and tion at National Estuarine Research Reserves.
Sur- Funding for research is available to any quali-
veillance and enforcement of applicable stat- fied individual or institution. As part of this
utes and regulations. These agencies will be authority, SRD is responsible for ensuring that
represented on advisory committees. A de- each Reserve is managed according to Na-
scription of applicable responsibilities andju- tional Estuarine Research Reserve System
risdictions is contained in Appendix B. regulations (15 CER 921) and individual man-
agement plans. To ensure effective Reserve
P@ivate Landownen management, SRD evaluates performance
Owners of private property that is incor- concerning the operation and management
porated into the Chesapeake Bay National of the Reserve program, including the re-
Estuarine Research Reserve System in Virginia search, education and interpretation activi-
will retain property rights and liabilities pur- ties conducted there. When federal support
suant to the terms of conservation easements for Reserve operations expires, SRD requires
or management agreements. Landowners will the managing state agency to submit an an-
be invited to participate on advisory commit- nual report on operations and management.
tees and in volunteer programs. They will be SRD publishes quarterly status reports de-
kept informed of Reserve activities through scribing ongoing activities at designated and
meetings, correspondence and the Reserve proposed sites and periodically publishes
newsletter. Copies of draft easements and guidance memoranda. SRD initiates an an-
agreements are presented in Appendix A. nual request for research, monitoring and
education proposals, conducts a peer review,
Advisory Committees and awards matching grants. In addition, SRD
The dean and director of VIMS will invite is developing a coordinated information ex-
the heads of participating agencies to submit change program for Reserves to enhance na-
names of agency representatives for appoint- tionwide understanding and management of
ment to appropriate advisory committees. estuaries.
The dean and director also will invite repre-
sentatives from research and academic insti-

STAFFING REQUIREMENTS, Monitors day@to-day operation of the Reserve
ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES System and progress of sponsored pro-
An adequate staff is essential for meeting grams and projects;
the mission, goals and objectives of this man- Directs program development, site selection,
agement plan. When fully developed, the Re- and nomination process for additional
search Reserve program should include the sites;
following salaried staff positions: program di- Directs baseline environmental assessment
rector; research coordinator; education co- and socioeconomic background research
ordinator; laboratory technician; and office for sites proposed for nomination;
manager/clerical. The Reserve System also Directs the development of management
will provide funding for research assistant- plans and environmental impact assess-
ships and internships and will hire part-time, ments for approved sites;
seasonal and contractual employees as Coordinates the development of research,
needed. education and resource-protection priori-
Unpaid volunteers will be a major compo- ties and presents findings to appropriate
nent of the administrative framework. advisory committees for review and ap-
proval;
Director Coordinates activities with the Chesapeake
A director for the Reserve was hired by Bay Program, Virginia Coastal Resources
VIMS in 1987. The director, headquartered Management Program, Virginia River Ba-
sin Committees, Heritage Program, The
at VIMS in the Dean/Director's Office, is re- Nature Conservancy, Chesapeake Bay Foun-
sponsible for overall program development dation, and other relevant groups;
and management. Responsibilities are: Coordinates research program activities with
Prepares annual budget requests for state and those of the Chesapeake Bay Program and
federal funds, including justification for other Bay-wide programs;
base funding and requests for new initia- Drafts conservation easements and manage-
tives; ment agreements for Reserve sites and ne-
Oversees expenditure of state, federal and gotiates terms and conditions;
private ftinds, proportioning budgets to ac- Develops resource-protection guidelines and
commodate fiscal needs for salaries, assis- policies for the Reserve System as issues
tantships, field work, equipment, audiovi- arise and presents them to the Resource-
sual aids, supplies, travel and contractual Protection Advisory Committee for appro-
services; priate action;
Approves programs and projects funded un- Provides guidance and mentorship to gradu-
der the auspices of the Research Reserve ate students in marine resource manage-
program; ment, undergraduate students in honors
Prepares required semi-annual reports for the programs, high school students in the
Council on the Environment, quarterly and Governor's School for Science and Tech-
annual reports for NOAA, and periodic re- nology, and teachers-in-training;
ports for private funding sources; Serves on the sub-faculty of the division of
Supervises the research coordinator, educa- the School of Marine Science and devel-
tion coordinator and other staff as they ops and conducts special problems courses
are added, research assistants, interns, vol- involving the Reserves; and
unteers, and contractual personnel, or del- Assumes responsibility for other staff positions
egates supervisory role as appropriate; until these positions are filled.
Serves as principal contact for the Reserve
System, represents VIMS in public relations
and media contacts, and makes presenta-
tions to local officials, environmental or-
ganizations, and other interested groups;

Research Coordinator Assists in the training of volunteers, research
The research coordinator will be headquar- assistants and interns and monitors and
tered at VIMS and is responsible for imple- evaluates their performance;
menting and coordinating the research and Recommends locations for research and
monitoring component of this plan. Specific monitoring stations within Reserve sites
responsibilities are as follows: and provides technical advice and assis-
Directs the research and monitoring program, tance to scientists in conducting research
designing and carrying out research and and monitoring as available;
monitoring projects, where appropriate; Ensures that all necessary permits are ac-
Provides staff support for the Research and quired, liability release forms are signed,
Monitoring Advisory Committee and helps and proof of self-insurance is obtained
the director and participating agencies pre- (where necessary) before researchers ini-
pare and update an annual list of priori- tiate research or monitoring projects; -
ties for research and monitoring at Reserve Develops additional research guidelines and
sites; policy statements as new issues arise and
Coordinates the review of priorities for re- presents them to the Research and Moni-
search and monitoring by the Research and toring Advisory Committee for appropri-
Monitoring Advisory Committee; ate action;
Issues requests for proposals for System- Reviews environmental impact proposals and
funded research and monitoring projects provides written comments and expert tes-
and initiates a peer review for proposals timony regarding Reserve resources, re-
received. Assists SRD in the review of SRD- search findings, and environmental impacts
funded proposals'When needed; of proposed activity;
Evaluates the results of the peer review for Visits Reserve sites regularly and keeps field
Reserve-funded research and makes rec- journal and photographic records of re-
ommendations to the director and Re- search activities;
search and Monitoring Advisory Commit- Ensures that all research permit conditions
tee; are met, including removal of research ap-
Serves as liaison with the scientific commu- paratus and site restoration when projects
nity, promotes data utilization, and is the are concluded;
primary contact for scientists performing Provides outreach to area schools, universi-
research within the Reserves; ties and research-funding agencies;
Coordinates research activities within the Sys- Makes presentations on Reserve-sponsored
tem and communicates with other Reserve research to civic groups, professional soci-
programs and other management areas, es- edes and other groups; and
pecially education and volunteer programs; Reports to the director for the performance
Administers Reserve-funded research grants' of these responsibilities.
monitors research progress, evaluates
progress toward achieving specified goals Education Coordinator
and objectives, and conducts a peer review The education coordinator will be head-
of final reports. Assists SRD in reviewing quartered at VIMS. He or she is responsible
SRD-fanded projects when needed; for implementing and coordinating the edu-
Prepares required reports for the Council on cation program component of this manage-
the Environment and NOAA; ment plan. Specific responsibilities are as fol-
Maintains a record of relevant research lows:
projects and products (e.g., reports, publi- Directs the education program, designing and
cations, databases); carrying out educational and interpretive
Maintains an inventory of research equip- projects, where appropriate;
ment and supplies and identifies priorities Provides staff support for the Education Ad-
for purchase; visory Committee and assists participating

agencies in preparing and updating an an- Develops additional educational guidelines
nual list of priorities for education, inter- and policy statements as issues arise and
pretation and visitor-use programs to be presents recommendations to Education
developed for the Reserve System; Advisory Committee for appropriate action;
Coordinates the review of priorities for edu- Visits Reserve sites regularly and keeps a pho-
cation, interpretation, and visitor use with tographic record of ongoing education, in-
the Education Advisory Committee; terpretation and visitor-use activities for use
Issues requests for Reserve- and SRD-funded in slide presentations and exhibits;
proposals for education, interpretation and Provides outreach to area schools, college,
visitor-use programs and projects and con- universities, and other environmental edu-
ducts a peer review for proposals received; cation organizations;
Evaluates the results of the peer review and Makes presentations to civic groups, profes-
makes recommendations to the director sional societies, and other groups upon re-
and Education Advisory Committee; quest, as available; and
Is liaison with the academic community and Reports to the director for the performance
acts as primary contact for educators bring@- of these responsibilities.
ing groups to the Research Reserve sites;
Coordinates approved education, interpreta- Ma7ine Scientistl
tion and visitor-use activities within the Re- Laboratory Technician
serves and communicates with other Re- The marine scientist/laboratory technician
serve management areas, especially re- will be based at VIMS and will be responsible
search and volunteer programs; for helping in Reserve-sponsored research
In consultation with the Education Advisory and monitoring activities. He or she will main-
Committee, reviews design proposals and tain computer software and hardware, data-
construction progress for all interpretive bases, maps, photographs, library holdings,
facilities and exhibits to ensure that they scientific field equipment, herbarium collec-
are consistent with the goals of the Re- tion, draffing and publishing equipment and
serve, this management plan, and contrac- supplies, and other equipment used in analy-
tual arrangements; sis of sites. Specific responsibilities are:
Administers Reserve-ftinded education grants, Assists in field research, collecting and -ana-
monitors progress of funded education, 'in- lyzing data, and preparing technical reports
terpretation and visitor-use activities, evalu- from biological, oceanographic and geo-
ates progress toward achieving specified graphical data and information;
goals and objectives, and conducts a peer Planimeters and digitizes geographic data,
review of education and interpretive prod- develops habitat maps, and conducts inte-
ucts and media; grated data analyses using geographical in-
Provides technical advice and assistarice, as formation systems and other appropriate
available, for education and interpretation software;
programs; Conducts literature review and external data-
Trains and supervises volunteers who assist base searches and synthesizes the findings;
in education programs and monitors and Prepares computer tables, graphics and re-
evaluates their performance; ports for publications and presentations;
Prepares progress reports for the Council on Maintains numerical databases, scientific col-
the Environment and SRD; lections, field equipment, maps, photogra-
Maintains a directory of all relevant educa- phy, imagery and supporting technical re-
tion projects and products for the Research ports;
Reserve program; Provides field support and assists program sci-
Maintains an inventory of educational me- entists and volunteers; and
dia, equipment and exhibits, and identi- Reports to the director for the performance
fies priorities for purchase; of these responsibilities.

Administrative Assistant/ documents, acquires minutes of meetings
Offi ce Ma n age r on Reserve matters, and prepares routine
The administrative assistant will be head- correspondence on Reserve and College
quartered at VIMS. He or she will provide matters;
support to the -Reserve director by perform- Coordinates internship program. Prepares an-
ing a variety of administrative functions, in- nouncements of internship opportunities.
cluding reviewing, summarizing, prioritizing Serves as interface between prospective in-
terns and staff. Assists with paperwork, find-
and expediting daily routine issues requiring ing housing, and orientation;
top-level review and response. Specific respon- Conducts various clericaljobs, including typ-
sibilities are as follows: ing, word-processing, text editing, proof-
Designs and maintains a recordkeeping and reading, mailing, filing and transcribing;
milestone-tracking system for projects and Prepares appropriate forms, inlcuding those
awards. Apprises staff, volunteers, students' for purchase orders, local travel, "venda-
and contractors of upcoming due dates. cards," petty cash and vessel use;
Collects input from staff, volunteers, stu- Maintains inventory and stocks of office sup-
dents and contractors and compiles quar- plies, making purchases at VIMS Central
terly performance reports for NOAA, semi- Supply or through an appropriate commer-
annual reports for the Council on the En- cial vendor when inventory gets low, and
vironment, and the annual VIMS report. provides supplies to other staff-,
Provides timely information to SRD for the Maintains mailing lists and prints labels when
National Estuarine Research Reserve Sys- needed;
tem quarterly status report; Makes travel arrangements for other program
Maintains a calendar of work flow for staff, staff and helps visitors to the Reserve sites
volunteers, students and contractors. Ad- find appropriate accommodations;
vises Reserve director on progress of as- Supervises printing and mailing of newslet-
signments and recommends changes and ter, brochures and reports and works with
additions; volunteers assigned to publication and writ-
Reviews mail for headquarters, assigns mail ers' teams;
to appropriate staff for response and ad- Serves as receptionist for visitors and people
vises director of assignments. Reviews con- telephoning the office;
tent and accuracy of completed informa- Assists other staff on special projects and pub-
tion prepared for director's approval. lications; and
Drafts responses to routine matters and in- Reports to the director for the performance
terprets and responds to issues covered by of these responsibilities.
established policies; I
Schedules meetings of advisory committees. ADVISORY COMMITTEE ROLES
Works with director and coordinators to
develop agendas. Prepares letters announc- AND RESPONSIBILITIES
ing meetings and handouts for meetings. Raource-Notection Advisory Committee
Arranges meeting facilities and logistics; The Resource-Protection Advisory Commit-
Conducts research on special projects. For tee will comprise representatives of affected
example, conducts deed research on prop- landowners, the Goodwin Islands Steering
erties proposed for inclusion in the Re- Committee, state resource management agen-
serve System; cies, and affected counties. In addition, a staff
Serves as liaison with the Board of Visitors member of the Council on the Environment
and Endowment Association Of The COl- and the Reserve director will serve as voting
lege of William and Mary. Maintains Board members. A NOAA representative will serve
and Endowment Association schedules, ex officio. The Resource-Protection Advisory
prepares resolutions and other pertinent Committee's duties are as follows:

Provides guidance for establishing annual pri- Monitors and provides advice on local issues
orities for resource-protection and restora- and new opportunities for cooperative re-
don efforts within Reserve sites; search and monitoring;
Reviews and monitors the progress of spe- Evaluates overall progress toward achieving
cific resource-protection activities carried research and monitoring priorities and ad-
out within a Reserve site to ensure that justs long@-term direction accordingly.
they are consistent with the goals and man-
agement policies of this plan; Education Advisory Committee
Considers the need for additional resource The Education Advisory Committee will
protection as new issues arise and makes comprise representatives of area institutions
recommendations to regulatory agencies of higher education, state agencies conduct-
concerning the need for additions or revi- ing education, Alliance for the Chesapeake
sions to existing regulations; Bay, Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Mariners'
Monitors progress in implementing the ac- Museum, Virginia Living Museum, and Vir-
quisition strategy and provides guidance ginia Marine Science Museum. In addition, a
on the terms of conservation easements staff member of the Council on the Environ-
and management agreements; and ment and the Reserve director will serve as
Reviews proposals for facilities development, voting members. A representative from NOAA
including siting, design and construction, will serve in an ex officio capacity. The Edu-
to ensure consistency with resource-protec- cation Advisory Committee's responsibilities
tion policies and provisions of this man- are as follows:
agement plan. Reviews and approves lists of annual priori-
ties for education and interpretation ac-
Research and Monitming Adviso?:v tivities for appropriate Reserve sites;
Committee Reviews education proposals and designs pro-
The Research and Monitoring Advisory posals for all educational and interpretive
Committee will consist of representatives of facilities, displays, media, curricula, train-
area colleges and universities, state resource ing programs, etc., and monitors progress
management agencies (e.g., representatives of specific activities to ensure that they are
of the original Research and Information consistent with the goals of the Reserve
Needs Committee), affected counties, Virgin- program and this management plan;
ia Academy of Sciences, Virginia Sea Grant Evaluates progress toward achieving priori-
colleges, Virginia Consortium of Marine Sci- ties for education and interpretation and
ence Graduate Programs, Chesapeake Re- adjusting long-term priorities accordingly;
search Consortium, and Chesapeake Bay Re- and
search Planning Committee. In addition, a In consultation with the Resource-Protection
staff member of the Council on the Environ- Advisory Committee, develops additional
ment and the Reserve director will serve as visitor-use policies as new issues arise, and
voting members. A repre 'sentative of NOAA provides recommendations to regulatory
will serve as an ex officio member. agencies for additions or revisions to exist-
The Research and Monitoring Conunittee's ing regulations.
responsibilities are as follows:
Reviews and approves priorities for Reserve FIVE-YEAR PLAN OF ACTIVITIES
research and monitoring projects; AND STAFFING
Reviews Reserve research and monitoring pro- Five-Year Activities Plan
posals and interim and final research and The implementation of this management
monitoring reports; plan, including the hiring of staff-, the initia-
Reviews permit applications; tion of research, monitoring, education and
volunteer programs; and the development of

facilities, will begin after designation and will desired conditions rather than specific ac-
be phased in during the five-year life of the dons, whereas the objectives are short-term,
plan (see Table 9). Certain activities will take measurable steps that can be taken to fulfill
place before designation. After the first five- the goals. The activities and programs rec-
year period, this plan will be revised and the ommended for implementation under this
schedule changed accordingly. plan are aimed at achieving the objectives.
Five-Year Staffing Plan Resource-Protection Goal
11
Table 10 presents a five-year staffing plan, To protect the natural integrity of the ecosys-
which assumes the availability of funds and tems within the Research Reserve from dis-
approval for hires. The start of Year 1 coin- ruptive activities inside and outside of the
cides with the beginning of the state fiscal Reserve's boundaries
year (July 1, 1991). Year 1 is also the second
year in the FY1990-92 biennium. In Year 1, a RaoUrCe-Proteclion 0@ectives
full-time education coordinator and a part- Through conservation easements, Manage-
time research coordinator will be hired us- ment agreements, memoranda of under-
ing state funds, and a graduate intern will be standing, or land acquisition, to acquire
recruited using private (endowment) funds. and protect key land and water areas ap-
A marine scientist and an administrative as- proximating entire ecological units and
sistant will be hired with federal funds. Re- comprising the research core and adjacent
queso will be made to the General Assemb'Y buffer areas;
for state funds and full-time equivalents for To coordinate existing surveillance and en-
the federally funded positions, as appropri- forcement and, when necessary, establish
ate. SRD funds will be used for those posi- a mechanism to increase resource protec-
dons until state support is obtained. tion;
To coordinate surveillance and enforcement
and, when necessary, to establish a mecha-
PIRC)GRAM GOALS, nism to increase resource protection;
To provide for adequate public participation
OBJECTIVES as a means to promote compatible uses of
AND STRATEGIES the Reserve and enhance awareness of the
need to protect sensitive resources; and
MISSION, GOALS To rehabilitate Reserve habitats where neces-
sary to restore natural biodiversity and pre-
AND OBJECTIVES vent further resource degradation.
The mission of the Chesapeake Bay Na-
tional Estuarine Research Reserve System in Research Goal
Virginia is to establish a statewide network of To use Research Reserves for long-term stud-
estuarine Research Reserves that will repre- ies to improve understanding of natural and
sent the diversity of coastal ecosystems found human processes in estuaries and to develop
within the Virginia portion of the Chesapeake information for improved decisionmaking.
Bay and its tributaries, as identified for the
Chesapeake Bay Program. Estuarine Research Research 01@ectives
Reserves will be managed by the Virginia In-
stitute of Marine Science in cooperation with To promote long-term baseline studies to
relevant local, state and federal agencies and characterize flora and fauna at Reserve sites
affected landowners. and to elucidate ecological interrelation-
Reserve sites will be managed to meet spe- ships;
cific goals and objectives. The goals are long@
term and somewhat open-ended, focusing on

Table 9
FIVE-YEAR ACTIVITIES PLAN
Predes4gnation: July 1, 1990-june 30, 1991 Second Year. July 1, 1992-June 30, 1993
Finalize conservation easements and management Manage designated sites according to the ter-ins of
agreements for Catlett Islands and Sweet Hall Marsh. conservation easements, management agreements
Finalize memorandum of understanding for Taskinas and memorandum of understanding.
Creek. Receive an operations award from SRD.
Complete transfer of tide for Goodwin Islands. Negotiate conservation easements and management
Prepare the final management plan. agreements for private and public lands adjacent to
Reserve sites.
Hire an education coordinator and research coordi- Receive an acquistion and development award to
nator, contingent upon availability of funding. begin construction and/or renovation of a research
Establish first volunteer teams by working with the and education center and associated facilities.
Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay to place citizen Evaluate achievements of first monitoring and
water quality monitors at all York River Reserve sites education awards and apply for additional awards
and by continuing volunteer involvement in bird from SRD.
census and vegetation analysis at the Catlett Islands.
Encourage scientists to apply for fimding under SRD
Fint Year. July 1, 1991-June 30, 1992 research awards for priority research projects idend-
Manage designated sites according to the terms of fied in this plan.
conservation easements, management agreements Recruit an unpaid volunteer coordinator.
and memorandum of understanding. Expand the volunteer program by working with the
Receive an operations award from SRD. Chesapeake Bay Foundation to identify "Bay Watch-
Receive an acquisition and development award from ers" for the Reserve sites and by expanding bird
census, vegetation analysis and beach clean-ups to at
SRD to develop concept and site plans for a research least one additional York River Reserve site. Continue
and education center and associated facilities, citizen water quality monitors at all York River
including state capital outlay proposal, required Reserve sites, volunteer bird census and vegetation
architectural, engineering, archaeological, historic analysis at the Catlett Islands, and estuarine debris
preservation, and construction plans, and necessary monitoring at the Goodwin Islands. Evaluate achieve-
permit applications. ments and effectiveness of volunteer teams and team
Receive monitoring and education awards from SRD. members and make changes, including adding teams
and volunteers as needed to help support research
Encourage scientists to apply for funding under SRD and education programs funded under this phase.
research for priority research projects identified in
this plan. Evaluate results of software and hardware analysis of
GIS and database management requirements and
Seek ftmding for a study of software and hardware purchase recommended software and hardware, as
requirements for a geographic information system funds permit.
and database management system. Continue to seek additional funds from public and
Establish and convene advisory committees. private sources for research and education projects.
Seek other sources of funding for research and Convene advisory committee meetings in accordance
education projects (e.g., from private contributions, with proscribed schedule;
Virginia Environmental Endowment, Earth Watch,
Renew America, etc.). Complete designation process for Research Reserve
Develop a manual for volunteer involvement in the sites on Rappahannock and Potomac rivers; and
Reserve. Prepare required reports for the General Assembly,
Council on the Environment and SRD.
Develop a Reserve brochure.
Develop a mobile exhibit
Complete site identification and evaluation process
for Research Reserve sites on the Rappahannock and
Potomac rivers.
Prepare required reports for the General Assembly,
Council on the Environment and SRD.

Table 9, continued
EEVE-YEAR ACTMTIES PLAN
Third Year July 1, 1993-june 30, 1994 Continue to convene regular meetings of advisory
Manage designated sites according to tems of committees.
operations award, conservation easements and Initiate site-selection process for Research Reserve
management agreements. sites on theJames River and along the Western Shore
Receive an operations award from SRD. of the Bay.
Evaluate achievements of second monitoring and Prepare required reports for the General Assembly,
education Awards and apply for third-year monitor- Council on the Environment and SRD.
ing and education awards from SRD. Fourth and Fifth Years: July 1,' 1 994-June 30, 1996
Continue to encourage scientists to apply for SRD VIMS will continue to manage the Reserve sites,
research awards. refining and modifying operations as experience is
Develop an education and research prospectus for gained, and will confinue to expand the program
Reserve sites. contingent upon the availability of ftmds and demon-
Coordinate, expand and evaluate volunteer pro- strated interest in program expansion. During the
grams. fifth year, VIMS will convene an external body to
review progress and achievements under this plan
Continue to maintain and update GIS and data files. and to make recommendations for changes to the
plan. VIMS will revise the management plan accord-
Continue to seek funds from public and private ingly and will hire additional staff contingent upon
sources. the availability of funds and demonstrated needs.

To improve understanding of tributary water and concerns related to estuarine manage-
quality, particularly spatial and temporal ment and protection;
dynamics, requirements for growth and sur- To collaborate with other organizations to
vival of living resources, and contributions provide educational and interpretive ser-
and effects of point and non-point pollu- vices at appropriate Reserve sites;
tion; To provide opportunities for teacher train-
To promote better understanding of estua- ing, student projects, internships and as-
rine physical processes, such as tidal influ- sistantships in which participants work with
ence, circulation dynamics, freshwater in- scientists, gain field experience'and learn
flow, stratification patterns and sediment about the importance of research results;
dynamics; Through volunteer programs and personal
To encourage studies that make effective use contact with Reserve resources, to enhance
of past research and that address data gaps interest in and commitment to the Chesa-
in the Reserve's information base; and peake Bay and its tributaries;
To provide for effective use and communica- To provide appropriate facilities that contrib-
tion of research results. ute to educational, interpretive, volunteer
and research use of Reserve sites; and
Education Goal To provide for appropriate traditional uses
To enhance public awareness, understanding of Reserve sites, including hunting, fish-
and wise use of estuarine resources in the ing, trapping and boating.
Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries.
Education Objectives
To promote knowledge of the Research Re-
serve, its resources and its programs, as
well as knowledge of broader coastal issues

Table 10
FIVE-YEAR STAFFING PLAN
Positi (* denotes new position) FTE Position (* denotes new position) YTE
Year I Year 4
Program director .......................................................IProgram director .....................................................I
Education coordinator* .................................. ........1Education coordinator ............................................I
Research coordinator* ............................................. 0.5 Research coordinator ..............................................I
Administrative assistant* ...........................................IAdministrative assistant ............................................I
Marine scientist* .......................................................IMarine scientist ........................................................I
Research assistant I ................................................... 0.5 Research assistant I.................................................. 0.5
Research Intern* ...................................................... 0.5 Research assistant H................................................. 0.5
TotW Year I FTE ....................................... 5.5 Intern ....................................................................... 0.5
Clerical, part-time, hourly
Year 2 Volunteer coordinator, part-time, hourly
Program director ......................................................ITotal Year 4 FrE ....................................... 6.5
Education coordinator .............................................I
Research coordinator .............................................. 0.5 Year 5
Administrative assistant ............................................IProgram director .....................................................I
Marine scientist .........................................................IEducation coordinator ............................................I
Research assistant I .................................................. 0.5 Research coordinator ..............................................1
Intern ....................................................................... 0.5 Administrative assistant ............................................1
Clerical, part-time, hourly* Marine scientist ........................................................1
Volunteer coordinator, unpaid* Research assistant I .................................................. 0.5
Total Year 2 FrE ........................................ 5.5 Research assistant II ................................................. 0.5
Intern ....................................................................... 0.5
Year 3 Office manager/clerical, part-time, hourly
Program director ......................................................IVolunteer coordinator, part-time, hourly
Education coordinator ..............................................ITotal Year 5 FrE ....................................... 6.5
Research coordinator ............................................... 0.5
Administrative assistant .............................................I
Marine scientist .........................................................1
Research assistant I .................................................. 0.5
Research assistant ll* ................................................ 0.5
Intern ....................................................................... 0.5
Clerical, part-time, hourly
Volunteer coordinator, (unpaid)
Total Year 3 FrE ....................................... 6.0

SITE BOUNDARIES polyhahne conditions and insular biogeogra-
AND ACQUISITION STRATEGY Phy.
GOODWIN ISIANDS The proposed Re- The proposed buffer zone surrounds the
serve consists of a 777-acre research core en- Goodwin Islands and encompasses submerged
compassing the entire Goodwin Islands com- aquatic vegetation beds, oyster reefs, uncon-
plex, and an 830-acre buffer zone. The core solidated substrates, and shallow open water.
area includes 276 acres of emergent To the north, east and south of the Goodwin
polyhaline wetlands, 29 acres of broad-leafed Islands, the buffer zone extends seaward from
forested wetlands, 7 acres of needle-leafed for- the core boundary to a depth of 2.0 m, which
. roughly the boundary between wetlands
ested wetlands, 11 acres of scrub-shrub wet- is
lands, 58 acres of upland forest, 88 acres of and deepwater habitats, as defined by
intertidal Rats, 5 acres of palustrine open wa- Cowardin et al. (1979). To the west, the buffer
ter (ponds), 303 acres of submerged aquatic zone boundary coincides with the eastern
vegetation beds, and 343 acres of non-veg- channel of the Thorofare.
etated subaqueous bottoms. Community type In 1984, the Goodwin Islands were donated
and biotic composition are typical of to the Endowment Association of the Col-

lege of William and Mary in Virginia Inc., a beds. The seaward boundary of the core area
charitable corporation established to receive coincides with the seaward margin of the
gifts that serve the education and research former seagrass beds at a depth of 0.6 m (2.0
mission of The College of William and Mary feet below mean sea level). The landward
and its schools. The Endowment Association boundary of the core area coincides with the
accepted the islands so that they could be wetland/upland boundary on Timberneck
used for scientific research and marine sci- Farm. The buffer zone extends seaward to a
ence education through the College's Virginia depth of 2.0 m and includes 220 acres of
Institute of Marine Science and School of submerged bottoms. The forested slope above
Marine Science. In 1990, the Endowment As- the wetlands on Timberneck Farm forms a
sociation donated the property to the Board natural landward buffer to the core area.
of Visitors of the College so that it could be The Catlett Islands are privately owned.
incorporated into the Reserve as state prop- The owners of all but one parcel have agreed
erty. That transfer enables VIMS to use the to permit incorporation of the islands into
fair market value of the Goodwin Islands as the Reserve through conservation easement
state match for federal acquisition and devel- or management agreement and retain the
opment funds. The following restrictive cov- right to:
enants have been added to the deed: Continue to use the Catlett Islands for naturalistic
purposes subject to the conditions set forth in the
The Goodwin Islands are to be preserved as a easement or agreement;
natural area and protected from development in Continue to hunt, fish, trap, and gather oysters on
perpetuity; and around the Catlett islands subject to appli-
The College ofWilliam and Mary faculty, staff and cable laws, or restrict the use thereof for these
students will continue to have access to the activities;
Goodwin Islands for research and educational Improve, repair, restore, alter, remove, remodel
use; or replace existing permitted structures, provided
VIMS will remain the on-site manager and respon- that such activity is consistent with the manage-
sible for controlling access to and activities on the ment plan; and
Goodwin Islands; and Continue to use the Catlett Islands, adjacent up-
Should [the Chesapeake Bay National Estuarine lands, and waterways for all purposes consistent
Research Reserve System in Virginia] cease to with the terms of the plan.
exist or should any of the requirements listed In return, VIMS agrees to:
above be violated, the ownership ofthelslandswill
revert back to the Board of Trustees of the Endow- Prepare and keep current a management plan to
ment Association. directfuture research activities involving the Catlett
Goodwin Islands Site Owneyship Islands;
Owner Parcel Size Manage the property for the purpose of conduct-
(in acres) ing basic and applied scientific research consis-
The College of William and Mary ........... 492 tent with the management plan;
Commonwealth of Virginia ................... 1,115 Conduct ecological surveys and maintain data-
bases for monitoring purposes;
CATLETT ISLANDS The proposed Re- Provide timely and accurate information through
search Reserve consists of a 6Wacre research periodic meetings and reports to the landowners
core, which encompasses all but a small por- and the citizens of the Commonwealth regarding
don (79 acres) of the entire Catlett Islands the quality and conservation of living and non-
ecological unit, and a 220-acre buffer zone. living resources of the Catlett Islands; and
The core area includes 168 acres of emer- Provide adequate liability insurance for those
gent mesohaline marsh, 164 acres of broad- employed in permitted activities on the Catlett
leaved forested wetlands,' 14 acres of forested Islands and fumish evidence of such coverage.
upland hammock, and 351 acres of sub- The terms of the conservation easements
merged bottoms that once supported seagrass and management agreement are presented

in Appendix A. The value of the donated ish and freshwater wetlands, 65.7 acres of bot-
conservation casements or property can be tomland hardwood forest, 372 acres of ul>-
used by VIMS as match for federal acquisi- land deciduous forest, 3 acres of intertidal
tion and development funds. flats and 1.3 acres of creek bottom. A buffer
Figure 18 shows property boundaries on zone will be developed if agreements can be
the Catlett Islands. The easternmost parcel, reached with adjacent priviite landowners.
Parcel 65 (64 acres) is owned by William H. As a part of York River State Park, the Taski-
Ferguson Jr., who has entered into a manage- nas Creek component encompasses land and
ment agreement with VIMS. Five parcels are water already in the public domain. The area
owned by Catletts. John W. C. Catlett Jr., so defined is sufficient to meet the goals and
Charles Catlett and Mary Armistead Catlett objectives of the program, although addi-
Burruss own Parcel 64 (115 acres), Parcel 90 tional buffer areas are desirable. The possi-
(112 acres); and Parcels 87/89 (115 acres). bility of including privately owned wetlands,
Mary Armistead Catlett Burruss owns Parcel creek bottom and forests on ravine slopes
91 (112 acres). These parcels have been do- adjacent to the park boundary as buffers is
nated through conservation easements to The being explored. These areas will be proposed
College of William and Mary. The Common- for inclusion at a later date if approved by
wealth owns open-water areas below mean low the landowners and NOAA.
tide. The Reserve's goals and objectives comple-
Excluded from the Reserve is Parcel 88 ment those of York River State Park. The Park
(79 acres) owned by Dean A. and Merrilou is managed for passive recreational, educa-
Ablowich. After the closing of the comment tional and research uses. Because a partner-
period for the Draft Environmental Impact ship between the Virginia Department of
Statement and Draft Management Plan for Conservation and Recreation and VIMS
the Reserve, Mr. and Mrs. Ablowich decided would be mutually beneficial, a memorandum
not to enter into a management agreement of understanding between these entities has
with VIMS under the terms set by the Com- been signed (see Appendix A) identifying
monwealth and NOAA. Therefore, this par- roles and responsibilities for the department
cel will not become part of the Reserve. and VIMS regarding the Reserve program.

Catlett Islands Site Oumership Taskinas Creek Site Ownership
Owner Parcel Size Owner Size
(in acres)* (in acres)
William H. Fergusonjr . ............... 65 ............ 64 Department of
John W, C. CatlettJr. et at . ........... 64 ........... 115 Conservation and Recreation ................... 525
John W. C. CatlettJr. et at . ........ 87/89 ......... 155
John W. C. CatlettJr. et at . ........... 90 ............ 112 SWEET HAU MARSH The Sweet Hall
Mary A. Catlett Burruss ............... 91 ........... 112 Marsh research core consists of 871.26 acres.
Commonwealth of Virginia It encompasses 818 acres of emergent fresh-
(open water) .............................................. 352 water marsh, 35 acres of permanently flooded
broad-leaved forested wetlands, 8.9 acres of
Note: The acreage figures from tax records do seasonally flooded forested wetlands, 9 acres
not agree with those from the National Wetland of scrub-shrub wetlands, and 0.36 acres of
Inventory map because of dfferent survey meth- tidal flats. The proposed buffer zone consists
ods. of 521.6 acres. It encompasses 1 acre of per-
manently flooded riverine bottom, 10 acres
TASKINAS CREEK The Reserve site con- of open water, 6.6 acres of temporarily
sists of a 525-acre research core within the flooded wetland forest, 3 acres of seasonally
boundaries of York River State Park. The core flooded scrub-shrub wetlands, and 501 acres
area will include: 83 acres of emergent brack- of upland forest.

Figure 18
CATLETT ISLANDS PROPERTY BOUNDARIES

32
.... ..... ...
... . ........
...........
s
N;1

35'

n635
:0:
IX

unclaring
Ant
Rosewell
rn rden

Oliver Landing; 35

.... .......

p
........ eq

.......... . .....
26

..........
......... 9%0 91

L Greg n Point 2
4b+
4
Cb
A .....
0

........... .

.0 410
165

. . . . . . . . .. . .

FIResearch Core Area
r._._1
LLJ Buffer Area
EM Excluded from CBNERRS-VA

Except for that part of the Reserve that is Provide adequate liability insurance for those
below mean low water, which is owned by the employed in permitted activities on Sweet Hall
Commonwealth, the core and buffer areas Marsh and furnish evidence of such coverage.
are privately owned. The marsh core and part
of the upland buffer are owned by Tacoma Sweet Hall Marsh Site Ownership
Hunting and Fishing Club and the forested Owner Parcel Size
wetland core; the remaining upland buffer is (in acres)*
owned by Chesapeake Corporation. (Figure Tacoma Hunting and Fishing Club .... 18 .... 949
19). Chesapeake's upland property is man- Tacoma Hunting and Fishing Club .... 17 .... 145
aged for pulpwood production and is sched- Chesapeake Corporation ..................... 12 .... 189
uled for harvest in 2004. There is a natural Commonwealth of Virginia
vegetative buffer strip between the pine plan- (open water) .............................................. 352
tation and the forested wetlands. * Note: The acreage figures from tax records do
The Tacoma Hunting and Fishing Club and not agree with acreage figures from the National
Chesapeake Corporation have signed man- Wetland Inventory map because of different sur-
agement agreements with VIMS (see Appen- vey methods.
dix A) - The landowners permit access to the
property for research and education but re- RESOURCE-PROTECTION PLAN
serve for themselves, their personal repre,,, Management Policies
tatives, their heirs, their successors, and their The following is a synopsis of the manage-
assigns the right to: ment policies that will be adhered to in ful-
Continue to use Sweet Hall Marsh for naturalistic filling the goals and objectives listed above.
purposes subject to the conditions set forth in the Specific policies are given in Appendix B.
agreement; The health and natural integrity of Reserve
Continue to hunt, fish, and trap at Sweet Hall sites will be protected and, where necessary,
Marsh subject to applicable laws, or lease or re- restored, to provide a productive, stable envi-
strict the use thereof for these activities; ronment for research, education and com-
Create ponds in the buffer area above Sweet Hall patible traditional activities. Reserve pro-
Marsh and raise and release ducks and geese; grams, activities and facilities will augment,
Improve, repair, restore, alter, remove, remodel not replace, the conservation, research, edu-
or replace existing permitted structures, provided cation and historical uses of the site by the
that such activity is consistent with the manage- site property owners. Reserve programs also
ment plan; and will complement traditional uses outside Re-
Continue to use Sweet Hall Marsh and adjacent serve boundaries. Public access policies will
uplands and waterways for all purposes consistent be developed individually for each site (see
with the terms of the agreement. Public Access Plan below) .
In return, VIMS agrees to: Unless otherwise stated in conservation
Prepare and keep current a management plan to easements, management agreements or mem-
direct ffiture research activities involving Sweet oranda of understanding, site property own-
Hall Marsh; ers will continue to protect and administer
Manage die property for the purpose of conduct- their lands and facilities, including those des-
ing basic and applied scientific research consis- ignated as Reserves, and to use their lands
tent with the management plan; and facilities for activities that do not adversely
Conduct ecological surveys and maintain a cur- affect implementation of this management
rent information base for monitoring purposes; plan, conflict with Reserve goals and objec-
Provide timely and accurate information through tives, or adversely affect the Reserve's natu-
periodic meetings and reports to the landowners ral resources.
and the citizens of the Commonwealth regarding Present levels of traditional, compatible
the quality and conservation of living and non- uses (e.g., hunting, fishing, trapping, oyster-
living resources of Sweet Hall Marsh; and ing, boating) at and adjacent to Reserve sites

Figure 19
SWEET HALL MARSH PROPERTY BOUNDARIES

7
4-

0
'V

Sweet Hal
Hill
......... Mars
h

-10 --------------

e ... .. ....
Sw e

i'da

S w e e t a 11 M a r s h

j
A10

Research Core Area Hill
Marsh

Buffer Area

will continue as provided for by local, state research and education programs also re-
or federal law. Activities of adjacent property quires prior approval. All projects will use
owners will not be restricted by Reserve des- best-management practices to preclude deg-
ignation, although appropriate action will be radation of the natural environment and cul-
considered if off-site activities threaten the tural resources. The use of toxic substances
Reserve's natural integrity or designated uses. is prohibited in the core area and strongly
The Reserve manages sites - cooperatively discouraged in the buffer area. Proper dis-
with VIMS, site owners, local government posal of all trash, litter and common pollut-
agencies, state govern *ment agencies and pri- ants is mandatory.
vate organizations. Resource protection will Restoration will be minimal. In general,
rely on a number of existing federal, state Reserve sites are pristine, and any degrada-
and local laws and regulations, as well as Re- tion is minor. Minor restoration may be un-
serve management and site owner policies. dertaken to control erosion, eradicate exotic
Reserve staff will need to be knowledgeable plants or re-establish native vegetation to pre-
of and involved with land and water use is- serve the Reserve site or enhance its research
sues in the vicinities of Reserve sites. and education value. (Please see the Restora-
VIMS will arrange to provide basic support tion Plan).
services required to carry out this manage- The planning of any construction will in-
ment plan. Federal and state funding may be clude the review of an archaeological survey
used for capital improvements, such as the of the area. A determination will be made as
construction of Reserve facilities or improve- to whether or not known archaeological sites
ment of access roads, boat ramps and trails. are directly significant and portions of the
Funds from a variety of federal, state and pri- site would be disturbed by construction. Wher-
vate sources will be sought to fund research ever feasible, construction plans will be al-
and education programs. Reserve budget and tered to preclude disturbing sites having ar-
proposals will follow the state fiscal year, July chaeological, historical or cultural signifi-
1 throughJune 30. VIMS will coordinate the cance.
distribution of federal, state and private funds The Reserve will retain the ability to alter
and will act as liaison between NOAA and or amend the specific management policies
the site owners, agencies and organizations outlined in Appendix B as changes occur in
involved in Reserve programs. the relevant statutes, laws and regulations; as
Land will be brought into the Reserve pro- resource-use patterns change; and as im-
gram only through agreements with willing proved scientific information is obtained. The
participants or through fee-simple acquisition policies will be reviewed as part of the overall
from willing sellers. The Commonwealth will management review and modified as needed.
not use condemnation procedures to acquire The policies will be applied site-specifically
land for the Reserve program. as proscribed in relevant conservation ease-
Resource protection and non-manipulative ments, management agreements and memo-
research will be given the highest priorities randa of understanding.
in the management of Reserve sites. With
the exceptions of samples taken for approved State and Local Regulations
research programs and fish and game taken Affecting Reseme Sites
under site-specific traditional-use policies, 4,
nothing may be removed from the core area VIMS will rely upon existing regulations,
without the approval of the Reserve manager statutes and jurisdictions to protect the health
and site owner. Plants, animals, minerals or and productivity of Reserve sites. In addition,
any parts of these (including such things as VIMS and affected landowners will tailor and
leaf litter) must remain to protect the core implement certain land-use policies for the
area's integrity. Removal of objects and specific needs of individual sites. Appendix B
samples from the buffer zone for approved provides a brief description of state resource

protection responsibilities and regulations Homer Buck, who leases hunting rights from
and a fist of federal and state jurisdictions the Catletts. Two other structures are no
affecting the sites. Through the use of a Re- longer habitable. The Ferguson hunting lodge
source Protection Advisory Committee, VIMS was destroyed by fire.
will seek to coordinate the review of activities
and proposals affecting the Reserve sites. TASKINAS CREEK York River State Park
All local ordinances 'county zoning restric- has its own special land classification system
tions, and critical area designations will con- as provided by the rules and regulations of
tinue to apply to Reserve sites. The following the Division of the State Parks. Under that
zoning classifications now apply: classification system the Taskinas Creek wa-
tershed is classified "undeveloped special,"
GOODWIN ISLANDS The Goodwin Is- with small areas designated "undeveloped
lands are zoned Residential-Conservation open." Undeveloped special areas are defined
(RC). The Residential-Conservation District as areas not presently being considered for
is the least intensive zoning classification in development or preservation that are highly
York County. It is intended primarily to apply susceptible to erosion, pose a safety hazard,
to low-density residential use (5-acre mini- or are being specifically managed (e.g., for
mum lot size) and to the vast amounts of wildlife or forests). This classification might
federally owned military and U.S. Park Ser- restrict public use. "Undeveloped open" is
vice property in the county, as well as to pub- not presently being considered for develop-
licly or privately owned conservation or envi- ment and maintained in a natural condition,
ronmentally sensitive areas. Under this classi- although not particularly unique, but repre-
fication, primary permitted uses are conven- sentative of the local natural environment.
tional residential development (single-family These areas are available for public access.
detached dwellings), cluster residential de- Property outside the park boundaries is
velopment, and agriculture. The Goodwin Is- zoned as Agriculture, Forestry, and Rural Resi-
lands are uninhabited, and no utilities or ser- dential, Low Density Residential, or Conser-
vices operate on the islands. vation. Agriculture, Forestry, and Rural Resi-
dential areas include farms, forests and scat-
CATLETT ISLANDS The Catlett Islands tered homes for which utilities and urban
are zoned as a Rural District (R-1). In gen- services do not exist and are not planned for
eral, that classification covers the rural areas the near future. Appropriate activities prima-
in Gloucester County that are farms or for- rily include continued farming and forestry,
ests. The intent of the district is to preserve along with some recreational and public or
the rural character of Gloucester County by semi-public and institutional uses, which may
maintaining farming and forestry, by conserv- require a spacious site and are compatible
ing water and land resources, and by protect- with rural surroundings. Low Density Resi-
ing watersheds. The district provides for very dential areas include residential development
low-density residential housing but controls or land suitable for development with overall
against random commercial and industrial densities as great as four dwellings per acre.
uses and residential subdivisions. The permit- Conservation areas are not considered suit-
ted uses include agriculture, forestry, portable able for active development and usually con-
sawmills, single-family detached dwellings, sist of stream beds, wetlands, flood hazard
mobile homes, home gardens, hunting clubs, areas and critical habitats.
fishing clubs, natural wildlife preserves and
similar conservation areas, golf courses, coun- SWEET HALL MARSH Sweet Hall Marsh
try clubs, and riding stables. and adjacent bottomlands and uplands are
The Catlett Islands are uninhabited, al- zoned as an Agricultural-Rural Residence Dis-
though several structures are present. One is trict (AR). Usually, lands within AR districts
a hunting lodge frequently occupied by Mr. are reserved for agriculture, forestry and ru-

ral land use, although low-density, single-fam- play a Reserve flag from the research vessel
ily residences are allowed. The purpose of or land vehicle to alert authorities and land-
the AR district is to encourage continued ag- owners that approved activities are in
ricultural and forest uses and preserve the progress. The permit and flag must be re-
natural beauty of rural areas of the county turned to Reserve headquarters upon comple-
for which urban services, such as water and tion of the permitted activity.
sewer mains, are not planned. Areas like
Sweet Hall Marsh were designated natural fea- Surveillance and Enforcement
tures in the 1983 Comprehensive Plan for Existing surveillance and enforcement
King William County and are recommended mechanisms will remain in effect. Reserve
for protection from adverse impacts. These sites fall under a number of different and
areas are being considered for designation sometimes overlapping jurisdictions of local
as Forestal and Agricultural Districs in the and state agencies, and coordination and co-
revised comprehensive plan (in prep.). operation among all authorities is essential.
The Division of State Parks will be respon-
Existing Permits and Licenses sible for surveillance and enforcement of
Existing requirements for local, state and park-specific rules and regulations within York
federal permits and licenses will be observed, River State Park. Law enforcement on pri-
and usual application procedures will be fol- vate lands will remain the responsibility of
lowed. county sheriffs and game wardens. VIMS will
coordinate and cooperate with these regula-
Reserve-Specific Permits tory authorities and invite their representa-
Two types of permits will be issued by VIMS tion on the Reserve's Resource Protection
for activities conducted within Research Re- Advisory Committee. VIMS will request to be
serve sites, a basic research permit to princi- notified of all warnings and citations occur-
pal investigators conducting approved re- ring within Reserve boundaries.
search projects and a special-use permit that In addition to regulatory authorities, the
may be issued under special circumstances Reserve will use education, signs and other
for activities otherwise prohibited by man- devices, as necessary, to deter vandalism, lit-
agement policies. Requests for basic and spe- tering, poaching and other abuses. The Re-
cial-use permits will be carefully reviewed by serves will be adequately posted with infor-
Reserve staff and the Resource Protection mation about access policies, controlled and
Advisory Committee. In addition to Reserve allowable uses, reasons for restrictions, and
permit applicants, the Division of State Parks consequences of violations. This information
will continue to issue permits for activities in will be posted in strategic locations where
York River State Park, and the Department problems have occurred or are occurring.
of Game and Inland Fisheries will continue
to issue scientific collection permits for any MANAGEMENT ISSUES
faunal resources under its jurisdiction.
Applications for permits from other agen- The following section describes significant
cies must be obtained from the appropriate issues related to the management of the York
agency. A permittee must carry approved Re- River components. The issues stem from con-
serve permits at all times and properly dis- ditions and potential conditions in the York
River basin and at the individual sites. Identi-
fying management issues allows pinpointing
of research, education and resource protec-
tion needs and justification of programs and
activities proposed in the Final Management
Plan.

ENVIRONMENTAL in Tidewater Virginia and elsewhere in the
CONDITIONS WITHIN eastern United States where population
THE YORK RIVER BASIN growth and economic development have in-
creased the need for increased offstream with-
The need to maintain the productivity drawals. Several localities in and around the
and diversity of coastal habitats tidthin York River basin are studying potential water
the York River basin in theface of supplies that can meet projected needs in
accelerated p6pulation growth and the next century.
coastal develohment Singularly and in combination, several of
those studies could result in projects that
The York River is one of the least disturbed would threaten the environmental integrity
of Virginia's tributaries, yet its watershed is and stability of the Reserve sites. Hanover
one of the fastest developing. The river is County is studying the feasibility of construct-
relatively unpolluted and extremely produc- ing Crump Creek Reservoir on the Pamun-
tive, but there are signs of worsening ecolop key River to store water withdrawn from the
cal conditions within the basin, including de- Pamunkey at a rate of 25 million gallons per
clines in harvestable finfish, shellfish, and wa- day (mgd). Spotsylvania County is studying
terfowl; loss of submerged aquatic vegetation, the feasibility of impounding the Po River, a
wetlands, and deciduous forests; and increases tributary to the Mattaponi River, wbich would
in nutrients, turbidity, toxic substances, and reduce minimum instrearn flow by 8 mgd. A
other contaminants at selected locations. regional Raw Water Study Group, consisting
Population growth is one of the major of the cities of Newport News and Williams-
threats to environmental quality in the York burg and York and James City counties, has
River basin. Population growth east of Inter- identified several scenarios involving the York
states 64 and 95 along the crescent from Fred- River basin among the possible alternatives
ericksburg to Hampton Roads is changing the for its water supply needs. The scenarios are
rural character of the basin through a boom (1) construction of Ware Creek Reservoir to
in housing and commercial development and satisfy near-term needs of an estimated 4.5
concomitant development of water supplies, mgd for the localities comprising the study
waste treatment facilities, roads, power facili- group and long-term needs of 2.5 mgd for
ties, landfills and municipal centers. The New Kent County; (2) construction of Ware
population in the York River basin is expected Creek Reservoir to receive an additional 40
to increase by 57 percent to 280,000 by 2000 mgd from the Pamunkey River and 40 mgd
(COE, 1987). from the Chickahominy River to satisfy long-
The Reserve sites will play an important term needs of an additional 35 mgd for mem-
role in assessing the environmental impacts bers of the study group; or (3) construction
of population growth and land development of Cohoke Creek Reservoir on the Pamun-
in the York River basin. The sites will be used key River to store 75 mgd pump-over from
for monitoring environmental conditions; the Mattaponi River to satisfy long-term needs
studying the roles of natural habitats in main- of an additional 35 mgd for members of the
taining environmental quality; determining study group and 3 mgd for King William
ecological carrying capacities of coastal habi- County (Malcom Pirnie Inc., 1990).
tats; and establishing scientific criteria for Consequences of water withdrawals from
identifying and delineating critical areas. the York River basin may affect Reserve sites
through changes in salinity regimes and the
The need to maintain fteshWaterflOW loss and alteration of wetland habitats that
regimes necessary to sustain estuarine provide substantial and critical ecological sup-
habitats within the York River basin port to fisheries, waterfowl and wildlife. A
Protecting minimum instrearn river flow is 1983 run of the VIMS Salinity Intrusion
emerging as a significant management issue Model for the Corps of Engineers' Water Sup-

ply Study for Hampton Roads, Va., predicted ciated with freshwater withdrawal, sea level
that a withdrawal rate of 40 mgd from the rise and local subsidence.
Pamunkey River would cause the 2 ppt and 6
ppt isohalines to move upriver 2.2 miles and ETSWIRONMENTAL
1.2 miles, respectively, from their locations CONDITIONS WITHIN
during the driest month of a medium-flow SITE ]ROUNDAMS
year. This withdrawal rate probably would de- Educational and recreational uses of Re-
stroy 250 acres of freshwater marsh in Sweet search Reserve sites are allowed to the de-
Hall Marsh, 667 acres of freshwater marsh gree that they do not disturb natural condi-
and 200 acres of forested wetlands in C'AOUSI*aC tions or ongoing scientific investigations. Re-
Marsh, and 270 acres of forested wetlands in cent studies have documented the impacts of
Cohoke Swamp (FWS, 1989a). Larger with- human activities including hiking and camp-
drawals would logically result in art even ing, in protected areas (Cole and Marion,
Lyreater dezree of salinity intrusion and con-
1988). In general, the impacts include in-
comitant impacts. creased erosion, soil compaction, vegetation
Other possible adverse environmental im- and wildlife disturbance or destruction, and
pacts associated with the water supply pro- introduction of non-native species. Such stud-
posals are (1) alterations of the physical and ies have found that considerable impact can
chemical hydrology of the estuary, including occur rapidly and with only light use, whereas
water discharge volume and timing and wa- recovery requires long periods with no use.
ter quality; (2) decrease in nutrient availabil- Protected areas also are impacted by people
ity to downriver systems; (3) substantial elimi- who deface signs, steal archaeological arti-
nation or modification of wildlife habitat, re- facts, poach wildlife, and litter. The environ-
sulting in less diverse and less numerous fish, mental, social and economic costs of such
amphibian, reptile, marnmal and bird popu- abuses can be significant and irreparable.
lations; and (4) alterations of and barriers to Lack of awareness is an underlying reason
the natural passive movement and migration for neglect and willful abuses (Council on
of fish and other aquatic wildlife (EPA, Environmental Quality, 1988).
1989b). Reduced freshwater inflow also may Resource protection policies for Reserve
alter the location of the turbidity maximum sites will help maintain natural, healthy habi-
zone, change sediment delivery rates, and sig- tats for long-term study. The initial thrust of
nificantly alter basin geomorphology, which, the long-term research and monitoring pro-
in turn, could increase downstream erosion gram will be to describe baseline conditions
rates. and functional relationships at Reserve sites.
There are indications of salinity intrusion The program then will strive to develop reli-
into the lower Pamunkey and Mattaponi niv- able indicators of habitat health and moni-
ers resulting from sea level rise and localized tor their status and trend conditions. Studies
subsidence. At least one of the Reserve sites, will be conducted to identify thresholds above
Sweet Hall Marsh, is already threatened by which impacts are substantially increased and
sea level rise and land subsidence, which recovery times are extended and to develop
would be worsened by reduced freshwater riv- a monitoring program to detect unaccept-
erine inflow. able impacts. The Reserve program will use
Designation of Reserve sites emphasizes the corrective strategies to minimize impacts
national, state and local significance of these when threshold levels are exceeded and will
natural areas and the need to protect them undertake an education campaign to reduce
from human influences that could change impacts through increased public awareness
their natural conditions or the processes gov- and involvement in the Reserve program. Re-
erning those conditions. Research at Reserve serve management will prohibit public access
sites will be used to predict the impacts asso- to environmentally sensitive natural areas hav-
ing low resistance to impacts and low resil-

ience to recovery and to areas containing ar- gram as providing a much-needed element
tifacts of archaeological, cultural or histori- in coastal resource management and the over-
cal importance. Facilities development plans all Chesapeake Bay restoration program. This
will receive adequate environmental impact management plan identifies the relationship
assessment. Reserve management will work between the Research Reserve program, the
with appropriate state and local agencies to Chesapeake Bay Program and the Virginia
ensure that activities occurring outside of Re- Coastal Resources Management Program.
serve site boundaries do not impact Reserve
resources or programs. Advisory committees The need to provide continuing
will be formed to ensure that monitoring and oversight of program administration
enforcement activities are coordinated. and accomplishments
PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT Approximately every three years, NOAA
AND ADMINISTRATION will evaluate the Reserve to assess the effec-
tiveness of the management plan, identify
The need to develop indebendent but which programs are successful and which are
complementary Reserve programs in not, and pinpoint better ways to fulfill man-
Maryland and Virginia recognizing the agement objectives. In addition, the Reserve
Chesapeake Bay as one natural system staff will conduct an in-house evaluation of
program strengths and weaknesses each year
In 1986, the governors of Virginia and and will revise the management plan every
Maryland agreed that the two states would five years.
coordinate efforts to establish Research Re-
serves within the Chesapeake Bay. Since then, RESEARCH AND MONITORING
Virginia and Maryland have continued this AT RESERVE SITES
spirit of cooperation in developing and imple-
menting site evaluation criteria and methods. The need to support long-term studies
Future efforts will include coordinating gen- Few research programs are endowed with
eral research and management objectives; sources of funding for acquiring the long-
complementary efforts in designing and im- term data needed to distinguish long-term
plementing specific monitoring, research and cycles from unidirectional changes or anthro-
education programs; and sharing scientific pogenic changes from natural ones (NSF,
and technical information. Each state is eli- 1978). Reserve management win strive to es-
gible for the complete share of federal fund- tablish long@term funding (i.e., longer than
ing assistance, has its own state funding mech- the typical one- to two-year funding cycle)
anism, and has its own staff. Scientists from and will give preference to investigators dem-
the Chesapeake Bay community will be en- onstrating commitment to long-term studies.
couraged to use any combination of the sites An endowment, based on a private gift, has
in Virginia and Maryland that are suitable been established, and other sources of long-
for their research. Research proposals will also term funding will be sought from federal,
be solicited for studies involving other Re- state and local government agencies and the
search Reserves in the national system. private sector. Reserve management will work
with SRD to determine whether or not an
The need to develop the Reserve program application to theNational Science Founda-
within theframework of the Chesapeake don's Long@Term Ecological Research and
Bay Program and the Virginia Coastal Land-Margin Ecosystem Research programs
Resource Management Program should be considered.
The Reserve program is recognized by the
Commonwealth of Virginia and by the ex-
ecutive council of the Chesapeake Bay Pro-

The need to develop a monitoring making decisions that affect estuarine re-
Program sources. The mechanism must involve a two-
As a long-term program of study is being way exchange of information, to ascertain
established, resource information for each Re- what problems and information are of great-
serve site must be assessed to identify gaps in est priority to coastal managers and to make
research results readily available to support
knowledge, as must the types of monitoring decisions regarding estuarine resources
programs required to address major ecolo i
917 (House Report 99-103, 1985). Such a mecha-
Cal issues. Determining what parameters nism was used by the Scientific Technical Ad-
should be measured requires assessing the visory Committee in preparing the Compre-
parameters already being monitored, as well hensive Research Plan for the Chesapeake
as identifying ecological data not yet being Bay Program (Chesapeake Executive Coun-
collected that could prove important. Reserve cil, 1988a) and is used by the Research Plan-
management will identify those needs through ning Committee for the Chesapeake Bay Pro-
a phased monitoring program. gram. The Reserve used a similar mechanism
The need to promote non-destructive, in developing this management plan and will
continue this approach after designation
non-mant lative research through the'implementation of advisory com-
I
P'U
Because Research Reserves represent natu- mittees and an educational outreach pro-
ral ecosystems where ecological processes and gram.
fimcdons operate without human impact, ma-
nipulative research will be emphasized. Cer- The need to develop and maintain
tain allowances may be considered when ma- computer-based interactive database
nipulation is necessary to restore degraded and geographic information analysis
areas or to eradicate invasive species. capabilities
The need to link the Reseme and the The Research Reserve should develop and
scientific community maintain computer-based interactive database
Research Reserves are intended to furnish and geographic information analysis capabih-
attractive environments for scientific research ties that are consistent among sites, easily
and serve as scientific controls (i.e., a system used, and compatible with other computer-
of checks and balances) for research con- based databases and environmental analysis
ducted in other estuarine environments. Suc- systems used at federal, state and local levels
cessful implementation of the programis con- throughout the Chesapeake Bay. Virginia and
tingent upon the involvement and enthusi- Maryland shouldjointly review and evaluate
asm of the scientific community (House Re software and hardware system requirements
- before investing resources in acquisition. This
port 99-103, 1985). By virtue of its headquar- analysis will be conducted before long-term
ters at VIMS, the Reserve will be able to pro- research and monitoring programs are fully
mote awareness of the program and the Re- initiated.
serve sites among scientists, resource man-
agement agencies and institutions of higher The needforpeer review ofproposals
learning. and technical reports
The need to Providefor the transfer Sponsored research must be subject to peer
of scientific information to coastal review of the kind characteristic of the Na-
a tional Science Foundation and National Sea
decisionmakers Grant. Such careful review will be the best
To improve coastal decisionmaking, an ef- guarantee for success, utility and importance
fective mechanism must be established be- of the research. The Reserve will promote a
tween the Research Reserve and individuals competitive proposal process and provide suf-

ficient time for proposal preparation and re- The need to establish a research,
view to ensure that proposals are scientifi- education or visitor center as Part of the
cally sound and are adequately reviewed. The overall Reserve management strategy
Reserve's peer-review process will be consis- NOAA encourages the establishment of re-
tent with NOAA guidelines. search, education or visitor centers within the
EDUCATION, INTERPRETATION boundaries of Reserve sites to focus national
AND VISITOR-USE PROGRAMS and local attention on tile Reserve; to foster
better communication between the Reserve
The need to tailor education, program and the scientific and education
inter,bretation and other visitor-use communities; and to facilitate on-site re-
Programs to Reserve site needs and search, education and volunteer programs
constraints (see Table 11). The centers provide unique
Research Reserves provide excellent oppor- means of public access and opportunities for
tunities for communicating with the general research and education. The Reserve pro-
public about the importance, values and sen- poses to build or restore a structure to serve
sitivities of estuarine environments. In gen- as a research and education center at one of
eral, education, interpretation and compat- the sites.
ible types of recreation (e.g., traditional hunt- The need to enhance public awareness
ing, fishing, canoeing, nature-watching, hik-
ing) are encouraged at Research Reserve sites of the Research Reserve program and its
if they do not disrupt the estuary's natural role in the Chesapeake Bay Program
characteristics or ongoing scientific investi- The Reserve will undertake a campaign to
gations (House Report 99-103, 1985). establish its identity for residents and visitors
The level of public use proposed herein in Tidewater Virginia, the general public, state
for the Research Reserve sites has been de- agencies, and local governments. The Reserve
termined for individual sites by considering: staff will design, distribute and update a bro-
(1) resource sensitivity, such as presence of chure, a newsletter, a research prospectus,
rare, threatened or endangered organisms; and other orientation and interpretive publi-
relict, fragile or significant natural communi- cations on the Reserve program and sites.
ties; or significant archaeological or cultural The staff also will work with organizations
resources; (2) potential conflict or interfer- and agencies with programs on the Chesa-
ence with ongoing research or monitoring; peake Bay and its tributaries to encourage
(3) compatibility with existing traditional them to incorporate or use the Reserve pro-
uses; (4) degree of public access; (5) acces- gram in their activities. Specific educational
sibility; and (6) alternate nearby opportuni- and interpretive activities Will be directed to-
ties for on-site education and interpretation ward coastal management decisionmakers and
programs. individuals or groups that routinely make de-
For sites determined to be suitable for on- cisions affecting estuarine and coastal envi-
site education and interpretation, visitor-use ronments.
programs will be designed to minimize on-
site impacts. Disruption of remote, relatively PUBLIC ACCESS PLAN
undisturbed parts of the Reserve sites will be
precluded by using existing access areas and
trails and limiting wandering and uncon- BACKGROUND
trolled use of sensitive areas. Designated ar- Section 921.13 (a) (5) of the National Es-
eas will be patrolled periodically and trash tuarine Research Reserve System regulations
and debris removed to discourage littering. requires a plan for public access as part of a
Existing access will dictate the nature and dis- Reserve's overall management plan. However,
tribution of visitor-use programs. the regulations do not specify the public ac-

Table 11 following criteria: sensitivity of resources to
VISITOR CENTER FUNCTIONS human activities; compatibility with research;
NOAA recommends that planning for research and compatibility with traditional uses; compat-
educational facilities and visitor centers should take ibility with adjacent land uses; existing de-
into account the following uses. gree of public access; and alternative oppor-
Administration tunities for public access within the York River
Reserve staff offices basin. Decisions on access at individual sites
Volunteer association office also considered the policies of affected land-
Reception area
Meeting areas owners.
Public access to Reserve sites will be con-
Research trolled to protect each site's ecological integ-
Working space for guest researchers rity and provide a stable environment for re-
and research interns
Basic laboratory facilities (wet and dry labs) search. The Reserve will encourage traditional
Storage area (equipment) uses that do not conflict with Reserve goals
Library and compatible educational uses that help
Education and Interpretation achieve those goals. Traditional activities will
Permanent exhibit areas continue at levels permitted at present un-
Rotating exhibit areas der local and state laws and under regula-
Information and sales area tions imposed by site property owners. Ac-
Classroom/hands-on discovery room cess rules and schedules will remain valid.
Auditorium (seating area for educational For properties that are not adequately pro-
and interpretive programs)
Outdoor classroom/amphitheater tected, VIMS will work with the site property
Walkway to main trailhead owners and the Reserve's Resource Protec-
Common Building Areas tion Advisory Committee to develop specific
Visitor parking access rules and schedules. VIMS and site
Staff parking and maintenance access property owners reserve the right to impose
Mechanical area additional restrictions to curtail any activity
Electrical room threatening to disturb natural conditions or
Washrooms ongoing research and education activities.
Utility room
Other ACCESS RULES
Kitchen AND SCHEDULES
Dormitory The following rules and schedules for pub-
lic access will be adopted for the York River
Reserve sites.
cess plan's contents nor the extent to which
the Reserve must be available for public visi- GOODWIN ISLANDS The College of Wil-
tation. The regulations do state that use lev- liam and Mary maintains a limited-use pub-
els are set by individual states and that ac- lic-access policy for the Goodwin Islands. In
ceptable uses must be consistent with the pro- accordance with that policy, the Goodwin Is-
gram mission and goals. Because the Reserve lands are managed exclusively for research
will have a multiple-component design, NOAA and education. However, traditional public
has agreed that public access provisions can uses, such as picnicking, beachcombing, crab-
be tailored site by site (Bohne, 1987). In ag@ bing and fishing, are compatible and accept-
gregate, the sites will contribute to balanced able uses if visitors do not willfully or negli-
access to the whole Reserve system. gently disturb the environment or scientific
A site-by-site assessment of public access experiments, poach, or litter. Primitive camp-
levels, areas and schedules has been con- ing occurs occasionally but is not encouraged
ducted for each site. Opportunities for pub- because of litter and the threat of fire. In the
lic access were evaluated on the basis of the waters around the Goodwin Islands, fish, oys-

ters and crabs are harvested, and floating manipulative research. The islands are posted
duck blinds may be used. No stationary blinds against trespass. In the waters around the
are allowed. The islands are posted every year Catlett Islands commercial and recreational
to ensure that stationary blinds are not fishermen harvest fish and crabs in accor-
erected. Overall, visitor use is minimal. dance with state laws and regulations. The
Permission to visit the Goodwin Islands for property owners reserve the right to continue
research or education purposes is obtained to harvest oysters.
through a permit process conducted by VIMS. The portions of the Catlett Islands within
The permit application is reviewed by the the Reserve win be managed exclusively for
Goodwin Islands Steering Committee at research and existing traditional uses. Re-
VIMS, which was set up to coordinate use of search projects must receive permission from
the islands, and is approved by the Reserve VIMS, and the Reserve's Research and Moni-
director. All other activities are controlled by toring Advisory Committee. Research use will
laws and regulations. Under the Reserve pro- be limited to the period between dawn and
gram, the Goodwin Islands will continue to dusk (except under special-use permits to
be used for research, education and compat- study nocturnal organisms) and confined to
ible traditional public uses. Proposed research specific areas. Hunting, trapping and oyster-
and educational projects must be approved gathering are the exclusive rights of the prop-
by VIMS through an appropriate advisory erty owners and their assigns. Commercial
committee. The public will continue to use and recreational fishing and crabbing will
the beach for picnicking, beachcombing and continue in accordance with laws and regula-
other non-destructive recreation. Primitive tions. To preserve the pristine yet fragile en-
camping will be discouraged by implement- vironment of the Catlett Islands and promote
ing a dawn-to-dusk public access policy. VIMS use for long-term ecological research, gen-
will promote anti-littering and fire preven- eral public access will not be allowed.
tion through signs posted on the islands and Primary access to the islands will continue
through other appropriate educational me- to be by water. Each request for limited ac-
dia. The public will continue to crab, fish cess by land over existing roads will be con-
and clam in and around the Reserve in ac- sidered by the landowners and Reserve man-
cordance with applicable state laws and regu- ager. Research activities may continue dur-
lations. VIMS will continue to purchase and ing hunting season with the permission of
post shoreline duck hunting licenses to pre- landowners.
vent the erection of duck blinds. Floating No increase in public access is expected as
blinds will still be allowed. a result of designation as a Research Reserve
Prosecution of violators will serve as a de- site. The number of research projects is an-
terrent against vandalism, littering and arson. ticipated to remain at its present level of two
When warranted, the assistance of state and to three projects a year.
local law enforcement agencies may be called Designation of the Catlett Islands compo-
upon to enforce access policies. nent of the Reserve will not restrict the land-
Little increase in public use is expected as owners' ability to use lands outside of the
a result of the designation of the Goodwin Reserve boundaries for traditional uses or as
Islands as a Reserve site. The islands are sepa- they may use the uplands in the future con-
rated from the mainland by water and acces- sistent with local ordinances. Present uses in-
sible only by shallow draft boat. There are no clude crop farming, livestock raising, tree
docking facilities on the islands. farming, hunting, trapping and residential
use. Future uses may include expansion or
CATLETT ISLANDS The Catlett Islands retirement of cropland or pasture and tim-
are privately owned, and visitation is con- ber harvest. These activities should not im-
trolled by the property owners. The only per- pact the Catlett Islands.
mitted uses are hunting, trapping and non-

When warranted, the assistance of state and uses, as well as for approved research and
local law enforcement agencies will be called monitoring. The Reserve will use the west-
upon to enforce access policies. Close asso- ern portion of the watershed for research and
ciation with affected property ownersshould nature study; however, this area will not be
help prevent major trespass problems. placed under a more restrictive access policy
at this time. This western portion of the wa-
TASKINAS CREEK Because Taskinas Creek tershed has limited capabilities due to limita-
is part of York River State Park, access is con- tions of steep slopes and moderately to highly
trolled by park regulations and at Taskinas erodible soils. Much of this area has been
Point is allowed from 8 a.m. to dusk. Croaker preliminarily classified as sensitive and spe-
Landing can be used for boating 24 hours a cial land by the Department of Conservation
day; a 10 p.m. closing time is posted and en- and Recreation, reflecting the capabilities of
forced for non-boating activities there. The the area. 71he department's Natural Heritage
eastern portion of Taskinas Creek within the Program has indicated that this western por-
park is used for passive recreation and na- tion is being evaluated for designation as a
ture study. Visitors are encouraged to use self natural area. Therefore, some areas of the
guided hiking trails, bridle trails and desig- western portion of the park may be placed
nated picnic areas and to participate in under restrictive access at some time in the
guided canoe trips. Canoeing other than the future. The Reserve will review park permit
guided canoe trips is permitted. Access to applications for Taskinas Creek.
the western portion of Taskinas Creek is not Some increase in public use of York River
encouraged. The park maintains a locked gate State Park is expected with the designation
at an old fire trail on Route 605, but access is of the Taskinas Creek Research Reserve site
not expressly restricted. Although die park because the Reserve will actively promote the
recognizes the sensitive nature of some areas appropriate portions of Taskinas Creek for
within the western portion of Taskinas Creek, passive recreation, nature study and research.
passive recreation is not restricted as long as However, this increase should not adversely
visitors adhere to environmental constraints. affect the resources of the park or the Re-
Access is not, at this time, controlled through serve. An increase in public use also may re-
a permit system, Other sections of the park sult if a research and education center is built
provide public access for fishing, boating (in- within the buffer zone of the Reserve on the
cluding boat ramp and parking), horseback eastern side of Taskinas Creek.
riding, and other recreation-related purposes. In a recent assessment of land suitabilities
The park is open year-round, but the visi- within the park, the eastern section of Taski-
tor center is closed in winter. The park nas Creek was classified as suitable for exist-
charges a nominal fee for canoe trips, - i i public access. It was determined that this
picnic ing
shelter rentals, parking and brochures. Spe- area could withstand increased visitor use
cial-use permits are required for other-than- without concomitant adverse impacts. On the
traditional uses (e.g., research, field trips and other hand, because of resource sensitivity,
special events). Prosecution of violators serves the western portion of Taskinas Creek was
as a deterrent against poaching, illegal use of deemed unsuitable for development of pub-
off-road vehicles, vandalism and littering. lic access facilities (Department of Conserva-
Under the Rest-rve program, park regula- tion and Recreation, 1989).
tions, use restrictions and permit process af- Public education, along with close associa-
fecting Taskinas Creek and its watershed will tion with nearby property owners, should help
remain in effect to preclude degradation of prevent major trespass problems. The park
the Reserve's wetlands and adjacent environ- will continue to enforce park regulations and
ments. The eastern portion of the Taskinas prosecute violators.
Creek watershed will remain accessible for
appropriate educational and recreational

SWEET HALL MARSH Like the Catlett anct environmentally sensitive past practices
Islands, Sweet Hall Marsh is pristine and very and applicable state or local regulations. Cur-
sensitive to human disturbance. The prop- rent uses include crop farming, tree farm-
erty is owned by the Tacoma Hunting and ing, hunting, trapping, and use of off-the-
Fishing Club and is used by the club for hunt- road vehicles. Future use may include clear-
ing, fishing and trapping. The club has given ing for cropland, pulpwood harvesting, con-
VIMS permission to conduct non-destructive struction of a new hunting lodge, and con-
research in a portion of the marsh since 1984. struction of a small pond in the goose field
In the waters around Sweet Hall Marsh, hook- behind Club House Creek. The uplands are
and-line fishing, drift-net fishing and pot-fish- in the buffer zone and the activities could be
ing (for eels) are practiced. On the uplands monitored for possible environmental impact
above Sweet Hall Marsh, the club and the
adjacent landowner, Chesapeake Corporation,
control access and allow hunting by permit. RESEARCHAND
Under the Reserve program, public access
to Sweet Hall Marsh will not be allowed in MONITORING PLAN
order to protect this fragile environment and
ongoing research efforts. No significant i
in- RESEARCH PRIORITIES
crease in research visitation to Sweet 142LI1 The development of a research and moni-
Marsh or adjacent bottomland hardwood for-
est is expected as a result of designation as a toring plan for the Reserve presented a for-
Reserve site. During an average year, as many midable challenge in that such a plan must
as six concurrent research projects and two address national, Bay-wide, Reserve-wide, and
educational field trips may be underway at site-specific research and monitoring needs.
Sweet Hall Marsh. In addition, weekly water Fortunately, plans identifying national and
quality samples are collected from the club's Bay-wide research and monitoring priorities
dock on the Pamunkey River. Research and have been prepared (NOAA, 1987b; Chesa-
educational uses of Sweet Hall Marsh will re- peake Executive Council, 1988b). Therefore,
quire permits issued by the Reserve. preparation of this plan required determin-
Research will be eliminated in the interior ing only which national and Bay-wide priori-
of the marsh at least two weeks before duck ties are appropriate for consideration at the
season begins each year, and any barriers York River Reserve sites and what additional
(e.g., the catwalk over Club House Creek) York River system-wide or site-specific projects
restricting access to the interior of the marsh are needed. To accomplish this,@ the Reserve
will be removed during duck season. solicited input from state resource manage-
This management plan includes a proposal ment agencies, affected county governments,
to upgrade the boat launching area to en- and individual scientists.
able researchers to deploy small, trailerable National Piiorities for the National
research vessels (Jonboat or Privateers). The
ramp will not be available for public use. The Estuarine Research Reserve System
dirt road leading from Route 637 to the Although large data sets exist for many of
launching area is private and will be chained the fundamental processes of estuaries, there
and locked below the clubhouse following are significant gaps in the information needed
designation. to understand the complex functions of most
Designation of Sweet Hall Marsh as a Re- estuaries (NOAA, 1987b). To address that is-
serve site will not restrict the club's or Chesa- sue, some of the nation's most capable estua-
peake Corporation's ability to use the uplands rine scientists gathered in 1984 to review the
above the marsh for traditional uses or as the existing state of knowledge on the nation's
Club or Chesapeake may use the uplands in estuaries. From that assessment, SRD com-
the future consistent with their conservative piled a list of national research needs. In or-

der to qualify for SRD funding, the Reserve's changes, predicting impacts, and identifying
research proposals must address one or more correlations with other observed phenomena;
of the national priorities. These research pri- and
orities are related to improving understand- SPECIAL STUDIES Special studies to an-
ing of the following: swer specific management questions and im-
WATER MANAGEMENT Research on prove coastal resource management.
the functional relationships between freshwa- The rationale for these research priorities
ter inflow, salinity regimes, nutrient dynam- is described in the National Estuarine Re-
ics, coupling of primary and secondary pro- search Reserve System Research Plan (NOAA,
duction, maintenance of wetland and aquatic 1987b). Each year SRD issues a National Es-
communities, and responses and recovery of tuarine Research Reserve System Research
estuaries to changes in freshwater inflow; Opportunity Announcement in which it
SEDIMENT MANAGEMENT Research elaborates on the latest interpretation of these
on sediment dynamics (delivery, accumula- priorities. Proposal funding decisions are
tion, composition, and absorption and des- based on the relationship between the pro-
orption of contaminants); sedinienta6on im- posed research and these national pr4orities.
pacts to flora, fauna, water quality, primary
production and habitats; and resilience and Chesapeake Bay 11@,ogram 157iolities
recovery of estuaries to sedimentation events; In 1983, Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania,
NUTRIENTS AND OTHER CHEMICAL the District of Columbia, the U.S. Environ-
INPUTS Research on short- and long-term mental Protection Agency and the Chesa-
responses of estuaries to nutrient inputs and peake Bay Commission formally agreed to co-
recycling, synthetic chemicals, and exotic ma- ordinate interstate planning and programs
terials; for the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries
COUPLING OF PRIMARYAND SECOND- and established mechanisms to facilitate that
ARY PRODUCTION Research on quantita- coordination. Since 1983, this joint commit-
tive relationships between primary and sec- ment has led to new levels of government
ondary production, comparative trophic im- cooperation, including a new, more compre-
portance of vascular plants vs. planktonic or- hensive Chesapeake, Bay Agreement by the
ganic matter, fisheries utilization of detritus Chesapeake Executive Council in 1987, which
as a food source, and impact of detritus-pro- promises accelerated advances in the Bay's
ducing wetland and seagrass bed acreage and restoration and protection. Also since 1983,
quality reduction; and scientific understanding of the Bay, its re-
ESTUARINE FISHERY HABITAr RE- sources, and its problems has improved.
QUIREMENTS Research to characterize es- While much has been learned about the
tuarine fishery habitat, nursery, food, hydro- Chesapeake Bay in recent years, significant
logical, and hydrodynamic requirements. information gaps remain in our understand-
In addition to these areas, SRD recognizes ing of the ecosystem. In particular, the ability
the need for site-specific baseline informa- to answer managerial questions on the basis
tion and lists the following research areas as of sound interdisciplinary data is frequently
being appropriate for national funding. The lacking. These shortcomings have been de-
first two priority areas are also priorities un- scribed by several authorities:
der the SRD phased monitoring program. One of the primary problems we face in address-
INITIAL BASELINE SURVEYS Baseline ing degradation ofcoastal waters is the fact thatwe
surveys to fill information gaps and better know too little about them. We need to increase
characterize the sites' resources, environment our knowledge of the various pollution sources
and ecology; and how each of these sources, alone or in combi-
ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING Sys- nation, affects our coastal resources (EPA, 1989a).
tematic periodic monitoring of selected pa- Our current understanding of the Bay must be
rameters to provide a database for detecting tempered by the realization that estuaries are our

most complex aquatic environment...basic tenets and refinement of these needs into research
of oceanography or lininology do not necessarily needs and priorities. In order to receive Re-
hold in the estuary (Chesapeake Executive Coun- serve approval, research at designated sites
cil, 1988a). must fulfill one or more of the Chesapeake
Estuarine science has suffered from sociopolitical Bay Program research priorities. In addition,
pressures to restrict research in estuaries to ap- data generated through the Reserve's re-
plied, relevant and responsive programs, often search and monitoring will be made avail-
without concern for the real scientific
problems ... Chesapeake Bay has not escaped this able to the EPA!s Chesapeake Bay Liaison Of-
constraint (Chesapeake Executive Council 1988a). fice to support other Bay research and moni-
Many of the important first-order disciplinary toring .programs. The following Bay research
(i.e., purely biological, chemical, geological, or phonties will be encouraged at Reserve sites,
physical) scientific questions on estuaries have as appropriate:
been addressed; few of the second-order disciplin- INITIAL SHORT-TERM PRIORITIES Re-
ary questions have been considered; and almost search to provide management information
none of the most important, complex interdisci- on sediment/water-column nutrient flux;
plinazy questions that relate to the interactions of
the physical, chemical, biological, and geological evaluation of BMP effectiveness; analysis of
processes have been studied. It is this level of living resource data sets; stock assessments;
understanding which is required for effective evaluation and analysis of monitoring capa-
management (Schubel, 1986). bilities; and sublethal responses to toxins.
We are fortunate in that much of what i LONGER-TERM PRIORITIES Fundamen-
s tal research on circulation and mixing pro-
learned in one estuarine system has some rel- cesses; water quality, habitat and ecosystem-
evance in other estuarine systems. We have, level models; interactions between various tro-
however, determined that each estuarine sys- phic levels (particularly pelagic in communi-
tem taken in its entirety has unique charac- ties); genetic makeup of living resources (par-
teristics that must be understood if we are to ticularly for exploitable stocks); significance
manage that system (Chesapeake Executive of groundwater flow and contamination; and
Council, 1988a). impacts of specific land uses on aquatic, wet-
To address data and information gaps, the land and riparian habitats.
Chesapeake Executive Council published a RESEARCH SUPPORT PRIORITIES Sup-
Comprehensive Research Plan for the Chesa- port related to preparedness to conduct re-
peake Bay Program in 1988. The plan was search, including advanced analytical chemi-
developed using input from: cal equipment (particularly for identification
e More than 350 questionnaires sent to sci- of organic and metallo-organic compounds);
entists and resource managers in the Bay re- remote sensing; and automated data analysis
gion soliciting recommendations for specific technologies.
research or statements of information needs GENERIC, LONGER-TERM NEEDS Re-
specific to the objectives and commitments search related to improved understanding of
in the 1987 Chesapeake Bay Agreement; structure and function of coastal habitats
* A research conference that addressed the (submerged aquatic vegetation, emergent sa-
understanding of estuarine processes in sev- line marshes, tidal freshwater habitats, non-
eral areas critical to Bay management; and vegetated wetlands, benthic habitats, oyster
e A subcommittee of the Scientific and Tech- reefs); impacts of modification of coastal and
nical Advisory Committee that reviewed de- contiguous habitats; water column processes
tailed research needs, research plans, and (related to plankton communities, inorganic
management issues submitted by a number nutrient cycling, replenishment and storage,
of institutions. micro-circulation, and interactions among
The result of this effort was two-fold, a com- mainstem and adjacent water bodies); tox-
prehensive list of research needs associated ins; circulation (in relation to eddies, fronts,
with specific objectives and commitments of plumes, wind, anoxia, and transport of plank-
the 1987 Bay Agreement and further analysis

tonic larvae); genetic variability and structure Complete inventory of flora and fauna;
of Chesapeake Bay stocks; watershed pro- Monitoring of selected flora and fauna (in-
cesses (including transport, fate and process- cluding aquatic vegetation, wetland and for-
ing of dissolved and particulate material; ef- est species, fish stocks, and undesirable and
fects of land use; role and extent of water exotic species) and their habitats;
transport and transformation above the fall Baseline assessment and monitoring of nutri-
line; and role of wetland and riparian zones ent, chemical and sediment loading to sur-
in controlling or modifying discharge); face waters and their impacts to living and
groundwater contribution (including spatial non-living resources;
and temporal input and outflows; chemical Characterization of background water qual-
characteristics, extent and magnitude of pes- ity, surface water and groundwater inter-
ticide, nutrient and other pollutant contami- change, and groundwater flow from shal-
nation; impact on sediment-water column pol- low-water to deep-water aquifers; and
lution interactions; and methods to reduce Developing a correlation between critical
groundwater pollution); social, legal and eco- habitat requirements, minimum instrearn
nomic implications of alternate restoration flow and salinity requirements, and water
and preservation strategies; impacts of popu- quality conditions.
lation growth development; public health and
the Chesapeake Bay ecosystem; and structure, Applied Research Pyimities
function, and role of non-tidal wetlands. Research needed to improve coastal man-
agement decisionmaking in the York River
System-Wide Research P@imities basin includes:
VIMS convened a workshop in September Quantifying the affects on coastal habitats and
1989 to identify basic and applied research fisheries of freshwater withdrawal, salinity
needs for the Reserve. At the workshop, a list intrusion, sea level rise and subsidence;
of research needs was generated and later, Quantifying the effectiveness of forested and
through direct mail to workshop participants, agricultural buffer zones and other BMPs,
the list was reviewed and arranged in priority including the value to water quality, flood
order. The complete list, with cross-references control, sediment stabilization and wildlife;
to agency/county interest and projects for Identifying criteria and standards for mitiga-
possible cost-sharing, was presented as Ap- tion by using Reserve sites as controls for
pendix F of the combination Final Environ- off-site mitigation projects;
mental Impact Statement/Final Management Assessing impacts of land development (resi-
Plan (Chesapeake Bay National Estuarine Re- dential, commercial, roads, parking lots,
search Reserve System in Virginia, 1991). The etc.) on flora and fauna;
top priority projects are listed below. Some Re-establishing submerged aquatic vegetation;
of these projects are already in progress or and
have been completed as pilots at Reserve sites. Monitoring toxic contaminants in fish and
Research approved for state or federal fund- wildlife in pristine Reserve sites for com-
ing at Reserve sites in the first five years of parison with levels in organisms in con-
operations must address one or more of the taminated areas.
priorities listed below:
Miscellaneous Studies
Basic Research P@iofities DATA AND INFORMATION MANAGE-
Some baseline data on water quality, geol- MENT SYSTEM A study is recommended
ogy, flora and fauna at or near Reserve sites that will determine the needs for data and
exist. Additional information is needed to information analysis for monitoring resource
provide a more thorough characterization of and development issues affecting Reserve
the sites and the York River system in the sites. Needs also should be assessed for hard-
following areas: ware and software for geographic informa-

tion mapping and analysis, remote sensing, ies on the geology and origin of the islands,
data logging, and resource management ap- erosion problems, and impacts of sea level
plicafions. rise have begun and should be expanded to
produce a geological map, current estimates
CULTURAL AND HISTORICAL RE- of island loss from erosion, and benchmarks
SOURCE SURVEY Reserve sites offer op- for monitoring sea level rise.
portunities for studies on the history of settle- WATER RESOURCES Data on the qual-
ment and commerce in the York River basin. ity of surface water and groundwater re-
Studies to reconstruct the history of land use, sources are needed to monitor conditions and
ownership, mining, farming, fishing, hunting detect pollution occurrences.
and recreational use of Reserves are recom- AIR QUALITY Baseline air quality data
mended, as are archaeological surveys of assessment and monitoring arc needed to de-
probable locations for terrestrial and subaque- tect pollution.
ous artifacts from pre-historic times through
the present. Goodwin Islands: Applied Research P@ioiities
EFFECTS OF FIRE ON ISLAND ECOL-
Site-Specific Research P@iofities OGY Studies continue on the recovery of
The York River Reserve sites have a history the high marsh from the 1986 fire. Follow-up
of ongoing research. New and follow-up stud- studies could include comparison with the
ies are needed to improve scientific under- effects of fire in other types of marsh (e.g.,
standing of the sites and to address site-spe- freshwater) or the use of fire as a manage-
cific management issues. These needs are as ment tool (e.g., for restoration purposes).
follows: NATIVE VEGETATION RESTORATION A
study on the invasion and spread of Phrag-
Goodwin Islands: Basic Research Pyiwities mites australis is in progress and should con-
VEGETATION HABITAT MAPS A check- tinue. An assessment is needed of other un-
Est of vascular plants by habitat has been pre- desirable plant species and their impacts on
pared, and the location and size of submerged native species. The long@range objective is to
aquatic vegetation beds have been mapped provide recommendations on the control and
and are monitored. Follow-up studies are eradication of noxious plant species and pro-
needed to map and quantitatively analyze wet- tection and re-establishment of native species.
land and upland plant community structure ESTUARINE DEBRIS MONITORING
and site conditions. Studies of submerged Much estuarine debris accumulates on the
aquatic vegetation should continue. The long- beaches and in high marshes of the Goodwin
range objective is to assess habitat conditions, Islands. A project is underway to remove this
presence of sensitive, rare or endangered debris and monitor future accumulation.
plant species, and areas of resource degrada- VISITOR-USE SURVEY A survey is
don or introduced plant species. A program needed of public use of the islands.
should be developed to monitor community BOATING TRAFFIC ASSESSMENT A
conditions over time in relation to erosion, study is recommended of the amount and
sea level rise and other coastal events. potential environmental impacts of vessel traf-
SURVEY OF FAUNA An inventory and fic in the York River and Sandbox Thorofare
quantitative assessment of insects, reptiles, am- (e.g., estuarine debris, oil spills).
phibians, birds and mammals is needed. A EMERGENCY RESPONSE CAPABILITIES
survey of invertebrates, finfish and turtles in The Reserve needs to be prepared to deal
the waters within the site is desirable. The with environmental and human emergency
long-range objective is to determine and situations on and around the islands, includ-
monitor population densities, distribution, dy- iftg oil and hazardous material spills, wild-
namics, conditions and habitat requirements. fire, floods, boating mishaps, and marine
COASTAL GEOLOGY Preliminary stud- mammal strandings.

Catlett Islands: Basic Research P@ioyitia agricultural fields to adjacent water bodies. A
VEGETATION SURVEY AND HABITAT slightly different approach should be under-
MAP A preliminary inventory of wetland taken to measure buffer strip performance
and upland plants has been conducted and a in both time and space and to evaluate the
quantitative assessment of community struc- effectiveness of forested buffers for control-
ture has begun. This research should be con- ling nutrient input to coastal waters from non-
tinued with the goal of producing a com- point agricultural sources.
plete species list; a habitat map of the Re- SHELLFISH ENHANCEMENT Shellfish
serve site; and an assessment of habitat con- growing areas in Cedarbush and Timberneck
ditions, presence of sensitive, rare or endan- creeks and around the Catlett Islands should
gered plant species, and areas of resource be studied to determine the effects of land
degradation or introduced plant species. A use on shellfish production and sanitation,
monitoring program should be developed,to rates of natural shellfish purification, and the
monitor community conditions over time in feasibility of rack relay and rack culture tech-
relation to erosion, sea level rise, and other niques.
coastal events. RE-ESTABLISHMENT OF SUBMERGED
SURVEY OF FAUNA Monthly surveys of AQUATIC VEGETATION A project is war-
bird life on one of the Catlett Islands is be- ranted to re-establish and monitor seagrasses
ing conducted and should be continued and in areas around the Catlett Islands that no
expanded. An inventory and quantitative as- longer support submerged vegetation.
sessment is needed of insects, reptiles, am- BOATING TRAFFIC ASSESSMENT A
phibians and mammals, as well as a survey of study is recommended on the amount and
invertebrates, finfish and turtles in the wa- potential environmental impacts (e.g., estua-
ters within the Reserve site. The long-range rine debris, oil spill) of vessel traffic in
objective is to determine and monitor popu- Timberneck, Cedarbush and Poplar creeks
lation densities, distribution, dynamics, con- and adjacent stretches of the York River.
ditions and habitat requirements.
COASTAL GEOLOGY Studies are needed Taskinas Creek: Basic Research P@iayities
on the geology and origin of the Catlett Is- SURVEY OF FLORA Baseline studies on
lands, past and present shoreline erosion the floristics of brackish and freshwater
problems, and rate and impact of sea level marshes, bottomland hardwood forests, and
rise. upland ridge tops and slopes need to be com-
WATER RESOURCES Water quality in pleted. A quantitative assessment of commu-
Timberneck and Cedarbush creeks is being nity structure is needed. The long-range ob-
monitored by citizen volunteers. This study jective is to produce a complete species list; a
should be continued and expanded to in- habitat map of the Reserve; and an assess-
clude additional parameters and additional ment of habitat conditions, presence of sen-
stations in Poplar Creek. sitive, rare or endangered plant species, and
AIR QUALITY Baseline monitoring of air areas of resource degradation or introduced
quality is needed to detect pollution and de- plant species. A monitoring program should
termine its effects on island resources. be developed to monitor community condi-
dons over time in relation to beaver activity
CatWt Islands: Applied Research Pfigities and residential development in the watershed.
EFFECTS OF FORESTED BUFFER STRIPS SURVEY OF FAUNA An inventory and
ON ESTUARINE WATER QUALITY A pi- quantitative assessment is needed of the in-
lot study was conducted on Timberneck Farm sects, reptiles, amphibians, birds and mam-
to assess the usefulness of forested buffer mals of Taskinas Creek and its watershed, as
strips as natural controls to reduce is a survey of marine invertebrates and fin-
waterborne inorganic nutrient fluxes from fish in the waters within the Reserve site. The
long-range objective is to determine and

monitor population densities, distribution, , hardwood forest). Also needed are studies of
dynamics, conditions and habitat require- salinity tolerances of freshwater wedanJ plant
ments. species (especially rare and endangered spe-
COASTAL GEOLOGY A geologic map cies). Studies are recommended to examine
and a radon study for the park have been the role of non-tidal wetlands and the link
completed. Follow-up work is needed on sedi- between anadromous fishes and marshes.
mentation processes, erosion problems, and Habitat maps and monitoring programs are
sea level rise patterns in Taskinas Creek. needed to analyze changes in community
WATER RESOURCES A study is in structure over time.
progress to establish baseline surface and sub- SURVEYOFFAUNA Inventory and quan-
surface water quality conditions in the Taski- titative assessment are needed for insects, rep-
nas Creek watershed. A strategy is needed tiles, amphibians, birds, mammals, shellfish
for long-term monitoring of water quality. and finfish at Sweet Hall Marsh. The long-
AIR QUALITYAND METEOROLOGICAL range objective is to determine and monitor
CONDITIONS Baseline monitoring of air population densities, distribution, dynamics,
quality and weather patterns is needed. conditions and habitat requirements.
BENTHIG STUDIES A study is recom-
Taskinas Creek: Applied Research P@iofities mended to assess benthic populations, com-
CARR'"NG CAPACITY A study is needed munity structure, and relationship with fish-
to establish the carrying capacity of the Re- eries and waterfowl production.
serve site to accommodate public use, re- MUSKRAT POPULATION STUDY The
search and education. Sweet Hall Marsh muskrat population and its
IMPACTS OF RUNOFF FROM PARKING impact on the marsh system should be stud-
LOTS A study is recommended to assess the ied. The population of muskrat dens was
impact of runoff from parking lots in York mapped in 1986-87, and preliminary impacts
River State Park. on vegetation and hydrology were studied.
SHELLFISH ENHANCEMENT An inves- This study should be expanded.
tigation is needed of the viability of shellfish GEOLOGY An investigation is needed of
growing areas in Taskinas Creek and the pos- the geology and origin of Sweet Hall Marsh.
sibility of enhancing shellfish recruitment to A preliminary soils map has been prepared,
historical beds. and preliminary studies have been under-
BOATING TRAFFIC ASSESSMENT A taken on sedimentation rates and patterns
study is recommended on the environmental and groundwater hydrology. These studies
impacts on the York River shoreline and fting@ need to be expanded.
ing marshes of improvements to the Croaker WATER RESOURCES Water quality in
Landing boat ramp and associated increased the Pamunkey River near Sweet Hall Marsh
boat traffic. is being monitored, and this study should be
continued. A net flux study in Club House
Sweet Hall Marsh: Basic Research P@ioiities Creek has been completed and the data are
ECOLOGY OF TIDAL FRESHWATER being analyzed. A study has been undertaken
on groundwater flow dynamics and its role
WETLANDS The floristics, productivity and in pore water chemistry and nutrient ex-
community structure of the freshwater marsh change with adjacent surface water. Follow-
have been studied and should be updated up studies may be warranted to examine the
periodically to monitor their status and trends relationship between surface and ground wa-
in relation to sea level rise, subsidence, fresh- ters and their role in wetlands ecology. Stud-
water flow regimes, and other natural and ies on minimum instream flow requirements
human-induced processes. A plant inventory are needed, as are studies on the role of wet-
is needed for plants in the bottomland hard- lands in nutrient dynamics of tidal freshwa-
wood swamp, upland-wetlands transition ar- ter reach .es.
eas, and uplands (pine plantation and mixed

AIR QUALITYAND METEOROLOGICAL Reserve site in terms of resources, issues, man-
CONDITIONS Baseline monitoring of air agement constraints and research needs;
quality and weather patterns is needed. PROCEDURES AND REQUIREMENTS
Identifying parameters to be measured, pro-
Sweet Hall Marsh: Abblied Research P@iofities cedures to be used, criteria for measurements,
EFFECTS OF FORESTED BUFFER STRIPS quality control, and standard procedures
ON ESTUARINE WATER QUALITY A study (where they already exist), sampling strate-
is recommended on the usefulness of bot- gies for selected parameters (spatial and tem-
tomland forests as natural controls to reduce poral intervals), storage and retrieval of data
runoff from clearcut operations and (reporting, formatting and analytical require-
waterborne chemicals from agricultural fields. ments), labor requirements, logistics, and
BOATING TRAFFIC ASSESSMENT A cost; and
study is recommended on the environmental IMPLEMENTATION Pilot projects fol-
impacts of boat wake in the Pamunkey %ver lowed by full-scale implementafion.
and in the thoroughfare on Sweet HaU Marsh. The Reserve program's phased monitor-
ROLE OF PHYSICAL AND BIOLOGICAL ing program will be integrated with the
FACTORS ON THE STABILITYAND VIABIL- Chesapeake Bay Program's monitoring pro-
ITY OF FRESHWATER WETLAND ECOSW gram for water quality, submerged aquatic
TEMS Studies are needed to assess the im- vegetation, benthic organisms and other liv-
pacts of freshwater withdrawal, salinity intru- ing manne resources, toxins, and other pa-
sion, subsidence, sea level rise, sedimentation, rameters (Chesapeake Executive Council,
erosion, muskrat activity, boat wake, timber 1988b; State Water Control Board, 1987). It
management, and agricultural practices on also will be integrated with other monitoring
the ecology of freshwater marshes and for- programs of the Commonwealth, including
fisheries harvest (Virg*
ested wetlands in the Pamunkey River basin. nnia Marine Resources
A predictive, interactive model of the Parn- Commission), shellfish sanitation (Depart-
unkey River basin is needed to help resource ment of Health), game and non-game fish,
managers assess the implications of proposed waterfowl, and wildlife species (Department
and potential activities. of Game and Inland Fisheries), and rare and
endangered plants and animals (Natural Heri-
MONITORING tage Program, Department of Agriculture and
In 1989, SRD initiated a phased monitor- Consumer Affairs and Department of Game
ing program to help National Estuarine Re- and Inland Fisheries). Once baseline condi-
search Reserves improve understanding of the dons are established, many of the baseline
estuarine resources being managed under the parameters fisted under Basic Research Needs
national System (Uravitch, 1989a). The moni- probably will be integrated into a monitor-
toring program, as defined by SRD and modi- ing program.
fied by the Reserve program, will include the The Reserve's phased monitoring program
following phases: will be developed following SRD guidelines
ENVIRONMENTAL CHARACTTRIZA- and by consulting the National Science
TION Literature review and field research to Foundation's Long-Tenn Ecological Measurements
acquire all available information on hydrol- plans (NSF, 1978; 1979; 1981; and later is-
ogy, geology, water chemistry, water quali sues). Workshops will be convened to assist
ty, in the development of the monitoring pro-
biological resources, and the problems and gram and its direction.
issues confronting the Reserve environment;
SITE PROFILE During environmental
characterization, synthesis of information
gathered to provide an overall picture of the

RESEARCH POLICIES of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service
AND PROCEDURES and Geological Survey; and other relevant
Types of Proposals funding agencies;
Research opportunities at Reserve sites will Funding from international sources, includ-
be available to any qualified scientist, acade- ing the United Nations Man and the Bio-
mician or 5tudent affiliated with any univer- sphere Program, Food and Agriculture Or-
sity, college or school; any non-profit, non ganization and UNESGO;
- Funding from the Virginia General Assem-
academic research institution (e.g., research bly, the Virginia Chesapeake Bay Program,
laboratory, independent museum, profes- the Virginia Coastal Resources Manage-
sional society); any private profit organiza- ment Program, state resource management
tion; and any state, local or federal govern- agencies, and localities, including in-kind
ment agency. Unaffiliated individuals who cost-sharing; and
have the capability and facilities needed to Funding from private individuals, non-profit
perform the work also may qualify for re- organizations or foundations, such as the
search funds. Virginia Environmental Endowment, The
Proposals for research at Reserve sites fall Nature Conservancy, Chesapeake Bay Foun-
under one of several categories as defined dation and Alliance for the Chesapeake
below: Bay.
Competitive proposals solicited for peer re- Agencies planning to conduct research in
view as a result of SRD and other federal state waters (i.e., that portion of a Reserve
or international announcements of re- site lying below mean low water) should no-
search opportunities; tify Reserve management in advance to en-
Non-competitive proposals solicited from only sure coordination between the funding
one source when no other source has the agency, principal investigator and the Reserve.
needed capability or experience; and A procedure to ensure adequate notification
Unsolicited proposals submitted by qualified and coordination will be developed.
prospective investigators or students for The Reserve will develop a research pro-
partial fulfillment of thesis, dissertation, in- spectus to provide basic information on Re-
dependent problems course, or class serve sites. The prospectus will include, for
project requirements. each site, a brief ecological description, a list
of unique or unusual features, a list of avail-
Funding able research support facilities and equip-
Funding for Reserve research will come ment, and a list of previous research and pub-
from: lished reports.
SRD funding for national research priorities
for the National Estuarine Research Re- Research Announcement and Prospectus
serve System (matched by applicant; ap- SRD develops and distributes an annual
proximate range of funding between announcement of research opportunities that
$10,000 and $50,000 per year per project); reflects priority research needs. The an-
Funding from other federal sources, includ- nouncement contains specific statements
ing other divisions of NOAA (e.g., Coastal about the types of research that will be
Programs Office, National Marine Fisher- funded; clear and specific guidelines for pro-
ies Service, National Sea Grant Program, posal preparation; clear statements on the
National Status and Trends Program, Na- procedures and criteria used in proposal re-
tional Climate Program, National Marine view; the level of funding available; and a
Pollution Program); National Science schedule of the proposal process.
Foundation; Environmental Protection The Reserve will provide SRD with a distri-
Agency; U.S. Department of Agriculture, bution list for the annual research announce-
Soil Conservation Service; U.S. Department ment and will help review proposals. The list

will include local, state and regional entities Table 12
covering all eligible potential applicants listed RESEARCH PROPOSAL TIMETABLE,
above. FY 1991
The Reserve will develop a Rquat for Pro- JUNE 1000 SRD announcement distributed
posals for research funds received from
sources other than SRD. The Reserve's RFP SFYTEMEBER 1990 SRD received proposals from
prospective investigators and selected peer review
and timetable will be similar to SRD's, with a panels
list of research needs, guidelines for submis- DECEMBER 1990 SRD received peer review
sion of proposals, and information on the comments
peer-review process. APRM 1991 SRD awards gTants
Annual P@oposal Timetable
The SRD proposal process, which begins Final reports must be received by SRD
with the call for proposals and ends Nvith an within three months of completion of the
award, takes approximately one year to give research. Detailed instructions for preparing
sufficient time for states to circulate research final reports are set forth in SRD require-
announcements, investigators to develop de- ments and are furnished at the time of the
tailed proposals, and reviewers to conduct ad- award. Investigators also will submit final re-
equate reviews. As a result, projects funded ports to the Reserve.
by SRD are scientifically sound, contribute to Final reports will include both technical
existing knowledge, are relevant to current and administrative sections. Technical sections
coastal management issues, or are adequately include abstract; objectives; literature review;
funded, directed, or staffed. Although it may methods; results; conclusions; and signifi-
vary slightly from year to year, the schedule cance to local, regional, state or national man-
is as shown in Table 12. agement issues. Adn-dnistrative reports include
P
osal &view a project summary in non-technical language;
rop any objectives not attained; scientific pubh-
All proposals received by SRD are! peer- cations and presentation of results; applica-
reviewed through a direct-mail process involv- tion of results; and siimmary of expenditures.
ing recognized scientists and resource man- Outstanding reports are published as part of
agers. Project selection is based on several the VIMS series, Special Reports in Applied
criteria, including scientific merit; importance Marine Science and Ocean Engineering.
to Reserve management and regional coastal The Reserve will strongly encourage the
management issues; relevance to national re- presentation of research results at meetings
search priorities; technical approach; qualifi- of appropriate professional societies, such as
cations of the principal investigator and key the Virginia Academy of Science, National
personnel; institutional support and capabili- Estuarine Research Federation and American
ties; and budget. Society of Zoologists.
Reports RESEARCH SUPPORT
SRD requires investigators to submit quar- As manager of the Reserve, VIMS can pro-
terly and final reports. Reports will include a vide, on a cost-reimbursable, space-available
list of milestones reached; summary of data basis, some of the support required for on-
gathered (but not raw data); list of analyses going research. That support includes use of
completed; problems with labor, schedule, the VIMS physical plant, laboratories, ana-
budget or technical approach; any impact of lytical and sampling equipment, and vessels
problems on future milestones; solutions to described in the Facilities Development Plan,
problems; summary of next planned work; as well as use specific equipment acquired
and problem areas for discussion. for the Reserve. (see Table 13). A reference

Table 13
RESERVE EQUIPMENT INVENTORY
Photographic Topographic quadrangle maps for Hewlett Packard DeskJet printer
Nikon 20/20 35mm camera with all coastal counties Apple Macintosh SE computer
Nikon lenses AF Micro 55mm; Nautical charts Okidata 292 Microline printer
52mm; and AF 70-210mm Orange flags on 24" sticks Hewlett Packard Laserjet III
Camera cleaning kit Flag carrier printer
Kodak EkLigraphic III B Slide Temperature-compensated salinity
projector refractometer Drafting
Kodak carousels (4) Aluminum calipers Light table
Clinometer with rangefinder Drafting table
Field Panasonic microcassette recorder Drafting stool
Machetes (2) Azel 20" tree pruning sawhead Planimeter
Soil sampler (1) Round point shovel
Munsell soil color chart (1) Canvas tool bag Herbarium
Brunton compass (1) Smithsonian-type New York
Nikon binoculars Computer Botanical Garden mounting
Refractometer Zenith Systems XT personal paper
Repel bug repellant computer, with 20-megabyte University of Oregon-type her-
Camp shovel (1) hard disk with 1.2-megabyte barium glue
Orange safety vest (Y.L, L, M) and 360K, 5.25-inch diskette White gummed cloth tape
Hip waders (size 6, 7, 10) drives Standard plant press (5)
PVC transect pipe Zenith Systems Laptop Supersport Standard driers
Bitterlicks (5) microcomputer, with 30- Standard ventilators
Transect measuring tape (100 m) megabyte hard disk and 640K, Botany paste, Model 3140
3.5-inch diskette drive

library has been established. VIMS students Reserve-generated summaries of Reserve re-
may borrow field equipment and books for search;
use in Reserve-related research. Additional Workshops and conferences at Reserve sites,
computer hardware and software, field equip- sometimes with funding assistance from
ment, and other forms of research support SRD;
will be acquired as the need arises and funds Reserve information brochure, distributed
are available. with the annual call for proposals;
Press releases to local media;
INFORMATION Articles injournals of national scientific soci-
DISSEMINATION eties and local organizations;
Both SRD and the Reserve encourage the Monthly announcements in the Alliance for
dissemination of research results via: the Chesapeake Bay's Virginia Rivers Report,
journal articles; Direct mailings to local and state decision-
SRD-written synthesis of technical reports; makers; and
Presentations at professional societies; and Updates to the Chesapeake Bay Bibliography and
Special symposia arranged by SRD or Re- other electronic bibliographies (e.g., Dia-
serves, often in association with other meet- logue, Aquatic Sciences and Fisheries Abstracts).
ings, such as the biennial meetings of the REVIEW AND EVALUATION
Estuarine Research Federation or Coastal
Zone Managers. The Reserve will submit an annual report
In addition to SRD's information dissemi- on research activities to SRD as required by
nation routes, the Reserve will use several National Estuarine Research Reserve System
state and Bay-wide avenues of information ex- Regulations Section 921.34. The report Will
change including: include a description of program successes,

accomplishments, and the work plan for the RESOURCE DEGRADATION
coming year. The first report will cover the AT THE RESERVE SITES
12-month period following receipt of acquisi- GOODWIN ISLANDS A portion of the
tion and development funds and will be sub- upland ridge on the Goodwin Islands is over-
mitted within three months after the end of grown by grape, greenbrier, honeysuckle and
that period. In addition, the Reserve w 'ill ar- blackberry. Vines carpet the ground and
range for the periodic NOAA evaluation vis- shrub layers and extend well into the canopy.
its and public meetings described in Section The thick growth is excluding other vegeta-
021.34 of the National Estuarine Research tion and making this portion of the island
Reserve System regulations. practically impenetrable.
Several stands of common reed grass, Phrag-
D ites australis, exist on the Goodwin Islands.
INFUSTORATION PLAN AmIthough not extensive, the growth has re-
placed the more desirable big cordgrass,
National Estuarine Research Reserve Sys- Spartina cynosuroides. Phrag7nites is a tenacious
tem regulations recognize that many estua- species that tolerates suboptimal conditions
rine areas have undergone ecological change and is hard to eradicate. The Phragmites colo-
as a result of human activities. Although res- nies on the@ Goodwin Islands will be moni-
toration of degraded areas is not a primary tored through aerial photography and habi-
purpose of the National Estuarine Research tat plots.
Reserve System, some restorative activities may
be permitted in Research Reserves as speci- CATLETT ISLANDS A small stand of
fied in their management plans. Restoration Phragmites has been found on Thompson's
for single-species resource management or en- Island in a section of the transition zone be-
hancement is not usually permissible; resto- tween the high marsh-saltbush line and the
radon must be community- or ecosystem-ori- forested uplands. 'fhe other islands need to
ented. be surveyed for the occurrence of Phragmites.
In accordance with National Estuarine Re-
search Reserve System regulations, this man- TASKINAS CREEK Several places are
agement plan describes those portions of Re- eroding along Taskinas Creek Trail. The most
serve sites that may require habitat modifica- pronounced erosion is occurring along a sec-
tion to restore or rehabilitate them back to don of the trail that has a steep slope and is
their historic, natural conditions. The plan used as a bridle path. Also, on either side of
also provides guidelines for developing site- the Taskinas Creek boardwalk the banks are
specific restoration plans. At this stage of pro- slumping where people have wandered off
gram development, it is possible only to pre- the trail to get a closer look at the creek and
liminarily identify which resources might be marsh- One particular overlook exists on a
need restoration, not to describe the full ex- steep bank (with a 50 feet sheer dropoff to
tent of resource degradation, the techniques the creek below) and presents a potentially
and methods that will be used in restoration, dangerous situation.
the costs of restoration, or the potential ben- Small stands of Phragmites have been found
efits or consequences of restoration efforts, in remote areas of the creek drainage, on
including the length of time it might take for the levee between low and high marsh, where
an area to become restored to proscribed con- they are replacing big cordgrass.
ditions. Further assessment is needed of site-
specific conditions, pertinent literature and SWEET HALL MARSH The bank and
other factors to determine site-specific resto- cultivated field above Sweet Hall Marsh are
ration needs. subject to erosion during heavy rainfall.
Phrag7nites is invading some sections of the
levee between the low marsh zone and back

marsh. Here, Phragmites is replacing big cord- Synthesize existing infomation
grass., and evaluate results of similar prqeas
GUIDELINES The scientific literature will be consulted
FOR RESTORATION to identify and evaluate approaches that have
been used to restore or rehabilitate similar
In order to properly evaluate the need for coastal habitats. Files on 404 Wetland Per-
restoration and plan effective and environ- mits requiring mitigation also can be used to
mentally sound restoration projects, the Re- identify the types of projects that have been
serve proposes to follow the guidelines de- attempted. Results from completed projects
scribed below. will be evaluated to determine appropriate
methods, expected results and potential prob-
Determine the extent and severity lem areas to avoid.
of resource degradation Design and implement project
Each site will be surveyed using aerial pho-
tography interpretation and ground-truthing At this step it should be possible to deter-
to determine the extent and severity of re- mine the best techniques to remedy the prob-
source degradation. Much of this work will lem. In general, the least complex, most
be performed during species inventory and proven methods and the most cost-effective
habitat mapping projects described in the Re- and maintenance-free procedures will receive
search and Monitoring Plan. Past conditions first consideration. Any necessary permits
will be assessed from discussions with long- from regulatory authorities and permission
time residents and through studies of histori- of landowners will be obtained. A qualified
cal photography, sediment cores, pollen dia- investigator will implement the project.
grams, dead and dying vegetation, and old
field notes and diaries. Information on Monitor results and evaluate success
present and historical conditions will be quan- of restoration
tified. Monitoring programs will be designed and
Convene expert panel and set goals carried out as appropriate by Reserve staff,
funded investigators or contractors, or vol-
for restoration unteer team. In general, monitoring will in-
If a problem is documented and deter- clude aerial reconnaissance and site visits to
mined to require attention, goals will be set determine maintenance needs, additional re-
to guide the development of the restoration medial action, and how well restoration ef-
plan and serve as measures of success or fail- forts have achieved the desired goals. Infor-
ure. An expert panel will be convened to ex- mation derived from monitoring will be dis-
amine the situation and determine whether seminated through appropriate channels.
the goal should be restoration (re-creation
of entire communities of organisms, closely
modeled on those existing there naturally or EDUCATION PLAN
previously); rehabilitation (selective removal
of objectionable organisms or conditions and FRAMEWORK
progressive actions to restore what was previ-
ously present); replacement (replacing the The Reserve's education program will op-
original ecosystem with another different erate, in part, through cooperative efforts with
one); or status quo with monitoring (imple- existing educational institutions and organi-
menting a surveillance procedure to deter- zations in the region and will build upon en-
mine whether damages are progressing, re- vironmental education materials already avail-
treating naturally or at equilibrium). able for the Chesapeake Bay and for estuar-
ies in general. Education activities will be de-

signed to enhance awareness and understand- ties that will be encouraged under the aus-
ing of site resources as well as general. estua- pices of the Reserve. These programs and
rine systems. Particular emphasis will be activities will focus on the value of the Chesa-
placed on the role of the estuary in the total peake Bay estuarine system, particularly the
Chesapeake Bay environment and on the in- York River basin, and its wise use and man-
terrelationships of coastal habitats and hu- agement. Emphasis will be placed on dissen-d-
man activities, nafing informadon about the results and
Taskinas Greek will be the primary focus value of research conducted within the
for Reserve education efforts because of its boundaries of the Reserve sites, as well as
education facilities and its central location providing opportunities for hands-on partici-
and proximity to large population centers. pation in nature studies.
The focus will be on Taskinas Creek as a liv- This Education Plan was developed after
ing laboratory, using and supplementing ex- reviewing education plans from other Re-
isting boardwalks, trails, canoe trips, and out- serves, evaluating the four Reserve sites for
door exhibits as educational learning aids. A opportunities for and constraints to on-site
feasibility study will be conducted on build- education programs, and a meeting of an
ing a research and education center with a Education Planning Committee in June 1989.
dormitory. Where practical, education pro- The results of these efforts provided ideas
grams will be linked to research projects in- for programs, activities and interpretive me-
volving Taskinas Creek and other sites. dia that fulfill the goals and objectives of the
The Reserve's education programs will Reserve but do not duplicate ongoing educa-
avoid placing stress on the environment, and tional efforts,
activities will be conducted outside of the criti-
cal research core area to prevent disturbance OPPORTUNITIES FOR
to research or natural characteristics. E.Tpha- AND LIMITATIONS TO
sis will be placed on interactive education ac- ON-SITE EDUCATION
tivities, based on the premise that interest in Evaluation Procedure
and commitment to the Chesapeake Bay and
its tributaries are greatly affected by personal Opportunities for and limitations to on-
contact with the natural system (Chesapeake site education programs at Reserve sites were
Executive Council, 1987). analyzed using the following criteria: (1) re-
To meet the goals and objectives of the source sensitivity (e.g., presence of rare,
education program, the Reserve will hire an threatened or endangered organisms; relict,
education coordinator to develop, coordinate fragile or significant natural communities; Sig-
and conduct education programs at appro- nificant archaeological or cultural resources);
priate Reserve sites. The education coordi- (2) potential conflict or interference with on-
nator will work with an Education Advisory going research or monitoring; (3) compatibil-
Committee to identify priority projects for ity with existing traditional uses; (4) degree
funding through SRD and other sources. of existing public access; (5) accessibility; and
The education coordinator will organize (6) alternate nearby opportunities for on-site
outreach activities to schools, special interest education and interpretation programs. The
groups, civic groups, and professional orga- on-site education potential of each site was
nizations and will be available to help schools rated low, medium or high. For this evalua-
and other groups develop and conduct envi- tion, the Taskinas Creek site was divided into
ronmental projects at Reserve sites. Other eastern and western components. The results
duties and responsibilities of the education are shown in Table 14. The following narra-
coordinator are described in the Administra- tive is supported by the evaluation completed
tion Plan section of this management plan. by the Education Planning Committee. The
This Education Plan describes the educa- sites are presented in descending order of
tion and interpretation programs and activi- the potential for on-site education.

Table 14
EVALUATION OF ON-SITE EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES

PlYesent Compatibility Potential
public with traditional Resource conflict udth Alternate
Site Accessibility access uses sensithtity research otportunities

Goodwin Islands 1.4 1.3 2.0 2.0 2.5 3.0

Catlett Islands 1.1 1.1 2.0 2.7 2.3 2.2

Taskinas Creek, eastern 2.8 3.0 3.0 1.9 1.0 1.0

Taskinas Creek, western 1.8 1.7 2.5 2.2 2.3 3.0

Sweet Hall Marsh 1.3 1.1 2.1 2.8 2.7 2.1

Score key- 3 = high; 2 = medium; I = low

On-Site Potential. Taskinas Creek zone, and a self-guided hiking trail meanders
Wortunities through a transition of early successional pine
Taskinas Creek provides opportunities for forest to mature hardwood forest and across
visiting a large, natural tidal creek system. In a marsh on a boardwalk over the creek. The
addition to enjoying its beauty and wildlife, park has a visitor center with an exhibit area,
visitors see a classic example of a tidal creek audiovisual room and a classroom with edu-
ecosystem with distinct wetland zonation, both cational materials and field equipment (see
from the brackish marshes at the creek's the Facilities Development Plan). The park
mouth to freshwater marshes at its upper also has other trails, picnic areas, restrooms,
reaches and from the low marsh at the low- parking areas, a pond, and a boat ramp.
tide mark to the high marsh and forests land- Constraints
ward. The creek system is like a miniature There are few constraints to using the east-
version of the York River system, with fresh- ern section of Taskinas Creek for the on-site
water inflow from feeder streams, daily tidal education focus of the Reserve. The most lim-
cycles, and mixing of salt and fresh water. iting conditions are erosion of trails and
Taskinas Creek divides the Reserve site into streambanks along Taskinas Creek Trail; lim-
an eastern section, where facilities and pro- ited canoe trip capacity; seasonal guides and
grams are focused, and a western portion, schedule; and lack of full-time staff to pro-
where no facilities are available. The eastern
portion is used by a variety of people for rec- vide year-round education activities. In addi-
reation, education and cultural enrichment tion, the audiovisual room and the classroom
and can support still more visitors without are too small to accommodate large groups.
major environmental impact. The park is con- A discussion of the erosion problem is pre-
veniently located for visitors from central and sented in the Restoration Plan, and recom-
eastern Virginia and is near tourist attractions mendations for improvements and additions
in the Williamsburg-jamestown-Yorktown his- to staff and facilities are presented in the Ad-
toric triangle, where few other opportunities ministration Plan and Facilities Development
for outdoor estuarine environmental educa- Plan, respectively.
tion exist. In contrast, there are several constraints to
On the eastern side of Taskinas Creek, a using the western portion of Taskinas Creek
guided canoe trip is available extending from for on-site education. The area is remote and
the brackish-water zone into the freshwater not regularly patrolled by park personnel.
The only facility is a narrow fire trail, which

is gated and locked. The terrain is steep and supports large numbers of wintering water-
rugged with moderately to highly erodible fowl, and is home to the Pamunkey Indian
soils. The area is heavily wooded with mixed tribe. Most of the features of Sweet HaU Marsh
pine and oak stands. The only vantage point are best observed from a boat to prevent dam-
overlooking the creek is on the top of a very age to the marsh.
steep, highly erodible bank. This pristine area
contains some rare plant species, is ecologi:- Constraints
cally sensitive, and is being used for natural Sweet Hall Marsh is accessible only by boat,
history studies that could be disturbed by pub- and there are no piers or facilities to accom-
lic access. Very limited access for nature study modate visitors. The marsh is extremely sen-
is recommended for this area. sitive to disturbance by human contact, espe-
cially by marsh walking and plant collection.
On-Site Potential: Gooditfin Islands It contains rare and endangered plant spe-
Qpportunities cies and is a major wintering area for water-
The Goodwin Islands provide an opportu- fowl, which also are sensitive to disturbance.
nity for studying an environment typical of To preserve the delicate balance of nature
polyhali'ne conditions of Chesapeake Bay and tradifional uses of the marsh, and to pro-
tributaries. The site contains extensive tect ongoing research from disruption, on-
saltmarshes and seagrass beds, wetland for- site educational use of Sweet Hall Marsh will
ests, a maritime forest, a sandy beach. shore- be limited to academic pursuits (class field
line, and low dunes. It is the only accessible trips, teacher training and guided research)
site where problems of shoreline erosion, and occasional float-by boat trips. Much of
Phragwites invasion, and estuarine debris ac- the educational focus for Sweet Hall will oc-
cumulation can readily be observed. cur off site or as part of float-by field trips.
Constraints On-Site Potential. Catlett Islands
The Goodwin Islands may be reached only Qpportunities
by boat. There are no piers, and visitors must The Catlett Islands are the last remnants
leave vessels moored and wade ashore. The of a Pleistocene beach ridge system that once
site contains many sensitive resources, such characterized the north shore of the lower
as nesting colonial birds, Ospreys and turtles, York River. Other ridges have eroded away or
which are easily disturbed by human contact. have been stabilized for development. The
In addition, there are permanent study areas Catlett Island ridges support maritime for-
that must remain undisturbed. On-site edu- ests and are surrounded by extensive
cation programs will have to be carefully de- mesohaline marshes.
signed and controlled to minimize impacts.
Constraints
On-Site Potential: Sweet Hall Marsh Constraints to using the Catlett Islands for
Qpportunities on-site education relate to the sensitivity of
Sweet Hall Marsh is located on the Pam- the pristine forested ridges, their inaccessi-
unkey River, one of the most pristine rivers bility, and the incompatibility of public visita-
on the East Coast. The marsh is an excellent tion with research and traditional uses. The
example of an emergent freshwater marsh, islands support a heron rookery, Osprey nests,
located in a section of the river where transi- migratory waterfowl wintering areas, and
tions from oligohaline to freshwater condi- other wildlife areas that are sensitive to hu-
tions and from freshwater marsh to hardwood man disturbance.
swamp are pronounced. This stretch of the There is little evidence of human presence
Pamunkey River is a major spawning area for on the islands, yet more would be expected
striped bass and other anadromous fishes, with increased visitation. Whether by land or

water, access to the Catlett Islands is difficult nities for enjoying and learning about the
and sometimes impossible. By land, there is transitional zone of the York River.
limited entry through private property (Tim-
berneck Farm), but there is no appropriate Canoe Tyibs
parking. To reach the islands, one must walk Two-hour guided canoe trips on Taskinas
through cultivated fields and dense forest with Creek are conducted on weekends and occa-
no trails but abounding with poison ivy, deel sionally on weekday evenings from April
flies and ticks. By water, entry and exit de through October. The popular trips are edu-
pend on tidal stage. At low tide, the water is cational and have a variety of themes. Guided
too shallow to reach or leave the islands. Vili- by an interpreter, the trips improve visitors'
tors must arrive on a rising tide, leave boats understanding of the dynamics and ecology
at mooring, wade ashore and monitor the of the estuary and coastal communities and
boats so they will not become stranded by of those areas' environmental and socioeco-
low tide. For these reasons, public education nomic importance. Participants learn about
will not be encouraged at the Catlett Islands. the development and formation of marshes;
estuarine water properties; the value of wet-
ON-SITE EDUCATION lands to erosion control, flood inhibition, wa-
PROGRAMS ter purification, and food production; the
The following recommendations for on-site rhythms and cycles of life in the estuary; wild-
education programs at Reserve sites are based life habitat requirements and feeding rela-
on an analysis of current education programs tionships of estuarine-dependent species; and
and projects involving Reserve sites and the human uses of the marsh and river in mod-
projected needs for new ones, as well as on ern, historic and prehistoric times.
the opportunities and constraint& described In addition to regularly scheduled public
above. canoe trips, school classes frequently sched-
ule one- to two-hour weekday trips as part of
Current Plrograms: Taskinas Creek their educational visits to York River State
In 1989, 72,587 people visited York River Park. Such trips are conducted almost daily
State Park. Many of those visitors participated from n-dd-April through May, and periodically
in scheduled education programs; others pur- in September and October. The canoe trips
sued self-directed activities. Described below are one of the most popular environmental
are some of the present educational oppor- education activities with school groups.
tunities involving Taskinas Creek. Field h@ps
lnyr4bretive Trail York County and Williamsburg-James City
York River State Park has an extensive sys- County Public Schools are the main users of
York River State Park's environmental educa-
tem of trails that guide visitors through the tion offerings. Students participate in field
natural succession of coastal habitats from
open and forested uplands to forested swamp, trips conducted by their teachers or the park's
freshwater marsh, brackish marsh, creek seasonal interpreter. Fifth- through eighth-
mouth, tidal river, and river shoreline (see graders are the more frequent field trip par-
Figure 20). The trails support multiple uses, ticipants, although some high school science
including hiking, biking, fitness, cross-coun- classes conduct field trips or studies at the
try and horseback riding. Guided hiking trips park. The Virginia Wildflower Society, Wil-
are sometimes conducted. One trail, Taski- liamsburg Bird Club and Estuaries Day vol-
nas Creek Trail, is self-guiding, using num- unteers also conduct field trips.
bered markers keyed to information in a bro-
chure. This trail offers year-round opportu-

Figure 20
TRAILS AT YORK RIVER STATE PARK

MILES TRAIL, NUMBER NbBICYCLETRAIL
1.6 11iskulasCreekRag 1
2.6 mch-Tt-Kos Bridle Path 2 BOAT WT
1.3 Woodstock Pond Bike/
FitnessTrail 3
1.4 MattaponiTrail 4
1.3 Backbone Tfail 5 HIKINGTEAlL
.8 ParminkeyTtail 6
Spurrllrail 7 ? INFORMAnON 11:-@ PICNIC SHELTER
1.0 Majestic Oak Trail 8
.4 Laurel Glenn Trail 9
1.4 Powhatan Forks Trail 10 P PARKING RESTROOMS
1.5 Riverview Bridle Patti I I
.0 Backbone Bridle Patti 12 PICNICAREA BRIDLE MNIL

Overlook

jq Pond
art

Schedukd Presentations undergraduate-level student project, one
Special presentations on a variety of envi- graduate-level student project and one Boy
ronmental topics are given by park interpret- Scout project. In 1989, 58 people visited the
ers and guest speakers from April through Goodwin Islands to participate in VIMS-spon-
October and by volunteers from November sored research and education programs. The
through March. Many of the topics are rel- following opportunities are available:
evant to Taskinas Creek (e.g., signs of spring,
wildlife observations, fossil hunts, endangered Field Dim
species, weather prediction). Scheduling is Professors from The College of William and
based on staff availability, demand and space Mary and its School of Marine Science lead
accommodations. During the peak season field trips to the Goodwin Islands for students
from May through September, presentations of geology, biology and marine science. Oc-
are given once a week, usually on weekends. casionally, the Virginia Living Museum leads
field trips for students in grades 9-12 and for
Abecial Educational fWa adults. The focus of the trips is the ecology
Trained park personnel and other educa- and geology of beaches, seagrass and
tors conduct special educational programs for saltmarsh habitats, and forested uplands. Field
children during summer. These include Story trip leaders emphasize the physical conditions
Tinws (ages 3-6), Nature Explorers (ages 7-11), of each habitat, vegetation zonation, identifi-
junior Rangers (ages 8-12) and a 4-H marine cation of selected flora and fauna, human
day camp for teenagers. The programs in- impacts, and importance of the Goodwin Is-
clude a beach excursion, beaver hunt hike, lands habitats to the overall Chesapeake Bay
wildflower walk, nature photo safari, movie system.
of the month, and cast-netting and seining
off the York River beach and in Taskinas Student and Civic Proie
Creek. Approved graduate and undergraduate re-
search projects are conducted at the Goodwin
aecialEvents Islands. For example, geology majors from
Estuaries Day is an example of a special William and Mary have undertaken research
event that involves Taskinas Creek and oc- on sediment transport, coastal morphology,
curs at the park. On Estuaries Day, staff of mineralogy and stradgraphy, and the coastal
the park and VIMS, along with volunteers, botany class at VIMS participates in long-term
offer a variety of programs and activities, in- marsh studies. Projects for Eagle Scouts and
cluding guided canoe trips, bird walks, wild- civic and environmental organizations are
flower walks, seining, aquarium setup, water possible (e.g., a beach clean-up was organized
quality sample collection, video productions ' by an Eagle Scout with the Gloucester Point
slide shows, fish printing, plastic pollution art, Boy Scout Troop).
and coloring contest. Current Programs: Sweet Hall Marsh
Student LQLe The present annual educational use of
Students from The College of William and Sweet Hall Marsh includes two field trips, four
Mary, VIMS and other schools conduct inde- float-by boat trips, two canoe trips, one under-
pendent research projects involving Taskinas graduate research project, and five graduate
Creek for thesis, dissertation and honors research projects. In 1989, 56 people visited
credit. Sweet Hall Marsh while participating in edu-
cational float-by boat trips and class field trips.
Current Programs: Goodwin Islands Students, faculty and staff of VIMS visited
The present annual educational use of the Sweet Hall Marsh 66 times that year. A de-
Goodwin Islands includes 10 field trips, one scription of those activities follows.

Float-BX Boat areas. It is recommended that the audiovi-
VIMS, the Council on the Environment, sual room in the visitor center be enlarged
the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, The Nature to accommodate larger audiences (see the
Conservancy and the Virginia Living Museum Facilities Development Plan). To effectively
conduct interpretive boat trips on the Pam- achieve the education objectives of this plan,
unkey River near Sweet Hall Marsh. Partici- VIMS proposes to employ a full-time educa-
pants learn about the ecology of the area, tion coordinator for the Reserve. The educa-
management issues and ongoing research. tion coordinator will be headquartered at
These popular boat trips provide an excel- VIMS but will spend part of the work week at
lent opportunity for experiencing and learn- the park when office space is available.
ing about the tidal freshwater ecosystem. Teacher Trainiw
Field Trips York River State Park is an ideal location
Coastal botany and marine resource man- for teachers to meet and receive training for
agement classes from VIMS take field trips to leading students in environmental studies.
Sweet Hall Marsh. Several of the field trips The proposed research and education cen-
involve long-term research projects. ter will be designed to accommodate the
training sessions. The Reserve will sponsor
Academic ResearchProie workshops to familiarize teachers with the
Graduate and undergraduate students from ecology of Taskinas Creek and train them to
the College and VIMS conduct independent lead their students in hikes or in activities
research rojects for thesis, dissertation, and like seining, taking water samples or conduct-
p ing marsh and forest investigations. This will
honors credit. enable teachers to involve students in col-
Current Programs: Catlett Islands lecting data valuable to the Reserve's research
program and, in turn, will benefit students.
The Catlett Islands are the most remote By learning how to report and analyze data
Reserve site. The present annual educational collected on field trips and by knowing that
use of the Catlett Islands includes one high the data are important to science and often
school student project and one graduate stu- have practical uses, students will gain pride
dent project. In 1989, the Catlett Islands were in their work and realize that they are help-
visited by 29 scientists, three student visitors ing solve real problems. There are few other
and three educators. The Catlett Islands were opportunities for this type of teacher-student
used for wedand delineation training and in- participation in research.
dependent student projects for students af- The Virginia Department of Game and In-
filiated with VIMS. land Fisheries will be encouraged to conduct
teacher workshops at Taskinas Creek under
EXPANSION OF EDUCATION Project Wild and Aquatic Project Wild.
PROGRAMS Teacher workshops will be encouraged offer-
Taskinas Creek ing first-hand experience using lesson plans
York River State Park will be encouraged from the recent U.S. Fish and Wildlife Ser-
to continue, expand and offer more fre- vice publication Bay BCs and activities from
quently interpretive field trips and canoe Mvff Tim&, a set of science and social studies
trips. Under the auspices of the Reserve, it is activities developed by the Math and Science
possible that a research and education cen- Center in Richmond.
ter will be built in the park to accommodate On-site summer courses for teachers for
visiting groups. Possible features include dor- academic credit, credit toward five-year re-
mitory space, a kitchen, classroom, reference certification, or salary also will be offered at
library, office space and sample-preparation the proposed Research and Education Cen-
ter. Teachers participating in summer, courses

will be lodged at William and Mary until the education goals and objectives (e.g., Chesa-
proposed dormitory is constructed. Programs peake Bay Foundation, Virginia Marine Sci-
will be developed to give them on-site experi- ence Museum, VIMS Marine Advisory Service,
ence at Taskinas Creek as well as the Goodwin Virginia Uving Museum, The Mariners' Mu-
Islands. seum, Council on the Environment), The Re-
In addition to courses, the Reserve will pro- serve is already assisting in the development
mote teacher-researcher mentorships involv- of activity plans for use at Virginia's coastal
ing Taskinas Creek and the other Reserve state parks. Packets of information Will be de-
sites. The Center for Gifted Education at Wil- veloped to assist teachers in preparing their
liam and Mary offers a 30-hour mini-mentor- classes for visits to the Reserve, in leading
ship for elementary and middle-school sci- on-site activities, and in follow-up activities.
ence teachers of gifted students to give the
teachers more realistic insight into the work Prograng for Overnight Grou
of scientists. VIMS assists in this program by Evening programs for residents at the pro-
recruiting scientists who are willing to work posed Research and Education Center will
with teachers and use them in sampling, be developed. Evening programs will include
monitoring and other research activities. This night-time outings in the Reserve, audiovi-
involvement will be expanded to involve sci- sual presentations and a lecture series.
entists who are conducting research at Re-
serve sites. In addition, opportunities for Goodzt@n Islands
mentorships will be extended to other sci- At present, the annual educational use of
ence teachers. the Goodwin Islands is adequate to meet the
Seminars and Hands-On Field L@ps educational objectives of the Reserve. On-site
ftDecisionmakers educational use of Goodwin Islands will not
be increased unless a carrying capacity study
The Reserve will coordinate and cooper- shows that the islands can accommodate ad-
ate with the Council on the Environment and ditional. visitation without concomitant envi-
Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay in provid- ronmental damage.
ing Reserve sites for seminars and field trips
for local decisionmakers. VIMS, in coopera- Sweet Hall Marsh
don with state and private entities, is devel- At present, the annual educational use of
oping a training program in wetlands delin- Sweet Hall Marsh is adequate to meet the
eation and will use the Reserve for training educational objectives of the Reserve. Given
and testing. the sensitivities of the area, on-site educational
Training-for Volunteers use of Sweet Hall Marsh will not be expanded.
Trainin g sessions for volunteers will be con- Catlett Islands
ducted to enhance the quality of volunteer
activities at Taskinas Creek and the other Re- At present, the annual educational use of
serve sites. Research scientists, park interpret- the Catlett Islands could be increased to ac-
ers or Reserve staff will train volunteers. Vol- commodate as many as two additional stu-
unteer activities are described in the Volun- dent projects without threatening the re-
teer Plan. source, ongoing research or traditional uses.
On-site educational use of the Catlett Islands
Cur7iculum DeveLtment will not be expanded beyond that level un-
To develop curricula containing activities less a carrying capacity study shows that the
islands can accommodate additional visitation
appropriate for use by classes coming to Taski-
nas Creek, the Reserve will work in coopera- without concomitant environmental damage.
tion with other organizations having similar

ON-SITE INTERPRETIVE MEDIA EXPANSION OF INTERPRETIVE
Current Media: Taskinas Creek MEDIA
Exhibits Taskinas Creek
Exhibits on estuarine themes are displayed Exhibits
in the lobby of the park's visitor center and The educational value of the boardwalk
at overlooks to Taskinas Creek and the York crossing Taskinas Creek will be improved by
River. In addition, bulletin boards outside of adding an exhibit illustrating and describing
the visitor center and at Croaker Landing dis- marsh zonation, marsh plants and animals,
play information on scheduled programs. estuarine fishes and shellfish, and other as-
pects of the estuary. The Taskinas Creek over-
Publications look exhibit will be replaced with a new one
Several publications are available at the commemorating the designation of the Re-
park, including a brochure for the self-guided serve. New exhibits are needed within the
tour of Taskinas Creek Trail; a park brochure; visitor center to communicate information
a booklet about Virginia State Parks; and a about the Reserve, the other Reserve sites
newsletter announcing current and upcom- and ongoing research and monitoring at Re-
ing interpretive programs. The park also has serve sites. These exhibits could include pho-
field guides and reference materials in a cata- tographs of flora, fauna and general ecology
loged library, which can be used by teachers, of each site, as well as an aquarium or ter-
students and the public. rarium containing living microcosms from the
sites.
Environmental Education Materials
Park holdings include environmental edu- Publications
cation materials, such as the VIMS Marine Several publications are proposed. The Re-
Schoolhouse series, VIMS Marine Science Meth- serve will provide an insert with a map and
odsJor the Classroom series, and the University information about the designated sites for the
of California's Outdoor Biology Instructional National Estuarine Research Reserve System
Strategies. These materials cover topics in ge- brochure. A brochure or prospectus giving
ology, ecology, wildlife biology and pollution. information about opportunities for research,
The park also provides teaching aids and field environmental education, teacher training
equipment that can be used by visiting school and mentorship programs, and volunteer pro-
groups or educational program participants, grams will be developed. The Reserve also
including a herbarium, saltwater and fresh- will develop a guidebook for landowners who
water aquaria, microscope, wildlife specimens, are interested in donating land or conserva-
and reference books (see Table 15). tion easements to the program. The park will
be encouraged to develop a guidebook for
Audiovisual Media canoe trips on Taskinas Creek. The Reserve
York River State Park has two slide shows, also may produce a series of field guides on
York River State Park and Virginia's Marshes the natural and historic resources of the York
and one video program, York River. The Penin' River watershed, using the Reserve sites as
sula's State Pant The park has access to sev- reference points. The presence of the Na-
eral other slide shows and videotapes. tional Estuarine Research Reserve Association
logo will make all Reserve publications rec-
Current Media: Goodwin Islands, ognizable as such.
Catlett Islands and Sweet Hall Maah Enzironmmtal Education Materials
There are no interpretive materials for School information packages (described as
Goodwin Islands, Catlett Islands or Sweet Hall part of Curriculum Development) will be
Marsh. available through the Reserve and York River

Table 15
INVENTORY OF ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION EQUIPMENT
AT YORK RIVER STATE PARK
Biology and Ecology Saltwater aquarium Audiovisual
Waterscopes Freshwater aquarium Kodak Audio viewer
Seines (3) Touch table items Audiotronics cassette recorder
Tide stakes Wall displays Extension tubes (3)
Insectjars Reference book shelf Bogen Amp
Water diermometer York River State Park movie Audio equipment aninlafion box
Dipnets Electro-voice microphone
Buckets (6) Wildlife Ident@ftcation Wire junction box
Minnow trap Animal cast tracks Kodak movie projector
Water chemical test kit (Hach) Plaster of Paris Cousino message repeater
White enamel pans Wildlife check-off list Slide projectors (5)
Bottom sampler Estuary guides Bogen speakers
Depth measure/sounding line Pond guides AVL Dissolve Module
Plankton nets Reference books Mark 11 (2)
Casting nets (3) Microphone stand
Bird Study Screen
Wet Laborato7y Bird guide
Pennanent Equipment Telescope for hikes Mathematical Equipment
Herbarium Wildlife specimens Mapping tools
Microscopes Check-off list Compass
Wildlife specimens Bird blind
Wildlife movies

State Park. In addition, a fact sheet will be A professional video documentary on the
prepared providing ideas for school science ecology of the York River basin and the Re-
fair projects. Recommendations will empha- serve sites will be produced and shown in
size non-manipulative estuarine and wetlands the visitor center. It will be promoted for use
science projects and will be directed toward by television stations, schools, public librar-
plants and invertebrates rather than verte- ies and museums.
brates. The Reserve also will prepare a
teacher's handbook for use in pre-trip train- Promotional Materials
ing for field trips and float-by boat trips, as Promotional materials include press re-
well as for use with students before, during leases for special events, souvenir T-shirts for
and following the field or boat trips. The Estuaries Day, and posters announcing spe-
handbook will include suggestions for re- cial events or illustrating various aspects of
search projects associated with field trips. Ma- Reserve ecology. Promotional materials will
terials will be prepared appropriate for 7th- be exhibited at the park visitor center, VIMS
through 12th-grade students and their teach- Aquarium and other appropriate places.
ers and for college classes.
Newsletter
Audiovisual Media
A newsletter will be created to publicize
A revised version of the Reserve slide show educational programs, special events, and
will be produced using new aerial and ground items of interest concerning Reserve sites; an-
photography, professional narration, back- nounce opportunities for volunteer services;
ground music and automation. The slide commemorate noteworthy volunteer work;
show will be shown at the visitor center, alter- and give updates on research in the system
nating with park slide shows, and will be avail- and on issues affecting the health of Reserve
able for presentations at off-site locations. sites and York River basin ecosystems.

sigm nual state fair in Richmond, and at other off-
The name of the Taskinas Creek National site locations. The exhibits will include pro-
Estuarine Research Reserve will be added to fessional-quality photographs of scenery, flora
the York River State Park entrance sign. The and fauna from Reserve sites.
Park is encouraged to erect a larger direc-
tional sign to York River State Park on PresentatiOns
Lightfoot Road. Additional small wooden Reserve staff, research scientists, and
signs could be installed along Taskinas Creek trained or professional volunteer speakers (as
trail to improve the educational value and members of a speakers' bureau) will be avail-
enjoyment of the trail. able to make audiovisual presentations. These
presentations will cover activities at Reserve
fterence Lj&ar sites, as well as a wide range of environmen-
y
A reference library of materials concern- tal topics. Suggested topics include conserva-
ing the Reserve sites in particular and the tion of natural resources of the York River
Chesapeake Bay and estuaries in general win basin and the Chesapeake Bay watershed; eco-
be housed in the proposed research and edu- logical value of the ecosystems represented
cation center. A personal computer will be by the four York River sites; and the results
installed in the reference library to give ac- of ongoing research. Targets for presentations
cess to the Chesapeake Bay Bibliography at include schools and civic groups, as well as
VIMS. The reference library will be available conferences, such as those of the Virginia As-
by reservation for use by the general public, sOciation of Science Teachers, Virginia Edu-
teachers and students. cation Association, Department of Education,
Mid-Atlantic Marine Education Association
Bookstore VirginiaJunior Academy of Science, and Vir-
It may be possible to incorporate a small ginia Association of Environmental Educators.
bookstore in the visitor center to sell nature Outreach to Schools
books; field guides; and ecology and conser-
vation color 'ing and activity books for chil- An outreach program to encourage the use
dren. The bookstore could be operated as a of Taskinas Creek and other appropriate Re-
subsidiary of the William and Mary Book- serve sites will be developed. It may be pos-
store, and the cashier could be the park re- sible to provide Reserve staff or contract
ceptionist or a Reserve volunteer. teachers to local schools to make classroom
presentations, including student hands-on
Goodwin Islands, Catlett Islands participation. A program offered less fre-
and Sweet Hall Manh quently than the VIMS Bay Team program of
The only on-site interpretive materials daily presentations throughout Virginia may
planned for the Goodwin Islands, Catlett Is- adequately Iserve the needs of the Reserve.
lands and Sweet Hall Marsh are signs stating
the name of the Reserve and designated lead
agency and, where appropriate, signs posting VOLUNTEER PLAN
against hunting, trespassing or boat wake.
Volunteers will be an integral part of the
OFF-SITE PROGRAMS Reserve program. Because funds for educa-
AND MEDIA don and research are never quite adequate,
Mobile Exhibits the use of volunteers will expand the Reserve
staff without large expenditure of funds. A
Mobile exhibits and displays of educational volunteer program also can be one of the
and interpretative value will be designed for best means of informing the public about
use at VIMS, in shopping malls, at the an- the value of estuaries. Properly trained, vol-

100

unteers carry their knowledge and enthusi- team's training will then depend on the skills
asm to a portion of the general population specific to that team's job. Teams that work
that is larger than the scientist or environ- in the field will have on-site training to en-
mentalist can reach. sure that they have mastered all skills. A test
of information and skills will be given before
ORGANIZATION the volunteers begin their tasks.
Volunteers will be divided into teams in Coordinators will communicate with team
three divisions, education, research and ad- leaders and members to ensure the quality
ministration, with a coordinator for each. of the team's work and reduce the chance of
Each coordinator will be responsible for the frustration on the part of the participants.
teams in his or her division and for coordi- Team members will have access to the coor-
nating efforts among the divisions. At the dinator and the scientist in charge of the re-
team level, one volunteer will be team leader, search, thus allowing discussion of questions,
reporting to his or her coordinator. Team concerns and triumphs.
members will work independently, in pairs Team assignments will be for a specific task
or in groups. Some teams will function on a over a stated time period. A need for volun-
schedule (e.g., weekly or monthly), whereas teers will be identified and team tasks will be
others will be on call and used when a need clearly defined before a team is formed. On-
arises requiring their particular expertise. Re- call teams will be organized when general
cruitment of volunteers will be site-specific. needs are defined but not set into action un-
For example, volunteers in the Sweet Hall til a specific project is approved. At the end
area will not be asked to extend their service of the assignment, an evaluation will be done.
to the Goodwin Island site. The evaluation will review the effectiveness
By necessity, the Reserve will begin with a of the task, the quality of the work performed,
small group of volunteers, which will provide and the support that the volunteer received.
a positive initial experience for volunteers and On the basis of this evaluation, the Reserve
staff. An application and screening process will adjust the volunteer program. Team mem-
will be designed to ensure that volunteers bers will be given an opportunity at this time
are placed where they can enjoy their service to change teams, and the coordinators will
and be most productive. The Reserve and have an opportunity to reward, reassign or
the supervising scientist or educator will ap- fire individuals.
prove volunteer projects. Several reward schemes are being consid-
To attract potential volunteers, the Reserve ered. The Division of State Parks has a point-
will rely on word-of-mouth, press coverage and award system that the Reserve can use or
information posted at state parks, nature cen- modify. Expansion of the awards scheme for
ters, nature trails, schools, and county admin- completion of tasks, hours served, and ex-
istration offices. Members of organizations ceptional performance will be necessary, be-
(e.g., Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Audubon Soci- cause not all volunteers will be interested in
ety, The Nature Conservancy, Jaycees, park-oriented rewards. Components of this
Women's Clubs, and retiree groups) will be expansion are: events or appropriate gifts
solicited through mailings and presentations (e.g., Reserve T-shirts or posters); an annual
about the sites and the potential for volun- gathering to recognize outstanding teams and
teer service. The Reserve staff also will con- individuals, thank all participants, and share
tact particular individuals, such as affected experiences and information; advancement
landowners and neighbors of the four sites, and added responsibility in the program for
to invite them to become volunteers. outstanding individuals; andjob descriptions
To be successful, volunteers must be well suitable for resumes or publications.
trained. All participants will learn about the To realize thepositive impacts of a volun-
basics of,estuaries, the Chesapeake Bay and teer corps, the Reserve will adopt and modify
the York River estuaries in particular. Each volunteer information and application mate-

101

rials developed by Padilla Bay National Es- tity time. Because Sweet Hall Marsh is in an
tuarine Research Reserve. These guidelines area of low population density, recruitment
for volunteers address the expectations of the of a large number of volunteers will be diffi-
volunteer and Reserve staff and provide a cult. However, because public access to the
vehicle for a volunteer's talents to be discov- site will be limited, fewer volunteers will be
ered and best used. Volunteer applications needed. To preserve the site's natural state,
will be available at Reserve headquarters, York on-site educational is limited to occasional
River State Park and other appropriate - laces. float-by boat or canoe tips. Volunteer guides
.P
will serve as interpreters and will need boat-
SCOPE ing and canoeing expertise. Some field re-
Opportunities for and limitations to vol- search projects may be able to use volunteers,
unteer activities are similar to those listed for although walking on the bottomless substrate
on-site education in the Education Plan.. They of a freshwater marsh to reach a research site
are discussed below by site in descending or- will weed out all but the most dedicated and
der of opportunities. agile volunteers. Seasonal constraints also will
limit volunteer activities as research and edu-
TASKINAS CREEK Volunteer teams of all cation activities are reduced or eliminated
three types (research, education and admin- before and during duck season.
istration) are already needed at York. River
State Park, where understaffing is a problem. CATLETT ISLANDS As for Sweet Hall
In winter, when the paid staff is decreased ' Marsh, restrictions on public access and the
volunteers can help by freeing staff from of- location of the Catlett Islands will limit the
fice jobs and by providing manpower to ex- number of volunteers and the number of vol-
tend the season that the visitor center is open. unteer hours. Research teams will be limited
The park superintendent will approve all Re- by the types of projects that can use volun-
serve volunteers and projects involving the teers and by the difficulty of getting to the
park. The park's location will provide a large site. In general, there are opportunities for
pool of potential volunteers. While accessi- volunteers to be involved in sampling, record-
bility to the park is not a problem, access to ing data or other research activities. Oppor-
some of the research sites will involve tunities for education teams are limited to
marshwalking and trail hiking. off-site speakers who make presentations
about the research projects underway on the
GOODWIN ISLANDS Opportunities for Catlett Islands.
volunteer activities on the Goodwin Islands
are limited, although research and educa- VOLUNTEER TEAMS
tional activities planned for this site can use General Education Teams
volunteers. On-site volunteer activities in the OUTREACH TEAMS will carry the
research field will include sampling, record- Reserve's message to the surrounding com-
ing data or otherwise assisting in or conduct- munities. A volunteer on an outreach team
ing a research project. Education teams can will serve either on a speakers' bureau or a
be involved in field trips and litter patrol. liaison team. The latter will provide a liaison
The Goodwin Islands can only be reached by with civic groups, clubs, and local and state
boat, which limits on-site volunteer activity, governing bodies. The speakers' bureau will
and the present use of the Goodwin Islands provide volunteers for groups requesting pro-
by undergraduates and graduates does not grams about the Reserve program or sites.
lend itself to volunteer participation. EXHIBITS TTAMS will plan, implement,
SWEET HALL MARSH Opportunities for maintain and update multimedia displays and
volunteer activity at Sweet Hall Marsh lie in signs for on- and off-site use. Exhibit teams
the realm of quality time rather than quan- will include volunteers who are capable of
producing the artwork and photography

102

needed for effective stationary and mobile J?esearch Teams
exhibits, as well as wooden cases for display- The research teams will be effective only if
ing exhibits. Groups will adopt an exhibit and the volunteers and the scientists see the work
ensure that it is clean and up to date. as meaningful. Scientists must participate in
A PUBLICATIONS TEAM will help design, the planning for the use of volunteers on
produce, and deliver newsletters, brochures their projects, especially in the areas of job
and other publications. Several projects are descriptions, training, supervision and qual-
available for a publications team: a program ity control. Teams will not be formed until a
brochure; a prospectus for each Reserve site; project involving volunteers is approved by
a brochure for a self-directed horse trail the Reserve and the supervising scientist.
within York River State Park; and a brochure Training will include on-site instruction to
for the Taskinas Creek canoe trail. ensure that the data collected are of value.
A WRITERS TRAM will belp the staff or Quality control checks will be done during
other volunteer teams with projects, as well the project to reassure the scientist that the
as produce articles, curriculum and guide- data are accurate. To assure the volunteer
books. that his or her work will be used, the progress
SPECIAL EVENTS TEAM members help and results of the project will be communi-
at special events sponsored by the Reserve or cated to the participating teams.
York River State Park. For example, the Re- Based on proposed or ongoing research
serve and the park co-sponsor Estuaries Day projects at the sites, the following research
and need volunteers to help stage events. teams are proposed:
Other special events at Taskinas Creek and A BIRD CENSUS TEAM has begun in a
Goodwin Islands will include a school for field small way with a volunteer, Teta Kain, doing
studies, EarthWatch, Youth Conservation a monthly bird census on the Catlett Islands.
Corps projects, estuarine debris cleanups, and Other teams will be formed to carry out simi-
water camps for volunteers. lar studies at other sites. Training in field
A ROVING TTACHERS TEAM will pro- identification and bird song recognition will
vide a corps of informed, trained teachers to be a drawing card for this team.
visit classrooms with programs on estuaries VEGETAT10N SURVEYTEAMS, consisting
and the Research Reserve program. of trained plant identifiers and data record-
ers (identifiers-in-training), will identify plants
Site-Specific Education Teams and estimate percentage cover in the field.
CANOE TRIP GUIDES will be convened SAMPLER TFAMS will collect data on such
for the Goodwin Islands, Taskinas Creek and parameters as tides, water quality and weather
Sweet Hall Marsh. Members will be available conditions. Water quality monitors have been
to lead specific groups to observe activities at recruited and are being trained for all four
the research sites. sites.
TRAIL GUIDES will be used at Taskinas ANGLERS SURVEY TEAMS will use vol-
Creek to lead groups visiting the sites. unteer anglers to record their catches in per-
CONSTRUCTION TEAMS will be used at sonal fishing diaries.
Taskinas Creek to build trails and displays or RIVER WATCHER TEAMS will monitor ar-
to help with building projects needed at the eas of the river for pollution, boating, fishing
sites. Team members will be recruited for any and land use.
restoration projects approved by the Reserve. WILDLIFE CENSUS TEAMS will use the
TRAIL REPAIR TEAMS will be responsible Department of Game and Inland Fisheries'
for maintaining the trails and signs at Taski- Wildlife Observation Forms, as appropriate,
nas Creek. Teams will adopt specific trails and to record observations of wildlife in the Re-
maintain and improve them under the su- serve areas.
pervision of the superintendent. SEASONAL WATCH TEAMS will collect
data on migrating or spawning organisms.

103

DATA ENTRY TEAMS will enter data, ana- FACILITIES
lyze data, design data systems, or serve as ad-
visers to Reserve staff, depending on the DEVELOPMENT PLAN
member's level of expertise.
HISTORICAL RESEARCH TEAMS will Funding is provided by NOAA and
gather information from genealogical stud- matched by the state for the construction or
ies and area residents on an area's natural renovation of visitor centers, research facili-
and social history. des, education centers and other improve-
CLASSROOM TTAMS, each consisting of mcnts associatcd with rucarch, cducadon and
a teacher and his or her class, will undertake access to Reserve sites. Facilities and improve-
projects associated with specific research ments must be located within the boundaries
goals. of the designated Research Reserve.
Major construction projects (i.e., buildings)
Administration Teams require the preparation of architectural and
Guidelines for administration teams must engineering plans and state approval of capi-
be developed as the program and its needs tal outlay proposals. Funding for planning
develop. Two administrative teams have been and developing architectural and engineer-
identified: ing plans for buildings comes from initial ac-
An OFFICE STAFF TTAM will be organized quisition and development grants, which can
to perform standard office functions, as well be awarded after the approval of the draft
as to serve as receptionist at the visitor cen- management plan (i.e., in the predesignation
ter, salespersons in the bookstore, and clerks phase), as well as later acquisition and devel-
in the reference library. The need already opment awards. Funds for constructing build-
exists for administrative teams at Taskinas ings come from acquisition and development
Creek. grants awarded after approval of the final
DONOR TEAMS will comprise people who management plan.
allow access to their land or who donate Minor construction and acquisition activi-
things rather than time or service. Such a ties that aid in implementing portions of the
team will provide a way to recognize the con- management plan (such as nature trails,
tributions of these people and acquaint them boardwalks, boats and boat ramps) do not
with other volunteers. require architectural or engineering plans.
In addition to volunteer teams, the Reserve Funding for planning and constructing na-
will investigate the possibility of establishing ture trails, boardwalks, boat ramps, and other
a FRIENDS OF THE RESERVE foundation minor improvements can be awarded under
or association to assist in fundraising, estab- initial acquisition and developent grants, as
lishing conservation easements, starting lo- well as under later acquisition and develop-
cal land trusts, and providing scholarships for ment grants.
Reserve-related research and education The number and types of facilities and im-
projects. provements needed by the Reserve vary with
the intended use of each site. The Reserve
has performed a preliminary assessment of
facility and improvement needs in consulta-
tion with advisory committees, members of
the scientific and education communities, and
affected landowners. The results of that as-
sessment are presented herein.

104

EXISTING FACILITIES accurate information to the governor and citi-
A brief description of existing facilities and z,ns of the Commonwealth regarding the
equipment at the Reserve headquarters at quality and conservation of marine resources,
VIMS and at individual sites is presented be- both living and non-living. In addition, as the
low, followed by a list of improvements or School of Marine Science of The College of
additions needed for existing facilities. William and Mary, VIMS offers graduate ma-
rine educational opportunities at the master's
RESERVE HEADQUARTERS In 1990 the and doctoral levels, as well as, on occasion,
Reserve staff moved into Brown I-louse, a new opportunities for undergraduates, high
acquisition on the VIMS campus at Gloucester school students in the Governor's School for
Point. Brown House was acquired using funds Science and Technology, and teachers. VIMS
provided by the Virginia General Assembly. also provides marine advisory services to
General funds also provide the primary ad- watermen, recreational fishermen and marine
ministrative support for the Reserve, includ- science educators. VIMS is located only a
ing staff salaries, travel and equipment, as short distance from the Goodwin Islands and
well as maintenance and upkeep of Brown Catlett Islands and a moderate distance from
House. Additional support is provided by SRD Taskinas Creek and Sweet Hall Marsh. Dis-
and private funds. Floor plans for the Brown tances and travel times to Reserve sites by
House are shown in Figures 21 and 22. land and water are presented in Table 16.
Located on the York River, VIMS is ideally
suited for Reserve headquarters. VIMS sup- GOODWIN ISLANDS There are no fa-
ports research scientists and teaching faculty cilities on the Goodwin Islands, and no facili-
in biological, physical and chemical marine ties are proposed for the site. To protect the
science disciplines. The campus contains ecological integrity of the islands, no improve-
teaching and research laboratories, class- ments for access are recommended. Reserve
rooms, offices, auditorium, conference rooms, identification signs and posted signs are the
visitor center with seawater aquaria and only improvements foreseen.
children's touch tank, extensive flowing sea-
water systems, holding tanks, hatcheries, and CATLETT ISLANDS There are a few
a library with 800 periodical subscriptions, structures on the Catlett Islands (a small hunt-
37,033 bound volumes, and 2,550 maps, ing lodge with pier and a few duck blinds).
charts, and other items. Research and teach- The hunting lodge, pier and duck blinds are
ing activities are well supported by sophisti- maintained by Mr. Homer Buck of Hayes. A
cated analytical instrumentation, state-of-the- footpath has been established on Thompson
art field sampling equipment, a computer Island to facilitate a monthly bird census, stu-
center with an extensive network of on-line dent projects, and visits by special guests.
terminals and microcomputers, remote sens- Some improvements to this trail may be
ing and GIS laboratory, herbarium and fish- needed to prevent damage to the wetlands.
eries collections, a physical plant with main- No other trails or facility improvements are
tenance and construction capabilities, and a planned. The Catlett Islands are located close
boat basin and research fleet of 20 trailerable enough to VIMS that the Reserve headquar-
boats and six vessels in the 40-foot class. VIMS ters will serve as a staging area for research
owns a deHavilland Beaver, which is used for field trips.
aerial photography, radio-tracking and travel
to remote places. TASKINAS CREEK This site will be used
VIMS has a long history of research and for research and environmental education.
educational involvement in marine science. As proposed in the Public Access Plan, to
As stated in the Code of Virginia, VIMS is accommodate visitor use, facilities and pub-
responsible for conducting basic scientific and lic access will be focused on eastern Taskinas
applied research and providing timely and Creek, where facilities, trails and parking ex-

105

Figure 21
FIRST-FLOOR OFFICES IN BROWN HOUSE, VIMS

Stairs

Light Table
Map Drawer Foyer

Copier

Kitchen Bookshelf

Administrative Assistant
CBNERRS-VA

Files Computer
Files

0
B

CBNERRS-VA Director Office

0
0
IQ qj

Fireplace

Entrance

106

CBNERRS-VA Education Coordinator

21 <
Q. >
E Desk
0

E 0
0 @ 4@
(U

Table 16
DISTANCES AND TRAVEL TIMES BETWEEN VIMS AND RESERVE SITES
By land By water
Goodwin Islands Not accessible 5 nmi, 20 min.
Catlett Islands 9 mi, 15 min. 5 nmi, 20 min.
Taskinas Creek 38 mi., 40 min. 14 nmi, 56 min
Sweet Hall Marsh 45 mi, 50 min 34 nmi, Ih, 16 min

FACILI AND
ist. On the western portion, pedestrian and TY
equestrian access will be discouraged to pre- IMPROVEMENT NEEDS
clude disturbance of natural wetlands and The following facilities and improvements
woodlands. New facilities and improvements are recommended to facilitate educational,
to public access are proposed for the eastern interpretive and research use of Reserve sites:
portion of Taskinas Creek only. No facilities
or improvements are proposed for the west- Construction or renovation of a research and
ern portion of Taskinas Creek. Tables 17 and education center to provide a dormitory,
IS list facilities at York River State Park that kitchen, commons, laboratories (wet and
are used as staging areas for education, inter- dry labs), classroom, reference library, of-
pretation and research activities involving fices and storage space;
Taskinas Creek. A few of these are: Expansion of the existing auditorium in the
Visitor center with interpretive displays and visitor center of York River State Park to
exhibits, offices, information center, and accommodate meetings of 30 to 40 people
classroom (see Figures 23 and 24); (a class-size group) and to provide mod-
Parking lots (a main lot for 60 cars, adjacent ern audiovisual projection (i.e., wrap-
gravel lot for 75 cars, and horse trailer fa- around screen, multiple projectors and ste-
cility for 30-35 vehicles); reo sound equipment);
Boat launching facility with two paved ramps, Incorporation of a bookstore within the visi-
parking for 60 vehicles and trailers, rest- tor center of the park;
rooms, information kiosk, and pipe safe Trash receptacles at Reserve sites to encour-
for fee collection; age and facilitate and-littering and separa-
Picnic shelters with picnic tables, trash cans, don of trash that can be recycled locally
grills and recreational facilities; (glass, aluminum, computer paper, news-
Amphitheater for 75 people; paper and mixed paper);
Canoe access to Taskinas Creek; Weather station and tide gauges with appro-
More than 14 miles of trails; and priate instruments at Reserve sites;
Contact stations at the main entrance to the Improvements to Taskinas Creek Trail to rem-
park and at Croaker Landing. edy erosion problems, as described in the
Restoration Plan; and
SWEET HALL MARSH Current access Improvements to the boat launch area be-
policies enable VIMS scientists to keep ajon- side the boathouse at Sweet Hall Marsh to
boat with motor and a storage trailer for facilitate the launching of small, trailerable
equipment at the Sweet Hall Marsh landing. boats and to eliminate erosion resulting
The Tacoma Hunting and Fishing Club pier from launching Jonboats and canoes from
is used by VIMS for mounting a tide gauge the bank.
and collecting water samples.

108

Table 17
RECREATION AND PARK FACILITIES AT YORK RIVER STATE PARK
Croaker Landing Boat Facility 1 chief ranger residence and I phone box
3 wooden piers storage shed 473 feet of split rail fence along
I large cement ramp I seasonal residence York River shoreline
I information kiosk I dumpster 1 set of steps with floating plat-
3 streetlights, 2 poles I well form
I contact station 1 shop compound with 2 build-
3 dredge spoil ponds ings and chain-link fence Woodstock Pond Facility
riprap -along York River shoreline 1 contact station 4 fishing docks 20 feet long
1 rest room facility with stairs, 1 rest rooms I well house
landscaping and benches
I pipe safe Visitor CenterFacility Canoe Launch Area
I wooden safety bumper I pumphouse I floating dock
60 vehicle surface treatment 1 visitor center I metal canoe rack
parking lot landscaping with wooden rails, 1 set of wooden steps
1 well house benches 1 wooden storage box
1 wooden gate at service road 1 amphitheater with 6 wooden
I wooden gate at fire road benches approximately 44 feet Southern Region
entrance long I superintendent residence and
barbed-wire fence along north 825 feet of split rail fence running storage shed
and east boundaries to picnic shelters I and 2 1 well house
1 set of ruins along Riverview
Main Entrance Road Picnic Shelters I and 2 Facilities Plantation boundary
I entrance sign and landscaping I information kiosk I black metal pole gate across
2 rows white ash trees along right- 5 pieces of wood and metal Backbone Trail
of-way playground equipment
2 rows of loblolly pine along right- 1 horseshoe pit with 55 feet of Throughout the Park
of-way split rail 17 trash cans
I wooden entrance gate I trail box with brochures 54 signs in various sizes
625 feet of guard rail on the right 2 picnic shelters I power line and poles
side of entrance road 27 grills
652.5 feet of guard rail on the left Picnic Shelter 3 Facility 65 picnic tables
side of entrance road I set of volleyball posts 30 assorted benches
gravel shop road 1 horseshoe pit with 110 feet of
split rail

Table 18
BUILDINGS AT YORK RIVER STATE PARK
Numerals denote year of construction and area (fl?)
Residence, Superintendent 1977 1,100 Shelter, Picnic, small 1978 360
Shed, Storage, Superintendent 1978 120 Shop, maintenance 1978 1,560
Well House, Superintendent 1977 64 Storage, fuel 1984 32
Visitor Center 1978 3,000 Shed, Equipment 1984 968
Pump Building, Sewer, V.C. 1978 100 Contact Station 1980 32
Well House, V.C. 1978 100 Residence, Chief Ranger 1985 1,116
Restroom, Boat Landing 1978 300 Shed, Storage, Superintendent 1977 288
Well House, Boat Landing 1978 100 Trailer 1985 450
Shelter, Picnic, small 1978 360 Contact Station 1988 32
Shelter, Picnic, large 1978 820 Shed, Storage, Chief Ranger 1985 108

109

Figure 23
EAST WING OF VISITOR CENTER, YORK RIVER STATE PARK

SEASO-JAL

po@-

Figure 24
WEST WING OF VISITOR CENTER, YORK RIVER STATE PARK

COUNIM

C-StT WOILK PoQM

loolfly vdjq

c'"w-

D Buttleman, KJ., Administrator, Council on the Environ-
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Creek Water Supply impoundment, James City County, and oysters, Crassostrea virginica, from Virginia's estuar-
Virginia. Washingon, D.C. ies. Ph.D. diss., VIMS, 113 p.
Finkelstein and Hardaway. 1988. Late Holocene sedimenta- Huggett, R-J., et al. 1971. Mercury in sediments from three
tion and erosion of estuarine ftinging marshes, York River, Virginia estuaries. Ches. Sci. 12 (4), 280-282.
Virginia. J. Coastal Res. 4 (3): 447-456. Hyer, RV. 1977. Water quality model of York River, Vir-
Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Department of the Interior. ginia. Virginia Institute of Marine Science, Spec. Rpt.
1989. Position of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on Appl. Mar. Sci. and Ocean Eng. No. 146. 71p.
the need for project-specific modeling of salinity intru- Jenkins, D.W. 1974. Natural areas of the Chesapeake Bay
sion in the Pamunkey River resulting from the proposed region: ecological priorities. A report prepared by the
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pervisor, Annapolis Field Office, Fish and Wildlife Ser- West, and Poquoson East quadrangles, Virginia. Virginia
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Frazer, G.D. 1985. York and Pamunkey rivers navigation Johnson, L.F. 1990. Personal interview.
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and lower Pamunkey rivers. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Ser- lands of DA Ablowich, Gloucester County, Va. 2 p.
vice Planning Aid Report. Jordan, RA, M.E. Bender and D. Markle. 1972. The envi-
Frey, R.W., and F.B. Basan. 1986. Coastal salt marshes. In: ronment and biological community of the lower York
Coastal sedimentary environments (RA Davis, ed.). River, Virginia: a literature review. VIM!S Rept. for the
Springer-Verlag, New York, 101-159. Virginia Electric Power Company. 231 p.
Gleason, M.L., and J.C. Zieman. 1981. Influence of tidal Kopia, A. 1986. A comparison of wildlife and plantlife on
inundation on internal oxygen supply of Sparlina north and south facing slopes at York River State Park.
alternij7ora and Spartina patens. Estuarine, Coastal and Student project, Lafayette High School, Williamsburg,
Shelf Sci. 13: 47-57. Va.
Gloucester County. 1980. Gloucester County comprehen- Ledwin, J. 1988. Sedimentation and nutrients in a tidal
sive plan. 88 p. Gloucester County, Va.. freshwater marsh. VIMS master's thesis. 89 p.

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Leonard, L-AL 1986. The stratigraphy, origin and develop- Odum, W.E. 1984. The ecology of tidal freshwater marshes
ment of the Goodwin Islands near Seaford, Virginia. Se- of the United States East Coast: A community profile.
nior research paper, The College of William and Mary. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Serv. Rept. 83/17.
142 p. Orth, R., J. Simons, R. Allaire, V. Carter, L. Hindman, IC
Library of Congress Congressional Research Service. 1976. Moore and N. Rybicki. 1985. Distribution of submerged
Legislative history of the Coastal Zone Management Act aquatic vegetation in the Chesapeake Bay and tributar-
of 1972, as amended in 1974 and 1976 with a section-by@ ies: 1984. Prepared for U.S. EPA. Coop. Agreement X-
section index. Prepared at the request of The Honorable 003301-01. 155 p.
Warren G. Magnuson, Chairman, Committee on Com- Orth, R., J. Simons, J. Capelli, V. Carter, A. Frisch, L
merce, and The Honorable Ernest E Hollings, Chair- Hindman, S. Hodges, K Moore and N. Rybicki. 1987.
man, National Ocean Policy Study, pursuant to Senate Distribution of submerged aquatic vegetation in the Chesa-
Resolution 222. Washington, D.C. peake Bay and tributaries and Chincoteague Bay: 1986.
Lynch, M.P., and A.H. Humphreys Jr. 1987. Briefing paper 180 P.
on the Goodwin Islands and the National Estuarine Re- Patten, B.C. 1962. Synoptic comparison of seston loads in
search Reserve Program. A paper prepared for the trust- the Rappahannock, York and James rivers. VMS master's
ees of the Endowment Association of The College of thesis.
William and Mary in Virginia Inc. dated April 22, 1987. Perry, J.E. 1988. Wetlands department, Virginia Institute of
2 p. Marine Science. Pers. comm.
Malcolm Pirnie Inc. 1990. Lower Virginia Peninsula re- Reay, W.G. 1989. Subsurface hydrodynamics and nutrient
gional raw water supply study. 9 p., plus figures. Newport exchange within an extensive tidal freshwater wedand.
News, Va. VIMS master's thesis.
Marcellus, KL., G.M. Silberhorn and G.M. Dawes. 1973. Richards, C.E. 1962. A survey of salt-water sport fishing in
An assessment of the potential environmental effects of Virginia, 1955-60. Ches. Sci. 3(4):223-235.
the proposed marina at York River State Park. Virginia Samuels, R.A., and K Drescher. undated. Economic and
Institute of Marine Science, Gloucester Point, Va 23062. environmental impact of the Goodwin Island develop-
McCartney, M. 1990. Personal interviews. ment project. 32 p.
Mixo, R.B. 1985. Stratigraphic and geornorphic framework Schubel,J.R- 1986. Life and death of the Chesapeake Bay.
of uppermost Cenozoic deposits in southern Delmarva U. Md. Sea Grant Coll. Publ. UM-SG-86-01. College Park,
Peninsula, Virginia and Maryland. U.S. Geological Sur- Md.
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Money, PA., and T. Moeslein. 1986. Goodwin Islands quick State Park. Science teacher, Williamsburg Christian Acad-
look report. A report of field work conducted OCL 7, emy, Williamsburg, Va.
1986, by the Peninsula Nature and Science Center. 3 p. Settle, Fax. 1989. Personal communication.
Moore, KA. 1976. Gloucester County tidal marsh inven- Shrader, T. 1988. Superintendent, York River State Park.
tory. Virginia Institute of Marine Science, Spec. Rpt. Appl. Pers. comm.
Mar. Sci. and Ocean Eng. 64.103 p. Silberhorn, G.M. 1985. Chesapeake Bay freshwater wetlands:
Moore, KA. 1980. James City County tidal marsh inven- Status and research needs. pp. 25-29, In: Groman, HAL,
tory. Virginia Institute of Marine Science, Spec. Rpt. Appl. T.R_ Henderson, EJ. Meyers, D.M. Burke, andJA. Kusler
Mar. Sci. and Ocean Eng. 188. (eds). Proceedings of the Conference: Wetlands of the
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. 1987a. Chesapeake. Easton, Md. (April 9-11, 1985).
Guidelines for establishing proposed boundaries for Na- Silberhorn, G.M. 1981. York County and Town of Poquoson
tional Estuarine Research Reserves (draft). 7 1). tidal marsh inventory. Va. Institute of Marine Science,
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. 1987b. Spec. Rpt. Appl. Mar. Sci.and Ocean Eng. 53. 67 p.
National Estuarine Reserve Research System research Silberhom, G.M., and A.W. Zacherle. 1987. Ying William
plan. Washington, D.C. County and Town of West Point tidal marsh inventory.
National Science Foundation. 1978. A pilot program for Virginia Institute of Marine Science, Spec. Rpt. Appl.
long-term observation and study of ecosystems of the Mar. Sci. and Ocean Eng. 289. 56p.
United States. Report of a second conference on long- Silberhorn, G.M., and C.H. Hershner, in prep. Goodwin
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National Science Foundation. 1979. Long-term ecological Smith, S.M. 1984. Community and trophic organization of
research: concept statement and measurement needs. nekton utilizing shallow marsh habitats, York River, Vir-
Summary of a workshop. Indianapolis, Ind. ginia. Fish. Bull. 82(3):455-467.
National Science Foundation. 1981. Experimental ecologi- South, W.D. 1969. Investigation of the effect of mill waste
cal reserves. Final report on the network. Indianapolis, on water quality in the Pamunkey and York rivers. Chesa-
Ind. peake Corporation of Virginia, West Point, Va.
National Wetlands Inventory. 1986. Atlas of national wet- Spells, A.J., and G.D. Frazer. 1984. York and Parnunkey
lands inventory maps, Vol. 1, coastal plain Virginia west- rivers navigation study. A literature review of fish and
em shore. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Annapolis, Md. wildlife resources within the potential project impact area
50 P.

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Stratton Commission. 1969. Our nation and the sea: A plan Virginia Institute of Marine Science. 1987a. A quarterly
for action. Report of the Commission on Marine Sci- report on the site selection and public participation pro-
ence, Engineering and Resources. Washington, D.C. cess for a Chesapeake Bay National Estuarine Sanctuary
Sturm, S.C., and B.J. Neilson. 1977. Water quality in the in Virginia, plus attachments. Submitted to the Office of
York River. Virginia Institute of Marine Science, Spec. Ocean and Coastal Resource Management, NOAA.
Rpt. Appl. Mar. Sci. and Ocean Eng. 130. 55 p. Virginia Intitute of Marine Science. 1987b. A quarterly and
Uravitch, J.A. 1989a, in a memorandum dated January 27, final report on the site selection and public participation
1989, to National Estuarine Research Reserve System man- process for a Chesapeake Bay National Estuarine Sanctu-
agers on file at the Virginia Institute of Marine Science, ary in Virginia, plus attachments. Submitted to the Of-
Gloucester Point, Va. fice of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management, NOAA.
Uravitch, JA 1989b, in a letter dated May 16, 1989, to Dr. Virginia Institute of Marine Science. 1989. The Chesapeake
Frank 0. Perkins, Dean/Director, Virginia Institute of Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve System in Vir-
Marine Science, on file at the Virginia Institute of Ma- ginia: Site nominations and application for preacquisition
rine Science, Gloucester Point, Va. assistance. The College of William and Mary (Gloucester
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. 1930. Pamunkey River, Vir- Point, Va), 310 p.
ginia, York River System. U.S. House of Representatives Virginia Marine Resources Fishery Commission. 1987. Fish
Document 54. catch data from the Coleman Bridge to York River Mouth,
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. 1970. Review of Reports on including Back Creek and the Thorofare (as of 11/12/
the York and Pamunkey rivers, Virginia. Norfolk District, 87).
Va. Virginia Marine Resources Fishery Commission. 1988. Fish
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. 1987. Taskinas Creek Vir- catch data for the York River, from Claybank to the
ginia. An assessment of proposed channelization of Taski- Coleman Bridge (as of 3/23/88).
nas Creek. Prepared by the Norfolk District (February Virginia State Water Control Board. 1980. Public, leased
17,1969), Norfolk, Va. and condemned shellfish-growing areas in the Common-
U.S. Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and At- wealth of Virginia. Va. State Water Control Board Info.
mospheric Administration, National estuarine sanctuary Bull. 541.
program regulations, final rule. Federal Register Vol. Virginia Water Control Board. 1989. Tributary water qual@
49 (125), 15 CFR Part 921. ity 1987 characterization reporL Va. Water Control Board
U.S. Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and At- Basic Data Bull. 77.
mospheric Administration. 1987. Tide tables of the east Weigmann, D.L., and CJ. Kroehler. 1988. Threats to
coast of North and South America. Virginia's groundwater. Virginia Water Resources Re-
U.S. Geological Survey, New. Rent topographic map, 1978. search Center, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State
U.S. Geological Survey.. 1957. Surface water supply of the University, Blacksburg, Va.
United States. Part 1-B: North Atlantic Slope basins, New Wilstach, P. 1929. Tidewater Virginia. Bobbs-Merrill Co.,
York to York River. U.S. Geological Survey Water-Supply Indianapolis, Ind. 326 p.
Paperl502. Williamsburg Bird Club. 1982. Checklist of birds observed
Van Engel, WA 1968. Characterization of coastal and es- at York River State Park. Williamsburg Bird Club, Wil-
tuarine fish and nursery grounds as natural communi- liamsburg, Va.
ties. Final Rpt. of VIMS Comm. Fish. Res. and Dev. Act York River State Park staff. 1985. Project suggestions for
Proj. to U.S. Bur. Comm. Fish. 43 p. York River State Park (in-house memorandum). York
Virginia Archaeological Services Inc. 1988. A Phase I ar- River State Park, Division of Parks and Recreation, Wil-
chaeological survey of the proposed Stonehouse devel- liamsburg, Va.
opment, James City County, New Yent County, Virginia. York River State Park staff. 1986. Interpretive guide to ca-
James City County Planning Department, Williamsburg, noe tours (in-house memorandum). York River State Park,
Va. Division of Parks and Recreation, Williamsburg, Va.
Virginia Division of Water Resources. 1970. York River ba- Zacherle, A-W. 1984. A method for evaluating the long-
sin: Comprehensive water resources plan. Planning Bul- term, cumulative impacts of tidal marsh alterations: The
letin 227. York River System: A case study. VIMS master's thesis.
Virginia Estuarine Research Reserve System. 1988. Floristic Zieman, J.C., R.L. Wetzel, and S.A_ Macko (in progress).
data from the Catlett Islands, lower York River, Virginia Isotopic determination of nitrogen sources and process-
Virginia Institute of Marine Science. 1985a. A proposal to ing in Chesapeake Bay. Research proposal funded by Na-
establish and implement a site selection process for a tional Sea Grant Program, Rockville, Md.
Chesapeake Bay National Estuarine Sanctuary in Virginia.
Submitted to the Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource
Management, NOAA.
Virginia Institute of Marine Science. 1985b. A detailed de-
scription of the site selection and public participation
process for a Chesapeake Bay National Estuarine Sanctu-
ary in Virginia. Submitted to the Office of Ocean and
Coastal Resource Management, NOAA.

115

116

APPENDIX A
CONSERVATION EASEMENTS,
MANAGEMENT AGREEMENTS
AND MEMORANDA OF UNDERSTANDING

117

118

MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING
BETWEEN
VIRGINIA INSTITUTE OF MARINE SCIENCE
COLLEGE OF WILLIAM AND MARY
THE COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA
AND
THE NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION
CONCERNING THE
ESTABLISHMENT AND ADMINISTRATION OF THE
CHESAPEAKE BAY NATIONAL ESTUARINE RESEARCH RESERVE SYSTEM IN VIRGINIA

WHEREAS, the Commonwealth of Virginia has determined that the waters
and related coastal habitats of Goodwin Islands, Catlett Islands, Taskinas
Creek, and Sweet Hall Marsh provide unique opportunities to study natural
and human processes occurring within an estuarine ecosystem; and

WHEREAS, it is the finding of the Commonwealth of Virginia that the
resources of Goodwin Islands, Catlett Islands, Taskinas Creek and Sweet Hall
Marsh and the values they represent to the citizens of Virginia and the
United States will benefit from the management of these sites as a multiple
site National Estuarine Research Reserve; and

WHEREAS, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
U.S. Department of Commerce has concurred with that finding and pursuant to
its authority under Section 315 of the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972,
as amended (CZMA), P.L. 92-583, 16 U.S.C. 1461, and in accordance with
implementing regulations at 15 CFR 921.30, may designate Goodwin Islands,
Catlett Islands, Taskinas Creek, and Sweet Hall Marsh components of a
National Estuarine Research Reserve, forming a multiple site Chesapeake Bay
National Estuarine Research Reserve System in Virginia; and

WHEREAS, the Virginia Institute of Marine Science, within the
College of William and Mary, as the agency designated by the Governor of the
Commonwealth of Virginia responsible for managing the Chesapeake Bay
National Estuarine Research Reserve System in Virginia, acknowledges the
need and requirement for continuing State-Federal cooperation in the long-
term management of the sites in a manner consistent with the purposes sought
through their designation.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants contained
herein it is agreed by and between the Commonwealth of Virginia and NOAA,
effective on the date of the designation of Goodwin Islands, Catlett
Islands, Taskinas Creek, and Sweet Hall Marsh as components of the
Chesapeake Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve @System in Virginia as
follows:

ARTICLE I: State-Federal Roles in Reserve Management

A. The Virginia Institute of Marine Science within the College of
William and Mary as the principal contact for the Commonwealth of
Virginia in all matters concerning the Chesapeake Bay National
Estuarine Research Reserve System in Virginia, will serve to ensure

119

that the Reserve is managed in a manner consistent with the goals of
the National Estuarine Research Reserve System and the management
objectives of the approved Management Plan. Its responsibilities
for Management Plan implementation will include the following:

1. Effect and maintain a process for coordinating and facilitating
the roles and responsibilities of all State and county agencies
involved in the management of the Reserve, including but not
limited to:

a. Enforcement programs regulating water quality, fish and
wildlife habitat protection, sport and commercial fisheries,
and non-consumptive recreational activities;

b. The on-site administration of facilities, programs, and
tasks related to Reserve management;

c. Activities and programs conducted pursuant to the State's
Federally-approved coastal management program authorized
under Section 306 of the CZMA;-and

d. Research and educational agenda developed and implemented in
accordance with corresponding elements of the proposed Plan;

2. Av the Governor's designee under 3.5 CFR 921.50 and recipient
State entity in matters concerning all financial assistance
awards authorized under Section 315 of the CZMA, apply for,
budget, and allocate such funds recieved for acquisition and
development, operation and management, and research, monitoring
and education;

3. Serve as principal negotiator on issues involving proposed
boundary changes and/or amendments to the Management Plan;

4. Submit annual reports to NOAA on the Reserve describing, in
accordance with 15 CFR 921.34, program performance in Plan
implementation and a detailed work program for the following
year of Reserve operations, including budget projections and
research efforts;

5. Respond to NOAA's requests for information and to evaluation
findings made Pursuant to to Section 312 of the CZMA; and

6. In the event that it should become necessary, based on findings
of deficiency, serve as the point-of-contact for the
Commonwealth of Virginia in actions involving the possible
withdrawal of Reserve designation, as provided at 15 CFR 921.35.

B. Within NOAA, the Marine and Estuarine Management- Division (MEMD),
Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management (OCRM), will serve
to administer the provisions of Section 315 of the CZMA to ensure
that the Chesapeake Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve in
Virginia is managed in accordance with the goals of the National

120

Estuarine Reserve Research System and the Management Plan. In
carrying out its responsibilities, the MEMD will:

1. Subject to appropriation, provide financial assistance to the
State, consistent with 15 CFR 921 for acquisition, development,
management and operation of the Reserve;

2. Subject to appropriation, provide financial assistance to the
State and other eligible entities on a competitive basis for
research and monitoring and education programs at the Reserve;

3. Serve as the point-of-contact for NOAA in discussion regarding
applications for and any financial assistance received by the
State under Section 315 of the CZMA, including any and all
performance standards, compliance schedules, or Special Award
Conditions deemed appropriate by NOAA to ensure the timely and
proper execution of the proposed work program;

4. Participate in periodic evaluations scheduled by OCRM in
accordance with Section 312 of the CZMA to measure the State's
performance in Plan implementation and its compliance with the
terms and conditions prescribed in financial assistance awards
granted by NOAA for the purposes of the Reserve and advise
appropriate OCRM staff of existing or emerging issues which
might affect the State's coastal management program; and

5. Establish an information exchange network cataloging all
available research data and educational material developed on
each site included within the national system of estuarine
research reserves.

ARTICLE II: Real Property Acguired for the Purposes of the Reserve

A. The Commonwealth of Virginia agrees to the conditions set forth at
15 CFR 921.21 (e) which specify the legal documentation requirements
concerning the use and disposition of real property acquired for
Reserve purposes with Federal funds under Section 315 of the CZMA.

B. The Commonwealth of Virginia agrees to take appropriate action to
ensure the long-term protection, operation, and mangement of the
reserves pursuant to Section 315 of the CZMA.

ARTICLE III: Program Evaluation

A. During the period that Federal financial assistance is available,
OCRM will schedule, pursuant to 15 CFR 921.34, periodic evaluations
of the State's performance in meeting the conditions of such awards
and progress in implementing the Plan and the provisions of this
MOU. Where findings of deficiency occur, NOAA may initiate action
in accordance with the procedures established at 15 CFR 921.35.

B. After Federal financial assistance under Section 315 of the CZRA is
no longer available for the operation and management of the Reserve,

121

OCRM. will continue to evaluate, pursuant to Section 312 of the CZMA
and the corresponding. provisions of 15 CFR 921, the Virginia
Institute of Marine Science performance in implementing the Plan and
strategy committing the State to the long-term management of the
Chesapeake Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve System in
Virginia. Where findings of deficiency occur, NOAA may initiate
action in accordance with the procedures established at 15 CFR
921.35.

IN WITNESS THEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Memorandum to be
executed.

Timothy R.Ej Keeney, Director Paul R. Verkuil
OCRM, NOAA President
U.S. Department of Commerce College of William and Mary
Washington, D.C. 20235 Williamsburg, Virginia 23185

lo AuQu-,_,@ kc(q 0

Date Date

0sqPh A. Ur itth-, Chief' Keith J. But man, Administrator
MEND Council on t P Environment
OCRM AA Richmond, Virginia 23219
u:' .Department of Commerce
Washington, D.C. 20235

Date I Date

Witness

Date
M 4os h
@f @A?

122

MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING
BETWEEN
THE VIRGINIA INSTITUTE OF MARINE SCIENCE
AND
THE DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION AND RECREATION
CONCERNING THE ESTABLISHMENT AND ADMINISTRATION
OF THE
CHESAPEAKE BAY NATIONAL ESTUARINE RESEARCH RESERVE SYSTEM
TASKINAS GREEK COMPONENT

WHEREAS, the Commonwealth of Virginia, acting through the Virginia
Institute of Marine Science (VIMS), has determined that the designation of
Taskinas Creek within the York River State Park as a Chesapeake Bay National
Estuarine Research Reserve under the National Estuarine Research Reserve
Program as provided for in the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972, as
amended, would provide for beneficial long-term research and public
education to improve coastal management capabilities of the Commonwealth;
and

-1-THEREAS, the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation
(DCR), through the Division of State Parks, owns and manages the property
known as Taskinas Creek within York River State Park; and

WHEREASj the DCR is willing to make a long-term commitment to the
Reserve program by making a substantial portion of the Taskinas Creek
watershed within York River State Park, along with adjacent state waters,
designated as a National Estuarine Research Reserve for the purposes and in
the manner set forth below and in the Natural Resource Management Plan for
York River State Park and the Management Plan for the Chesapeake Bay
National Estuarine Research Reserve System in Virginia; and

WHEREAS, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management, has approved a matching
financial assistance award to establish Taskinas Creek within York River
State Park as a Chesapeake Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve; and

WHEREAS, the VIMS, DCR, and NOAA recognize that the designation of
Taskinas Creek within York River State Park as a research reserve is an
acknowledgement that the area within the reserve is a natural field
laboratory to be used, in consonance with current uses, to study and gather
data on natural and human processes occurring within the watershed of this
York River tributary to the lower Chesapeake Bay, and further to provide a
basis for increased public awareness and understanding of the complex nature
of estuarine systems, their values and benefits to man and nature, and the
problems that confront them, all of which are reflective of the goals of the
National Estuarine Research Reserve Program which are preservation,
research, and education; and

WHEREAS, the Taskinas Creek component of the Chesapeake Bay National
Estuarine Research Reserve System in Virginia will be cooperatively managed
and operated by the DCR with VIMS in accordance with the Natural Resource
Management Plan for York River State Park and the Management Plan for the
Chesapeake Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve System in Virginia; and

123

WHEREAS, the establishment of the Taskinas Creek research reserve
will augment the present management, educational, and research functions of
the DCR within York River State Park, but shall not be used as a substitute
for the present management, education, or research functions of DCR; and

WHEREAS, the disbursement of the Federal grant is conditioned upon
the execution of this Memorandum of Understanding between VIMS and DCR;

NOW, THEREFORE, for and in consideration of mutual covenants herein
contained, it is agreed by and between the parties the following:

ARTICLE I.-Sanctuary Boundai:y

The Chesapeake Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve at Taskinas
Creek will include:

(1) Land presently owned by the DCR within York River State Park, as
delineated on Attachment A as well as parcels acquired by DCR as additions
to the CBNERRS-VA. DCR and VIMS will develop a conservation plan and a land
protection strategy for land adjacent to the reserve within a fifty foot
contour.

It is also agreed. that the Reserve shall be identified at its
boundary by the placement of signs which will be aesthetically in keeping
with the unique characteristics of Taskinas Creek and York River State Park,
and will be purchased with Federal financial award funds. The design will
be developed by the DCR and VIMS and approved by NOAA.

ARTICLE II.-Uses of the Reserve at Taskinas Creek

That portion of the York River State Park designated as the Reserve
at Taskinas Creek will be used primarily for environmental research and
public education within the programs approved by the DCR Director,
consistent with the purposes for which the Reserve is designated. With
regard to natural resource management activities carried out in the Reserve
under the approved management plan, the following condition applies. In the
core area, the DCR agrees to maintain the site as an open/sensitive
undeveloped zone, as defined in DCR's Land Classification System where non-
manipulative research is conducted. Manipulative research and management
within the Reserve will be permitted only with the agreement of the parties
to this agreement on a case-by-case basis.

The Reserve will complement and where possible add to the research
work at York River State Park. The research will be directed towards but
not limited to: (1) a better understanding of the ecological relationships
within the estuarine environment; (2) baseline ecological measurements;
(3) monitoring significant changes in the estuarine environment; and (4)
assessment and prediction of the effects of man's activities on the
estuarine environment.

Educational programs will be designed to increase public knowledge
and awareness of estuarine systems and their uses to man, and may serve as a
model for similar programs elsewhere in the Bay area and in other estuarine
systems.

124

Designation of the Reserve will not restrict passive recreational
activities within the core area nor fishing and water-oriented recreational
and other wildlife oriented activities which have been traditionally
conducted in York River State Park, nor to contravene the manner in which
these activities are regulated by appropriate law. The designation of the
Reserve at Taskinas Creek is in no way meant to obstruct the achievement of
the goals and objectives of the DCR as they pertain to the York River State
Park. Resource conditions within the reserve will be monitored to insure
that resource degradation does not occur as a result of excessive visitor
use. Appropriate measures will be taken to minimize any damages observed as
a result of monitoring.

ARTICLE III.- Title and Use of York River State Park

Except as specifically provided below in regard to Reserve
facilities and equipment within the boundaries of York River State Park, the
real and personal property within the boundaries of the York River State
Park shall continue to be managed exclusively by the DCR. The use of York
River State Park property within the boundaries of the Reserve shall be
consistent with the purposes for which the Reserve is established, that is,
preservation, research and education.

Reserve designation and execution of this Memorandum of
Understanding between the VIMS and DCR will allow the VIMS to coordinate
estuarine research and educational activities in the Reserve as a-whole, in
cooperation with the DCR personnel, according to the purposes for which the
Reserve is established, and according to the final Management Plan as
approved by NOAA. Further, by executing this Memorandum of Understanding
the DCR acknowledges its commitment to long-term use of the Taskinas Creek
reserve for resource management, research and education. This agreement
shall not limit DCR authority to carry out Park activities and programs
within the.Reserve except as agreed to in this MOU.

The parties agree to coordinate fully their programs and activities
conducted at the Reserve at Taskinas Creek. Disputes concerning such
activities and programs shall be resolved at the appropriate level of
management.

ARTICLE IV.-Reserve Facilities

The DCR will make available at no cost to the Reserve Program a
reasonable portion of the Visitor Center at York River State Park for office
space for educational personnel. The Visitor Center area may also be used
for meetings and for storage of educational and research materials, supplies
and equipment. If changes become necessary to the building or equipment to
accommodate or facilitate these functions at a future date, it is agreed
that the DCR and-VIMS will develop a plan to implement those changes. It is
understood that VIMS funds from the Federal financial award may be used for
this purpose. Any use of U.S. Dept. of Commerce funds are subject to
approval.

The DCR and VIMS may deem it necessary to jointly fund the
improvements of other access to the Reserve and DCR facilities.

125

The DCR and VIMS will also work out arrangements for the use of
existing nature trails and other facilities under the Reserve Program, and
will jointly plan and pursue, if necessary, the creation of any new trails,
boardwalks, exhibits, docks, parking areas, facilities, equipment, etc.,
that enhance the management, research, and education goals of the Reserve.
It is understood that these additional facilities will be developed to
preserve the environment in the area by concentrating administrative
facilities and public access in appropriate locations. It is further
understood t@at VIMS' Federal financial assistance award monies may be used
for these purposes. Any U.S. Dept. of Commerce Reserve funds are subject to
NOAA approval.

ARTICLE V.-NOAA's Condition of Financial Assistance

A copy of the financial award assistance No. from NOAA to
VIMS, on behalf of the Commonwealth of Virginia, pursuant to CZMA, is
appended hereto as Appendix C and fully incorporated herein by reference.
The DCR is aware of the conditions and requirements placed on the
Commonwealth of Virginia thereunder. The DCR agrees to cooperate in all
respects with the VIMS in complying with the terms and conditions of the
award. DLCR will record the value of its contributions to the
administration, maintenance, and operations of the Taskinas Creek Reserve.
In particular, the DCR agrees to cooperate with the VIMS in meeting any
audit, or other accounting requirements imposed by NOAA.

ARTICLE VI.- Operation and Maintenance of the Reserve Program

The DCR and VIMS shall meet annually, prior to March 1 of each
calendar year, to prepare an operations plan, including an operating budget,
for the Taskinas Creek Reserve site.

VIMS will apply for annual Operations Grants from NOAA to cover 50%
of the cost of the operation and maintenance of the Reserve program at
Taskinas Creek and the other Reserve sites (Goodwin Islands, Catlett
Islands, Sweet Hall Marsh and other future sites). The remaining funds for
operations and maintenance will come from the General Assembly as part of
the VIMS biennial appropriations as well as from other public sources and
private sources. These funds may include funds for facilities, equipment,
and salaries. The funds will be apportioned among the Reserve sites on a
"needs" priority basis.

ARTICLE VII.-Education and Research Monitoring Grants

Education

VIMS will apply for annual Education Grants from NOAA to cover 50%
of the costs of (1) designing, developing, and distributing interpretive and
educational media; (2) developing and presenting curricula, workshops,
lectures, or seminars; and (3) developing internship programs to provide
estuarine resource management learning opportunities for interested
students. The remaining 50% of the costs will be sought from the General
Assembly as part of the VIMS biennial appropriations. VIMS will also seek
funding from sources other than federal and state funds; i.e., private
donations, corporate gifts, or grants from industry. The DCR and VIMS will

126

meet annually to identify priority interpretive and education projects for
which funding will be sought. The DCR and VIMS will solicit input from an
Educational Advisory Committee (see Article XII).

Monitoring

VIMS will apply for annual competitive Phased Monitoring Grants from
NOAA to cover 50% of the costs of (1) developing environmental
characterizations of Reserve sites; (2) developing site profiles for Reserve
sites; and (3) designing a monitoring program for Reserve sites. The VIMS
will also seek the remaining 50% of the costs from state and private
sources. The DCR and VIMS will meet on an annual basis to determine
priority management issues that need to be addressed through a phased
monitoring program. The DCR and VIMS will seek input from the Research and
Monitoring Advisory Committee.

Research

VIMS will solicit proposals for annual Competitive Research Grants
from NOAA to cover 50% of the costs of conducting research at Reserve sites.
Applicants will have to provide state or private funds as match for the
remaining 50% of the costs. The DCR and VIMS will meet on an annual basis
to determine priority research needs for which proposals will be sought.
The DCR and VIMS will seek input on priority research needs from the
Research and Monitoring Advisory Committee.

VIMS will conduct a peer review process for research proposals
received as a result of solicitation. The DCR and the Research and
Monitoring Advisory Committee will provide review comments as part of this
process and will assist VIMS in selecting proposals to forward to NOAA for
approval. The DCR will provide a letter of support for proposals involving
the Taskinas Creek Reserve.

Grants Administration

VIMS will assist the DCR in reviewing applications for permits for
sponsored and unsponsored education, monitoring and research projects
involving Taskinas Creek Reserve site. The DCR will forward copies of
applicable permit applications to VIMS and will consider VIMS comments in
determining whether to grant the permit. At least 2 weeks will be allowed
for such review.

The DCR and VIMS will review reports prepared under education and
research monitoring grants concerning the Taskinas Creek Reserve site. At
least 2 weeks will be allowed for the review. Investigators will be
required to deposit final reports with VIMS and the DCR. Copies of such
reports shall be provided to the DCR for Park use. VIMS intends to publish
outstanding reports as part of the Reserve or VIMS publication series.

ARTICLE VIII.-Administration of the Reserve

The DCR will have primary management responsibilities for day-to-day
administration, operations, and maintenance of the Taskinas Creek component
of the Reserve system in cooperation and consultation with VIMS. Other

127

cooperative projects between DCR and VIMS and other academic institutions or
other organizations which are designed specifically to address Reserve goals
of education, research and preservation shall also require cooperation and
consultation.

DGR and VIMS further agree to cooperate on the following Reserve
management functions:

a. DCR and VIMS will prepare an annual list of research, education,
resource protection, and restoration needs for Taskinas Creek;
VIMS will help seek funding to fulfill these identified needs;

b. DCR will enforce Park rules and regulations and reserve
management policies within the Taskinas Creek Reserve site; VIMS
will insure compliance among participants in VIMS sponsored
activities within the reserves;

C. DCR will report; to VIMS on the types, nature, and location of
violations of Park rules and regulations and reserve management
policies when they occur within the Taskinas Creek Reserve site;
VIMS will be responsible for coordinating activit:ies that are
specifically related to education, monitoring, and research with
the Taskinas Creek Reserve site in cooperation and consultation
with DCR; prepare an annual summary of violations reported
within the reserve site for incorporation into the annual report
to NOAA; VIMS and DCR will consult on actions needed to address
recurring management concerns;

d. DCR and VIMS will consult on plans and provide sites for
displays, facilities, and extensions of facilities proposed for
the Taskinas Creek Reserve site;

e. DCR will VIMS shared use of Park facilities and equipment, and
VIMS will allow DCR shared use of Reserve facilities and
equipment. Use of these facilities and equipment will not
detract from original purposes for which they were developed or
acquired;

f. DCR and VIMS will share financial and custodial responsibilities
for maintenance, repair, security, and insurance of facilities
constructed with NOAA and/or VIMS funds under the auspices of
the Reserve program;

g. DCR and VIMS will provide technical advice, staff assistance,
and funding as available for research, education, and resource
protection activities at the Taskinas Creek Reserve site;

h. DCR will issue permits for approved research, education, and
resource protection/restoration projects as required;

i. DCR and VIMS will solicit the support of neighboring property
owners, non-profit organizations, civic groups, and county
officials, for reserve program operations;

128

j. DCR and VIMS will cooperate in the design, training, and
supervision of volunteer programs for the Taskinas Creek Reserve
site,

k. DCR will involve VIMS in the review and update of the Park
resource management plan and assist VIMS in the review and
update of the Reserve management plan; and

1. DCR and VIMS will monitor the impact of visitor use and reserve
activities and take steps to mitigate impacts.

ARTICLE IX -- Reserve Director

The Reserve Director, who is headquartered at VIMS, is responsible
for the overall development and management of the Reserve program. Some of
these programs may involve the use of the Taskinas Creek site and Park
facilities, resources, trails, exhibit space, and personnel. The Reserve
Director will involve DCR in the development of programs involving the
Taskinas Creek site. The Reserve Director's specific responsibilities which
will involve the Taskinas Creek site will include the following:

a. Submits an annual budget for NOAA funds for the Taskinas Creek
site using input from the Planning and Evaluation Committee and oversees
expenaitures of these funds,,

b. Provides recommendations and approval of programs and projects
proposed for Taskinas Creek for NOAA funding;

c. Submits required reports to NOAA;

d. Supervises the Reserve program staff, including the Education
Coordinator;

e. Serves as principal contact for the estuarine research reserve
program and represents VIMS in public relations and media contacts regarding
the reserves;

f. Makes presentations on behalf of VIMS and the Reserve program to
local officials, environmental organizations, and other interested groups;

g. Monitors the progress of VIMS and NOAA sponsored programs and
projects at Taskinas Creek;

h. Involves DCR in the development and update of the Reserve
management plan;

i. Coordinates the development and implementation of research,
education, and resource protection priorities for Taskinas Creek sites with
relevant activities of DCR and other state agencies, the Chesapeake Bay
Program, Virginia Coastal Resources Management Program, Virginia River Basin
Committees, The Nature Conservancy, Chesapeake Bay Foundation, and other
relevant groups;

j. Drafts conservation easements and management agreements on
behalf of VIMS for Reserve sites and negotiates terms and conditions;

k. Works with DCR to develop resource protection guidelines and
policies for reserve sites as new issues arise;

129

ARTICLE X-Education Coordinator

VIMS will hire an education coordinator to develop and implement
education programg for the Reserve program. Some of these education
programs may involve use of the Taskinas Creek site and Park facilities,
resources, trails, exhibit, space, and personnel. The education coordinator
will involve DCR in the development of education programs involving the
Taskinas Creek Reserve site. The DCR will approve education programs prior
to implementation. While the education coordinator is primarily responsible
for education programs on behalf of VIMS and the Reserve program, it should
be recognized that these activities will complement Park public
environmental education and interpretive responsibilities under DCR
programs. VIMS and DCR will encourage a cooperative working arrangement
between the education coordinator and the Park, thereby maximizing the range
of education programs that can be provided.

ARTICLE XI-Reserve Management Pl

A Management Plan for the Reserve Program has been developed by
VIMS, in consultation with DGR, and will be submitted to NOAA for approval.
Activities at the Taskinas Creek Reserve site will be conducted in a manner
which is consistent with the Reserve Management Plan and Park Resource
Management Plan. Under the terms of this agreement, the DCR will continue
to fund, operate and administer its lands and facilities at York River State
Park, and will continue to conduct its activities and programs pursuant to
its mandate, except as agreed in this MOU. This agreement shall not limit
DCR authority to carry out such activities so long as they do not adversely
affect implementation of the Reserve Management Plan.

This Memorandum of Understanding shall go into full effect when the
Reserve Management Plan is agreed to by the parties in writing and approved
by NOAA. Revisions to the Reserve Management Plan shall only be made by
written agreement of the parties and upon approval by NOAA.

ARTICLE XII-Advisory Committees

There will be established a Planning and Evaluation Committee to
develop the operations plan, including an operating budget, as well as to
evaluate annual accomplishments. The Dean/Director of VIMS and the DCR
Director will appoint appropriate staff experts to this committee.

In addition to Reserve program staff, the following advisory
committees will be established to advise in the management of the Reserves
and to make appropriate recommendations to the Planning and Evaluation
Committee:

Resource Protection and Management Committee
Education Committee
Research and Monitoring Committee

The responsibilities of each committee are outlined in the Reserve
Management Plan. The DCR Director will appoint a DCR staff expert to each
of the committees. The Superintendent of York River State Park will

130

continue to be the principal contact for VIMS matters pertaining to the day-
to-day operations of the Park.

ARTICLE XIII-Termination of the MOU

This MOU shall be in effect for a period of five years from the date
of its approval and shall be renewable for additional five year periods if
such is mutually agreeable.

If VIMS ceases to operate the Reserve at Taskinas Creek as a
designated Reserve, or Reserve designation is withdrawn or otherwise
terminated, this MOU and the VIMS' interest shall be terminated and the DCR
shall again have the full and exclusive control of the property.

For the purposes of this Article, the parties agree that a decision
to terminate this Agreement shall be made jointly by the parties, with one
year's advance notice given.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF 'the parties hereto have caused this Memorandum
of Understanding to be executed on this date 1990.

WITNESS B.C. Leynes:"Directo
Department of Conservation

and Conservation

WITNESS Frank 0. Perkins, Director
Virginia Institute of Marine
Science, College of William
and Mary

131

132

Conservation Easement

Catlett Island National Estuarine Research Reserve
in Virginia

THIS CONSERVATION FAMENT, made this _5 day of geptember 1990 by
and between John W. C. Catlett and William E. Catlett, hereinafter called
the Grantors, and The College of William and Mary in Virginia, hereinafter
called the Grantee.

WITNESSETH

WHEREAS, the Grantors are owners in fee simple of certain real property
(hereinafter described and referred to as the "Catlett Islands"), situated
in the County of Gloucester, Commonwealth of Virginia, being more
particularly described as "forested islands and marshes extending from mean
low tide to the wetland/upland border where the marsh meets the treeline on
the landward side of the islands" as shown in Exhibit A and described in
Exhibit B, attached hereto and incorporated by reference herein; and

WHEREAS, the Catlett Islands have substantial wetlands and forest
resources and significant ecological, natural, research, educational, and
aesthetic values, which this Conservation Easement will help to preserve and
maintain, including the ability to protect water quality and important
aquatic resources and habitats of the York River; and

WHEREAS, the specific ecological, natural, research, educational,. and
aesthetic values of the Catlett Islands are documented in the ecological
survey made by the Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS) on behalf of
the Grantee and dated August 31, 1990 (Exhibit C), which will serve as an
information base for monitoring and enforcement purposes and will be kept
current by VIMS; and

WHEREAS, this Conservation Easement is being made with the intention
and understanding of both the Grantors and Grantee that the property subject
to this easement will be designated as part of the Chesapeake Bay National
Estuarine Research Reserve System in Virginia and the National Estuarine
Research Reserve System; and

WHEREAS, the Grantors desire and intend that the ecological, natural,
research, educational, and aesthetic values of the Catlett Islands shall be
preserved and maintained by restricting and limiting the use of the land and
contiguous water,areas of their property, on the terms and conditions and
for the purposes hereinafter set forth, and the Grantee is willing to accept
responsibility for managing the property for the purpose of conducting basic
scientific and applied research and providing timely and accurate
information to the Grantors and the citizens of the Commonwealth regarding
the quality and conservation of the resources, both living and non-living,
of the Catlett Islands, on the terms and conditions and for the purposes
hereinafter set forth;

133

33. Notification - The Grantors agree to notify the Grantee, in
writing, before exercising any reserved right the exercise of which may have
an adverse impact on the conservation interests associated with the Catlett
Islands. Any notices by the Grantors to the Grantee pursuant to any
provision hereof shall be sent by registered or certified mail, return
receipt requested, addressed to Mr. John W.C. Catlett and Mr. William E.
Catlett, P.O. Box 148, Wicomico, Virginia 23184.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Grantors and Grantee have hereunto set their hands
and seals the day and year above written.
State of Virginia Grantors;
County of Cloucester, to-wit:
The foregoing instrument was
acknowledged before me this 5th
day of September 1990 by (--W-Xt J(S EAL)
John W. C. Catlett, Jr. and
William E. Catlett.

(SEAL)

Notary Public
My commission expires: 8/31/93.

ACCEPTED BY

AS GRANTEE:

(SEAL)

134

APPROVAL AS TO FORM:

Assistant Attorney General for the
Attorney General of Virginia

RECOMMEND:

Director
Division of Engineering and Buildings

RECOMMEND:

Director

Department of General Services

APPROVED FOR THE GOVERNOR:

Pursuant to the provisions of Section 2.1-504.2, Code of
Virginia (1950), as amended, and by authority of Executive
Order 78 (89), 1 hereby approve the acquisition of this
conservation easement from John W. C. Catlett, Jr. and
William E. Catlett, which is more fully described herein, and
the execution of this document.

Secr in s tion,
for the Go ernor of Virginia

/ 4 -'0 1--

Date

VIMS0912aHGD
q'd@' 0
the Go @errf

136

#421 8 K '4398 PA6E 208

Conservation Easement

Catlett Island National Estuarine Research Reserve
in Virginia
THIS CONSERVATION EASEMENT, made this 1A_ day of t@OOQA-r%ber 1990 by
and between John W. C. Catlett, Jr., Charles Catlett, and Mary Armistead
Catlett Burruss, hereinafter called the Grantors, and The College of William
and Mary in Virginia, hereinafter called the Grantee.

WITNESSETH

WHEREAS, the Grantors are owners in fee simple of certain real property
(hereinafter described and referred to a5 the "Catlett Islands"), situated
in the County of Gloucester, Commonwealth of Virginia, being more
particularly described as "forested islands and marshes extending from mean
low tide to the wetland/upland border where the marsh meets the treeline on
the landward side of the islands" as shown in Exhibit A and described in
Exhibit B, attached hereto and incorporated by reference herein; and

WHEREAS, the specific ecological, natural, research, educational, and
aesthetic values of the Catlett Islands are documented in the ecological
survey made by the Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS) on behalf of
the Grantee and dated August 31, 1990 (Exhibit C), which will serve as an
information base for monitoring and enforcement purposes and will be kept
current by VIMS; and

WHEREAS, the Grantors desire and intend that the ecological, natural,
research, educational, and aesthetic values of the Catlett Islands shall be
preserved and maintained by restricting and limiting the use of the land and
contiguous water areas of their property, on the terms and conditions and
for the purposes hereinafter set forth, and the Grantee is willing to accept
responsibility for managing the property for the purpose of conducting basic
scientific and applied research and providing timely and accurate
information to the Grantors and the citizens of the C *ommonwealth regarding
the quality and conservation of the resources, both living and non-living,
of the Catlett Islands, on the terms and conditions and for the purposes
hereinafter set forth;

137

BOOK 398 FAH r'12099

NOW THEREFORE, as an absolute gift of no monetary consideration ($0.00)
but in consideration of the mutual covenants, terms, conditions, and
restrictions hereinafter set: forth, the Grantors hereby grant and convey to
the Grantee, its successors, and assigns forever and in perpetuity a
Conservation Easement in Gross ("Conservation Easement") for the purpose of
research, observation, and education and to the extent hereinafter set forth
with respect to the Catlett Islands.

To achieve these objectives, the following conditions and restrictions
are set forth:

ARTICLE I. DURATION AND GENERAL PURPOSE

1. General Purpose - The purpose of this Conservation Easement is to
preserve and protect the environment of the Catlett Islands and to maintain
permanently its natural and cultural values and its dominant scenic, rural,
woodland, and wetland character so that the p roperty remains suitable for
long-term research on natural and human processes occurring within the York
River tributary of the Chesapeake Bay. Thia-Grantors and Grantee intend to
confine the use of the property to such activities, including, without
limitations, those involving hunting, trapping, fishing, gathering oysters,
naturalistic uses, and estuarine reserve research purposes.

2. Duration - This Conservation Easement shall be perpetual. The
covenants agreed to and the terms, conditions, restrictions and purposes
imposed with this Conservation Easement shall not only be binding on the
Grantors but also their agents, personal representatives, heirs and assigns
and all other successors to their interests and shall continue as a
servitude running in perpetuity with the Catlett Islands.

ARTICLE II. MANAGEMENT OBJECTIVES

3. Management Plan Preparation and IMRlementation - There shall be a
Management Plan prepared for the Catlett Islands to provide general
guidelines for the current and future use of the property. The Management
Plan shall address appropriate wetlands and forest management activities,
wildlife and waterfowl needs, and research and education uses of the Catlett
Islands, and it shall provide any other applicable guidelines for the
conservation of natural resources.

The Management Plan shall be prepared by VIMS, in consultation with
other resource management agencies of the Commonwealth, and shall be
submitted to be the Grantors and Grantee for their review and approval,
within 6 months of the execution of this Conservation Easement. The
Grantors and Grantee shall meet at least annually, and more frequently at
the request of either party, to review the Management Plan and research
results and, where appropriate, to develop more specific recommendations for
carrying out certain aspects of the Plan. The Management Plan shall be
updated at least every 5 years.

138

B G- 0 K

4. On-Site Management VIMS is the agency designated by the Grantee
and the Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia to manage the Chesapeake
Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve System in Virginia. In this
capacity, VIMS shall serve as on-site manager for research at the Catlett
Islands and shall be responsible for seeing that research conducted on the
property is conducted in a manner consistent with the goals of the
Chesapeake Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve System in Virginia, the
objectives of the Management Plan, and the wishes of the Grantors and
Grantee. The on-site manager will be the Grantee's primary representative
for the purpose of monitoring the uses of the property for consistency with
this Conservation Easement.

5. Natural Area Preservation - The Catlett Islands shall be maintained
as open space, wildlife and waterfowl habitat, and a natural field
laboratory for research and education. Any industrial or commercial
activities shall be prohibited on the Catlett Islands. The protection and
conservation of the land subject to this Conservation Easement will be
maintained and enforced consistent with the goals and policies of the
Chesapeake Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve System in Virginia.

6. Research and Education - The Catlett Islands shall be maintained
for research and education activities associated with the Chesapeake Bay
National Estuarine Research Reserve System in Virginia. Research and
education uses of the Catlett Islands shall be in accordance with the
.principles, objectives, and performance standards set forth in the
Management Plan developed by VIMS and approved by the Grantors and Grantee.
A steering committee will be convened by VIMS to assist in the review and
approval of proposals for research and education activities at reserve
sites. Such approval shall not be unreasonably withheld.

7. Information Exchange - Research and education activities conducted
at the Catlett Islands shall be used to enhance awareness, understanding,
and wise use of estuarine environments. VIMS shall provide the Grantors and
Grantee with an annual report on research and education activities conducted
on the Catlett Islands and shall disseminate timely and accurate information
to the Governor, General Assembly, State and local agencies, industry, and
citizens of the Commonwealth regarding the living and non-living resources
of the Catlett Islands and their relationship to the Chesapeake Bay system
and the coastal waters of the Commonwealth of Virginia.

ARTICLE III. CONTROLLED ACTIVITIES

8. Wetlands and Forest Maintenance - Wetlands shall be protected and
maintained in accordance with the Management Plan and the Wetland Guidelines
developed pursuant to Chapter 2.1 of Title 62.1 of the Code of Virginia.
Forest management activities shall be conducted in accordance with the
Management Plan and Best Management Practices promulgated by the
Commonwealth of Virginia, Division of Forestry, and recommended by the U.S.
Department of Agriculture, Forest Service and Soil Conservation Service.
There shall be no other destruction or alteration of wetlands or forests on

139

BOOK 9098 PAGE 301

the Catlett Islands, except as needed to eradicate noxious plant species or
reestablish native plant species and as approved by the Grantors and
Grantee. Management activities shall not materially impair the scenic
quality of the Catlett Islands.

9. Waterfowl and Wildlife Maintenance - Waterfowl and wildlife
maintenance activities shall be conducted in accordance with the Management
Plan. In general, such activities shall be limited, where necessary, to
maintenance of existing habitat and minor improvements (such as tree
thinning to improve understory vegetation, or opening of small areas to
provide a greater diversity of habitats) and as approved by the Grantors and
Grantee. Any waterfowl and wildlife management activities shall be carried
out under the guidance of the Commonwealth of Virginia, Department of Game
and Inland Fisheries and the U.S. Department of the Interior, Fish and
Wildlife Service. Any plant and insect management activities that may
affect species of plants or insects protected under the Virginia Endangered
Plant and Insect Species Act shall be carried out under the guidance of the
Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

10. Hunting and Fishing - Any hunting shall be carried out in
designated areas on and around the Catlett Islands and in accordance with
conditions established in the Management Plan and approved by the Grantors
and Grantee, and in accordance with rules and regulations promulgated by the
Commonwealth of Virginia, Department of Game and Inland Fisheries. The
Grantors, or their assigns, may place noncommercial blinds on the Catlett
Islands for personal use. Any fishing shall be carried out in accordance
with regulations promulgated by the Virginia Marine Resources Commission.

11. Water Quality - There shall be no human activities on or uses of
the Catlett Islands that are detrimental or adverse to the maintenance and
conservation of surface and subsurface water qualtty. There shall be no
manipulation or alteration of natural water courses, shorelines, marshes or
other water bodies, nor shall there be activities conducted on or around the
Catlett Islands that could alter either natural water level, flow, or both.

12. Structures, Roads, and Trails - Except as otherwise provided in
this Conservation Easement, no new buildings, facilities, structures, piers,
roads, or trails shall be constructed on the Catlett Islands, except those
designed, constructed and utilized in, and accessary to, research,
education, hunting, and naturalistic uses of the property. Any such
construction must be planned for in the Management Plan and approved by the
Grantors and Grantee. Similarly, removal of existing structures must be
planned for in the Management Plan and approved by the Grantors and Grantee.
There shall be no compulsion to remove existing structures.

13. Signs and Billboards - Display of billboards, signs or other
advertisements is not permitted on or over the Catlett Islands, except to
state the name and/or address of the owner, to provide notice of
designation as a Chesapeake Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve in
Virginia, and/or to post the property against trespass.

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B 0 0 K P @@, 6 E

14. Subdivision The Catlett Islands shall not be partitioned or
subdivided.

15. Excavation, Dredging, and Mining - Excavation, dredging, mining
and removal of loam, gravel, soil, rock, sand, coal, petroleum and other
materials on or below ground or alteration of the topography of the land is
prohibited on the Catlett Islands, except as related to the collection of
geological data. Such activities shall be planned for in the Management
Plan and approved by the Grantors and Grantee.

16. Industrial and Commercial Activities - No industrial or commercial
activities shall be conducted on the Catlett Islands'.

17. Trash, Rubbish, and Waste - There shall be no dumping of soil,
trash, ashes, garbage, waste, or offensive materials on the Catlett Islands.
There shall be no filling in of any wetland, pond or waterway, and such
dumping shall be absolutely prohibited. Neither the Grantors nor the
Grantee shall be responsible for unauthorized dumping.

18. Off Road Vehicles - Neither the Grantors or the Grantee shall
authorize the operation of motor vehicles, trail bikes or all-terrain
vehicles on the Catlett Islands, and such use shall be prohibited. The
Grantors shall not be responsible for unauthorized use.

ARTICLE IV. ENFORCEMENT AND REMEDIES

19. Iniunctive Relief and Restoration - Upon any breach of the terms
of this Conservation Easement by the Grantors, their successors or assigns,
or the Grantee, its successors or assigns, the breaching party may be
subject to suit to: (1) enjoin any breach or enforce any covenant by
temporary restraining order, preliminary and/or permanent injunction; (2)
require that the property be restored promptly to the condition required by
this Conservation Easement; or (3) seek any other remedy available, in law
or equity, to assure compliance with the terms of this Conservation
Easement.

20. Perpetual Right of Enforcement - Failure on the part of the
Grantee to enforce any covenant or provisi Ion hereof shall not discharge or
invalidate such covenant, or any other covenant, condition, or provision
hereof, or affect the right of the Grantee to enforce the same in the event
of a subsequent breach or default.

ARTICLE V. GRANTORS' RIGHTS

21. Grantors' Rights - The Grantors expressly reserve to themselves,
their personal representatives, heirs, successors or assigns the right to:

a. Continue the naturalistic uses of the Catlett Islands subject
to the conditions set forth above;

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BOOK 2) 9 8 FAUG E 303

b. Continue to hunt, fish, trap, and gather oysters on and around
the Catlett Islands subject to applicable laws;

C. Improve, repair, restore, alter, remove, remodel, or replace
permitted structures, provided that such activity is
consistent with the Management Plan; and

d. Continue the use of the Catlett Islands for all purposes
consistent with this Conservation Easement.

ARTICLE VI. RIGHTS OF GRANTEE

22. Rights of Grantee - To accomplish the purpose of this Conservation
Easement, the following rights are conveyed to the Grantee by this
Conservation Easement:

a. To preserve and protect the conservation values of the Catlett
Islands;

b. To enter upon the Catlett Islands at reasonable times in order
to conduct approved research and educational projects and to
monitor Grantors' compliance with and otherwise enforce the
terms of this Conservation Easement; provided that such entry
shall be upon prior reasonable notice to Grantors, such entry
shall be by water, and shall not unreasonably interfere with
Grantors' use and quiet enjoyment of the Catlett Islands;

C. To give permission to research scientists to conduct research
and educational projects approved for the Catlett Islands
National Estuarine Research Reserve, provided that permittees.
carry and display an official permit issued by the Grantee and
approved by the Grantors; and

d. To prevent any activities or use of the Catlett Islands that
is inconsistent with the purposes of this Conservation
Easement and to require the restoration of such areas or
features of the Catlett Islands that may be damaged by any
inconsistent activity or use.

ARTICLE VII. GRANTORS' AND GRANTEE'S LIABILITY

23. Upkeep by Grantors - The Grantors, their successors, and assigns
further agree that they shall be responsible for upkeep of the Catlett
Islands and shall hold the Grantee, its successors or assigns, harmless from
any charges or liens arising out of upkeep or taxes.

24. Taxes - The Grantor agrees to pay any and all real property taxes
and assessments levied by competent authority on the property.

142

BOOK 398 PAGE 304

25. Grantors' LiabilW - The Grantors, their successors, and assigns
shall not be held responsible for injury to persons or damages to property
arising out of any research or educational activity being conducted on the
Catlett Islands pursuant to the Management Plan and this management
agreement, except those arising out of the negligence of the Grantors, their
successors, and assigns. All persons participating in research or
educational activities at the Catlett Islands must sign a liability release
form indemnifying and holding harmless the Grantors, their agents and
guests, from any and all liability, claims, or expenses for injury, death or
damages to self or property, including without limitation attorney's fees,
resulting from or arising out of or in anyway relating to the activities of
the Grantee, any of its representatives, agents or guests, or resulting
from,. or occurring in the course of transit to or from the Catlett Islands.
A copy of the release form appears as Exhibit D.

The Grantee has inspected the Catlett islands and accepts their
condition "as is" as described in Exhibit C. Any existing conditions or
future conditions relating to permitted uses of the Catlett Islands by the
Grantors, including, without limitation, any hunting and fishing activities,
shall not constitute conditions giving rise to a claim of negligence on the
part of the Grantors or to any potential liability for damage to property or
injury to person. The Grantors' liability for all other activities on the
Catlett Islands shall remain in effect.

26. Grantee's Liabilit - The Commonwealth of Virginia and all its
agencies and institutions are covered by a self-insurance program as
authorized by Section 2.1-526.8 of the Code of Virginia which is based upon
a comprehensive general liability manuscript policy form as shown in Exhibit
E. All persons who are not employees of the Commonwealth must receive
approval from the Grantors and furnish evidence of liability coverage in the
amount of $100,000/$300,000/$100,000 before participating in research or
education activities at the Catlett Islands. All persons, whether employees
of the Commonwealth or not, shall sign a liability release form referenced
in paragraph 25 and appearing in Exhibit D.

ARTICLE VIII. PUBLIC ACCESS

27. Public Access - The granting of this Conservation Easement does
not grant to the public any right to enter the property. The Grantee's
right of entry does not include access to the interior of buildings or
structures. All other protections against trespass by the public shall
remain in effect.

ARTICLE IX. MISCELLANEOUS

28. Assip-nment, Transfer, and Reversion - The Grantee may assign its
rights under this Conservation Easement to the Virginia Institute of Marine
Science in such manner as to achieve the purposes and conditions herein. If
any such assignee shall cease to exist or abandon this Conservation Easement
or the rights and duties of enforcement herein set forth, or if proceedings

143

B U- 0 K 2 -5 8PAGE 305

are instituted for condemnation of this Conservation Easement, the easement
and rights of enforcement shall revert to the Grantee. If the Grantee shall
be dissolved and if the terms of the dissolution fail to provide a
successor, then the Court shall appoint an appropriate successor as Grantee.

The Grantors agree for themselves, their personal representatives,
heirs, successors, and assigns to send in writing to the Grantee the names
and addresses of any party to whom the Catlett Islands is to be transferred
at the time said transfer is executed. The Grantee agrees to hold this
Conservation Easement exclusively for conservation purposes, and that it
will not transfer the Conservation Easement in exchange for money, other
property, or services'. This provision shall not preclude the Grantee from
using the monetary value of any donations or gifts from the Grantor as match
for money, other property, or services that will contribute to fulfilling
the objectives of the Management Plan or the terms of this Conservation
Easement.

29. Relationship of Easement to PrUert,,7'Value - The Grantors and the
Grantee agree that the donation of the Conservation Easement gives rise for
purposes of this paragraph to a property right, immediately vested in the
Grantee with a fair market value that is at least equal to the proportionate
value that the Conservation Easement bears to the value of the Catlett
Islands at the time of the gift.

30. Eminent Domain - Whenever all or part of the Catlett Islands are
taken in the exercise of eminent domain and such taking abrogates the
restrictions imposed by this Conservation Easement, the Grantors and the
Grantee shall join in appropriate actions at the time of such taking to
recover the full value of the taking and all incidental or direct damages
resulting from the taking. All expenses incurred by the Grantors and the
Grantee in this action shall be paid out of the recovered proceeds.

31, Inclusion of Terms in Subsequent Deeds - The Grantors agree that
the terms, conditions, restrictions and purposes of this grant will be
inserted by them in any subsequent deed or other legal instrument by which
the Grantors divest themselves of any interest in the Catlett Islands.

32, Construction and Severability - It is the intention of the parties
hereto that this Conservation Easement, which is by nature and character
negative in that the Grantors have restricted and limited their right to use
the the Catlett Islands rather than granted any affirmative rights to the
Grantee except as otherwise set forth herein, be construed at all times and
by all parties to effectuate its terms, conditions and purposes. If any
provision of this Conservation Easement or the application thereof to any
person or circumstance is found to be invalid, the remainder of the
provisions of the Conservation Easement and the application of such
provisions to persons or circumstances other than those as to which it is
found to be invalid shall not be affected thereby.

144

A-E 306
BOOK '24 9 8 P A U

33. Notification - The Grantors agree to notify the Grantee, in
writing, before exercising any reserved right the exercise of which may have
an adverse impact on the conservation interests associated with the Catlett
Islands. Any notices by the Grantors to the Grantee pursuant to any
provision hereof shall be sent by registered or certified mail, return
receipt requested addressed to Mr. John W.C. Catlett, P.O. Box 148,
Wicomico, Virginia 23184.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Grantors and Grantee have hereunto set their hands
and seals the day and year above written.

State of Virginia Grantors:
County of Gloucester, to-wit:

Th.@' 4 strument was
foregoing in
acknowledged before me by EAL)
-Charles Catlett this 14th day of
November, 1990.
ILI, (DATE)

Notary Public
11Y dommission expires: August 31, 1993.

State of Virginia
County of Gloucester, to-wit: SEAL)

The foregoing instrument was
acknowledged before me by
Mary A. C. Burruss this 14th day 179eo (DATE)
of November, 1990

Notary'Public

My commission expires: August 31, 1993.
State of Virginia dA (SEAL)
IOU
County of Gloucester, to-wit:
The foregoing instrument was
-4cknowledged before me by (DATE)
ohn W. C. Catlett, Jr. this
@12th day of November,1990.
!j-4;aAaQ A LCIL-.,
-Notary Public
My commission expires: August 31, 1993.

145

B~O~OK398 PAGE 307

ACCEPTED BY

AS GRANTEE:

(SEAL)

~1~q:~q5~-~-~-~ -(DATE)

The foregoing instrument was
acknowledged b~q6fore me by
Paul R. Verkuil this 5th day
of February, 1991~.

Notary Public

My commission expires: May 31, 1993

State of Virg~in-~1-a
City of Williamsburg, to-wit

146

BOOK 3 9 8 PA~qH 3 ~q0 ~q8

Assistant Attorney Ge al for the

Attorney Ge. ~2qV

~,~0qK~0q6COMMEND:

Director

Division of Engineering and Buildings

RECOMMEND:

~0q@~-s

Director

Department of General Services
~~'~*~"~-~6qz
~8q>G ~4q!e~z~2qea ~q1

147

BOOK 398 WE 309

APPROVED FOR THE GOVERNOR:

Pursuant- to the provisions of Section 2.1-504.2, Code of Virginia

(1950), as amended, and by authority of Executive Order 78 (89), 1 hereby

approve acquisition of this conservation easement from John W.C. Catlett,

Jr., Charles Catlett, and Mary Armistead Catlett Burruss, which is more

fully described herein, and the execution of this document.

Secretary of Xitistr'ation,

for the Governor of Virginia

Date

148

Management Agreement

Tick Hill Component
of the
Sweet Hall Marsh National Estuarine Research Reserve
in Virginia

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
ARTICLE I. DURATION AND GENERAL PURPOSE 2
1. General Purpose 2
2. Duration 2
ARTICLE II. MANAGEMENT OBJECTIVES 2
3. Management Plan Preparation and Implementation 2
4. On-Site Management 3
5. Natural Area Preservation 3
6. Research and Education 3
7. Information Exchange 3
ARTICLE IT_T_ CONTROLLED ACTIVITIES 4
8. Wetlands and Forest Maintenance 4
9. Waterfowl and Wildlife Maintenance 4
10. Hunting and Fishing 4
11, Water quality 4
12. Structures, Roads, and Trails 4
13. Signs and Billboards 4
14. Subdivision 5
15. Excavation, Dredging, and Mining 5
16. Industrial and Commercial Activities 5
17. Trash, Rubbish, and Waste 5
18. Off Road Vehicles 5
ARTICLE IV, ENFORCEMENT AND REMEDIES 5
19. Injunctive Relief and Restoration 5
20. Perpetual Right of Enforcement 5
21. Right of Entry 6
ARTICLE V. GRANTOR'S RIGHTS 6
22. Grantor's Rights 6
ARTICLE VI. RIGHTS OF GRANTEE 6
23. Rights of Grantee 6
ARTICLE VII. GRANTOR'S AND GRANTEE'S LIABILITY 7
24. Upkeep by Grantor 7
25. Taxes 7
26. Grantor's Liability 7
27. Grantee's Liability 7
ARTICLE VIII. PUBLIC ACCESS 7
28. Public Access 7
29. Termination 8
30. Right of First Refusal 8
EXHIBITS 9
Exhibit A. Legal Description of the Grantor's Property
Exhibit B. Summary of Ecological Resources of Tick Hill
Exhibit C. Certificate of Insurance
Exhibit D. Liability Release Form

149

Management Agreement

Tick Hill Component
of the
Sweet Hall Marsh National Estuarine Research Reserve
in Virginia

THIS MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT, made this - day of 1990 by
and between Chesapeake Corporation, hereinafter called the Granto7 and The
College of William and Mary in Virginia, hereinafter called the Grantee.

WITNESSETH

WHEREAS, the Grantor is owner in fee simple of certain real property
(hereinafter described and referred to as "Tick Hill"), situated in the
County of King William, Commonwealth of Virginia, being more particularly
delineated as "freshwater tidal wetlands extending from mean low tide on the
Pamunkey River to 100 feet inland from the wetland/upland border landward of
the Pamunkey River as shown in Exhibit A described in Exhibit B, attached
hereto and incorporated by reference herein; and

WHEREAS, Tick Hill is a managed woodland and marsh which has
substantial wetlands and forest resources and significant ecological,
natural, research, educational, and aesthetic values, which this contract
will help to preserve and maintain, including the ability to protect water
quality and important aquatic resources and habitats of the Pamunkey River,
a tributary of the York River; and

WHEREAS, the Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS), within the
College of William and Mary, has been designated by the Governor of the
Commonwealth of Virginia to develop and manage the Chesapeake Bay National
Estuarine Research Reserve System in Virginia; and

WHEREAS, this Management Agreement is being made with the intention and
understanding of both the Grantor and Grantee that the subject property will
be designated as a component of the Chesapeake Bay National Estuarine
Research Reserve System in Virginia, pursuant to Section 315 of the Coastal
Zone Management Act of 1972, as amended (P.L. 92-583, 16 U.S.C. 1461), and
implementing regulations (15 CFR 921.30); and

WHEREAS, the Grantor desires and intends that the ecological, research,
and educational values of Tick Hill shall be preserved and maintained by
restricting and 'limiting the use of the land and contiguous water areas of
their property, to the degree possible under the woodlands managcment
of the Grantor and on the terms and conditions and for the purposes
hereinafter set forth, and the Grantee is willing to accept responsibility
for managing the property for the purpose of conducting basic scientific and

150

applied research and providing timely and accurate information to the
Grantor and citizens of the Commonwealth regarding the quality and
conservation of the resources, both living and non-living, of Tick Hill, on
the terms and conditions and for the purposes hereinafter set forth;

WHEREAS, the specific ecological, natural, research, educational, and
aesthetic values of Tick Hill are documented in the ecological survey made
by VIMS on behalf of the Grantee and dated August 31, 1990 (Exhibit B),
which will serve as an information base for monitoring and enforcement
purposes and will be kept current by VIMS; and

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants, terms,
conditions, and restrictions hereinafter set forth, the Grantor hereby
conveys to the Grantee access to Tick Hill for the purpose of research,
observation, and education to the extent hereinafter set forth.

To achieve these objectives, the following conditions and restrictions
are set forth:

ARTICLE I. DURATION AND GENERAL PURPOSE

1. General Purpose - The purpose of this Management Agreement is to
protect the environment of Tick Hill and to maintain its dominant rural,
woodland, and wetland character so that Tick Hill remains suitable for long-
term research on natural and human processes occurring within the watersheds
and tributaries of the Chesapeake Bay. The Grantor and Grantee intend to
confine use of the property to such activities, including, without
limitations, those involving hunting, trapping, fishing, naturalistic uses,
research, and timber management.

2. Duration - This Management Agreement shall be valid for a 5-year
period, and the terms, conditions, restrictions and purposes imposed with
this Management Agreement shall not only be binding on the Grantor but also
its agents, personal representatives, heirs and assigns and all other
successors to their interests for the duration of the Management Agreement,
subject to the agreed upon termination provisions. This Management
Agreement may be renegotiated at the end of the 5-year period at the
discretion of both parties.

ARTICLE II. MANAGEMENT OBJECTIVES

3. Management Plan Preparation and IMlementation - There shall be a
Management Plan prepared for Tick Hill to provide general guidelines for the
current and future use of the property. The Management Plan shall address
wetlands and forest-management activities, wildlife and waterfowl needs, and
research and education uses of Tick Hill, and it shall provide any other
applicable guidelines for conservation of natural resources.

151

The Management Plan shall be prepared by VIMS, in consultation with the
Grantor and appropriate resource management agencies of the Commonwealth,
and shall be submitted to the Grantor and Grantee for their review and
approval, within 120 days of the execution of this Management Agreement.
The Grantor and Grantee shall meet at least annually, and more frequently at
the request of either party, to review the Management Plan and, where
appropriate, to develop more specific recommendations for carrying out
certain aspects of the Plan. The Management Plan shall be jointly updated
at least every 5 years.

4. On-Site Management - VIMS is the agency designated by the Grantee
and the Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia to manage the Chesapeake
Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve System in Virginia. In this
capacity, VIMS will serve as on-site manager for research at Tick Hill and
will be responsible for seeing that research conducted on the property is
conducted in a manner consistent with the goals of the National Estuarine
Research Reserve Program, the objectives of the Management Plan, and the
wishes of the Grantor and Grantee. The on-site manager will be the
Grantee's primary representative for the purpose of monitering uses of the
property for consistency with this Management Agreement.

5. Natural Area Preservation - Tick Hill shall be maintained as open
space, wildlife and waterfowl habitat, and a natural field laboratory for
research, consistent with the woodlands management of the Grantor. The
protection and conservation of the land subject to this Management Agreement
will be maintained and enforced consistent with the goals and policies of
the Chesapeake Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve System in Virginia.

6. Research and Education - Tick Hill shall be used for research and
education activities associated with the Chesapeake Bay National Estuarine
Research reserve System in Virginia. Research and 'education uses of Tick
Hill shall be in accordance with the principles, objectives, and performance
standards set forth in the Management Plan developed by VIMS and approved by
the Grantor and Grantee. A steering committee shall be convened by VIMS to
assist in the review and approval of proposals for research and education
activities on Tick Hill. Approval of proposals and activities shall be
approved by the Grantor, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld.

7. Information Exchange - Research and education activities conducted
at Tick Hill shall be used to enhance awareness, understanding, and wise use
of estuarine environments. VIMS shall provide the Grantor and Grantee with
an annual report on research and education activities conducted on Tick Hill
and shall disseminate timely and accurate information to the Governor,
General Assembly, State and local agencies, industry, and citizens of the
Commonwealth regarding the living and non-living resources of Tick Hill and
their relationship to the Chesapeake Bay system and the coastal waters of
the Commonwealth of Virginia.

152

ARTICLE Ill. CONTROLLED ACTIVITIES

9. Waterfowl and Wildlife Maintenance - Waterfowl and wildlife
maintenance activities shall be conducted in accordance with the Management
Plan. In general, such activities shall be limited to maintenance of
existing habitat and minor improvements, where necessary (such as tree
thinning to improve understory vegetation, or opening of small areas to
provide a greater diversity of habitats), and as approved by the Grantor and
Grantee. Any waterfowl and wildlife management activities shall be carried
out under the guidance of the Commonwealth of Virginia, Department of Game
and Inland Fisheries and the U.S. Department of the Interior, Fish and
Wildlife Service. Any plant and insect management activities that may
affect species of plants or insects protected under the Virginia Endangered
Plant and Insect Species Act shall be carried out under the guidance of the
Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

10. Hunting and Fishing - The Grantor may persue such hunting and
fishing activities as it may elect as long as such activities are in
compliance with applicable state or federal law.

11. Water Quality - There shall be no human activities on or uses of
Tick Hill that are detrimental or adverse to the maintenance and
conservation of surface and subsurface water quality. There shall be no
manipulation or alteration of natural water courses, shorelines, marshes or
other water bodies, nor shall there be activities conducted on or around
Tick Hill that could alter either natural water level, flow, or both.

12. Structures, Roads, and Trails - There shall be no new buildings,
facilities, structures, piers, roads, or trails constructed on Tick Hill,
except those designed, constructed and utilized in and accessary to the
research, education, forest management, wildlife management, and
naturalistic uses of the property. Any such construction must be planned
for in the Management Plan, and approved by the Grantor and Grantee.
Similarly, removal of existing structures must be planned for in the
Management Plan and approved by the Grantor and Grantee.

13. Signs and Billboards - Display of billboards, signs or other
advertisements is not permitted on or over Tick Hill except to state the
name and/or address of the owner, to provide notice of the designation as a
Chesapeake Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve and/or to post the

153

property against trespass. No such sign shall exceed four feet by four feet
in size.

14. Subdivision - Tick Hill shall not be partitioned or subdivided
during the life of this Management Agreement.

15. Excavation, Dredging, and Mining - Excavation, dredging, mining
and removal of loam, gravel, soil, rock, sand, coal, petroleum and other
materials or alteration of the topography of the land is prohibited on Tick
Hill except as related to the collection of geological data. Such
activities shall be planned for in the Management Plan and approved by the
Grantor and Grantee.

16. Industrial and Commercial Activities - No industrial or commercial
activities shall be conducted on Tick Hill, except for timber harvest, site
preparation, planting, and related silvicultural activities prescribed in
the woodlands management of the Grantor. The Grantor shall give the Grantee
120 days prior written notice of when and where such activites will
commence, so that the Grantee can monitor the activity, as planrae-d- for in
the Management Plan and approved by the Grantor and Grantee.

17. Trash, Rubbish, and Waste - Neither the Grantor or the Grantee
shall authorize dumping of soil, trash, ashes, garbage, waste, or offensive
materials on Tick Hill or filling in of any wetland, pond or waterway.
Neither the Grantor or the Grantee shall be held responsible for
unauthorized dumping.

18. Off Road Vehicles - Neither the Grantor or the Grantee shall
authorize operation of motor vehicles, trail bikes or all-terrain vehicles
on Tick Hill, except as related to timber management and hunting activities
approved by the Grantor. Neither the Grantor or the Grantee shall be held
responsible for unauthorized use.

ARTICLE IV, ENFORCEMENT AND REMEDIES

19. Iniunctive Relief and Restoration - Upon any breach of the terms
of this Management Agreement by the Grantor, its successors and assigns or
the Grantee, its successors and assigns, after reasonable notice, any or all
of the following remedies may be exercised: 1) institute suits to enjoin
any breach or enforce any covenant by ix parte, temporary, and/or permanent
injunction; and 2) require that the property be restored promptly to the
condition required by this Management Agreement.

20. PerRetual Right of Enforcement - Failure on the part of the
Grantee to enforce any covenant or provision hereof shall not discharge or
invalidate such covenant or any other covenant, condition or provision
hereof or affect the right of the Grantee to enforce the same in the event
of a subsequent breach of default.@

154

21. Right of Ent-@r - The Grantee, its successors and assigns, has the
right, with reasonable notice, to enter Tick Hill at reasonable times for
the purpose of conducting approved research and educational projects. This
right of entry does not include access to the interior of buildings and
structures. All other protections against trespass by the public remain in
effect. Access shall only be through Tacoma Hunting and Fishing Club
property or through the 50-foot easement adjacent to John Morgan property
(see Exhibit A).

ARTICLE V. GRANTOR'S RIGHTS

22. Grantor's Rights - The Grantor expressly reserves to itself, its
personal representatives, heirs, successors and assigns the right to:

a. Continue the timber management uses of Tick Hill;

b. Continue to lease hunting, fishing or trapping rights on Tick
Hill subject to relevant laws;

c. Improve, repair, restore, alter, remove, remodel, or replace
permitted structures, provided that such activity is
consistent with the Management Plan; and

d. Continue the use of Tick Hill for all purposes consistent with
this Management Agreement.

ARTICLE VI. RIGHTS OF GRANTEE

23. Rights of Grantee - To accomplish the purpose of this Management
Agreement, the following rights are conveyed to the Grantee by this
Management Agreement:

a. To preserve and protect the conservation values of Tick Hill;

b. To enter upon Tick Hill at reasonable times in order to
conduct approved research and educational projects and to
monitor Grantor's compliance with and otherwise enforce the
terms of this Management Agreement; provided that such entry
shall be upon prior reasonable notice to Grantor, such entry
shall be by water, and shall not unreasonably interfere with
Grantor's use and quiet enjoyment of Tick Hill;

c. To give permission to research scientists to conduct research
and educational projects approved for the Sweet Hall Marsh
National Estuarine Research Reserve, provided that permittees
carry and display an official permit issued by the Grantee and
approved by the Grantor; and

155

d. To prevent any activities or use of Tick Hill that is
inconsistent with the purposes of this Management Agreement
and to require the restoration of such areas or features of
Tick Hill that may be damaged by any inconsistent activity or
use.

ARTICLE VII. GRANTOR'S AND GRANTEE'S LIABILITY

24. Upkeep by Grantor - The Grantor, its successors, and assigns
further agree that they shall be responsible for upkeep of Tick Hill and
shall hold the Grantee, its successors, and assigns harmless from charges of
leins arising out of upkeep or taxes.

25. Taxes - The Grantor agrees to pay any and all real property taxes
and assessments levied by competent authority on the property.

26. Grantor's Liability - The Grantor, its successors, and assigns
shall not be held responsible for injury to persons or damages to property
arising out of any research or educational activity being conducted on Tick
Hill pursuant to the Management Plan and this Management Agreement, except
those arising out of the negligence of the Grantor, its successors, and
assigns. The Grantor's liability for all other activities on Tick Hill
shall remain in effect.

The Grantee has inspected Tick Hill and accepts its condition "as is"
as described in Exhibit B. Any existing conditions or future conditions
relating to permitted uses of Tick Hill by the Grantor, including, without
Jimitation, any hunting and fishing activities, shall not constitute
conditions giving rise to a claim of negligence on the part of the Grantor
or to any potential liability for damage to property or injury to person.
The Grantor's liability for all other activities on Tick Hill shall remain
in effect.

27. Grantee's LiabilLty - The Commonwealth of Virginia and all the
agencies and institutions are covered by a self-insurance program as
authorized by Section 2.1-526.8 of the Code of Virginia which is based upon
a comprehensive general liability manuscript policy form. All persons who
are not employees of the Commonwealth must receive approval from the Grantor
and furnish evidence of liability coverage in the amount of
$100,000/$300,000/$100,000. All persons, whether employees of the
Commonwealth or not, shall sign a liability release form referenced in
paragraph 26 and appearing in Exhibit D.

ARTICLE VIII. PUBLIC ACCESS

28. Public Access - The granting of this Management Agreement does not
grant to the public any right to enter the property.

156

29. Termination - In the event that circumstances arise that cause
Tick Hill or Sweet Hall Marsh to be withdrawn from the Chesapeake Bay
National Estuarine Research Reserve System in Virginia, cause the Chesapeake
Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve System in Virginia to cease to
exist, or cause the Grantee to not have sufficient funds to conduct research
under the Chesapeake Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve System in
Virginia, this contract shall be terminated by the Grantee by providing 90
days written notice to the Grantor. If either party breaches the terms and
conditions of this contract, the other party may terminate this contract
with 90 days written notice.

30. Riv-ht of First Refusal - The Grantee shall have the right of first
refusal on any and all sales contracts on the property that the Grantor
might obtain during the life of this Management Agreement.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Grantor and Grantee have hereunto set their hands
and seals the day and year above written.

Grantor:

_(SEAL)
e Pr esid en/,"
Woo i Wood Products

(SEAL)

ACCEPTED BY
);@a- 0 4
Frank 0. Perkins bate
Dean and Director

AS GRANTEE:

(SEAL)

157

APPROVED AS TO FORM:

Assistant Attorney General for the
Attorney General of Virginia

RECOMMEND:

Director
Division of Engineering and Buildings

RECOMMEND:

Director
Department of General Services

APPROVED FOR THE GOVERNOR:

Pursuant to the provisions of Section 2.1-504.2, Code of
Virginia (1950, as amended, and by authority of Executive
Order 78 (89), dated December 21, 1989, I hereby approve the
acquisition of the demised premises pursuant to this
management agreement and the execution of this instrument
for, on behalf of, and in the stead of the Governor of
Virginia.

Secretary of Administration

10-02-90
Date

158

Management Agreement

Sweet Hall Marsh National Estuarine Research Reserve
in Virginia

THIS MANAGEMENT 'ZA day of 1990 by
AGREEMENT, made this - @v
and between Tacoma Hunting and Fishing Club, hereinafter called the Grantor,
and The College of William and Mary in Virginia, hereinafter called the
Grantee.

WITNESSETH

WHEREAS, the Grantor is owner in fee simple of certain real property
(hereinafter described and referred to as "Sweet Hall Marsh"), situated in
the County of King William, Commonwealth of Virginia, being more
particularly delineated as "freshwater tidal wetlands extending from mean
low tide on the Pamunkey River to the wetland/upland border landward of the
Pamunkey River" as shown in Exhibit A and described in Exhibit B, attached
hereto and incorporated by reference herein; and

WHEREAS, Sweet Hall Marsh has substantial wetland resources and
significant natural, ecological, research, educational, and aesthetic
values, which this management agreement will help to preserve, maintain, and
protect water quality and important aquatic resources and habitats of the
Pamunkey River; and

WHEREAS, the specific natural, ecological, research, educational, and
aesthetic values of Sweet Hall Marsh are documented in the ecological survey
made by the Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS) on behalf of the
Grantee and dated August 31, 1990 (Exhibit Q, which will serve as an
information base for monitoring and enforcement purposes and will be kept
current by VIMS; and

WHEREAS, this Management Agreement is being made with the intention and
understanding of both the Grantor and Grantee that the subject property will
be designated as a component of the Chesapeake Bay National Estuarine
Research Reserve System in Virginia and the National Estuarine Research
Reserve System; and

WHEREAS, the Grantor desires and intends that the natural, ecological,
research, educational, and aesthetic values of Sweet Hall Marsh shall be
preserved and maintained by restricting and limiting the use of the land and
contiguous water areas of the property, on the terms and conditions and for
the purposes hereinafter set forth, and the Grantee is willing to accept
responsibility for managin&the property for the purpose of conducting basic
scientific and applied research and providing timely and accurate
information to the Grantor and the citizens of the Commonwealth regarding
the quality and conservation of the resources, both living and non-living,
of Sweet Hall Marsh, on the terms and conditions and for the purposes
hereinafter set forth; and

159

NOW THEREFORE, as an absolute gift gift of no monetary consideration
($0.00) but in consideration of the mutual covenants, terms, conditions, and
restrictions hereinafter set forth, the Grantor hereby conveys to the
Grantee, its successors, and assigns for a period of five (5) years a
Management Agreement for the purpose of research, observation, and education
and to the extent hereinafter set forth with respect to Sweet Hall Marsh.

To achieve these objectives, the following conditions and restrictions
are set forth:

ARTICLE I. GENERAL PURPOSE AND DURATION

1. General Purpose - The purpose of this Management Agreement is to
preserve and protect the environment of Sweet Hall Marsh and to maintain its
natural and cultural values and its dominant scenic, rural, woodland, and
wetland character so that the property remains suitable for long-term
research on natural and human processes occurring within the Pamunkey River
Tributary of the Chesapeake Bay.

2. Duration - This Management Agreement shall be valid for a 5 year
period, and the terms, conditions, restrictions and purposes imposed with
this Management Agreement shall not only be binding on the Grantor but also
the Grantor's agents, personal representatives, heirs, assigns and all other
successors to the Grantor's interests for the duration of the Management
Agreement, subject to the agreed upon termination provisions. This
Management Agreement may be renegotiated at the end of the 5 year period at
the discretion of both parties.

ARTICLE II. MANAGEMENT OBJECTIVES

3. Management Plan PreRaration and ImRlementation - There shall be a
Management Plan prepared for Sweet Hall Marsh to provide general guidelines
for the current and future use of the property. The Management Plan shall
address appropriate wetlands and forest management activities, wildlife and
waterfowl needs, and research and education uses of Sweet Hall Marsh, and it
shall provide any other applicable guidelines for the conservation of
natural resources.

The Management Plan shall be prepared by VIMS, in consultation with
other resource management agencies of the Commonwealth, and shall be
submitted to the Grantor and Grantee for their review and approval, within 6
months of the execution of this Management Agreement. The Grantor and
Grantee shall meet at least annually, and more frequently at the request of
either party, to review the Management Plan and research results and, where
appropriate, to develop more specific recommendations for carrying out
certain aspects of the Plan. The Management Plan shall be updated at least
every 5 years.

160

Marsh and shall be responsible for seeing that research conducted on the
property is conducted in a manner consistent with the goals of the
Chesapeake Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve System in Virginia, the
objectives of the Management Plan, and the wishes of the Grantor and
Grantee. The on-site manager will be the Grantee's primary representative
for the purpose of monitoring uses of the property for consistency with this
Management Agreement.

5. Natural Area Preservation - Sweet Hall Marsh shall be maintained
as open space, wildlife and waterfowl habitat, and a natural field
laboratory for research, consistent with the resource protection policies of
the Grantor. Any industrial and commercial activities shall be prohibited
on Sweet Hall Marsh. The protection and conservation of the marsh and
bottomlands subject to this Management Agreement is consistent with the
goals and policies of the Chesapeake Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve
System in Virginia.

6. Research and Education - Sweet Hall Marsh shall be used for
research and education activities associated with the Chesapeake Bay
National Estuarine Research Reserve System in Virginia. Research and
education uses of Sweet Hall Marsh shall be in accordance with the
principles, objectives, and performance standards set forth in the
Management Plan developed by VIMS and approved by the Grantor and Grantee,
it being understood that the proposed research and education activities will
not involve large groups of people or continuous or frequent visits to the
site by other than the few regularly designated research personnel of VIMS.
A steering committee shall be convened by VIMS to assist in the review and
approval of proposals for research and education activities at Sweet Hall
Marsh. Proposals and activities shall be approved by the Grantor and
Grantee. Such approval shall not be unreasonably withheld.

7. Information Exchange - Research and education activities conducted
at Sweet Hall Marsh shall be used to enhance awareness, understanding, and
wise use of estuarine environments. VIMS shall provide the Grantor and
Grantee with an annual report on research and education activities conducted
at Sweet Hall Marsh and shall disseminate timely and accurate information to
the Governor, General Assembly, State and local agencies, industry, and
citizens of the Commonwealth regarding the living and non-living resources
of Sweet Hall Marsh and their relationship to the Chesapeake Bay system and
the coastal waters of the Commonwealth of Virginia.

ARTICLE III. CONTROLLED ACTIVITIES

8. Wetlands and Forest Maintenance - Wetlands shall be protected and
maintained in accordance with the Management Plan and the Wetland Guidelines
developed pursuant to Chapter 2.1 of Title 62.1 of the Code of Virginia.
Forest management activities shall be conducted in accordance with Best
Management Practices promulgated by the Commonwealth of Virginia, Division
of Forestry and recommended by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest
Service and Soil Conservation Service. There shall be no other destruction
or alteration of wetlands on Sweet Hall Marsh, except as needed to eradicate
noxious plant species, and as approved by the Grantor and Grantee.

161

Management activities shall not materially impair the scenic quality of
Sweet Hall Marsh.

9. Waterfowl and Wildlife Maintenance - Waterfowl and wildlife
maintenance activities shall be conducted in accordance with the Management
Plan. In general, such activities shall be limited to maintenance of
existing habitat and minor improvements, where necessary (such as tree
thinning to improve understory vegetation, opening of small areas to provide
a greater diversity of habitats, raising and releasing of geese and ducks),
and as approved by the Grantor and Grantee. Any waterfowl and wildlife
management activities shall be carried out under the guidance of the
Commonwealth of Virginia, Department of Came and Inland Fisheries and the
U.S. Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service. Any plant and
insect management activities that may affect species of plants or insects
protected under the Virginia Endangered Plant and Insect Species Act shall
be carried out under the guidance of the Virginia Department of Agriculture
and Consumer Services.

10. Hunting and Fishing - The Grantor may pursue such hunting and
fishing activities as it may elect as long as such activities are in
compliance with applicable state or federal law.

11. Water Quali!-:y - There shall be no human activities on or uses of
Sweet Hall Marsh that are detrimental or adverse to the maintenance and
conservation of surface and subsurface water quality. There shall be no
manipulation or alteration of natural water courses, shorelines, marshes or
other water bodies, nor shall there be activities conducted on or around
Sweet Hall Marsh or the Pamunkey River that could alter natural water level,
flow, salinity, or turbidity of Sweet Hall Marsh or the Pamunkey River, or
both.

12. Structures, Roads, and Trails - There shall be no restrictions on
the Grantor's right to construct hunting blinds or install nesting boxes or
similar structures throughout the marsh. There shall be no new buildings,
facilities, piers, roads, or trails constructed on Sweet Hall Marsh, except
those designed, constructed and utilized by the Grantee for research,
education, and naturalistic purposes. Any such construction must be planned
for in the Management Plan, and approved by the Grantor and Grantee.
Similarly, removal of existing research or education structures must be
planned for in the Management Plan and approved by the Grantor and Grantee.

13. Signs and Billboards - Display of billboards, signs or other
advertisements is not permitted on or over Sweet Hall Marsh except to state
the name and/or address of the owner, to provide notice of the designation
as a Chesapeake Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve in Virginia, to post
the property as a No Wake Zone, and/or to post the property against
trespass.

14. Subdivision - Sweet Hall Marsh shall not be partitioned or
subdivided during the life of this management agreement.

162

15. Excavation, Dredging, and Mining - Excavation, dredging, mining
and removal of loam, gravel, soil, rock, sand, coal, petroleum and other
materials or alteration of the topography of the land is prohibited on the
Sweet Hall Marsh except as related to the collection of geological data.
Such activities shall be planned for in the Management Plan and approved by
the Grantor and Grantee.

16. Industrial and Commercial Activities - No industrial or commercial
activities shall be conducted at Sweet Hall Marsh.

17. Trash, Rubbish, and Waste - Neither the Grantor or the Grantee
shall authorize dumping of soil, trash, ashes, garbage, waste, or offensive
materials on Sweet Hall Marsh or filling in of any wetland, pond or waterway
and such dumping shall be absolutely prohibited. Neither the Grantor or the
Grantee shall not be responsible for unauthorized dumping.

18. Off Road Vehicles - Neither the Grantor or the Grantee shall
authorize operation of motor vehicles, trail bikes or all-terrain vehicles
on Sweet Hall Marsh, except as related to research and hunting activities
approved by the Grantor.

ARTICLE IV. ENFORCEMENT AND REMEDIES

19. Iniunctive Relief and Restoration - Upon any breach of the terms
of this management agreement by the Grantor, its successors and assigns or
the Grantee, its successors and assigns, the breaching party may be subject
to suit to (1) enjoin any breach or enforce any covenant by temporary
restraining order, preliminary and/or permanent injunction; (2) require that
the property be restored promptly to the condition required by this
management agreement; or (3) seek any other remedy available, in law or
equity, to assure compliance with the terms of this Management Agreement.

20. Perpetual Right of Enforcement - Failure on the part of the
Grantee to enforce any covenant or provision hereof shall not discharge or
invalidate such covenant, or any other covenant, condition, or provision
hereof, or affect the right of the Grantee to enforce the same in the event
of a subsequent breach or default.

ARTICLE V. GRANTOR'S RIGHTS

21. Grantor's Rights - The Grantor expressly reserves to itself, its
personal representatives, heirs, successors and assigns the right to:

a. Continue the naturalistic uses of Sweet Hall Marsh under the
terms and conditions set forth herein;

b. Continue to hunt, fish or trap on Sweet Hall Marsh and raise
and release ducks and geese subject to applicable laws;

C. Improve, repair, restore, alter, remove, remodel, or replace
permitted structures, provided that such activity is
consistent with the Management Plan; and

163

d. Continue the use of Sweet Hall Marsh for all purposes
consistent with this Management Agreement.

ARTICLE VI. RIGHTS OF GRANTEE

22. Rights of Grantee - To accomplish the purpose of this Management
Agreement the following rights are conveyed to the Grantee by this
Management Agreement:

a. To preserve and protect the conservation values of the Sweet
Hall Marsh;

b. To enter upon the Sweet Hall Marsh at reasonable times in order
to conduct approved research and educational projects and to
monitor Grantor's compliance with and otherwise enforce the
terms of this Management Agreement; provided that such entry
shall be upon prior reasonable notice to Grantor, such entry
shall be by water, and shall not unreasonably interfere with
Grantor's use and quiet enjoyment of the Sweet Hall Marsh; and
further provided that any such entry during a period commencing
two' weeks prior to the migratory waterfowl seasons in the
Commonwealth of Virginia shall be made only with prior notice
to and consent from the Grantor, which consent may be withheld
in the grantor's sole discretion;

c. To give permission to research scientists to conduct research
and educational. projects approved for the Sweet Hall Marsh
National Estuarine Research Reserve, provided that permittees
carry and display an official permit issued by the Grantee and
approved by the Grantor; and

d. To prevent any activities or use of the Sweet Hall Marsh that
is inconsistent with the purposes of thks Management Agreement
and to require the restoration of such areas or features or the
Sweet Hall Marsh that may be damaged by any inconsistent
activity or use.

ARTICLE VII. GRANTOR'S AND GRANTEE'S LIABILITY

23. UpkeeR by Grantor - The Grantor, its successors, and assigns
further agrees that it shall be responsible for upkeep of Sweet Hall Marsh
and shall hold the Grantee, its successors and assigns harmless from charges
or liens arising out of upkeep or taxes.

24. Taxes - The Grantor agrees to pay any and all real property taxes
and assessments levied by competent authority on the property.

25. Grantor's Liability - The Grantor, its successors, and assigns
shall not be held responsible for injury to persons or damages to property
arising out of any research or educational activity being conducted on Sweet
Hall Marsh pursuant to the Management Plan and this management agreement,
except those arising out of the negligence of the Grantor, its successors,

164

and assigns. All persons participating in research or educational
activities at Sweet Hall Marsh must sign a liability release form
indemnifying and holding harmless the Grantor, its officers, directors,
agents, and guests, from any and all liability, claims, or expenses for
injury, death or damages to self or property, including without limitation
attorney's fees, resulting from or arising out of or in anyway relating to
the activities of the Grantee, any of its representatives, agents or guests,
or resulting from, or occurring in the course of transit to or from Sweet
Hall Marsh. A copy of the release form appears as Exhibit D.

The Grantee has inspected Sweet Hall Marsh and accepts its condition
flas is" as described in Exhibit C. Any existing conditions or future
conaitions relating to permitted uses of Sweet Hall Marsh by the Grantor,
including without limitation any hunting and fishing activities, shall not
constitute conditions giving rise to a claim of negligence on the part of
the Grantor or to any potential liability for damage to property or injury
to person. The Grantor's liability for all other activities on Sweet Hall
Marsh shall remain in effect.

26. Grantee's LiabilLty - The Commonwealth of Virginia and all its
agencies and institutions are covered by a self-insurance program as
authorized by Section 2.1-526.8 of the Code of Virginia which is based upon
a comprehensive general liability manuscript policy form as shown in Exhibit
E. All persons who are not employees of the Commonwealth must receive
approval from the Grantor and furnish evidence of liability coverage in the
amount of $100,000/$300,000/$100,000 before participating in research or
education activities at Sweet Hall Marsh. All persons, whether employees of
the Commonwealth or not, shall sign a liability release form referenced in
paragraph 25 and appearing in Exhibit D.

ARTICLE VIII. PUBLIC ACCESS

28. Public Access - The granting of this Management Agreement does not
grant to the public any right to enter the property. The Grantor reserves
the right to place a gate or chain with a lock across any and all roads
leading into Sweet Hall Marsh. If a lock is employed, a key will be made
available to the Grantee to use for authorized purposes by authorized
personnel only in accordance with the Management Plan and the terms of this
agreement. The Grantee's right of entry permits use of the Grantor's pier
for a tide guage, water quality sampling, and other activities approved by
the Grantor, but does not include access to the interior of buildings or
structures. All other protection against trespass by the public shall
remain in effect.

ARTICLE IX. MISCELLANNEOUS

28. Transfer and Reversion - The Grantor agrees to send in writing to
the Grantee the names and addresses of any party to whom Sweet Hall Marsh is
to be transeferred at the time said transfer is executed. The Grantee
agrees to hold this Management Agreement exclusively for conservation
purposes, and that it will not transfer the management agreement in exchange
for money, other property, or services. This provision shall not preclude

165

the Grantee from using the monetary value of any donations or gifts from the
Grantor as match for money, other property, or services that will contribute
to fulfilling the objectives of the Management Plan or the terms of this
agreement.

The Grantee may assign its rights under this Management Agreement to
the Virginia Institute of Marine Science in such manner as to achieve the
purposes and conditions herein. If any such assignee shall cease to exist
or abandon this Kanagement Agreement or the rights and duties of
enforcement herein set force, or if proceedings are instituted for
condemnation of this Management Agreement, the Management Agreement and
rights of enforcement shall revert to the Grantee. If the Grantee shall be
dissolved and if the terms of the dissolution fail to provide a successor,
then the court shall appoint an appropriate successor as Grantee.

29. Termination - In the event that circumstances arise that cause
Sweet Hall Marsh to be withdrawn from the Chesapeake Bay National Estuarine
Research Reserve System in Virginia, cause the Chesapeake Bay National
Estuarine Research Reserve System in Virginia to cease to exist, or cause
the Grantee to not have sufficient funds to -conduct research under the
Chesapeake Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve System in Virginia, this
management agreement shall be terminated by the Grantee by providing 90 days
written notice to the Grantor. If either party breaches the terms and
conditions of this management agreement, the other party may terminate this
management agreement with 90 days written notice.

30. Right of First Refusal - The Grantor agrees that, before extending
any irrevocable offer or entering into any unconditional contract to sell
Sweet Hall Marsh to any person other than a shareholder of the Grantor or an
entity controlling, controlled by or under common control with the Grantor,
or any relative of any of the foregoing, the Grantor shall first provide the
Grantee with 30 days written notice of the price at which it is willing to
sell Sweet Hall Marsh and providing the Grantee with a first right to
negotiate a purchase thereof. If, at the end of such 30 day period, the
Grantor and Grantee shall not have entered into an agreement in principle as
to the material terms and conditions of a proposed sale of Sweet Hall Marsh
to Grantee or, if within 30 days after the date of such agreement in
principle, the Grantor and Grantee shall not have entered into a definitive
agreement for the sale of Sweet Hall Marsh to Grantee, the Grantor shall be
free to make irrevocable offers, enter into such unconditional contracts, or
otherwise offer to sell Sweet Hall Marsh as it may elect in its sole
discretion.

31. Notification - The Grantor agrees to notify the Grantee, in
writing, before exercising any reserved right the exercise of which may have
an adverse impact on the conservation interests associated with Sweet Hall
Marsh. Any notices by the Grantor to the Grantee pursuant to any provision
hereof shall be sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt
requested, addressed to Coleman Wortham, III, Davenport & Co. of Virginia,
Inc., 801 E. Main Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219, with a copy to William
T. Reed, III, P.O. Box 310, Manakin-Sabot, Virginia 23103.

166

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Grantor and Grantee have hereunto set their hands
and seals the day and year above written.

Grantor:

(SEAL)

9-27-90 (DATE)

ACCEPTED BY

AS GRANTEE:

(SEAL)

10-29-70 (DATE)

167

APPROVED AS TO FORM:

Assistant Attorney General for the
Attorney General of Virginia

RECOMMEND:

Directoj@-
Division of Engineering and Buildings

RECOMMEND:

Dikegeor
Department of General Services

APPROVED FOR THE GOVERNOR:

Pursuant to the provisions of Section 2.1-504.2, Code of
Virginia (1950), as amended, and by authority of Executive
Order 78 (89), dated December 21, 1989, 1 hereby approve the
acquisition of the demised premises pursuant to this
management agreement and the execution of this instrument
for, on behalf of, and in the stead of the Governor of
Virginia.

-�e&retary/f Pministration

Date
A24'1@

168

APPENDIX B Shorelines
MANAGEMENT POLICIES Shorelines shall be preserved in their natu-
FOR YORK RIVER SITES ral state and existing condition. Restoration
of severely eroding shorelines by planting na-
Designated Research Reserves shall be tive vegetation may be allowed with approval
managed to maintain its aesthetic, topographi- on an individual basis as an applied research.
cal, and biological integrity. The Reserve shall Opposition to existing and/or proposed off-
be maintained as open space, fish and wild- site activities Will be considered if such activi-
life habitat, and natural field laboratory for des may adversely affect existing shoreline
nonmanipulative research. The following poli- and/or water resources along or within re-
cies will apply. serve boundaries.
ceology Pertinent statuks. Mlations and gViddin&
Surface and subsurface features possessing Virginia Erosion and Sediment Control Law
unique geological characteristics shall be Hydrologic Modifications--Best Management
maintained and protected so as to preserve Practices
those characteristics from unwarranted dis- Subaqueous Guidelines
turbance and/or destruction. Visitor access Coastal Primary Sand Dune Protection Act
to these features will be limited to insure pro- Federal Clean Water Act, Section 401
tection of the features and the safety of the Federal Coastal Zone Management Act
visitor. VIMS wRI work with the Department
of Mines, Minerals and Energy to have a geo- Stream Beds and Channeh
logical survey conducted at each reserve site. Stream beds and channels shall be pre-
Surveys must be conducted by a qualified ge- served in their natural state and existing con-
ologist, recognized in the areas of field inves- dition. There shall be no manipulation or
tigation. alteration of natural water courses, channels,
or other water bodies, nor shall there be con-
Pertinent statutes, Molations- and g3@idelines ducted activities on or around the reserve
Virginia Cave Protection Act site that could alter natural water level, flow,
Coastal Primary Sand Dune Protection Act or both except in conjunction with applied
research projects where the impact will be
soils temporary and nondestructive. Opposition to
Excavation, mining, or removal of loam, existing and/or proposed off-site activities will
gravel, rock, sand, coal, petroleum, or miner- be considered if such activities may adversely
als or alteration of topography shall not be affect natural water courses, channels, levels,
permitted except as related to the collection flow, or other resources within the reserve
of.geological and geophysical data. Areas de- boundaries.
voted to agricultural use or areas subject to
user impact, such as trails, should be devel- Pertinent statutes, Mlations and oidelin
oped and/or maintained to minimize dam- Hydrologic Modifications-Best Management
age to and loss of existing soils. Soil maps Practices
and soil suitabilities shall be obtained or de- Watercourses Generally
veloped for each research reserve. Minimum Instream Flow Generally
Subaqueous Guidelines
Pertinent statutes, rColations and oidelines Federal Clean Water Act, Section 401
Virginia Erosion and Sediment Control Law
Agriculture-Best Management Practices Water Quality
Guidelines on Construction and Maintenance There shall be no human activities or uses
of Trails (to be developed) of the reserve site that are detrimental or

169

adverse to the maintenance, improvement or use of the property. Disease, insect, or exotic
conservation of existing surface and ground plant control, facility development, and/or
water supplies and quality. All activities within stand improvement considerations in the
a reserve must be conducted so as to avoid buffer zones shall be the controlling or moti-
violation of established State Water Control vating factors behind decisions to harvest or
Board Water Quality Standards. treat timber. Any harvesting of timber will be
conducted in accordance with guidelines es-
Pertinent statutes, rWAlations and aguidelines tablished by VDOE The research reserve pro-
Waters of the State, Ports and Harbors gram shall work with the Virginia Department
Federal Clean Water Act of Forestry to develop an inventory and evalu-
Standards of Water Quality (established by ation of standing timber at each site. VIMS
State Water Control Board) will work with the Virginia Department of
Minimum Instream Flow Generally Agriculture and Consumer Affairs to survey
Sources Affecting Ground Water-Best Man- timber stands for forest pests, disease, and
agement Practices exotic and rare/endangered plant species and
Hazardous Waste Management Reglations to develop appropriate pest/disease manage-
ment procedures.
Air Quality Perfinent statutes, revoulations and guidelines
No activities shall be permitted in the re- Forestrym--Best Management Practices
serve that have the potential to cause air pol- Gypsy Moth Control Guidelines (to be devel-
lution which exceeds acceptable air quality oped)
standards. Air quality.will be monitored at
appropriate sites. Fish and Wildlife
Pertinmt statutes, nVilations and guiddines Game and nongame species shall be man-
Federal Clean Air Act aged to preserve the overall health of the
Virginia Air Pollution Control Law various populations within the reserve and
Regulations for the Control and Abatement to maintain fish and wildlife habitat. Tradi-
of Air Pollution tional hunting, fishing, oystering, and trap-
ping will be allowed, consistent with appli-
Wetlands cable laws. VIMS will work cooperatively with
All tidal and nontidal wetlands located the Virginia Department of Game and In-
within or along reserve boundaries shall be land Fisheries to establish reserve-specific wild-
protected in a natural condition. Wetlands life management plans.
include bogs, swamps, freshwater and tidal Pertinent statutes, regulations and vauidelines
vegetated marshes, and unvegetated flats.
Pertinent statutes, LegLilations and gAidelines Forestry-Best Management Practices
Virginia Wetlands Act Agriculture-Best Management Practices
Federal Clean Water Act, Section 404 and Game and Inland Fisheries Hunting Regula-
Section 401 tion
Virginia Marine Resources Commission Fish-
Forests ing Regulations
Timber management within the core area Rare, Threatened orEndangered Species
of reserve lands should be directed toward Areas identified as possessing rare, threat-
the development and preservation of signifi- ened or endangered species shall be man-
cant old growth stands, except where selec- aged, according to recommended regulations
tive harvesting of mature trees is a traditional and guidelines, to preserve and protect the

170

species. The presence of an endangered or Signs and Billboards
threatened species shall not necessarily pre- Display of signs, billboards, or other adver-
clude confinued or proposed uses of an area. tisements shall not be permitted on or over
The flora and fauna on research reserves will the reserve sites except to state the name
be surveyed, identified and classified with the and/or address of the owner, to provide no-
assistance of the Virginia Natural Heritage tice of the designation as a Chesapeake Bay
Program and Department of Game and In- National Estuarine Research Reserve, and/
land Fisheries. or to post the property against trespass or
littering.
Pertinent s tatu tes, revoulations and guidelines
Federal and State Endangered Species Act Fire
Virginia Endangered Plan and Insect Species A proactive fire plan to consider wildland
Act fire prevention and supression will be devel-
oped in cooperation with the Department of
Traditional Uses Forestry. A two@-phased approach to the pre-
Traditional hunting, trapping, oystering, vention, management, and suppression of fire
and fishing activities will be allowed in accor- will be encouraged. The plan win take into
dance with applicable laws. Private landown- consideration that fire is a natural process in
ers may place noncommercial blinds on the forest ecology and will not seek to control all
reserve for personal use or use by assigns. fires. However, proactive plans to protect
Agricultural and silvicultural activities within structures, and other significant resources
the buffer areas of research lands will be con- which are sensitive to fire damage and to pro-
ducted in accordance with environmentally tect human safety will also be developed. Any
sound practices (BMPs). prescribed burns to be used for resource man-
agement purposes will be conducted only un-
Pertinmt statutes, Mlations and &Ldelines der the supervision of a qualified master
Game and Inland Fisheries Hunting Regula- burner.
tions
Virginia Marine Resources Commission Fish- Pertinent statutes, Mlations and guidelines
ing Regulations Forest Wardens and Fires
Virginia Erosion and Sediment Control Law
Virginia Pesticide Law Trash, Rubbish and Waste
Agriculture-Best Management Practices No soil, trash, ashes, garbage, hazardous
waste, or offensive materials shall be dumped
Structures, Roads and Trails or deposited on the research reserve site. No
No new buildings, facilities, structures, wetland, pond, or waterway shall be filled.
piers, roads or trails shall be constructed on
the reserve site, except those designed, con- Off-Road Vehicles
structed, utilized in, and accessary to re- No motor vehicles, trail bikes, or all-ter-
search, education, hunting and naturalistic rain vehicles shall be operated at the reserve
uses of the reserve site. Such construction site, except in designated buffer areas and/
shall only be permissable only after the envi- or for official reserve management opera-
ronmental impact of any such construction tions.
is fully assessed and approved. Similarly, re-
moval of existing structures shall be assessed
for potential envi .ronmental impact. There Archaeolo cal and Histarical Sites
shall be no compulsion to remove existing and 01@eds
structures. Reserve sites shall be inventoried to locate
sites and objects possessing prehistoric and/

171

or historic significance and plans to protect Landmarks. Use of metal detectors by public
such sites and objects shall be prepared. Ac- visitors is prohibited.
tivities which may in some way affect signifi-
cant sites or objects shall require review and/ Pertinent statutes, regulations and guidelines
or permitting by the Division of Historic Division of Parks and Recreation Regulation
Landmarks and approved by reserve man- No. 5
ager. Virginia Antiquities Act
Pertinent statutes, revulatiow and vouidelines Virginia Cave Protection Act
Virginia Antiquities Act Manipulative Research
Virginia Cave Protection Act In order to protect the natural integrity of
1986 Appropriations Act the research reserve, no manipulative re-
National Historic Preservation Act search activities with a significant or long-term
adverse impact on reserve resources shall be
Histofic Buildings, Structures allowed. Habitat manipulation for resource
and 01@ects management purpose shall not be allowed,
Historic structures shall be protected and except as allowed under policies for shore-
preserved and the history of such structures lines, timber, fish, wildlife, and fire manage-
shall be incorporated in the reserve's inter- ment. If waivers of certain policies or por-
pretive offerings where appropriate. Eligible tions of policies are determined to benefit
structures shall be surveyed and evaluated for the overall management of the research re-
nomination to the Virginia Landmarks Reg- serve system, they could be considered on an
ister and the National Register of Historic individual basis.
Places. Buildings and structures possessing
historic significance shall he protected by es- Indust-yial and Commercial Activities
tablished statutes and regulations. Plans for -No industrial or commercial activities shall
the alteration, remodeling, or redecoration be conducted in. the research reserve core
of historic structures on the Virginia Land- area, with the exception of commercial fish-
marks Register must be submitted to the Di- ing.
vision of Historic Landmarks for review and
comment to insure that the historic and/or RELEVANT STATE STATUTES
architectural integrity of these properties is AND REGULATIONS
maintained. AFFECTING PROPOSED
Pertinent statutes, reMations and -ouidelines RESERVE SITES
1986 Appropriations Act Endangered Plant and Insect Species
Division of Engineering and Buildings Direc-
tive No. 1 Act
National Historic Preservation Act The Endangered Plant and Insect Species
Act (Va. Code Ann. Sec. 3.1-1020 et seq.)
Collection of Natural, Histofical makes it unlawful for any person to dig, take,
or Cultural Resources cut, process, or otherwise collect, remove,
All collecting of plant, animal, mineral, or transport, possess, sell, offer for sale, or give
fossil specimens shall. require the prior issu- away any species native to or occuring in the
ance of a collecting permit by VIMS and the wild in Virginia that are listed as threatened
Division of State Parks, where appropriate. or endangered.
The collection of historic or archaeological A license is required to cut or collect any
artifacts will be allowed only with collecting threatened species and records of purchases
permits approved by the Division of Historic must be kept. Any person who violates the

172

provisions will be found guilty of a Class 4 iting air pollution. The Board may create lo-
misdemeanor. cal air pollution control districts to assist the
Department in its air monitoring programs,
Erosion and Sediment Control Law to initiate and make studies relating to air
The Erosion and Sediment Control Law pollution and make recommendations to the
(Va. Code Ann. Sec. 10.1-560 et seq.) states Board. Any owner violating this law shall be
that the Board of Agriculture and Consumer guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be subject
Services shall create regulations for the ef- to a fine of not more than $1000 for each
fective control of soil erosion, sediment depo- violation within the discretion of the court.
sition and nonagricultural runoff to prevent Each day of continued violation after convic-
unreasonable degradation of properties, tion shall constitute a separate offense.
stream channels, waters and other natural re-
sources. Virginia Waste Management Ad
Land-disturbing activities are regulated by The Virginia Waste Management Act (Va.
the Act as well. No person may engage in any Code Ann. Sec. 10.1-1400 et seq.) allows for
land-disturbing activity until an erosion and the creation of the Virginia Waste Manage-
sediment control plan for the land-disturb- ment Board which shall consist of seven Vir-
ing activity has been reviewed and approved. ginia residents appointed by the Governor.
Violations or noncompliance will result in the The Department of Waste Management is
stopping of all or part of the land-disturbing continued and also has the power to admin-
activities. Penalties, injunctions, and other le- ister the policies and regulations established
gal actions are outlined in the Act for those by the Board. The Act provides for the re-
found in noncompliance or violation. quirement of a permit to operate a sanitary
landfill or other facility for the disposal, treat-
Stormwater Management ment or storage of nonhazardous sollid waste.
The Erosion and Sediment Control Law Open dumps are prohibited. Revocation of
also provides for the establishment of permits is outlined and the Board is given
stormwater management programs. The De- the power to promulgate regulations. Any per-
partment of Agriculture and Consumer Ser- son may submit to the Board a notice of in-
vices is authorized to promulgate regulations tent to file an application for a certification
which specify minimum criteria and adminis- of site approval. The applicant shall submit
trative procedures for stormwater manage- to the Board a draft impact analysis for the
ment programs in Virginia. A local govern- proposed facility within ninety days after the
ment which has adopted a stormwater man- initial briefing meeting. Any person who vio-
agement program must grant written approval lates any provision of this Act or regulation
of a plan, the conditions for approval, etc. shall be assessed a civil penalty of not more
within a specified time period. Any person than $10,000 for each day of such violation.
who violates any provision of a local ordi-
nance or program shall be guilty of a misde- Histofic Resources Act
meanor. The Department of Historic Resources is
created in the Act (Va. Code Ann. Sec. 10.1-
Air Pollution Control Board 2200 et seq.) and shall be headed by a Direc-
The State Air Pollution Control Board is tor. The Virginia, Historic Landmarks Board
created by this chapter (Va. Code Ann. Sec. is continued as the Board of Historic Re-
10.1-1300 et seq.) and shall be composed of sources with seven members appointed by the
five members appointed by the Governor for Governor. The Board may promulgate regu-
four-year terms. The Board has the power to lations necessary to carry out the provisions
promulgate regulations, including emergency of the Act. Underwater historic property shall
regulations, abating, controlling and prohib- be preserved and protected and shall be the
exclusive property of the Commonwealth. Any

173

person violating the provisions of this sec- Tidal Wetlands Ad
tion shall be guilty of a Class I misdemeanor Standards apply for the use and develop-
and, in addition, shall forfeit to the Com- ment of wetlands and shall be considered in
monwealth any objects recovered. the determination of whether applications re-
quired by this chapter should be granted or
Endangered Species Ad denied. The provisions of the guidelines pro-
In this section the General Assembly de- mulgated by the Commissioner of Marine Re-
clares that certain species of fish or wildlife sources shall be considered in applying the
are threatened with extinction and are en- foregoing standards. No person may conduct
tided to preservation and protection as a mat- any activity which would require a permit un-
ter of general state concern (Va. Code Ann. der a wetlands zoning ordinance unless he
Sec. 29-230 et seq.). The Commission of has such permit. The person must apply di-
Game and Inland Fisheries is authorized to rectly to the Marine Resources Commission
issue regulations to implement the provisions for a permit. Any person who knowingly, in-
of this section. Any person who violates the tentionally, negligently or continually violates
provisions of this section shall be punished any order, rule or regulation will be guilty of
by a fine of not more than $1000, or impris- a misdemeanor. Following conviction, every
onment not to exceed six months, or both. day the violation continues shall be deemed
The Commission may permit the taking, ex- a separate offense.
portation, transportation or possession of any
fish or wildlife which is listed hy the provi- Coastal Nmary Sand Dune A et
sions of this chapter for zoological, educa- In order to implement the policy in this
tional, or scientific purposes, wherever such chapter, the Commission promulgates guide-
activities are permitted under federal law, lines which set forth the consequences of the
regulation, or permit. use of these dunes. No person shall conduct
any activity which would require a permit un-
Wzwcowses and Subaqueous Beds der a coastal primary sand dune ordinance
In Section 62.1-1 of the Annotated Virginia unless he has such permit. In the Coastal Pri-
Code and its associated sections, all the beds mary Sand Dune Protection Act or an ordi-
of the bays, rivers, creeks and the shores of nance adopted pursuant to it, all the dudes
the sea within the jurisdiction of the Com- and responsibilities and procedures specified
monwealth not conveyed by special grant or in the Wetlands Act win be followed.
compact will continue to remain the prop-
erty of the Commonwealth of Virginia. The Fish, Oysters, Shel@ftsh, etc.
Marine Resources Commission is given the In Section 28.1-1 et seq. of the Annotated
authority to issue permits for all other rea- Virginia Code, the Marine Resources Com-
sonable uses of state-owned bottomlands. A mission jurisdiction extends to the fall line
fee of $25 shall be paid for issuing each per- of all tidal rivers and streams and the Com-
mit, but if the cost of the project or facility is mission shall have the jurisdiction over all
more than $10,000, the fee paid shall be $100. commercial fishing and all marine fish, ma-
A fee of $25 shall be paid for recovery of rine shellfish, and marine organisms below
underwater historic property. All royalties or the fall line on all tidal waters of the Com-
:ftmds that are collected from such agreements monwealth. It is unlawful for any person to
or contracts shall be paid into the state trea- remove from the waters of this state under
sury to the credit of the Special Public Oys- the jurisdiction of the Commission any ma-
ter Rocks Replenishment Fund. rine fish, marine shellfish, or marine organ-
isms without having first a collection permit.
The Commission shall have the power to es-
tablish a license commensurate with other

174,

licenses in the amount not to exceed $100 tance Board. The Board is authorized to pro-
for any device used for the taking and catch- vide land use and development and water
ing of seafood in the waters of the Common- quality protection information. The Board
wealth. The Commission, after ten days' no- shall also promulgate regulations which es-
tice to any person having a license issued to tablish criteria for use by local governments
it may revoke such license for violations of to determine the ecological and geographic
any provisions of this title. extent of Chesapeake Bay Preservation Ar-
eas. Local governments will employ the crite-
Groundwater Act of 1973 ria to ensure that the use and development
The administration and enforcement of the of land in Chesapeake Bay Preservation Ar-
provisions of this chapter he with the State eas shall be accomplished in a manner that
Water Control Board and The Department protects the quality of the state's waters. The
of Health jointly (Va. Code Ann. Sec. 62.1- Board adopted regulations on September 20,
44.83). No certificate of groundwater right, 1989. These regulations give Tidewater local
permit or registration statement authorized governments until September 20, 1990 to des-
by this chapter will be required for any water ignate Chesapeake Bay Preservation Areas
withdrawal of less than 300,000 gallons a and employ performance criteria within
month for groundwater withdrawn for agri- them.
cultural and livestock purposes. The Board
may require persons who withdraw more than
300,000 gallons of water per month in a
groundwater management area for the same
purposes to report the amount of withdrawal.
Whenever, after a public hearing, the Board
finds that the permit holder is wilfully violat-
ing any provision of a permit the Board may
cancel or suspend such certificate or impose
conditions on the use therof in order to pre-
vent future violations. Any person adjudged
to have violated provisions of this chapter shall
be guilty of a misdemeanor.

Scenic Riven Act
In the Scenic Rivers Act (Va. Code Ann.
Sec. 10.1400 et seq.) the Director of the De-
partment of Conservation and Recreation is
empowered to identify rivers or sections of
rivers that should be considered for designa-
tion because of their scenic, recreational and
historic attributes. The agency designated by
the General Assembly shall administer the see-
nic river or section to preserve and protect
its use and enjoyment, periodically survey the
scenic river and its irm-nediate environs and
monitor all existing and proposed uses.
Chesapeake Bay Preservation Act
The Act (Va. Code Ann. Sec. 10-313 et seq.)
establishes the Chesapeake Bay Local Assis-

175

FEDERAL JURISDICTIONS AFFECTING PROPOSED RESERVE SITES
Agency JuYisdiction Legislation
Army Corps of Engineers Dredging, filling, dumping, Clean Water Act, Sec. 404; Rivers
hazards to navigation, wetlands in and Harbors Act, Sec. 10, as
rivers and larger tributaries amended

Department of Commerce, Office Oversight of National Estuarine Coastal Zone Management Act, as
of Ocean and Coastal Resource Research Reserve and State amended
Management Coastal Zone Management pro-
grams

National Marine Fisheries Service Marine fisheries resources, endan- Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act
gered species, marine mammals of 1934, Endangered Species Act
of 1972, Commercial Fisheries
Research and Development Act of
1964, Anadromous Fish Conserva-
tion Act of 1965

Sea Grant Program Research, education and conserva- Public Law 94461
tion in the coastal zone

Department of the Interior, Fish Migratory birds, endangered Migratory Bird Treaty Act, Endan-
and Wildlife Service species, marine mammals, inter- gered Species Conservation Act,
state commerce of organisms Lacey Act, Marine Mammal
Protection Act, all as amended

National Park Service National Register of Historic Historic Preservation Act, as
Places, National Natural Land- amended
marks, National Trust for Historic
Preservation

Department of Transportation, Maintenance of navigable waters, 14 USC 2, Primary Responsibilities
Coast Guard shipping, small craft of the Coast Guard

Environmental Protection Agency Air and water quality guidelines, Clean Air Act; Clean Water Act;
solid waste and toxic materials Toxic Substances Control Act;
guidelines, spills, noise pollution, Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and
environmental review of projects Rodenticide Act; Superfund;
National Environmental Policy
Act; and Resource Conservation
and Recovery Act; all as amended

176

STATE JURISDICTIONS AFFECTING PROPOSED RESERVE SITES
Agency juYisdiction Legislation
Virginia Institute of Marine Research in the marine sciences, VIMS, Va. Code Ann., Sec. 28.1-
Science lead agency in the Chesapeake Bay 195 et seq.
National Estuarine Research
Reserve System in Virginia

Department of Agriculture and Endangered plants and insects, soil Endangered Plants and Insects
Consumer Services and water conservation, erosion Species Act, Va. Code Ann. Sec.
and sediment control, and storin- 3.1-1020 et seq.
water management
Erosion and Sediment Control
Law, Va. Code Ann. Sec. 10.1-560
et seq.

Erosion and Sediment Control
Law, Va. Code Ann. Sec. 10.1-
603.2 et seq.

Department of Air Pollution Air pollution Air Pollution Control Board, Va.
Control Code Ann. Sec. 10. 1-1300 et seq.

Department of Waste Management Waste management Virginia Waste Management Act,
Va. Code Ann. Sec. 10.1-1400 et
seq.

Department of Historic Resources Historic Resources Historic Resources, Va. Code Ann.
Sec. 10.1-2200 et seq.

Department of Game and Inland Endangered species Endangered Species Act, Va. Code
Fisheries Ann., Sec. 29-230 et seq.

Virginia Marine Resources Com- Waters of the state, ports and Va. Code Ann. Sec. 62.1-1 et seq.;
mission harbors, subaqueous bottoms, Sec. 62.1-3 et seq; Sec. 62.1-13.1 et
wetlands, fisheries and sand dunes seq.; Sec. 28.1-1 et seq.

Coastal Primary Sand Dune Act,
Va. Code Ann. Sec. 62-1.13.21 et
seq.

Department of Health; Virginia Groundwater resources Groundwater Act of 1973, Va.
Water Control Board Code Ann. Sec. 62.1-44.83

Chesapeake Bay Local Assistance Regulations establishing criteria Va. Code Ann. Sec. 10-313 et seq.
Board for uses of Chesapeake Bay
Preservation Areas

Department of Conservation and River resources Scenic Rivers Act, Va. Code Ann.
Recreation Sec 10.1-400 et seq.

Vuginia Department of Transpor- Roads and bridges
tation

177

GAYLORD No. 2333 PRINTED IN U S A,

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