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





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       _2@+                 U . SDEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE NOAA
       A                    COASTAL SERVICES CENTER
                            2234 SOUTH HOBSON AVENUE
                            CHARLESTON , SC 29405-2413



                         STAFFORD COUNTY

         SHORELINE AREA MANAGEMENT PLAN



                                                 COASTAL ZONE
                                              INFORMATION CEN.LTER



                         "Support for'.this project was furnished
                          in part by the Virginia Council on the
                       Environment and Grant Number NA89AA-D-
                          CZ134 from the National Oceanic and
                              Atmospheric Administration,"

                                               Property of CSC Library
                                                                SEP    1990







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         1990













                                                                     R90-567 (R)







                                       BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
                                        COUNTY OF STAFFORD
                                        STAFFORD, VIRGINIA

                                            RESOLUTION

                 At a regular meeting of the Stafford County Board of
                 supervisors held in the Board Chambers, Stafford County
                 Administration Center (Rowser Building), Stafford, Virginia, on
                 the 4th day of  September, 1990:
                 --- --- --- -- ---------- -----
                 MEMBERS:                                             VOTE:
                 Ferris M. Belman, Sr., Chairman                      Yes
                 John M. Porter, Vice Chairman                        Yes
                 Alvin Y. Bandy                                       No
                 Ralph A. Marceron                                    No
                 James F. Persinger                                   Yes
                 Lyle Ray Smith                                       Yes
                 E. C. "Bill" Williams, Jr.                           Yes

                 --------------------------------------------------------------
                 On motion of Mr. Williams, seconded by Mr. Smith, which
                 carried by a vote of 5 to 2, the following was adopted:

                      A RESOLUTION WHICH ADOPTS THE SHORELINE AREA
                      MANAGEMENT PLAN AS AN ELEMENT OF THE COMPRE-
                      HENSIVE PLAN

                      WHEREAS, the Shoreline Area Management Plan has been
                 developed to further the environmental protection goals stated
                 in the Comprehensive Land Use Plan (1988) and implement the
                 Chesapeake Bay Preservation Act Requirements; and

                      WHEREAS, the Comprehensive Plan Committee has reviewed
                 the Shoreline Area Management Plan and has forwarded it to the
                 Stafford County Planning Commission for its approval; and

                      WHEREAS, the Planning Commission has carefully considered
                 the recommendations of the Committee and the testimony
                 received at the public hearing; and

                      WHEREAS, the Planning commission has unanimously
                 recommended the Shoreline Area Management Plan for adoption by
                 the Stafford County Board of Supervisors with only a minor
                 revision; and

                      WHEREAS, the Staf ford County Board of Supervisors has
                 carefully considered the recommendations of the Planning@
                 Commission, staff and the testimony received at the public
                 hearing;











                                                                  R90-567 (R)
                                                                  Page 2



                     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Stafford County
                Board of Supervisors on this the 4th day of September, 199o,
                that the Shoreline Area Management Plan, dated August 15,
                1990, be and it hereby is adopted as an element of the
                Comprehensive Plan with the following amendments:

                1.   Any references to the septic system pump-out every three
                     (3) years, be revised to read every five (5) years; and

                2.   Any references to additional buffer requirements greater
                     than 100 feet in width, be removed.

                A Copy, teste:




                                               C. M  Vill"rds, Jr.
                                               County Administrator

                CMWJr:WCS:ek













                  PREPARED FOR THE STAFFORD COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
                                           BY
                    THE SHORELINE AREA MANAGEMENT PLAN COMMITTEE AND
                         THE STAFFORD COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION

                                  Board of Supervisors

             Ferris M. Belman, Sr., Chairman       James F. Persinger
             John M. Porter, Vice Chairman         Lyle Ray Smith
             Alvin Y. Bandy                        E.C. "Bill" Williams, Jr.
             Ralph A. Marceron
             Former Members: Rebecca L., Reed, Philip E. Hornung

                        Shoreline Area Management Plan Committee

             The Honorable E.C. "Bill" Williams, Jr., Board of Supervisors
             The Honorable James F. Persinger, Board of Supervisors
             Robert Gibbons, Planning commission
             Warren Gnegy                          Karen Snavely
             Jack Hodge                            Elizabeth Topel
             Sam Mason                             Fred Vanous
             George Newman         Planning Commission

             Robert Gibbons, Chairman              Gay Goad
             John Vance, Vice Chairman             John Harris
             John Anderson                         Linda Musselman
             Charles Barcus                        Roger Pilcher
             Thomas Bjerke                         Daniel Poppen
             Ken Chandler                          R. Lee Simmons
             Steve Eirman                          Dennis Springer

                                          STAFF

                       C. M. Williams, Jr., County Administrator

             William C. Shelly, Director of Planning
             Ricky Barker, Senior Planner          Philip Thompson, Planner
             Kevin Nelson, Senior Planner          Blake Smith, Planner

                     OTE[ER PARTICIPATING AGENCIES AND ORGANIZATIONS

             Chesapeake Bay Foundation
             Chesapeake Bay Local Assistance Department
             Friends of the Rappahannock
             National oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
             Rappahannock Area Development Commission
             Rogers, Golden, and Halpern
             Soil and Water Conservation Service
             Stafford County Comprehensive Plan Committee
             Stafford County Wetlands Board
             Virginia Chapter of Izaak Walton League
             Virginia council on the Environment
             Virginia Institute of Marine Science
             Virginia Marine Resources commission
                                           iii
















                             SHORELINE AREA MANAGEMENT PLAN


                                          OUTLINE



            SECTION


                I.     Introduction

                       Background

                       Inventory Analysis

              IV.      Existing Opportunities and constraints

               V.      Goals and objectives

              Vi.      Shoreline Management

            VII.       Recommended Development Guidelines

            VIII.      Implementation

            IX.        Conclusion
































                                             iv
 












                                    GLOSSARY OF TMU4S



             Agricultural Lands - those lands used for the planting and
             harvesting of crops or plant growth of any kind in the open;
             pasture; horticulture; dairying; floriculture; or raising of
             poultry or livestock.

             Best Management Practices   a practice, or a combination of
             practices, that is determined by a State or area-wide planning
             agency to be the most effective, practical means of
             preventing or reducing the amount of pollution generated by
             nonpoint sources to a level compatible with water quality
             goals.

             Buffer Area - an area of natural or established vegetation
             managed to protect other components of the Critical Resource
             Protection Area and State waters from significant degradation
             due to land disturbances.


             Critical Resource Protection Area - sensitive land areas near
             the shoreline which play a vital role in preserving the
             County's water quality. Development, if allowed within this
             area, will have a direct negative impact on shoreline
             resources and water quality. These areas are coincidental
             with the Resource Protection Areas of the Chesapeake Bay
             Preservation Act.

             Erodible Soils - soils that have a high potential for erosion
             based on their component makeup and other land characteristics
             that may promote erosion, such as steep slopes. These soils
             are identified by a K-factor of greater than 0.26 or an
             erodibility index of greater than 8.

             Floodplain - these are lands that would be inundated by flood
             water as a result of a storm event of a 100-year return
             interval as defined by the Federal Emergency Management Agency
             (FEMA).

             Impervious Cover - a surface composed of any material that
             significantly impedes or prevents natural infiltration of
             water into the soil. Impervious surfaces include, but are not
             limited to: roofs, buildings, streets, parking areas, and any
             concrete, asphalt, or compacted gravel surface.

             Intensely Developed Area - that portion of the County where
             development is concentrated and little of the natural
             environment remains. These areas must meet certain guidelines
             as defined by this Plan.

                  Resource Management Area - land areas that, if developed
             improperly, have a potential for polluting the waters of
             Stafford County and diminishing the functional value of

                                            v












             Critical and Sensitive Resource Protection Areas. All of the
             County, outside of Critical and Sensitive Resource Protection
             Areas, is included in this area. These areas are associated
             with Resource Managemeht Areas in the Chesapeake Bay Act.

             Nonpoint Source Pollution - pollution consisting of-
             constituents, such as sediment, nutrients, and organic and
             toxic substances derived from a variety of mediums, including
             runoff from agricultural and urban land development and use.

             Nontidal Wetlands - wetlands, other than tidal wetlands, that
             are inundated or saturated by surface or ground water at a
             frequency or duration sufficient to support, and under normal
             circumstances do support, a prevalence of vegetation typically
             adapted for life in saturated soil conditions, as defined by
             the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

             Permeable Soils - areas where the soils have a permeability
             equal to or greater than 6 inches of water movement per hour
             in any part of the soil profile to a depth of 72 inches as
             found in the "National Soils Handbook of 1983".

             Redevelopment - process of developing land that is or has been
             previously developed-

             Sensitive Resource Protection Area - sensitive land features
             that, if developed with any residential density, or commercial
             or industrial intensity, will have a direct negative impact on
             shoreline resources and water quality. Certain land uses, such
             as active park areas, are considered appropriate in these
             areas so long as construction is limited. These areas are
             associated with the Resource Management Areas in the
             Chesapeake Bay Act with further development restrictions
             applied.

             Severe Slopes   slopes with a grade differential of between 10
             and 25%.

             Steep Slopes   slopes with a grade differential of greater
             than 25%.

             Tidal Shore   land contiguous to a tidal body of water between
             the mean low water level and the mean high water level.

             Tidal Wetlands - vegetated and nonvegetated wetlands as
             defined in Section 62.1-13.2 of the Code of Virginia.

             Tributary Stream - any perennial stream that is so depicted on
             the most recent U.S.G.S. 7 1/2 minute topographic quadrangle
             map (scale 1:24000).

             Water dependent facility -- a development of land that cannot
             exist outside of a Critical or Sensitive Resource Protection
             Area and must be located on the shoreline by reason of the
             intrinsic nature of its operation.

                                           vi












             I.   INTRODUCTION

             In the past decade, Stafford County has experienced a
             tremendous amount of growth and development. This has
             resulted in the urbanization of many rural areas of the
             County. The rapid shift in land use from rural to urban uses
             has accelerated the processes of soil erosion and
             sedimentation, as well as adding to nonpoint sources of
             pollution. This has heightened the County's need to
             effectively manage growth and development in a way that
             minimized the impact on valuable environmental resources.

             In September 1987, the County began its progress toward
             developing a management tool to address growth and
             development's impact on water quality through the protection
             of environmental resources. The first proposal was to develop
             an additional element of the Comprehensive Plan that would
             further expand on adopted County environmental goals and
             objectives.

             With the adoption of the Chesapeake Bay Preservation Act by
             the General Assembly in July 1988, the County expanded its
             first proposal to include provisions for implementing the Act.
             The Act established a cooperative state and local government
             program to protect water quality in the Chesapeake Bay and its
             tributaries through improved land use management.

             The final proposal resulted in the development of the
             Shoreline Area Management Plan. The Shoreline Plan has been
             designed to address County issues and concerns with
             environmental protection as well as address State regulations,
             including the Chesapeake Bay Preservation Act, dealing with
             the protection of water quality.

                  Relationship to the Land Use Plan (1988)

             The Comprehensive Land Use Plan (July 1988) provided a solid
             environmental-protection foundation for the Shoreline Area
             Management Plan. The Shoreline Plan endorses environmental
             protection standards established in the Land Use Plan and also
             expands on these standards to provide for greater protection
             of environmental resources. The Chesapeake Bay Preservation
             Act and Regulations provide an enhanced legal basis for the
             protection of environmental resources, especially those
             resources that are critical for water quality.

             The Land Use Plan has established a Resource Protection Area
             which includes environmental land features which need to
             protected from any development other than water dependent uses
             in order to maintain water quality. Within these Resource
             Protection Areas are land features that are critical for water
             quality (rivers, streams, w6E-1,&nd9--4tc.).










             For this reason, the Shoreline Plan has divided the Resource
             Protection Areas into two protection areas. The first area is
             a Critical Resource Protection Area which includes those
             crucial land features that are to be protected from
             .development as required by the Chesapeake Bay Preservation Act
             Regulations Resource Protection Area requirements. This area
             is to be left completely undisturbed excepted for
             water-dependent uses, public infrastructure and uses allowed
             in cases of hardship.

             The second area is a Sensitive Resource Protection Area which
             includes the floodplain areas not included in the Critical
             Resource Protection Area and adjacent steep slopes. These
             areas are not to be used for development; however, active
             recreation and active agriculture (properly managed) is
             allowed. This area is a category of the Resource Management
             Area of the Chesapeake Bay Preservation Act Regulations with
             more stringent development requirements recommended.

             The Shoreline Plan has also established a Land/Resource
             Management Area which includes the remainder of the County not
             included in the two protection areas mentioned above. These
             areas may be developed; however, Best Management Practices
             (BMP's) must be implemented to ensure the protection of water
             quality. This builds and expands upon the Land Management
             Areas established in the Land Use Plan (1988).

             In summary, the Resource Protection and Land Management Areas
             established in the Land Use Plan (1988) have been refined and
             expanded in order to effectively carry out the goals and
             objectives of the Shoreline Plan. Definitions established in
             the Shoreline Plan relative to Critical and Sensitive Resource
             Protection and Land/Resource Management Areas should be
             considered to replace Resource Protection and Land Management
             Areas in the Land Use Plan. The Shoreline Plan has also been
             developed to implement the Chesapeake Bay Preservation Act and
             Regulations dealing with water quality.

                                        Purpose

             The primary purpose of the Stafford County Shoreline Area
             Management Plan is to protect and enhance the wise use of
             shoreline area resources through the management of possible
             future growth and development. In order to accomplish this
             end, the following objectives were set:

             1.  An inventory of present conditions - land use, land
                 cover, shoreline conditions, wetlands, soils, ownership
                 patterns, and other pertinent factors.

             2.  Identification of existing and potential opportunities
                 for shoreline protection,--*;,at-l-ands--preservation,
                 protection of scenic and historic values, water quality
                 enhancement; and protection of plant and animal
                 resources, and other related issues.

                                           2










             3.   Development of goals and objectives for shoreline
                  development and preservation.

             4.   Development of a management plan for the shoreline.

             5.   Development of guidelines for business and residential
                  development on or near the shoreline.

             6.   Identification and recommendation for changes in the
                  County's Zoning Ordinance, Subdivision Ordinance and
                  Wetlands Ordinance and other appropriate measures
                  necessary to implement the Plan.

                                    Planning Process

             The six (6) objectives set for the Plan became the basis for
             the shoreline planning process. Through carrying out this
             planning process, the Plan intends to reveal answers to the
             following questions:

             What is contained within the area to be studied?

             What are the opportunities and constraints of the area?

             What are the goals and objectives for the area which will
             enhance the opportunities and address the constraints?

             How can these goals and objectives be implemented?

             In an effort to involve interested agencies, groups, and
             individuals in the Plants development, the Stafford County
             Board of Supervisors appointed a Shoreline Area Management
             Plan Advisory Committee. The Committee has guided the staff
             throughout the development of the Plan and is composed of
             representatives from the Planning Commission, the
             Comprehensive Plan Committee, the Wetlands Board, the Friends
             of the Rappahannock, the Rappahannock Area Development
             Commission, the development community, the Board of
             Supervisors, and shoreline property owners.

             The Virginia Marine Resources Commission, the Virginia
             Institute of Marine Science, the Chesapeake Bay Local
             Assistance Board, the council on the Environment, the Soil and
             Water Conservation Service and the Chesapeake Bay Foundation
             have also been requested for their involvement in the Plants
             development. The County feels that the success of the Plan
             will depend largely upon the participation of representatives
             of agencies, county departments, and others that will be
             affected by the Plan. Participation of these representatives,
             may also provide valuable insight on issues related to the
             Plan.







                                            3










              In order to adequately carry out the objectives of the Plan,
              an environmental consulting firm, Rogers, Golden, and Halpern
              (RGH), was retained to provide technical assistance and
              guidance in preparing the Plan. RGH assisted the County with
              the extensive data collection and analysis, the development of
              goals and objectives, mapping of shoreline preservation areas
              and development of implem'entation measures. The results of
              RGH's work on the Plan were reviewed and revised by the County
              staff, the Advisory Committee, and various agencies.

                                       Study Area

              The study area for the Shoreline Area Management Plan is
              county-wide. The County contains two major rivers, four major
              creeks, and an extensive amount of intermittent streams.
              These rivers, creeks, and streams were examined closely
              because they are the major water resources in the County and
              their protection is crucial to preserve the water quality
              throughout the County and ultimately the surrounding region.

              The remainder of the County was also examined to determine its
              general environmental characteristics and its
              interrelationship to the major water resources. An inventory
              of environmentally sensitive lands throughout the County was
              developed by representatives at Virginia Tech through the use
              of the Virginia Geographic Information System (VirGIS).

              This inventory produced 1 inch to 2,000 feet scale USGS
              overlay maps which depicted lands with highly erodible soils,
              high soil permeability, hydric soils and water table depth
              from 0 to 36 inches. The percent of the County containing
              these environmentally sensitive lands was conservatively
              estimated at seventy-three percent (73%).

              These figures reveal that in order to adequately address the
              protection of water quality and water resources, the Shoreline
              Plan needs to.develop guidelines for protection of the entire
              County.

                                     Using the Plan

              The Shoreline Area Management Plan, a proposed element of the
              Comprehensive Plan, contains goals and objectives which have
              been specifically developed to assist in carrying out the
              overall goals and objectives of the County's Comprehensive
              Plan. These goals and objectives are directed toward the
              overall protection and preservation of environmentally
              sensitive resources.










                                            4










            The development of the Plan has produced an inventory of
            present conditions, resource maps depicting shoreline
            preservation areas, and guidelines for possible development in
            shoreline areas. The inventory and resource maps will assist
            in making sound environmental decisions, while guidelines for
            development will help reduce the negative impacts of possible
            development on shoreline 'areas.

            In conclusion, the Plan will assist the County's land use
            planning and management authority and its capability to
            protect and enhance the wise use of shoreline area resources.
            The adoption of the Plan as an element of the Comprehensive
            Plan will be a major step toward protecting shoreline
            resources and effectively managing future growth and
            development.








































                                           5














            II. BACKGROUND


                                The Need for the Plan

            Stafford County is located in the northeastern section of
            Virginia. Approximately twenty (20) miles of the Potomac
            River and thirty (30) miles of the Rappahannock River make up
            the County's eastern and southern boundaries respectively.
            The County is bordered by Prince William County on the north,
            the City of Fredericksburg, Spotsylvania and King George
            Counties on the south, the State of Maryland on the east and
            Fauquier and Culpeper Counties on the west (see Figure 1).
            The County lies 56 miles north of Richmond, and 40 miles south
            of Washington, D. C.

            In recent years, the County has experienced a rapid growth
            rate and is presently the second fastest growing county in the
            State. Based on estimates from the Center for Public
            Services, from 1980 and 1986, the County grew over
            twenty-three percent (23%) compared to a Statewide growth of
            eight percent (8%). The County's 1990 population is estimated
            at 68,304 - up from 40,470 in 1980 and 24,587 in 1970.

            Much of this growth correlates directly to the growth of the
            Washington metropolitan.area. The County's close proximity
            and access to the metropolitan area, lower prices and
            attractive setting continue to make it a desirable location
            for housing. It is predicted that growth within the County
            will continue to increase.

            The majority of this growth is reflected in residential
            development. During the period between 1980 and the present,
            over 6,000 new dwelling units were built and occupied.
            Although most of the residential development has occurred in
            the more urbanized areas of the County', the pressure for
            development of outlying areas is increasing. Some of these
            outlying areas.-comprise e*nvironmentally and economically
            valuable undeveloped shoreline properties along the Potomac
            and Rappahannock Rivers and their tributaries. Projected
            increases in growth and development clearly indicate that the
            existing comprehensive planning program and development
            guidance controls must be improved to meet growth pressures in
            shoreline areas.

            Stafford County's coastal shoreline areas, including the
            Potomac and Rappahannock Rivers and their tributaries, provide
            many valuable environmental and economic assets to the County,
            along with serving as major drainage areas for the Chesapeake
            Bay.





                                           6









                                         STAFFORD                          COUNTY. VIRGINIA



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            In addition to having significant watershed areas, the County
            contains valuable wetlands resources. A total of 1,337 acres
            of tidal wetlands are located mainly along the Potomac River
            and its tributaries, the Potomac, Accokeek, and Aquia Creeks.
            These wetlands provide a vital spawning and nursery area for
            juvenile fishes and are essential elements in the marine food
            network supporting the major commercial fisheries of the
            State. Wetlands also function to provide soil erosion
            control, flood buffering, absorption of silt and pollutants,
            and habitats for many forms of wildlife.

            The scenic and aesthetic qualities and environmental resources
            of the Rappahannock and Potomac Rivers make them highly
            desirable environments for recreation, marinas, and various
            types of residential, commercial, and industrial development.
            Presently these shoreline areas are relatively undeveloped;
            however, the potential for development is strong. Many large
            undeveloped parcels exist adjacent to the shoreline. The size
            of the parcels, along with the limited number of owners, make
            these areas prime for future developments.

            Development-pressures in shoreline areas have heightened the
            County's need to ensure that projects are designed, located
            and constructed to minimize their effect on environmentally
            valuable shoreline resources. The Shoreline Plan is designed
            to effectively protect and manage the County's shoreline
            resources and address utilities, roads, public access, and
            necessary community services.

            A Shoreline Area Management Plan component of the
            Comprehensive Plan will attempt to address and reduce the
            damaging effects of development on the shoreline (e.g.
            soil erosion, sedimentation, nonpoint source pollution) and to
            achieve a balance between accommodating growth and protecting
            shoreline resources and water quality.

                                Impacts of the Plan

            Rapid growth in the past decade has resulted in the
            urbanization of many rural areas of the County. The rapid
            shift in land use from agricultural to urban uses has
            accelerated the processes of soil erosion and sedimentation,
            as well as adding to nonpoint sources of pollution.
            Controlling urbanization and its effects through proper
            planning and consideration of the long range implications of
            development can be accomplished through the implementation of
            the Shoreline Area Management Plan.






                                          8










           The Shoreline Area Management Plan attempts to guide the
           design, location, and construction of future development in
           shoreline areas. The Plan directs the location of future
           development to areas that are less environmentally sensitive
           and away from environmentally significant areas, such as
           wetlands. It also require the use of Best Management
           Practices (BMPs), either structural or nonstructural, to
           mitigate the impact on the surrounding environment. This, in
           turn, will help protect and maintain the integrity of the
           County's extensive shoreline areas through preservation of
           ecologically significant wetlands, reduction of soil erosion
           and sedimentation, control of nonpoint and point source
           pollutants, and the conservation of shorelines.

                               Immediacy of the Plan

           The protection and management of the County's shoreline area
           needs immediate attention. The limited availability of
           suitable shoreline areas to accommodate anticipated waterfront
           development in the region and the pressure brought about to
           develop it, makes it essential that waterfront development be
           managed as effectively as possible.

           The timing of implementing the Shoreline Area Management Plan
           is almost as important,as the Plan itself. To be effective,
           the Shoreline Plan needs to be in place prior to the growth
           and development of coastal shoreline areas. Should major
           developments proceed in advance of sufficient comprehensive
           planning for shoreline areas, the County will have a more
           difficult time controlling future development.

                                    Conclusion

           The completion of the Shoreline Area Management Plan is an
           important step toward enhancing the County's ability to
           adequately plan for future growth and development in shoreline
           areas. Development pressures in shoreline areas have
           heightened the County's need to effectively manage
           environmentally valuable shoreline resources. It is
           imperative that the County complete the Shoreline Area
           Management Plan prior to the development of these shoreline
           resources. The Plan will be designed to allow the County to
           act instead of react to future development and allow issues to
           be addressed before they evolve into potential problems.









                                          9












                III.      INVENTORY OF MCISTING CONDITIONS

                The first step in preparing a shoreline management plan for
                Stafford County involved an inventory of existing conditions
                for the County. This inventory provides a needed data base
                to assist in determining potential opportunities and
                constraints for possible shoreline development.

                Two (2) mapping projects were performed to inventory
                existing conditions within the County for the Shoreline
                Plan. The first mapping project included an extensive
                inventory of existing conditions within a shoreline planning
                area which consisted of stream corridors along the tidal
                portion of the Potomac and Rappahannock Rivers, the tidal
                portion of tributaries to the Potomac River, and the
                nontidal portions of selected tributaries t--o the Potomac
                River. The shoreline planning area studied under this study
                was limited due to funding constraints. This mapping
                project (completed in April, 1989) does provide good
                environmental resource maps; however, because it was limited
                to mainly tidal areas, it does not provide a complete
                inventory needed for the Plan.

                A secondary objective of the first mapping project was to
                ensure that the mapping resources that were produced for the
                Plan would also satisfy the requirements set forth in the
                Chesapeake Bay Preservation Act (1988) and subsequent
                regulations. At the time the study areas were delineated
                for the Shoreline Area Management Plan, preservation areas
                for the Chesapeake Bay Preservation Act had not been
                determined. A 1000-foot band was selected along tidal
                rivers and streams in hopes of insuring that the shoreline
                planning area was broad enough to cover areas designated for
                protection in the Chesapeake Bay Preservation Act.

                Unfortunately, the 1000-foot shoreline planning area
                established adjacent to the County's tidal shoreline did not
                offer the flexibility.which was needed to develop resource
                based maps pursuant to the proposed Chesapeake Bay
                Preservation Area Designation and Management Regulations.
                This has resulted in a planning area that may be broader
                than necessary in some areas and not broad enough in other
                areas. In order to assure a comprehensive assessment of
                shoreline resources, a second mapping project was performed.

                The second mapping project (completed in May, 1990) produced
                environmental resource maps which delineated Countywide
                shoreline preservation areas. This mapping project,expanded
                the environmental resource map inventory produced earlier in
                the project to include the entire County. However, this
                project was narrow in scope and produced maps which depicted
                oA.Ly,.those.environmental resources that were critical to
                water quality, protection of shoreline area resources and

                                              10










               compiled with the requirements of the Chesapeake Bay
               Preservation Act Designation and Management Regulations.

               The remainder of this Section and   the following Section,
               Existing Opportunitfes and Constraints, deals only with the
               first mapping project. The second mapping project will be
               discussed in detail in.Section VI, Shoreline Management.

                                   Shoreline Planning Area

               The shoreline planning area for the first mapping project
               was delineated by a two step process. First, the shoreline
               boundary was delineated, and, then, a stream corridor was
               defined at a specified distance landward of the shoreline
               boundary. For tidal areas, the shoreline boundary was
               defined by the extent of the tidal wetlands identified by
               the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on the National Wetland
               Inventory Maps.

               Tidal Wetlands were those identified as estuarine and
               riverine and palustrine wetlands identified as having a
               tidal water regime. This planning area encompasses economic
               assets as well as environmental factors, particularly those
               related to the preservation of water quality.

               The tidal marsh inventory prepared by the Virginia Institute
               of Marine Science (1975) did not identify tidal areas along
               the Chopawamsic Creek and the Rappahannock River and was not
               used for mapping purposes. A 1000-foot shoreline planning
               area band was delineated parallel to the tidal shoreline
               along the Potomac and Rappahannock Rivers and up the tidal
               limits of the Chopawamsic, Aquia, Accokeek and Potomac
               Creeks. The limit of tidal influence was defined by the
               National Wetland Inventory Maps for Stafford County.

               The width of the planning area is based on the area required
               to ensure that an effective environmental buffer is present
               to minimize-the contamination of surface and ground water
               that may flow toward the Potomac and Rappahannock Rivers.
               The planning area is also intended to protect plant and
               animal species dependent on habitats near the water. The
               shoreline planning area was extended to include adjacent
               steep slopes greater than 25% where the steep slope would
               drain directly into the shoreline planning area. Sensitive
               habitats, including threatened and endangered species, were
               also identified and the recommended buffer for habitat
               protection has been delineated.

               The Aquia, Accokeek and Potomac Creeks were selected to
               extend the shoreline planning area upstream from the tidal
               reach into nontidal areas. The shoreline planning area for
               those streams is also 1000-feet wide and wa%'@-deli-neated as a
               500-foot band along both sides of each of these streams and
               its perennial tributaries, as shown on the U.S.G.S. quads,
                                              11










               The 500-foot band begins at the stream edge or at the edge
               of nontidal wetlands found immediately adjacent to the
               stream. Locations of perennial streams in the shoreline
               planning areas of these three creeks were transferred to the
               Stafford County Tax Base Maps.

                                      Mapping Approach

               The County Assessor's Tax Maps (111=6001 scale) were selected
               as the base map for analysis of both the existing conditions
               and opportunities and constraints. These maps were selected
               so that the information could be used for planning and
               project review purposes.

               The shoreline planning area covers 22 tax maps, 9 along the
               Rappahannock River, 10 along the tidal reaches of the
               Potomac River and selected tributaries, and 3 along the
               nontidal portions of the Aquia, Accokeek and Potomac Creeks.

               A series of nine (9) overlay maps were created for the
               shoreline planning area including six (6) overlay maps for
               the inventory of existing conditions and three (3) overlay
               maps for opportunities and constraints which will be
               discussed in Section III.

                            Overlay,Maps - Existing Conditions

               Overlay Number One: Land Use/Land Cover

               Land use/land cover categories are based on the Anderson
               (1976) classification scheme and were interpreted from
               aerial photographs (111=10001) flown by Air Photographics,
               Inc. in March, 1983. The categories identified are listed
               in Table 1. Residential categories are based on Stafford
               County residential zoning codes. The principle land
               use/cover identified in the shoreline planning area was
               forested land, followed by agricultural and rural
               residential.:uses. Forested lands were identified on all
               overlays of the shoreline planning area. The Aquia Creek
               and Rappahannock River watersheds constitute the two most
               densely developed areas of the shoreline planning area.

               The location of piers provided an indication of shoreline
               activity. These structures were identified from the aerial
               photographs. Historic sites were identified from an
               Inventory of Historic Features provided by the Stafford
               County Department of Planning and Community Development
               (1985).

               Overlay Number Two: Tidal and Nontidal Wetlands

               Tidal and nontidal wetlands were mapped bacmad-on-National
               Wetland Inventory Maps from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
               Service (1972-1977). These maps provided a detailed
                                             12














                                                 Table 1
                            Land Use/Land Cover Categories for the Shoreline
                                          Management Study Area


                  Urban or Built-up Land
                       111  Rural Residential 1 DU/Acre
                             (3-Acre Minimum)
                       112  Single-Family Residential < 3 DU/Acre
                       113  Medium-Density Residential < 7 DU/Acre
                       114  High-Density Residential <13 DU/Acre
                       115  Mobile Homes
                       121  General Commercial
                       122  Institutional
                       13   General Industrial
                       17   Vacant, Undeveloped Land
                       18   Recreational

                  Agricultural Land
                       211 Cropland
                       212 Pasture
                       22   Horticulture or silviculture


                  Forest Land
                       40   Forest Land


                  Water
                       51   Streams and Rivers
                       52   Lakes and Ponds
                       53   Reservoirs
                       54   Bays and Estuaries

                  Wetlands
                       62   Nonforested Wetland

                  Barren L.and
                       72   Beaches
                       75   Stripmines, Quarries and Gravel Pits
                       76   Transitional Areas: Areas which are currently
                       undergoing transition such as construction of roads.
                       Also includes areas where prior or future use cannot
                       be "determined.










               description of wetland types. National Wetland Inventory
               Maps are based on aerial interpretation and field surveys.
               Tidal wetlands, by definition, are found below the lower
               boundary of the 1000'-foot shoreline planning area boundary.
               Nontidal wetlands were identified within the shoreline
               planning area boundaries for both the tidal and nontidal
               shoreline planning area's. In tidal portions of the
               shoreline planning areal the nontidal wetlands are isolated
               from the tidal shoreline. Tidal and nontidal wetlands
               identified in the shoreline planning area for Stafford County
               are listed in Tables 2 and 3 respectively.

               Wetland types identified include: estuarine wetlands, which
               are tidal; palustrine wetlands, which can be open water or
               dominated by trees, shrubs, persistent emergents, emergent
               mosses; riverine wetlands, which are wetlands and deep
               water habitats contained within a channel; and lacustrine
               wetlands, which include habitats situated in a topographic
               depression such as a lake or a dammed river channel.
               Lacustrine, palustrine and riverine wetlands may have tidal
               or nontidal regimes. All estuarine wetlands are tidal.

               The most frequently encountered tidal wetland type was
               estuarine open wateri Estuarine emergent wetlands were
               frequently identified along the tidal shoreline. Palustrine
               forested wetlands predominated in nontidal wetlands.

               Overlay Number Three: Shoreline conditions Map

               The shoreline conditions map identifies steep slopes,
               beaches, floodplains, soil erosion problem areas and
               shorefront protection structures within the shoreline
               planning area.

               Steep Slopes were identified from Environmental Assessment
               Maps (111=6001) prepared for Stafford County by the Cox
               Company (19.86). Three categories of slopes were identified:

                   0    moderate, less than 10%
                   0    severe, 10-25%
                   0    steep, greater than 25%

               The Environmental Assessment maps corresponding to tax map
               13, 14, 21, and 23 were missing data on steep slopes;
               subsequently, this information is missing from these Overlay
               Maps.

               Beaches are not common along shoreline areas in Stafford
               County. Only one small beach along the Potomac River* was
               identified from aerial photographs and USGS quads. Much of
               the shoreline is characterized by steep slopes.


                                            14














                                                   Table 2
                                Tidal Wetlands Identified in the Shoreline
                                            Management Study Area

                       ElOWL6      Estuarine, subtidal, open water, subtidal,
                                   oligghaline water regime.

                       E2EMP6      Estuarine, intertidal, emergent,
                                   irregular, oligohaline water regime.

                       RlOW`V      Riverine, tidal, open water, permanent
                                   tidal water regime.

                       RlFLN       Riverine, tidal, flat, regular tidal water
                                   regime.

                       RlEM/FLN    Riverine, tidal, emergent/flat, regular
                                   tidal water regime.

                       RlEMN       Riverine, tidal, emergent, regular tidal
                                   water regime.

                       PEMR        Palustrine, emergent, seasonal tidal water
                                   regime.

                       PEMRs       Palustrine, emergent, seasonal tidal water
                                   regime, spoil.

                       PSS1/EMR    Palustrine, scrub/shrub, broad-leaved
                                   deciduous, emergent, seasonal tidal water
                                   regime.

                       PSSlR       Palustrine, scrub/shrub, broad-leaved
                                   deciduous, seasonal tidal water regime.

                       PFO/SS1R    Palustrine, forested/scrub,sbrub,
                                   broad-leaved deciduous, seasonal tidal
                                   water regime.

                       PF01R       Palustrine, forested, broad-leaved
                                   deciduous, seasonal tidal water regime.

                       PF01S       Palustrine, forested, broad-leaved
                                   deciduous, temporary tidal water regime.












                                               C;













                                                  Table 3
                              Nontidal Wetlands Identified in the Shoreline
                                           Management Study Area

                  Nontidal Wetlands

                  POWZ      Palustrine,- open water, intermittently
                            exposed/permanent nontidal water regime

                  POWZh     Palustrine, open water, intermittently
                            exposed/permanent nontidal water
                            regime,diked/impounded

                  POWZx     Palustrine, open water, intermittently
                            exposed/ permanent nontidal water regime,
                            excavated.

                  PSS1C     Palustrine, scrub/shrub, broad-leaved deciduous,
                            seasonal nontidal water regime.

                  PSS1E     Palustrine, scrub/shrub, broad-leaved
                            deciduous, seasonal saturated nontidal water
                            regime.

                  PSS1/EME  Palustrine, scrub/shrub, broad-leaved deciduous,
                            emergent-, seasonal saturated nontidal water
                            regime.

                  PFO/SS1E  Palustrine, forested, scrub/shrub, broad-leaved
                            deciduous, seasonal saturated nontidal water
                            regime.

                  PF01A     Palustrine, forested, broad-leaved deciduous,
                            temporary nontidal water regime.

                  PF01C     Palustrine, forested, broad-leaved deciduous,
                           .seasonal nontidal water regime.

                  PF01E     Palustrine, forested, broad-leaved deciduous,
                            seasonal saturated nontidal water regime.

                  L10WHh    Lacustrine, limnetic, open water, permanent
                            nontidal water regime, diked/impounded.

                  R20WH     Riverine, lower perennial, open water, permanent
                            nontidal water regime.

                  R30WH     Riverine, upper perennial, open water, permanent
                            nontidal water regime.








                                               16










                Areas of the One-hundred (100) - Year Flood Zone were
                transferred from the Stafford County Environmental Overlay
                Maps. In a few cases the area of the 100-year flood zone
                was omitted from thqse maps. Floodplain information was
                supplemented with Flood Insurance Rate Maps for Stafford
                County (1980). There were no Coastal Flood Hazard Areas
                identified within Stafford County.

                Erosion Problem Areas were identified from the Shoreline
                Situation Report, prepared by the Virginia Institute of
                Marine science (1975). Erosion rates identified in the VIMS
                (1975) report for the shoreline area are:

                    0     slight, or less than one foot per year
                    0    moderate, or one to three feet per year
                    0     high, or greater than three feet per year

                Moderate and high erosion rates were noted along the Potomac
                River in the vicinity of Quantico, south of Brent Marsh and
                in tidal areas of the Aquia and Potomac Creeks. Significant
                erosion rates were not reported along the shoreline of the
                Rappahannock River.

                Shorefront structures such as jetties, groins and bulkheads
                were also identified in the Shoreline Situation Report
                prepared by the Virginia Institute of Marine Science, and
                from aerial photographs. Groinfields and bulkheads were
                identified along the shoreline of the Potomac in the
                vicinity of Quantico, and along most residential shoreline
                areas. In the tidal areas of Aquia, Accokeek and Potomac
                Creeks, groinfields and bulkheads were identified. There are
                no shoreline structures along the shoreline of the
                Rappahannock River.

                Overlay Nu3sber Four: Ownership Map

                Parcels greater than 100 acres in size or contiguous parcels
                under the same ownership totalling 100 acres in size were
                identified by using the tax maps and a list provided by the
                Commissioner of the Revenue (Kordich 1989). These parcels
                were identified provided at least fifty percent of the
                parcel occurred within the shoreline planning area.

                In the tidal portion of the shoreline planning area large
                parcels were identified along the Potomac River south of
                Brent Marsh, along the Rappahannock River and along the
                shorelines of Aquia and Potomac Creeks. Large parcels were
                identified in the nontidal shoreline planning areas of the
                Accokeek and Potomac Creek watersheds on Maps 41, 47, and
                48.





                                              17










               Overlay Number Five: Soil Map

               The soils were delineated for the shoreline planning area
               from Environmental Maps prepared for Stafford County
               (111=6001) which were based on the Soil Conservation Survey
               for Stafford County (1986). The following soils were
               identified as soils with development constraints:

                    0    Erodible Soils
                    0    Hydric Soils
                    0    Highly Permeable Soils
                    0    Prime Farmland Soils

               Constrained soils were identified by information provided by
               the Soil Conservation Service (SCS). Special symbols
               identify these soils on this overlay. Soils identified for
               each of these categories are found in Table 4.

               Erodible soils were identified based on their K value. The
               threshold value for erodible soils in Stafford County is
               reported.as having a K value of approximately 0.24-0.28
               (Wisniewski, 1988). The midpoint value of 0.26 was selected
               as the threshold value for identifying erodible soils.
               Therefore, all soils.with a K value of 0.26 or greater were
               identified as erodible soils. A large number of soils
               .within the shoreline planning area were identified as being
               within this category.

               Permeable soils were identified on the basis of reported
               permeability, depth to seasonal high water table and soil
               texture. Soils between the surface and the seasonal high
               water table with a permeability equal to or greater than 2
               inches per hour were included in this category (SCS, 1974).

               Hydric soils were identified by the Stafford County Soil
               Conservation Service (Wisniewski, 1988). Prime Farmland
               soils were identified by the State Soil Conservation Service
               office in RIchmond, Virginia (Stoneman, 1989).

               Overlay Number Six: Sensitive Habitats

               Habitats for rare and endangered species, champion trees and
               valuable productive habitat areas were designated for
               inclusion on Overlay Number Six. A database search was
               conducted by the Virginia Natural Heritage Program of the
               Department of Conservation and Historic Resources for rare
               species and unique natural communities that have been
               documented in Stafford County (Perry, 1988).





                                            18












                                                                     Table 4
                                            sails with Dovelopment CoNstralsts In the shorollso
                                                            Management Stvdy Area



                                 Erodible             Hydric               Permeable           Prime Farmlsad
                                 Soils                 Soils                  Soils                 Soils


                           AvB        LID                As                   Ad                       AfA
                           AvC2       NIAD               BaA                  As                       AM
                           AvD2       M&E                Bb                   ASO                      AID
                           AVE2       MdR                Bd                   ASS                      A08
                           Bd         MdC2               BmA                  AsF                      AIA
                           BmA        MdD2               Cc                   BfO                      AtS
                           BmB        MdE2               Co                   BrE                      B&A
                           BMC2       Me                 Eb                   Co                       C&82
                           BaB        NIIC3              Fd                   cis                      Cf B2
                           BnC2       N&B                Fs                   GSD                      CSB2
                           BoB        NIC2               lu                   w                        CrA
                           Bocz                          LgA                  CTIF                     Cre
                           Bro        OrA                L#B                  NUD                      CuB2
                           BrE        Ora                Nu                   NUE                      DOA
                           C&B2       OrC2               OrA                  So                       Dog
                           C&C2       Ro                 -Po                  will                     EIB2
                           CaD2       SfA                Ro                   WID2                     Fag
                           CcC3       Still              So                   WIE2                     Fd
                           CcD3       SIC2               Suc                  WaA                      NO
                           crB2       SfD2               T*A                  Was                      KeA
                           crC2       SM                 Tw                   WAC                      Keg
                           ChC3       Sa                 Wh                                            N4dB
                           CID        Suc                wr                                            me
                           CmB        TsA                                                              Mk3I
                           CrA        To$                                                              SfA
                           CrB        Too                                                              US
                           CuB2       TO                                                               So
                           CuC2       TuCl.                                                            TcA
                           CYC3       w1k                                                              To$
                           DOA        W90                                                              TuA
                           Dan        W65                                                              TuB
                           Eb         wo                                                               WmA
                           ElV2       MM                                                               WMB
                           EIC2       WM2                                                              WoA
                           E=0        W"                                                               woo
                           Fas        well
                           Fd         Wr
                           KfB        Zia
                           KtC2       ZIC2
                           KfD2
                           LgA

                            Prime farmland soil when drained.










               The sites identified by the database were reviewed by the
               Natural Heritage Program staff in order to delineate buffer
               areas around sites with reported occurrences of rare
               species. Known species habitats, a high potential for a
               habitat, or areas th@t were thought to be necessary now or
               in the future for the continued existence of rare species or
               natural community were designated. Staff scientists
               emphasized that their interpretation of rare species habitat
               was broad. Sensitive habitats were delineated by Natural
               Heritage Program staff on USGS quads (111=20001).

               Six areas were identified in Stafford County as sensitive
               habitats. Four of these areas are habitats for rare,
               threatened and endangered species and their delineation
               included protective buffers. The species identified in
               those four areas are:

                    Common Name, Scientific Name

                    Bald Eagle, Haliaeetus leucocephalus
                    American Frog's Bit, Limnobium spongia
                    Bladderwort, Utricularia vulgaris
                    Chickahominy Water Hyssop, Bacopa simulans

               Two sites were identified as potential habitat for candidate
               species which are very rare and susceptible to.becoming
               endangered. The species associated with these two sites
               have not been field verified. These species are:

                    Common Name, Scientific Name

                    Cattail, Typha domincensis
                    Sensitive Joint-Vetch, Aeschynomene virainica

               Sensitive habitat information provide by the Natural
               Heritage Program does not identify the particular species
               associated with an individual site in order to protect these
               sensitive species. The six sensitive habitats identified by
               the Natural Heritage Program were identified on the overlay
               map by a bold dashed line. In cases where the sensitive
               habitat extends beyond the designated shoreline planning
               area, the entire sensitive area was designated although it
               is not included in the shoreline planning area. overlays
               for tax maps 13, 14, 40, 41, 48 and 49 delineate sensitive
               habitats that extend beyond the current Shoreline Management
               Study Area Boundary. There were no champion trees
               identified in the shoreline planning area.






                                            20













                          Table 5
                    of. Resource faventory Maps for the shoreline
                      Managgaeat Study Area



         Ms PLand Wetlands Shorelids Ownership Soils Sensitive
          a   Use      Conditions       Habitats


         13   x    x     x          x     x
         14   x    x     x          x     x
         21   x    x     x          x     x
         23   x    x     x          x     x
         30   x    x     x          x     x
         31   x    x     x     x    x     x
         32   x    x     x          x     x
         40   x    x     x     x    x     x
         41   x    x     x     x    x     x
         47   -x   x     x     x    x
         41   x    x     x     x    x     x
         49   x    x     x     x    x     x
         50   x    x     x          x
         S3   x    x     x          x
         54   x    x     x          x
         58   x    x     x     x    x
         59   x    x     x          x
         60   x    x     x          x
         61   x    x     x          x
         62   x    x     x          x
         63   x    x     x          x
         64   x    x     x          x











               Summary

               Analysis of the inventory of existing conditions of the
               shoreline Planning Ai;ea resulted in the development of 113
               overlays (See Table 5). Also, three additional overlay
               maps, which will be discussed in the following section, were
               created to define opportunities and constraints. The
               resource overlays were further analyzed for their potential
               impact on surface water quality to assist in determining
               areas for opportunities and constraints.









































                                            22












            IV. EXISTING OPPORTUNITIES AND CONSTRAINTS

            The ex isting opportunities and constraints for resource
            protection and land development allows evaluation of the study
            area in terms of economic and environmental issues.
            Specifically, the Chesapeake Bay Preservation Act (1988)
            recognizes that significant negative impacts on water quality
            and living resources are associated with population growth and
            development in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed. Evaluation of
            opportunities for resource protection and land development
            options are expressed as a series of existing opportunities
            and constraints overlay maps. The overlay maps address the
            future relationship between land use activities in the
            Stafford County Shoreline Area Management Plan study area and
            their potential consequences on water quality and living
            resources.


            Most human activities are associated with land uses that
            degrade water quality. These activities include clearing of
            vegetation, installation of impervious surfaces, wastewater
            treatment, use of pesticides and fertilizers, and release of
            toxic materials. The extent of degradation depends on many
            factors which include proximity to the Chesapeake Bay and
            tributaries, type of activity and the characteristics of the
            disturbed land.

                     Overlay Maps   opportunities and Constraints

            Within the shoreline planning area, land uses can be divided
            into two basic categories: those that protect the Chesapeake
            Bay waters and living resources, and those that cause them to
            deteriorate. Forests, vegetated fields, and wetlands protect
            water quality by acting as barriers and filters for runoff
            from land surfaces, and as principle habitats for living
            resources.


            Opportunities where development could occur as well as where
            development should be constrained or prohibited are presented
            in the three sets of overlays that identify:

                  0   Environmental resources, where development should
                      not be allowed due to their sensitivity or value,
                      including wetlands, rare and endangered species
                      habitats and steep slopes;

                  0   Environmentally constrained areas where conditions
                      should be imposed on development to avoid or reduce
                      negative impacts on water quality habitats;

                  0   Areas suitable for development due to the absence of
                      constraints or the presence of urban infrastructure.


                                           23










            These overlays were developed as composite overlays from the
            Inventory of Existing Conditions presented in the previous
            series of overlays, and from information on water and sewer
            infrastructure, marinas,and public recreational areas.

            Overlay Number one: Environmental Resources to be Protected

            Land development produces three major types of pollutants:
            sediments, nutrients, and toxics. Development is also
            responsible for changes in the natural flow of water over the
            land and into water courses. The impact of development on
            sensitive resources can be significant. Three resources were
            identified as areas to be protected from the impact of
            development because of their direct relation to water quality
            or their value as important habitats. These resources are:

                 0    tidal and nontidal wetlands;
                 0    sensitive habitats;
                 0    steep slopes greater than 25%.

            Wetlands adjacent to streams and rivers are valued resources
            because of their capacity to act as natural sediment traps,
            which intercept nutrient and sediment inputs from upland
            sources, and because of their capacity to provide stormwater
            management by absorbing-and slowly releasing large volumes of
            stormwater. Wetlands also function as groundwater recharge
            areas and provide habitat for diversity of plant and animal
            species.

            Aquatic and terrestrial plants and animals are integral
            elements of the Chesapeake Bay estuarine system. Plant and
            animal communities play essential roles in maintaining the
            quality of water in the system and are valued resources in
            their own right.

            Rare and endangered species present a special problem in that
            their preservation often.precludes any alteration of their
            habitats, and in some instances may require large areas for
            preservation.

            Development on steep slopes greater than 25% results in the
            increased introduction of sediments into the Chesapeake Bay.
            Preservation of forests and other types of natural vegetation
            are critical to prevent soil erosion from steep slopes.

            These environmental resources to be protected have been
            identified on the first overlay of this series as blackened
            areas. These areas were transferred from overlays number two,
            three and six of the Inventory of Existing Conditions.




                                           24










            Overlay Number Two: Environmentally Constrained Areas

            Development on environmentally constrained areas has been
            identified as having the potential to cause adverse impacts on
            water quality and habitats of the Chesapeake Bay. These areas
            are identified on this ove rlay as:

                 0    forest land
                 0    floodplains
                 0    slopes 10-25%
                 0    beaches and dunes
                 0    eroding areas
                 0    erodible soils
                 0    highly permeable soils
                 0    hydric soils
                 0    historic sites

            Conditions can be imposed on development in environmentally
            constrained areas to avoid or reduce negative impacts on water
            quality and habitats.

            Cutting of forest land can lead to water quality and habitat
            degradation by disturbing the soil and removing vegetation. A
            large portion of the study area is identified as forest land.

            Development on floodRlains can lead to increased runoff of
            toxics, nutrients and sediments during storm events.
            Agricultural activities in floodplains can carry pesticides,
            nutrients from fertilizers and sediments into surface waters.
            Undeveloped floodplains allow stormwater to spread out and
            slow down. They allow suspended materials washed from upland
            areas to settle out rather than enter the waterway.

            Eroding shorelines (greater than 3 feet/year), beaches and
            dunes, and erodible soils are sources of sediment carried by
            runoff. Any new development in these areas and on slopes of
            10-25% should be conditional on implementation of measures to
            limit soil erosion and sediment transport.

            Hydric soils and permeable soils are identified as
            environmentally constrained because of their hydrologic
            connection to the Chesapeake Bay. Runoff contaminated with
            certain nutrients and toxic materials can be transported
            quickly into the estuarine environment.

            Historic sites were also identified on this overlay to
            acknowledge that the surrounding natural environment is
            important to the historic context of the site.





                                           25










            All maps in the Shoreline Management Protection area contained
            areas designated as environmentally constrained. Forest land
            and steep slopes are the most frequently identified mapping
            units found on this overlay. Mapping resources for
            environmentally constrained resources were obtained from
            inventory overlay numbers one, three and five.

            Designation of areas as environmental resources to be
            protected in t first area preempted these areas for
            consideration as environmentally constrained. Environmental
            constraints are best viewed by first overlaying the tax map
            with the study area map, then the resources to be protected
            overlay, followed by the overlay showing environmentally
            constrained areas.

            Boundaries between adjacent environmentally constrained
            mapping units were dissolved to present these areas as a
            single unit. Environmentally constrained areas are displayed
            as clear polygons on this overlay. Areas where no
            environmental constraints were identified are displayed as
            shaded areas.

            Overlay Number Three: Potentially Developable Areas

            Opportunities for development were identified by the presence
            of infrastructure or loc*ational assets that make them
            attractive for water dependent uses. Areas identified on this
            overlay are:

                0    water and sewer service build-out areas
                0    marinas and public recreational areas
                0    developed urban and suburban areas

            The designation of water and sewer service build-out areas
            (Camp Dresser a McKee, 1988) includes both existing service
            and planned improvements.

            marinas were 'identified from a list provided by the Stafford
            County Department of Planning and Community Development
            (1988), a Stafford County Street Map identifying marinas and
            boat ramps, and from aerial photographs.

            Public recreational areas were identified from a list provided
            by the Stafford County Department of Planning and Community
            Development (1989).








                                          26











            Developed urban and suburban areas are taken from the urban
            categories of the Land use/land cover overlay:

                 0    Single-Family Residential;
                 0    Medium-Density Residential;
                 0    High-Density Residential;
                 0    Mobile Homes; .
                 0    General Commercial;
                 0    Institutional;
                 0    General Industrial;
                 0    Vacant, Undeveloped Land; and
                 0    Recreational.

            Urban and suburban land areas included on the Potentially
            Developable Areas overlay do not include small isolated
            residential development or rural residential categories. Urban
            and suburban areas are identified as striped areas on this
            overlay.

            Potentially Developable Areas are found on 11 study area maps
            and are shown independently of the first two overlays in this
            series.

            The analysis of existing opportunities and constraints for the
            Shoreline Management Area resulted in the creation of 49 maps
            to be used in conjunction with the Inventory of Existing Maps
            to serve as the spatial basis for the development of the land
            use plan for Stafford County's Shoreline.
























                                           27












                                                      Table -6

                                   Summary W Opportunity Maps for tbo Sborellso

                                              Management Study Area



                                    Resource           Development        Development
                                    Protection         Constraints        Potential




                  13                    x                   x
                  14                    x                   x
                  21                    x                   x                  x
                  23                    x                   x                  x
                  30                    x                   x                  x
                  31                    x                   x                  x
                  32                    x                   x                  x
                  40                    x                   x
                  41                    x                   x                  x
                  47                    x                   x                  x
                  41                    x                   x
                  49                    x                   x                  x
                  so                                        x
                  53                                        x                  x
                  54                                        x                  x
                  58                    x                   x                  x
                  59                    x                   x
                  60                    x                   x
                  61                                        x
                  62                                        x
                  63                    x                   x
                  64                    x












             V.    GOALS AND OBJECTIVES


                                            Goals



                   Direct Possible Growth so that Water Quality is
                   Maintained and Improved in Tributaries of the Chesapeake
                   Bay Within Stafford County.

                   Maintain and Improve Water Quality in Tributaries to the
                   Chesapeake Bay Whenever Development Occurs.

                   Protect and Maintain the Scenic Quality of the Shoreline
                   Area.


                   Protect Resource-Based Industries.

                   Improve Land Management Practices to Reduce the Adverse
                   Impacts of Development.

             The above goals will provide the foundation of the Shoreline
             Area Managlement Plan. They are designed to supplement and
             coordinate with the adopted goals of the County's
             Comprehensive Plan and to assist the County in complying with
             the Chesapeake Bay Preservation Act regulations.

             As defined in the Comprehensive Plan, a goal is a "broad
             policy toward which the planning effort is directed, usually
             focused on a perpetual concern which can be divided into a
             number of objectives. An objective is a strategy for
             achieving some fraction of a goal." The goals of the
             Shoreline Area Management Plan are in direct support of Goals
             Two, Three, Four and Five of the Comprehensive Plan:

                   0    Goal Two: Preserve natural resources such as drink-
                        ing water supplies, rivers, riverfronts, open space,
                        forested land and streams; preserve historical
                        properties and sites; and promote agricultural uses.

                   0    Goal Three: Improve and protect the quality of the
                        man-made environments.

                   0    Goal Four: Continue emphasis on the Growth Area
                        concept and on the preservation of a rural character
                        in areas outside of the Growth Areas Boundaries.

                   0    Goal Five: Maximize the use of existing utilities
                        and community facilities, and plan for their logical
                        expansion.




                                              29










              The goals and objectives of the Shoreline Area Management Plan
              also serve to guide Stafford County in development of a
              program which will comply with the requirements in the Code of
              Virginia section 10.1-2000 for local governments to establish
              programs under the Chesapeake Bay Preservation Act. The goals
              of such programs are designed to encourage and promote the
              following:

                   0     Protection of existing high quality state waters and
                         restoration of all other state waters to a condition
                         or quality that will permit all reasonable public
                         uses and will support the propagation and growth of
                         all aquatic life, including game fish, which might
                         reasonably be expected to inhabit them;

                   0     Safeguarding the clean waters of the Commonwealth
                         from pollution;

                   0     Prevention of any increase in pollution;

                   0     Reduction of existing pollution; and

                   0     Promotion of water resource conservation in order to
                         provide for'the health, safety and welfare of the
                         present and future citizens of the Commonwealth.

              "'he Shoreline Area Management Plan goals  fall into three
              categories:

                   0     Those which are directly targeted at protecting
                         water quality and have objectives emphasizing
                         measures to protect water quality.

                   0     Those which protect other.significant natural
                         resources such as habitats' or scenic quality, and
                         which may or may not provide water quality
                         prQtection as.a secondary benefit.

                   0     Those which provide for suitable development in
                         appropriate areas.

              Basic land use strategies that provide the philosophy behind
              the goals and objectives of the Shoreline Area Management Plan
              are to:


                   0     Concentrate development so it can be more
                         efficiently served by infrastructure technologies
                         that are less damaging to the Chesapeake Bay on a
                         per person basis;




                                              30











                  0    Increase the distance between pollution sources and
                       surface waters so physical and biological processes
                       can act to prevent water pollution;

                  0    Protect and restore natural vegetation that can
                       serve as a filt'ering mechanism between pollutant
                       sources and surface waters; and

                  0    Eliminate or decrease the intensity of polluting
                       activities.


                                        Goal One

             Direct Possible Growth so that Water Quality is Maintained and
             Improved in Tributaries of the Chesapeake Bay Within Stafford
             County.

             This goal can be implemented through the land use element of
             the Plan so that development occurs in areas and in such a
             manner that results in the greatest protection of the County's
             "Most Sensitive Areas" (as identified in the 1986
             Environmental Analysis) and the least impact to the Bay's
             water quality and living resources. In general, development
             should be located within or adjacent to established Growth
             Areas, and in areas with adequate, planned infrastructure.
             The following objectives provide a strategy for achieving this
             goal.

             Objectives:

             Direct Possible Growth in Environmentally Suitable Areas Where
             Infrastructure Exist and Can be Expanded.

             Growth should be concentrated in environmentally suitable
             areas with adequate sewer, roads, and water supply. Areas
             served by sewage collection and treatment systems have a lower
             release of sewage nutrients and BOD to the Bay than rural
             hard-to-manage package treatment plants.

             Water use per capita is lower in urban areas, resulting in
             less impact to regional water supplies. Growth in areas with
             inadequate roads will require new or expanded roads whose
             construction will destroy natural vegetation and generate
             sediment, and whose use will generate vehicular pollutants and
             excess runoff. In addition to the lower pollution potential
             of urban infrastructure, the costs of providing it are lower
             in the long term than infrastructure built to serve scattered
             development in rural areas.





                                            31










             In shoreline areas, infrastructure should be expanded only if
             land use impacts to water quality and natural vegetation in
             shoreline areas can be avoided.

             Consider Infill Development in Established Growth Areas

             By flavoring development and redevelopment in areas already
             partially developed, growth pressure on natural resources in
             rural areas is reduced. Redevelopment can be used as an
             opportunity to retrofit the infrastructure with water
             pollution abatement devices and clean up wastes. opportunity
             for redevelopment of underutilized or abandoned land in urban
             areas which are environmentally suitable should be identified
             and incentives provided for their redevelopment.

             Allow Water-Dependent Uses On the Shoreline in Environmentally
             Suitable Areas

             Land along appropriate sections of the waterfront should be
             reserved for land uses that must be near water to accomplish
             their basic purposes. All other uses, including
             water-enhanced uses and those ancillary to water-dependent
             uses, should be set back from the waterfront.

             Allow Possible Growth,in Rural Areas Only if it will have
             Minimal Adverse Impact@on Water Quality and Natural Vegetation

             In rural areas, locating growth adjacent to existing
             development will prevent excessive loss of rural resources due
             to haphazard sprawl. Where new development cannot be served
             by extension of sewers, that development should be directed to
             areas with soils suitable for on-site septic systems.

             Provide Prime Resources for Resource-Dependent Uses

             Prime farmland, productive forests, economically valuable
             mineral deposits, and select waterfront locations should be
             provided for.the production of food, fiber, and minerals which
             are essential for human settlement. Prime resources include
             those identified by criteria adopted by state and federal
             agencies such as the Soil Conservation Service, the Department
             of Forestry, and the Division of Mineral Resources.
             Development should not remove rural lands from production nor
             ruin its productive potential, if other land not suitable for
             these uses by natural character or location is available for
             development. Growth in rural areas should only provide for
             housing and other uses that are essential to the economic
             success of resource-based uses. Growth and development in
             rural areas should occur in a manner that improves or has the
             least adverse impact on environmentally sensitive areas.



                                            32










             Protect Habitats from the Adverse Effects of Land Development

             Habitats and the corridors that connect them can be sensitive
             to direct and indirec'E impacts of adjacent land use.
             Habitats, especially those of threatened and endangered
             species and those supporting natural resource-based industries
             should be protected from adverse impacts resulting from land
             use. For example: wetlands serve as important habitats for
             spawning shellfish, finfish, birds, and other animals.
             Wetlands should be protected from the adverse impacts of land
             uses which would impair their function as habitats for plant
             and animal resources.      Gbal Two

             Maintain and Improve Water Quality in Tributaries to the
             Chesapeake Bay wherever Development occurs

             Once appropriate areas for changes in land use activities have
             been identified, the next step is to ensure that site
             development occurs in an environmentally sensitive fashion
             that will not have an adverse impact on water quality.

             Objectives:

             Prevent Runoff from Developed Sites from Entering Surface
             Water

             As water moves across developed areas it dissolves and
             suspends many water pollutants that accumulate on developed
             surfaces from a variety of human activities; these include
             pollutants such as metals, gasoline, oil and grease, and
             winter de-icing agents. During storms these pollutants are
             carried over the land, into storm sewers and streams. Runoff
             from developed sites, particularly roads, parking lots, and
             commercial/industrial storage and loading areas, contains
             large amounts-of pollutants. These are several site design
             principals concerning impervious surface, site layout, erosion
             potential, and sediment and nutrient management that can be
             applied to site design.

             Minimize Brosion Potential of Development Through Proper Site
             Design

             Proper site design that minimizes the disturbance of sensitive
             areas is effective in reducing erosion. When erosion is not
             controlled, sediment is moved across a site and into nearby
             surface waters. over time, the eroded sediment may ha 've
             far-reaching impacts as it is redeposited further downstream.




                                            33









             Keep Sediment On-Site

             When.it is not possible to prevent sediments from being
             generated during construction, the effects of erosion and
             sedimentation can be minimized by preventing sediment from
             leaving the site and entering nearby water bodies.

             Regulations and enforcement of erosion and sedimentation
             control should be evaluated to protect water quality.

             Manage Nutrients to Minimize Water Pollution

             Many of the Chesapeake Bay tributaries are enriched with
             nutrients. In developed areas, major sources of nutrients are
             sewage disposal and fertilization of lawns and plants. it is
             important to control nutrients from these sources since Bay
             research indicates a strong correlation between nutrient
             enrichment and the decline in fishery resources. Nutrients
             stimulate excessive growth of algae which eventually die,
             decay, and consume oxygen that is critical to the survival of
             various species of shellfish and finfish. Excessive*algal
             growth also interferes with the growth of submerged aquatic
             vegetation which provides critical fish spawning and nursery
             habitat. Before development, measures such as siting septic
             systems and sewer interceptor lines in suitable soils and away
             from the water's edge can reduce possibility of nutrient
             release.

             Manage Strict Control of the Use and Storage of Toxic
             Substances

             Toxic substances may be released during or after construction
             or agricultural activities. During construction or
             agricultural activities, for example, foundation
             waterproofing, chemicals, glues, pesticides, and  herbicides
             may be used. These materials are toxic to humans and the
             environment. Care must be exercised to ensure that these
             materials do.not find their way into surface or groundwater
             which can result in sensitive populations being inadvertently
             exposed.

             Protect Sensitive Resources in Rural Areas

             When growth is allowed in rural areas, the site should be
             designed to concentrate structures on the least sensitive
             areas of the site and away from wetlands, surface waters,
             steep slopes, soils and high water table, highly permeable
             soils, and riparian plant and wildlife habitat.- clustering is
             a way to minimize development impacts to the environment.




                                            34










             Encourage Redevelopment to Reduce Water Quality Impacts

             Developed areas may contain an excessive amount of impervious
             area; lack vegetative buffers and adequate stormwater
             management; have malfunctioning septic systems, or leaking
             storm and sanitary sewers; and have vegetation with high water
             and fertilization requirements. These factors may cause
             stream channel erosion and contribute contaminants to the Bay
             and its tributaries. Redeveloping land that is or has been
             developed provides an opportunity to clean up contaminated
             sites, reduce the quantity of pollutants generated at the
             source, and reduce the amount that actually reach the water
             body.

                                        Goal Three

             Protect Sensitive and Valuable Natural Resources Before,
             During, and After Development

             Natural resources often are affected directly or indirectly by
             land development and associated activities. Steps should be
             taken to ensure that inadvertent loss of resources does not
             occur. Natural resources that should be protected from the
             impacts of development include aquatic and terrestrial flora
             and flauna and wildlife, especially threatened and endangered
             species; habitats of those living resources (e.g. wetlands,
             estuarine and riverine habitats, and forest buffers); and
             mineral and sail resources (Water quality and habitat
             protection shall take precedence when developing these
             resources).

             objectives:

             Protect the Natural Environmental of the Shoreline

             Vegetated land at the shoreline provides a natural buffer that
             protects aquotic vegeta-tion and f ishery resources. This land
             protects water quality and aquatic resources from sediment,
             nutrients and other pollutants generated during and after land
             development. The shoreline also contains a high proportion of
             sensitive and valuable resources such as waterfowl habitats,
             wetlands, threatened and endangered species. Natural
             vegetation on the shoreline can be destroyed by clearing or by
             wave action from boating. The recent expansions and potential
             new development of marinas can potentially result in increased
             erosion and habitat disturbance. As the result, additional
             no-wake zones and stricter regulations and enforcement should
             be considered. Development of an inventory of rare and
             threatened species habitats is recommended to more fully
             implement protection measures.



                                             35










              Protect tree species, plant communities, and isolated
              ecosystem that provide an enhanced and protected Shoreline
              Area for all environmental resources.

                                    I
              Trees and plant communities provide a valuable buffer for
              environmentally sensitive shoreline resources by filtering
              nonpoint source pollutants and sediments from runoff. These
              resources are also important factors in enhancing water
              quality, especially trees and plant communities that have been
              established over a period of time.

              Protect Sensitive and Valuable Environments in the Shoreline
              Areas


              Sensitive and valuable environments include areas that contain
              special plants, animals and habitats, and sensitive or unique
              geologic, hydrologic or soil features. These areas are
              recommended for protection because of their individual
              importance as habitat for rare or threatened species, their
              relationship with other components of the ecosystem, or their
              economic value. Such areas shall be protected from uses on
              adjacent lands by buffers and other land use mitigation
              practices.

                                         Goal Four

              Protect and Maintain the Scenic Quality of the Shoreline Area

              One of the great resources of the shoreline areas in Stafford
              County is their scenic quality. Stewardship of this resource
              involves the preservation of the scenic quality of the natural
              environment and the enhancement of the visual quality of the
              built environment. In some instances, this resource is
              enhanced by historic structures. The scenic quality of the
              shoreline is a great asset to the value of the Bay area as an
              economic resource in the tourism and recreation industries.
              The visual perspective from the land and the water is
              important. A visual survey of the County's shoreline should
              be conducted prior to adopting specific regulations concerning
              the county's visual resources.

              Objectives:

              The following objectives which support protection of scenic
              quality, are either supportive or neutral to the water quality
              protection objectives of Goals 1 and 2. Where they encourage
              vegetative cover and maintenance of the natural. landscape they
              will also provide water quality protection. They should be
              used in making decisions regarding not only the types of
              areas, but also to establish guidelines for how development
         ,,.-g-hould be sited.


                                            36










             Maintain High Quality Views and Unique Vistas

             Views and their sight lines are particularly important where
             roadways (especially arterials and collectors) cross shoreline
             areas. These roads provide excellent opportunities for public
             viewing access to the water. However, they also provide
             development opportunities' to vulnerable areas. These two
             attributes should be reconciled to allow appropriate
             development to enhance the visual quality of the surroundings
             and maintain water quality. Rivers provide recreational
             opportunities for boating activities. The visual quality of
             shoreline development as perceived from the water should be
             considered equally with the perspective from land.

             Encourage Site Design which is Compatible with the Natural
             Visual Character of the Surroundings

             The visual impact of a development depends on its location and
             its compatibility with the physical surroundings. This
             compatibility can be assessed through a development review
             process which encourages innovative and creative site design.

             Ensure the Preservation and Protection of Important Historic
             Shoreline Features and Structures

             Historic properties offer opportunities to preserve segments
             of the shoreline and to provide public access to the
             shoreline, particularly if they are publicly owned. Parcels
             adjacent to such properties should be developed in a sensitive
             manner which recognizes the character of the area. Provide
             Opportunities to Increase Public Awareness About the
             Importance of the Bay by Establishing Either Passive or Active
             Education Areas.

             Areas could be established along shorelines as
             recreation/education areas where the public learns about the
             intricate ecology of the Bay and what is being done to restore
             and preserve it. Educational facilities could provide either
             self-guided trails and tours or be manned by guides.

                                         Goal Five

             Protect Resource-Base Industries

             It is often overlooked that man is a component of ecological
             systems. Man contributes to natural systems by using
             available resources in ways that do not disrupt other
             environmental components, and by recycling wastes in ways that
             further the productivity of the system as a whole.
             Resource-based industries are an important aspect of the
             Chesapeake Bay drainage area, and shoby2A-be-protected f rom the
             adverse impacts of population growth and development. At the
             same time, care must be taken so that possible development of
             these resource-based industries do not cause environmental
             harm.
                                             37









             Objectives:

             Protect Resource-Based Industries Insofar as They are
             Compatible vith Water Quality and Resource Protection
             Reguirements          I

             Resource-based industries include the following: fishing,
             agriculture, mining, silviculture, and aquaculture.

             Minimize Alterations to and Degradation of Water Quality and
             Aguatic Habitats

             All resource-based activities must be conducted in ways that
             respect the function and integrity of water habitats for their
             hydrologic and biologic role in maintaining water quality and
             supporting the aquatic wed of life. Critical aquatic
             resources such as water bodies, erodible shorelines, wetlands,
             and submerged aquatic vegetation should be identified and
             protected from direct and indirect disturbance by
             resource-based activities.

             Separate Incompatible Land Uses from Resource-Based Industries

             Normal resource-based activities, which are part of everyday
             life to those related.by tradition and occupation to rural
             areas, are often viewed as nuisances by new residents of rural
             subdivisions. This conflict escalates as more housing
             development in rural areas occurs and contributes to the
             decline of resource-based land uses. To avoid these
             conflicts, growth should be concentrated away from farm
             districts, forestry operations, fish processing industries,
             and mineral extraction activities. Minimum distances and
             vegetative screening should separate new residential areas
             from resource-based land and water uses.


                                        Goal Six

             Improve Land Management. Practices to Reduce the Adverse Impact
             of Development

             In developed areas, proper land management is needed to
             prevent adverse water quality impacts. Examples include
             substitution of non-toxic materials for toxic ones, proper
             timing and application rates of materials released to the
             environment, and maintenance of vegetated areas that filter
             runoff leaving developed areas.

             objectives:

             Maintain Stormwater Controls that Intercept Runoff from
             Impervious Surfaces

             Both natural and man-made stormwater control systems that
             intercept runoff before it enters surface waters require

                                            38









             periodic maintenance to ensure effectiveness. Vegetative
             buffers must be maintained to prevent siltation, while
             constructed systems must be cleaned regularly. Maintenance
             must not be overlooked or water quality may be degraded.
                                   I
             Develop Small (200-400 ac), Subwatershed Stormwater Management
             Strategies to Correct Cumulative Damage to Water Quality from
             Site Specific Storzvater'Nanagement Decisions.

             Consolidating stormwater management structures may result in a
             greater level of treatment for the watershed. This
             subregional approach can have the following advantages:

                  0    Reduction in capital costs for Best Management
                       Practice (BMP) facilities

                  0    Reduction in maintenance costs for BMP facilities

                  0    Increased opportunities for recreational uses

                  0    Increased opportunities for land development

                  0    Improved peak flow control

             Implementing subwatershed stormwater BMP's will require a
             greater level of rese@rch and planning for these public
             facilities to design and locate them properly.

             Reduce Nutrient Loads

             Nutrient loads from fertilized lawns, recreation areas, and
             developed areas can be reduced by improved land management.
             Although the contribution of nutrients from an individual home
             or development site may not be significant, the cumulative
             impact of incremental amounts of nutrients is substantial.
             Existing stormwater control mechanisms should be upgraded for
             increased nutrient removal to counter the water quality
             impacts of p9pulation growth.

             Other potential nutrient sources such as sewage from recreation
             boats should be identified and contained for proper treatment.

             Install or Improve the Pollutant Removal Capacity of Water
             Pollution Control Systems in Developed Areas

             Developed areas should be retrofitted to reduce the amount of
             nutrients, sediments and toxics that enter surface water
             bodies from stormwater runoff and septic systems. Depending
             on the severity of localized water quality problems,
             installation of stormwater management controls and septic
             system renovations could be targeted toward the following:


                                            39










                  0    All developed areas

                  0    Redeveloping areas

                  0    Areas with documented flooding, erosion and
                       sedimentation problems or malfunctioning septic
                       systems that drain to the Bay or its tributaries

                  0    Areas that drain to parts of the Bay or its
                       tributaries with degraded water quality and aquatic
                       habitats

             Minimize or Eliminate the Use of Toxic Chemicals

             It is difficult to prevent careless use and disposal of toxic
             materials that are used by commercial establishments and
             households. These chemicals include pesticides, paints,
             household cleaners, septic tank maintenance chemicals, road
             salt, motor fuels, and lubricants. In fact, some toxic
             materials (e.g., road salt and pesticides) are intended to be
             released into the environment. The only way to control these
             chemicals bffectively is source-control: limiting or
             otherwise controlling the way they are used.

             Source control may include substitution of non-toxic
             substances if available; guidance or restrictions on the
             timing and application rates of toxic substances; and
             requirements for proper disposal. It may also include
             prohibition of the use of specific chemicals above certain
             concentrations an at especially sensitive locations or times
             of year.
























                                            40












             VI. SHORELINE MANAG04ENT

             A primary objective of the Shoreline Area Management Plan is to
             manage future growth and development in a way that minimizes
             its effect on environnientally valuable shoreline resources.
             Growth and development that is not properly managed may
             cause soil erosion, sedimentation, and other forms of nonpoint
             source pollution which will have a negative impact on shoreline
             area resources. This Plan proposes guidelines to reduce the
             damaging effects of development in shoreline areas while
             achieving a balance between development and the protection of
             shoreline resources and water quality.

             Presently shoreline areas in the County are relatively
             undeveloped; however, these areas have experienced development
             pressures due to their valuable scenic and aesthetic qualities
             and environmental resources which make them highly desirable
             environments for recreation, marinas, and various types of
             residential, commercial, and industrial development.    These
             development pressures have heightened the County's need to
             ensure proper design, location, and construction of future
             development in shoreline areas to minimize its effect on
             environmentally valuable shoreline resources.

             In July, 1988, the Boa*rd of Supervisors adopted the Stafford
             County Land Use Plan which set forth overall goals and
             objectives and a plan for future land uses throughout the
             County. One of the underlying goals of the Land Use Plan is
             the protection of environmental resources. This is evident
             through the designation of Resource Protection and Land
             Management overlay areas throughout the County.

             The Resource Protection and Land Management Areas established
             in the Land Use Plan (1988) have been refined and expanded in
             order to effectively carry out the goals and objectives of the
             Shoreline Plan. Definitions established in the Shoreline Plan
             relative to Critical and Sensitive Resource Protection and
             Land/Resource Managemen *t Areas should be considered to replace
             Resource Protection and Land Management Areas in the Land Use
             Plan. The Shoreline Plan has also been developed to implement
             the Chesapeake Bay Preservation Act and Regulations dealing
             with water quality. The following excerpt from the Land Use
             Plan describes the Resource Protection and Land Management
             overlay areas:

                  "Resource Protection: The Land Use Plan designates rivers,
                  major runs, perennial streams, floodplains, wetlands, and
                  steep slopes along these areas as conservation areas
                  unsuitable for development. These areas encompass the
                  most environmental(ly) sensitive areas and are limited
                  naturally in their ability to support development. The
                  development and/orecti-1-1-i-ng-of these areas can create
                  adverse flooding effects on other properties. The Plan
                  recommends that these areas remain as they are and that
                  development density be shifted to other areas of a
                  property." (Page 25)
                                             41










                  "Land Management Overlay: The Land Use Plan has
                  designated in this land use overlay category
                  environmentally sensitive areas which should be protected
                  from the potentially detrimental effects of development
                  through the enactinent (implementation] of Best Management
                  Practices (BMP's). The following natural resources are to
                  be protected under this Land Use Overlay category:
                  watersheds; groundwater recharge areas; severe slopes;
                  areas with poor soils; floodplains, drainage basin runs,
                  and perennial streams (as indicated on maps produced by
                  the United States Geological Survey and National Ocean
                  Survey at a scale of 1:24000); and waterfront and
                  lakefronts.11 (Page 24-25)

             The adopted Land Use Plan provides a solid foundation for
             carrying out the goals and objectives of the Shoreline Plan.
             The Shoreline Plan uses existing Resource Protection and Land
             Management Areas as depicted in the Land Use Plan, as areas
             where development should occur in a sensitive manner in order
             to preserve valuable shoreline resources and water quality.
             The development of this Plan has resulted in identifying
             additional'areas, including those areas identified within the
             Chesapeake Bay Preservation Act, not included in the Land Use
             Plan's Resource Protection and Land Management Areas which are
             also important for the-protection of shoreline resources and
             water quality.

             In addition, provisions of the Chesapeake Bay Preservation Act
             have been addressed within the Plan, through the incorporation
             of Critical Resource Protection Areas. The incorporation of
             all available resources (Land Use Plan, Chesapeake Bay
             Preservation Act) has resulted in a Shoreline Area Management
             Plan that addresses County concerns with environmental
             protection and State regulations for the protection of water
             quality.

                              Shoreline Management Areas

             The Shoreline Plan proposes to create a "Shoreline Management
             Area" which contains environmentally sensitive land features
             that are valuable environmental resources and play a vital role
             in preserving water quality (See Figure 2). The Shoreline
             Management Area is separated into four distinct Areas; Critical
             Resource Protection, Sensitive Resource Protection,
             Land/Resource Management, and Intensely Developed Areas.

             Critical Resource Protection Areas contain land features which
             must be protected, to the greatest extent possible, in their
             natural state. These Areas contain the vital land features
             that are the most sensitive to the negative effects of
             development and contain ecologically significant resources
             which play a signif ic--ai:@t-rote---in maintaining environmental
             quality (e.g. Wetlands). Critical Resource Protection Areas
             are coincidental with Resource Protection Areas defined by the
             Chesapeake Bay Preservation Act.
                                            42








                                                                      r e 2
              SHORELINE MANAGEMENT AREA







          ISOLATED NONTIDAL                  NONTIDAL TRIBUTARY STREAM (CRPA)

          WETLAND (L/RMA)
                                                  NONTIDAL WETLAND CONNECTED
        RIVER OR CREEK (CRPA)                       BY SURFAr FLOW (CRPA)
                                                           Sle- :I--

       VEGETATIVE BUFFER AREA
             (CRPA)

                                                NONTI DAL WETLAND CONTIGUOUS
        FLOODPLAIN (SRPA)                        TO RIVER OR CREEK (CRPA)
    Portions of floodplain will
    be located in CRPA                          UPSTREAM LIMIT OF TIDE


  DEVELOPED AREAS (IDA)                  TIDAL WETLAND ON OR NONTIDAL WETLAND
                                         CONTIGUOUS TO TIDAL WETLAND (CRPA)


                                         CRPA - CRITICAL RESOURCE PROTECT ON A
                                             PA   SENSITIVE RESOURCE PROTECTIC

                                                       AREA

                                                  U
                                                     MA - LAND/RESOURCE
                                                    R

                                                              MANAGEMENT AREI
LTHER LAND/RESOUR E MANAGEMENT FEATURES             IDA - INTENSELY DEVELOPED AF

       HIGHLY ERODIBLE SOILS

       HIGHLY PERMEABLE SOILS


       STEEP/SEVERE SLOPES











             Sensitive Resource Protection Areas also contain land features
             that must be protected, to the greatest extent possible, in
             their natural state; however, although these areas contain land
             features that are sensitive to the negative effects of
             development, the Areas@ will continue to function effectively
             when limited uses are allowed to be developed.

             Land/Resource Management-Areas contain environmentally
             sensitive land features which need to be protected from the
             potentially negative effects of development through sound
             environmental management. Development may occur in these
             Areas; however, it must meet specific performance standards
             designed to mitigate its detrimental impact on the environment.

             Intensely Developed Areas are lands that are included in
             Critical and Sensitive Resource Protection Areas and
             Land/Resource Management Areas which are already developed and
             for which public utilities are available. These Areas are
             delineated by a set of specific criteria. Areas that meet
             these criteria should meet established criteria whenever it is
             possible; except that, all redevelopment should meet*
             established goals for stormwater management.

             The following subsections will describe the land features
             contained within each of the Areas and list the land use
             activities which are allowed in the Shoreline Management Area.

             Critical Resource Protection Area

             Critical Resource Protection Areas consist of sensitive lands
             near the shoreline which play a vital role in preserving the
             County's water quality. Development, if allowed within the
             Critical Resource Protection Area will have a direct negative
             impact on the shoreline resources and water quality. The
             Critical Resource Protection Area includes rivers, tidal
             shores, tidal wetlands, tributary streams, and nontidal
             wetlands connected by surface flow to a tributary stream or
             river. A buffer area adjacent to, and on the landward side of
             the limits o@ these resource features is also included in the
             Critical Resource Protection Area in order to provide
             additional protection of these resources.

             In their natural condition, these lands features provide for
             removal, reduction, or assimilation of sediments, nutrients,
             and potentially harmful or toxic substances in runoff from
             entering the waters of the County. Listed below is a
             description of the land categories in the County's Critical
             Resource Protection Area:






                                           44











                  Rivers and Creeks - These are natural streams of water of
                  considerable volume and include the Rappahannock and
                  Potomac Rivers, and Aquia, Accokeek, Chopowamsic, and
                  Potomac Creeks. ,

                  Tidal Shore - These are lands contiguous to a tidal body
                  of water between the. mean low water mark and the mean high
                  water mark. This is a very sensitive land component since
                  it is the last link in the nonpoint source pollution
                  pathway in tidal waters, and if disturbed it can act as a
                  source of pollution to water bodies.

                  Tidal Wetlands - These are vegetated and non-vegetated
                  wetlands as defined in Section 62.1-13.2 of the Code of
                  Virginia. Tidal wetlands are principally sensitive as
                  receptors of nonpoint source pollutants from land use
                  activities. Disrupting tidal wetlands limits their
                  ability to filter sediments and other nonpoint source
                  pollutants from the surface water.

                  Nontidal Wetlands - These are wetlands other than tidal
                  wetlands that are inundated or saturated by surface or
                  groundwater at a frequency and duration sufficient to
                  support, and that under normal circumstances do support, a
                  prevalence of vegetation typically adapted for life in
                  saturated soil conditions. Nontidal Wetlands are
                  considered part of the Critical Resource Protection Area
                  only when they are connected to a river or a tributary
                  stream by surface flow or are contiguous to tidal wetlands
                  and tributary streams. Nontidal wetlands not connected by
                  a surface flow or contiguous to tidal wetlands or
                  tributary streams will be part of the Land/Resource
                  Management Area.

                  Tributary Streams - These are perennial streams depicted
                  on the most recent U.S. Geological 7 1/2 minute
                  topographic quadrangle map (scale 1:24,000). Stafford
                  County contains a significant number of these tributary
                  streams.

                  Buffer Areas - These are one hundred (100) foot wide
                  vegetated areas which make up the boundary of the Critical
                  @esource Protection Area. Buffer areas are to be retained
                  if present and established where they do not not exist, to
                  the extent practical. The buffer area may be modified in
                  residential, commercial and industrial areas when strict
                  application of the buffer would result in the creation of
                  an unbuildable lot, or in agricultural areas where buffer
                  areas may be reduced if Best Management Practices (e.g.
                  detention ponds, silt fences, etc..) are utilized.



                                            45









                  The intent of this buffer area is to provide a nonpoint
                  source pollution filter area to protect sensitive
                  resources in the Critical Resource Protection Area.

             In May, 1990, the County completed a mapping project which
             produced a complete set of mylar overlay maps to the County tax
             maps displaying Critical Resource Protection Areas (See Figure
             3). These maps, available in the Department of Planning and
             Community Development, are resource maps which will be used to
             assist the County in preventing development from occurring in
             these critical environmentally sensitive areas.

             Sensitive Resource Protection Area

             Sensitive Resource Protection Areas include environmentally
             sensitive land features that, if developed with any residential
             density or commercial and industrial intensity, will have a
             direct negative impact on shoreline resources and water
             quality; however, certain uses are appropriate in these areas
             so long as construction is limited. The Sensitive Resource
             Protection Area includes the 100 year flood plain and adjacent
             slopes of greater than 25%.

                  FloodRlains - Theses are lands that would be inundated by
                  flood water as a 'result of a storm event of a 100-year
                  return interval as defined by the Federal Emergency
                  Management Agency (FEMA). Floodplains are an important
                  link in the drainage pathway to surface water bodies.

                  Steep Slopes - Only those slopes greater than 25% which
                  are adjacent to the floodplain are considered Sensitive
                  Resource Protection Areas.

             Land/Resource INAnagesent Area

             Land/Resource Management Areas include land features that if
             developed improperly, have a potential for polluting the waters
             of Stafford County and diminishing the functional value of
             Resource Protection Areas. Land/Resource Management Areas are
             to be provided contiguous to the entire inland boundary of
             Resource Protection Areas and include the following land
             features: 1) highly erodible areas; 2) highly permeable areas;
             3) steep/severe slopes, and 4) nontidal wetlands not in the
             Critical Resource Protection Area.










                                            46




                                                     CRITICAL
                RESOURCE                          PROTECTION AREAS




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        PRESERVATION AREAS                                                  Al        Al ?Jos  At
     ESOURCE PROTECTION AREA (RPA)                      (A) B pFMA,            25A
        SYMBOL              FEATURE                                 23B                                        At
                                                          23 A I                       At       At
                                                                                                24-F
                       TIDAL SHORELINE


                      TRIBUTARY STREAM

                          WETLANDS*
                       (HYDROLOGICALLY
                         CONNECTED)

               ...... LIMITS OF 100-FOOT
                       BUFFER AND RPA                              47










                  Highly Erodible Soils - These are soils with an
                  erodibility index (EI) greater than eight (8) as
                  determined in the "Food Security Act Manual", August 1988
                  (this is a section of the United States Department of
                  Agriculture's (USDA) "Field Office Technical Guide").
                  These soils, when disturbed, may lead to severe soil
                  erosion and sedimentation if Best Management Practices
                  (e.g. detention ponds, silt fences, etc.) are not used.

                  Highly Permeable Areas - These are areas where soils have
                  a permeability equal to or greater than six (6) inches of
                  water movement per hour in any part of the soil profile to
                  a depth of seventy-two (72) inches as found in the
                  "National Soils Handbook of 1983 (this is a section in the
                  USDA "Field Office Technical Guide"). These soils must be
                  protected to ensure the protection of ground water
                  recharge areas.

                  Steep Slopes/Severe Slop1s - These are slopes which have a
                  grade greater than ten (10) percent and when disturbed,
                  these slopes are easily eroded. Fertilizers and
                  pesticides applied on slopes greater than ten (10) percent
                  can easily be washed down into the waterways. Slopes
                  greater than 25% and adjacent to flood plains are
                  considered Sensitive Resource Protection Areas.


                  Nontidal Wetlands  These are wetlands that are not
                  included in the Critical Resource Protection Area because
                  they are not connected to a river, creek, or tributary
                  stream by a surface flow. These isolated wetlands are
                  located throughout the County.

            An inventory of the above mentioned environmentally sensitive
            lands throughout the County was performed by representatives at
            Virginia Tech through the use of the Virginia Geographic
            Information System (VirGIS). This inventory produced 1 inch to
            2,000 feet USGS overlay maps and revealed that the area in the
            County conta@ning these environmentally sensitive land is
            conservatively estimated at seventy-three percent (73%).

            These figures reveal that in order to adequately address the
            protection of water quality and water resources, the Shoreline
            Plan needs to place the remainder of the County not included in
            Critical or Sensitive Resource Protection Areas into the
            Land/Resource Management Area.








                                           48










              Intensely Developed Areas

              Intensely Developed Areas are lands within Stafford County's
              Resource Protection and Land/Resource Management Areas where
              development has already occurred and public utilities are
              available. These Intensely Developed Areas are recommended to
              overlay the Resource Protection and Land/Resource Management
              Areas where two or more of the following exist:

              1.   The developed area contains greater than fifty (50)
                   percent impervious surface;

              2.   The area is served by water and sewer by the adoption date
                   of these regulations;

              3.   Where the predominant land use is residential, the housing
                   density is equaled to or greater than four dwelling units
                   per acre.

              VII. RECOMMENDED DEVELOPHMff GUIDEIJNES

              In order to carry out the goals and objectives of the Shoreline
              Plan, guidelines need to be developed to lay the foundation for
              changes in existing County ordinances. The guidelines
              recommended in this Plan deal mainly with possible development
              that may occur in the Shoreline Management Area.

              Development includes agricultural uses as-well as residential,
              commercial, and industrial uses. Each of these land uses can
              be characterized by a set of activities which have the
              potential to release or generate nonpoint sources of water
              pollution. Some activities, such as clearing vegetation, occur
              during the construction phase of land development and are
              common to a wide range of land uses.     other activities, such
              as impervious surface runoff and septic system discharge, are
              ongoing post development nonpoint source pollution activities
              associated with most land uses.

              The concern of this Plan is activities that occur in the
              Shoreline Management Area. Recommended development guidelines
              will address existing activities allowed and those uses that
              are planned for in the Land Use Plan. The recommended
              guidelines will also address possible future changes in the
              Land Use Plan for incorporation of the Shoreline Management
              Area.


                         Stafford County Land Use Plan

              The Stafford County Land Use Plan (1988) represents a.guide for
              the location and type of future land uses throughout the
              County. A majority of the Shoreline Management Area is
              designated for either Resource Protection or rural-type
              development (Agriculture, three acre lot residential) and are
              outside the designated Growth Area in the Land Use Plan.
                                              49










             These land use activities are somewhat compatible with
             Shoreline Management Areas as they, in most cases, do not
             produce the amount or type of nonpoint source pollution sources
             as the more urban land use activities; however, these uses
             still need to be managed to ensure water quality throughout the
             County.

             The Shoreline Management Area included in the designated Growth
             Area of the Land Use Plan has existing and proposed land uses
             that need to be managed appropriately to maintain the
             environmental quality of the Shoreline Management Area.

                             Land Use Activities Allowed in
                           Critical Resource Protection Areas

             only certain land use activities are recommended to be
             permitted in Critical Resource Protection Areas due to the
             importance of these areas for protection of shoreline resources
             and water quality. Below is a list of land use activities
             permitted within Critical Resource Protection Areas.when
             developed under specific guidelines:

             Rivers or Creeks, Tidal Shores, Tidal and Nontidal Wetlands,
             and Tributary Streans
             - Any of the Water De@endent Uses listed below:

              1. Marinas;

              2. Docks;

              3. Intake and outfall structures of power plants, sewage
                 treatment plants, water treatment plants, and storm
                 sewers;

              4. Public water-oriented recreation areas;

              5. Fisheries or marine resources facilities.

              6. Regional stormwater management facilities.

                 shoreline erosion control projects, such as construction
                 bulkheads or revetments and the removal of vegetation to
                 stabilize the shoreline in accordance with the best
                 available technical advice, subject to obtaining all
                 applicable Federal, State and Local permits.

                 Access Roads (See guidelines for specific land use
                 activities - creation of impervious surfaces).

                 Vegetation Clearing (See guidelines for specific land use
                 activities - vegetation clearing).

                                           50










                   Public Utility Infrastructure, provided construction,
                   installation, and maintenance of these facilities is
                   performed in a manner that meets the intent of the
                   recommended development guidelines.

             Buffer Area

                   All uses permitted in above portion of Critical Resource
                   Protection Area should be permitted in the buffer area.

                   In order to maintain the functional value of the buffer
                   area, indigenous vegetation may be removed only to provide
                   for reasonable sight lines, access paths, general wood lot
                   management, and best management practices.

                   When application of the buffer area would result in the
                   creation of an unbuildable residential, commercial or
                   industrial lot, a modification is recommended to be
                   allowed in accordance with the following guidelines:

                   a.   Modification shall be.minimal to achieve reasonable
                        buildable areas.

                   b.   Where possible, an equal area to the area encroaching
                        in the buffer area will be established elsewhere on
                        the lot.


                   C.   In no case will the reduced buffer be less than 50
                        feet.

                   Modification of the buffer area in areas adjacent to
                   active agricultural lands is recommended to be allowed
                   with the following guidelines:

                   a.   A fifty (50) foot buffer area may be established when
                        the land is part of a federal, state or locally
                        funded agricultural BMP program.

                   b.   A twenty-five (25) foot buffer area may be
                        established upon implementation of a soil and water
                        conservation plan approved by the Soil and Water
                        Conservation District.

                              Land Use Activities Alloved in
                            Sensitive Resource Protection Areas

             Only certain land use activities are recommended to be
             permitted in Sensitive Resource Protection Areas due to the
             valuable function these Areas contribute to shoreline resources
             and water quality. Below is a list of land use activities
             permitted within Sensit-iAm.Resource Protection Areas when
             developed under specific guidelines:

                                             51









             Floodplains and Adjacent Steep Slopes Greater Than 251

                  All land uses permitted in the Critical Resource
                  Protection Area.

                  Active recreational facilities and ancillary uses.

                  1. Access Roads/Parking Facilities (See guidelines for
                     specific land use activities - creation of impervious
                     surfaces).

                  2. Vegetation Clearing (See guidelines for specific land
                     use activities - vegetation clearing).

                  Agricultural Uses (See guidelines for specific land use
                  activities - cultivation/tillage, pasture and fertilizers
                  and pesticides).

                            overall Development Guidelines

            The location and type of land use activities allowed in the
            Shoreline Management Area is that which is allowed with the
            existing zoning of the property provided that use can meet the
            performance criteria set forth in this Plan. For example a
            property zoned for Industrial in a Shoreline Management Area,
            may be developed for a-industrial use provided that certain
            performance criteria are met. These performance criteria are
            derived from development guidelines established for these uses.

            Recommended development guidelines have been formulated for all
            land use activities that occur in the Shoreline Management
            Area. These guidelines are directly related to the following
            goals of the Shoreline Plan:

                                          Goals

                  Direct Possible Growth so that Water Quality is Maintained
                  and Improved in Tributaries of the hesapeake Bay Within
                  Stafford County.

                  Maintain and Improve Water Quality in Tributaries to the
                             Bay Wherever Development Occurs.

                  Protect Sensitive and Valuable Natural Resource Before,
                  During, and After Development.

                  Protect and Maintain the Scenic Quality of the Shoreline
                  Area.


                  Protect Resource-Based Industries.

                  Improve Land Management-Practices to Reduce the Adverse
                  Impacts of Development.   52











             Recommended Guidelines:

             -    Disturb no more land than is necessary to provide for the
                  desired use or development.

             -    Preserve indigenous vegetation to the maximum extent
                  possible during any -type of construction.

             -    Utilize Best Management Practices in all developments.

             -    Require a erosion and sediment control plan for land use
                  activities that exceed 2,500 square feet of land
                  disturbance.

             -    Require any land disturbing activity that exceeds an area
                  of 2,500 square feet (including construction of all single
                  family houses, septic tanks and drainfields) to comply
                  with the requirements of Stafford County's Erosion and
                  Sediment Control ordinance.

                  (uses.considered usual and customary, such as gardens,
                  that serve individual families are exempt from the
                  aforementioned 2,500 square foot provisions)

             -    Require no net increase in nonpoint source pollution
                  runoff in new developments based on average land cover
                  conditions.

             -    Require no net increase in nonpoint source pollution
                  runoff from redevelopment currently utilizing BMP's.

             -    Require a ten (10) percent reduction in nonpoint source
                  pollution runoff from redevelopment not currently
                  utilizing BMPIs.

             -    Develop alternative on-site sewage treatment systems,
                  including the use of flow diversion systems (systems which
                  periodi6ally switch the flow of waste to the reserve
                  drainfields, thus allowing the other drainfield to
                  recover).

                  Promote area-wide planning for public and private access
                  to shoreline areas.

                  Promote area-wide planning for the construction of
                  community docks and piers to limit the construction of
                  numerous individual docks and piers.

                  Minimize the amount of impervious cover to be
                  consistent with the use or development allowed.



                                            53










                   Require on-site sewage treatment systems to be
                   -pumped out every five years and provide a reserve sewage
                   disposal site with the same capacity as the primary site.

                   Develop a Regional Stormwater Management Plan for the
                   County.

                   Require agricultural activities have a soil and
                   water conservation plan.

                   Guidelines for Specific Land Use Activities

             The activities listed below are the activities that would
             generate or release the most nonpoint source pollutants in
             Stafford County. Any of the land activities listed below are
             recommended to follow the guidelines set forth in this section
             and the Overall Development Guidelines (listed above).

             Cultivation/Tillage

             Conventional cropping practices can leave disturbed  soils
             exposed without vegetation for periods during which  stormwater
             can cause soil erosion and sedimentation.

                   Prohibit these activities in tidal shores, tidal
                   and nontidal wetlands, steep slopes, and buffer area.

                   Require Agricultural Conservation Plans approved by the
                   Soil and Water Conservation District to specify the
                   management techniques to be utilized for
                   cultivation/tillage in floodplain and highly permeable and
                   erodible soil areas to assist in preventing the
                   transmittal of pollutants to surface and groundwater.

             Pasture

             Pasture areas can be an asset to water quality if they are
             properly managed and maintained with a vegetated cover;
             however, where large numbers of animals are allowed in streams
             or on steep slopes, they can cause erosion and lower water
             quality.

                   Allow pasture activities in buffer areas where
                   pasture vegetation already exists.

                   Require Agricultural Conservation Plans to indicate the
                   techniques required for maintaining vegetation in the
                   buffer area in a state which allows it to function as
                   intended.





                                            54











            Dairies and Feedlots

            Dairies and Feedlots involve high concentrations of animals,
            most often cattle, which produce large quantities of waste.
            They are often located on large expanses of either impervious
            surface or exposed soils. These operations can increase
            stormwater flows, and increase nutrients and sediment levels
            delivered to water bodies.

                 Prohibit these uses from all components except highly
                 permeable and erodible soil areas.

                 Regulate the concentration of animals in order to limit
                 the animal concentrations and nutrient-rich runoff in
                 highly permeable and erodible soil areas.

            Fertilizers and Pesticides

            Fertilizers and Pesticides applied in the wrong concentration,
            at the wrong time, or too close to water bodies, may result in
            pollution of water bodies and severely impact water quality.
            Improper storage and handling of these substances can also
            result in their release into water bodies with harmful effects
            to water quality.

                 Prohibit these activities in tidal shore, tidal wetland,
                 and nontidal wetland areas.

                 Limit the application of these substances in
                 the floodplain to that absolutely necessary for
                 agricultural activities and also use application
                 techniques which will minimize the threat of water
                 pollution.

                 Limit the application of these substances in areas other
                 than floodplains to amounts that are necessary to maintain
                 a thick vegetative cover, but performed in a manner so
                 that none leave the site.

            Vegetation clearing

            The clearing of vegetation is needed for a variety of land
            uses. Land development includes clearing of vegetation in
            preparation for construction. Exposed soils are subject to
            soil erosion resulting in sedimentation of water bodies.

                 Allow vegetated clearing only after the proper permits
                 have been obtained, if necessary, from either the Stafford
                 County Wetlands Board, Virginia Marine Resources
                 commission (VMRC), or Army Corps of Engineers.



                                           55










                   Disturb no more land than is necessary to provide for the
                   approved development or use.

                   Preserve indigenous vegetation to the maximum extent
                   possible consist6nt with use and development allowed.

                   Allow clearing in highly permeable soil areas provided
                   that the disturbed area is replanted as soon as possible.

                   Require any vegetative clearing follow BMP's to enhance
                   the quality of stormwater runoff.

             Soil  Grading/Dredging and Filling

             These activities are combined because they each involve
             disrupting areas of soil and sediment and exposing them to
             erosion. They each can lead to pollutants in water bodies, the
             disruption of habitat, and, where dredging is involved, the
             resuspension of previously deposited nutrients and toxic
             materials.

                   Permit dredging and filling only after the proper permits
                   have been obtained, if necessary, from either the Stafford
                   County Wetlands Board, Virginia Marine Resources
                   commission (VMRC) or Army Corps of Engineers.
                   Disturb no more land than is necessary to provide for the
                   approved development or use.

                   Prohibit these activities in tidal and nontidal
                   wetlands, on slopes greater than twenty five (25) percent,
                   and within buffer areas.

                   Require dredging/filling to use appropriate BMPs.

             Mining
             The principal: mining operations of direct concern to water
             quality are sand and gravel operations which recover materials
             along streams and rivers or from abandoned river terraces and
             benches. The sand and gravel are removed, sorted, and washed
             creating a potential for releasing large amounts of fine
             particles to surface waters.

                   Prohibit mining from the tidal shore, tidal and nontidal
                   wetland and buffer areas.

                   Require mining to utilize appropriate BMPs to prevent the
                   degradation of water quality.

                   Require disturbed areas to be reclaimed so that they are
                   po=manent-ly stabilized by grading and planting or seeding
                   with indigenous vegetation.

                                            56









                  Regulate mining activities in highly permeable soil areas,
                  such as sand gravel deposits, so that pollutants from
                  machinery cannot be infiltrated into the groundwater.
                  Require mining a@tivities in highly erodible soil
                  areas to use appropriate BMPs which will protect
                  against off-site erosion.

             Creation Of Impervious Surface

             Most land development results in the creation of impervious
             surfaces such as rooftops, sidewalks, roads, and parking areas.
             These areas inhibit the infiltration of stormwater into the
             ground. Resulting increases in surface flows during storms
             erode soils and change stream profiles. Roads and parking
             areas accumulate toxic substances and nutrients which are
             carried by stormwater into water bodies.

                  minimize impervious cover needed for the uses or
                  developments allowed.

                  Limit: the impervious surfaces to those absolutely
                  required for the development (i.e. road lengths should be
                  shortened and structure footprints kept as small as
                  possible).

                  Develop alternative parking lot designs that limit
                  impervious surfaces, but whose quality is comparable to
                  more conventional impervious surfaces.

                  Require the use of pervious surfaces which accomplish
                  improvements in water quality and perform the intended
                  function of conventional impervious surfaces whenever
                  possible.

                  Allow structure footprints to be reduced by increasing the
                  number of stories in the structure, provided that the
                  structure height complies with the maximum allowed in that
                  zone.


                  Recommend clustering in developments to the extent
                  possible.

                  Prohibit impervious surfaces in tidal or nontidal
                  wetlands, on steep slopes, or in buffer areas (unless a
                  hardship exist); except uses in Resource Protection Areas
                  and necessary roadways that comply with other provisions
                  listed herein.

                  Allow minimal impervious surfaces in tidal shore
                  areas where they are associated with water do@@epq"t -uses.

                  Design developments so that runoff from impervious
                  surfaces in the floodplain is recharged close to where it
                  occurs.
                                            57












                  Prohibit stormwater from contaminated surfaces to be
                  directed for infiltration to highly permeable soil areas
                  where it is determined that groundwater contamination
                  could occur.

                  Prevent runoff from impervious areas to be directed onto
                  highly erodible soil,areas where it can be avoided. If
                  unavoidable, limit runoff to erodible areas to sheet flows
                  onto vegetated areas.

             On-site Wastewater Treatment

             All types of individual, or community on-site wastewater
             treatment techniques can potentially impact water quality.
             Even well-designed, properly installed septic systems can
             release nutrients, primarily nitrates, to groundwater which
             makes its way to surface waters of streams and rivers.

                  Require that on-site wastewater treatment facilities be
                  designed to reduce their negative impact on water quality .

                  Requii:e on-site sewage treatment systems to be pumped out
                  every five years.and provide a one hundred percent
                  reserve sewage disposal site with the same capacity as the
                  primary site.

             Solid Waste Disposal

             This activity is intended to include all types of solid waste
             disposal, including but not limited to landfills. Surface
             water quality problems associated with solid waste disposal can
             occur directly and indirectly. wastes discharged directly into
             water bodies (including wastes from ships and boats) have a
             negative impact on water quality if they contain nutrients, and
             toxic materials. Wastes disposed of on land can directly
             affect surface water quality if washed into water bodies or
             they can reach surface waters indirectly through groundwater.

                  Prohibit solid wastes disposal in the Shoreline Management
                  Area, except in appropriately designated areas including
                  public landfills.

             Toxic Substance Storage/Disposal

             When toxic substances are released into the environment, they
             have the potential for degrading water quality. Normal usage
             of these materials involves releases into the environment.
             Mishandling these products during normal usage can damage
             environmentally sensitive areas. Areas where they are-disposed
             of or stored are particularly vulnerable to releases dde to the
             concentrations of materials involved.



                                           58










                  Prohibit toxic material storage in Resource Protection
                  Areas with the exception of gasoline and other support
                  -substances needed for water dependent uses (i.e. marinas)
                  provided that the. storage of such substances meet
                  standards according to the latest edition of the National
                  Fire and Protection Association (NFPA) Automotive and
                  Marine Service Station Code.

                  Prohibit toxic material storage and dispensing in
                  Shoreline Management Areas through the standards set forth
                  in the latest edition of the NFPA Automotive and Marine
                  service station Code.


             VIII. IINPLENEWATION


             This Plan establishes Critical and Sensitive Resource
             Protection Areas and Land/Resource Management Areas and sets
             forth recommendations for development that occurs within these
             Areas. Many of these requirements have been taken from the
             Chesapeake Bay Preservation Act Final Regulations, while others
             were developed to implement specific County objectives for
             shoreline @rotection. Implementation of these recommendations
             will require several steps, the most important of which is the
             development of ordinance amendments within the County Code,
             including Zoning, Subdivision and Erosion and Sediment Control
             ordinances.

             There is also a need to establish a procedure for individual
             lot owners outside of subdivisions to construct a home or
             accessory structure on their land in accordance with the
             guidelines set forth in this Plan, but without imposing a
             financial hardship. In addition to the increased subdivision
             development within the County, large numbers of individual lots
             outside of subdivisions continue to be constructed upon. A
             procedure that will allow for the development of these isolated
             lots by individuals, in an environmentally sensitive manner
             without placing a financial burden on the landowner is
             recommended.-

             The development of a procedure that will ensure compliance with
             the requirement for on-site sewage treatment systems to be
             pumped out every five (5) years is also recommended and should
             include enforcement recommendations from the Rate Management
             commission.

             It is further recommended that specific standards for
             determining pollutant loadings of various land covers within
             minor watersheds be developed, as opposed to utilization of
             standard default figures for land covers throughout the County.




                                             59









             As development is established near the shoreline, area-wide
             planning for public and private access to the shoreline area
             and for the location of docks and piers should be encouraged.
             There is a public need for adequate access to the shoreline
             area; however, promotilng construction of public and private
             access paths, docks and piers solely for individual use will be
             detrimental to the aesthe *tic environment and water quality.
             Area-wide coordination, including the utilization of Homeowners
             Associations to establish area-wide programs, of these features
             will provide opportunities for public and private access and
             establish docks and piers as necessary.

             V.   CONCLUSION

             The Shoreline Area Management Plan has included an inventory of
             existing conditions; the identification of existing
             opportunities and constraints; the establishment of goals and
             objectives and Shoreline Management Areas; recommended
             development guidelines; and recommendations for implementing
             the Shoreline Plan recommendations. The inventory of existing
             conditions has analyzed and mapped a variety of environmental
             features. *These features were further analyzed to determine
             the opportunities and constraints of the shoreline area.

             Goals and objectives were developed to assist in carrying out
             the primary purpose of- the plan, to protect and enhance the
             wise use of shoreline area resources through the management of
             future growth and development. These goals and objectives were
             designed to supplement and coordinate with the adopted goals of
             the County's Comprehensive Plan and to assist the County in
             complying with the Chesapeake Bay Preservation Act regulations.

             The establishment of Shoreline Management Areas were developed
             from already established areas depicted in the Stafford County
             Land Use Plan (Resource Protection a'nd Land Management Overlay
             Districts). Additional mapping was performed which delineated
             the limits of Critical Resource Protection Areas that require
             protection in@order to ensure protection of shoreline resources
             and water quality. In addition, the provisions of the
             Chesapeake Bay Preservation Act have been incorporated into
             this Plan.

             Recommended development guidelines were formulated to carry  out
             the goals and objectives of the Shoreline Plan. These
             guidelines address existing activities presently allowed and
             those uses planned for in the Land Use Plan and future
             amendments to it. overall development guidelines were
             developed which applied to all land use activities throughout
             the Shoreline Management Area. In addition, guidelines for
             specific land use activities which create nonpoint source
             pollution were developed.


                                            60











             The development guidelines laid the foundation for
             recommendations for implementing the Shoreline Plan. The
             adoption of am,endments to County Ordinances will provide the
             "teeth" of the Plan ahd will implement the regulations
             necessary to protect and enhance the wise use of our shoreline
             area resources.













































































                                           61













                                                 References


                   Air Photographics, Inc. March 1983. Stafford County. Photo Scale:
                       I*-1000'.         I


                   A
                       erson, James R., Ernest E. Hardy, John T. Roach and Richard -E. Witmer.
                                 1976. A Land Use and Land Cover Classification Syslem for LZse with
                       Remote Sensor Da;a. Geological Survey Professional Paper 964. United
                       States Government Printing Office. Washington, D.C.

                   Cox Company. 1986. Stafford County Comprehensive Plan Update 1286
                       Environmental Analysis and Deveqloomqent Potential Study Charlottsville,
                       Virginia.

                   Federal Emergency Management Agency. 1980. Flood Insurance Rate Map,
                       stafrord County.

                   Perry, Katherine. Virginia Natural Heritage Program. Department of
                       Conservation and Historic Resources. Letter to K. Stabenow. January
                       26, 1989.

                   Stafford County Department of Planning and Community Development. 1985.
                       Inventory of Historic Features.

                   Stafford County Department of Planning and Community Development. 1988.
                       Property Ownership Listing.

                   Stoneman, Bruce. Prime Farmland in Stafford and Kinit Georee Counties
                       Virstinia US Department of Agriculture. Soil Conservation Service.
                       Richmond, Virginia. Letter to K. Stabenow. January 30, 1999.

                   United States Department of Interior. 1974-1978. Fish and Wildlife
                       Service. National Wetland Inventory.

                   United States Department of Agriculture. 1974. Soil Conservation Service.
                       Soil Survey for Stafford and King George Counlies

                   Virginia Institite of Marine Science. 1975. Shoreline Stliation Regort
                       Stafford County,

                   Wiqsniewsk Ronald. Stafford County Soil Conservation Service. Telephone
                       Conversation with K. Stabenow. January 13, 1989.

                   Wisniewsk Roqnald. S-tafford and King George County Hydrig.Soil List
                       60qI68qM Stafford County Soil Conservation Service. Letter to K.
                       Stabenow. December 30, 1988.

                   Yagow, Gene. Virginia Geographic Information System. Virginia
                       Polytechnical Institute. Conversation with K. Stabqenow. January 27,
                       196q99.
 













                                                     References



                     ADC. StIfford Cgunty. Virginia. Street map. Alexandria Virginia.
                                           I
                     Camp Dresser & McKee. 1988. Stafford County. Virginia: Water-and Sewer
                         Master Elan. Annadale, Virginia.

                     Chesapeake Bay Local Assistance Department. 1999. Criteria 12lcussion
                         Document. Briefing Paper Series 89-01.

                     Population Growth and Development Commitment Team. 1988. Chesageake Bay
                         W2tershed Develoment Policies and Quidelinel. Draft

                    Stafford County Department of Planning and Community Development. List of
                         Marinas in Stafford County. Letter to K. Stabenow. January 25, 1999.

                    Stafford County Department of Planning and Community Development. Nurch
                         1988. Qesapgake Bay AgreeMent: Publicly Qwned LInd Directory Letter.
                         to K. Stabenow. January 17, 1989.
 





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                                               STAFFORD COUNTY



                                   CHESAPEAKE BAY PRESERVATION AREAS



                                               Mapping Methodology




                  Introduction


                      As part of the First Year Program, Resource Protection Areas have been
                  mapped for Stafford County on a mylar overlay to the County tax base map
                  (1"=600'). Resource Management Areas, however, have not been mapped at this
                  time.  A review of VIRGIS resource maps revealed that 80 to 85 percent of
                  the County sods would be classified as Resource Management Areas.


                      The County should decide whether it is practical to delineate these
                  areas or to identify the balance of the County as a Resource Management
                  Area.    This report of the mapping methodology, therefore, refers only to
                  those resources delineated as Resource Protection Areas.       Portions of the
                  County that occur within the boundaries of the Quantico Military Base have
                  not been included in the study area.


                      Resource Protection Areas are lands at or near the shoreline which are
                  critical for water quality protection because they act as physical and
                  biological filters of stormwater runoff, provide natural storage of flood
                  waters and prevent stream channel erosion.          Resource Protection Areas
                  include the following resources:


                      0    tidal wetlands

                      0    tidal shores
                      0    non-tidal wetlands connected by surface flow and contiguous to
                           tidal wetlands or tributary streams
                      0    a vegetated buffer adjacent to and landward of other resources and
                           along both sides of tributary stream





                                                                                           Rogers, Golden & Halpern
                316.01.07.rpt/repoft/051490            I











                      0    other lands that fall within the definition of Resource Protection
                           Areas necessary to protect water quality


                      Resource Management Areas are located landward of Resource Protection
                  Areas and include the foflowing features and resources:


                      0    floodplains
                      0    highly erodible soils, including steep slopes
                      0    highly permeable sods
                      0    non-tidal wetlands not included in Resource Protection Areas; and
                      0    other lands needed to protect quality of state waters


                  Mapping Sources


                      Tidal Wetlands


                      Tidal wetlands were mapped based on the National Wetland Inventory (NWI)
                  maps (1'=2000') developed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
                  (1972-1977).  NWI maps were enlarged to the County tax base map scale of
                  V=600'. The enlarged NWI maps were then registered to the tax base map
                  features such as road intersections and County boundaries.


                      The NWI maps provide a detafled description of wetland types.             Tidal
                  wetlands are (listed in Table 1) are represented in Stafford County by three
                  wetland systems: Estuarine, Riverine and Palustrine.




                      Tidal Shoreline


                      The tidal shoreline was mapped as the landward boundary of the tidal
                  wetlands detineated by the National Wetland Inventory.        This boundary has
                  been designated with a symbol on the Preservation Areas overlay.






                316.01.07.rp(/report/051490             2                                     Rogers, Golden & Halpern










                    Tributary Streams


                    Tributary Streams draining to tidal wetlands are defined as perennial
                streams as they appear on the US Geological Survey 7.5 minute topographic
                maps (solid blue line).




                    Non-Tidal Wetlands


                    Non-tidal wetlands, hydrologically connected to the perennial streams
                and contiguous to tidal wetlands or tributary streams have been taken from
                the National Wetland Inventory maps.        Each non-tidal wetland in Stafford
                County was delineated with its wetland code.       Non-tidal wetlands identified
                by the criteria for inclusion in Preservation Areas are listed in Table 2.
                These non-tidal wetlands include three wetland systems: Palustrine,
                Lacustrine and Riverine.





                    Buffer


                    A 100-foot buffer was mapped landward of tidal wetlands, tidal shores,
                non-tidal wetlands hydrologically connected to tidal wetlands and along both
                sides of tributary streams.


                    No other lands were designated by Stafford County for inclusion in the
                Resource Protection Areas.




                OVERLAYS


                    The Resource Protection Areas are included in a series of nine overlays
                developed for Stafford County's Shoreline Management Program.         Under the
                Shoreline Management Program natural resources and opportunities for
                resource protection and development were identified in shoreline areas for
                22 of the County tax maps.




               316.01.07.rpt/repoff/051490            3                                   Rogers, Golden & Hcdpern









                    Overlays for each tax map of the Shoreline Management Program          are
                pin-bar registered to each other and registered to the tax base map by
                corner registration marks.    The Preservation Areas overlay replaces      the
                wetland overlay of the Shoreline Management Program and provides           the
                opportunity to extend the identification of resources to the remainder of
                the County.




                                     Table 1. Tidal Wetlands Identified in


                                          Resource Protection Areas


                         ElOWL6        Estuarine, subtidal, open water, subtidal,
                                       ofigohaline water regime.

                         E2EMP6        Estuarine, intertidal, emergent, irregular,
                                       oligohaline water regime.

                         RIOWV         Riverine, tidal, open water, permanent tidal water
                                       regime.

                         RIFLN         Riverine, tidal, flat, regular tidal water regime.

                         RIEM/FLN      Riverine, tidal, emergent/flat, regular tidal water
                                       regime.

                         RIEMN         Riverine, tidal, emergent, regular tidal water
                                       regime.

                         PEMR          Palustrine, emergent, seasonal tidal water regime.

                         PEMRs         Palustrine, emergent, seasonal tidal water regime,
                                       spoil.

                         PSSI/EMR      Palustrine, scrub/shrub, broad-leaved deciduous,
                                       emergent, seasonal tidal water regime.

                         PSSIR         Palustrine, scrub/shrub, broad-leaved deciduous,
                                       seasonal tidal water regime.

                         PFO/SS I R    Palustrine, forested /scrub,sh rub, broad-leaved
                                       deciduous, seasonal tidal water regime.

                         PFOIR         Palustrine, forested, broad-leaved deciduous,
                                       seasonal tidal water regime.

                         PFOIS         Palustrine, forested, broad-leaved deciduous,
                                       temporary tidal water regime.


                316.01.07.rpt/report/051490         4                                  Rogers, Golden & Halpern











                                     Table 2. Non-tidal Wetlands Identiried in


                                            Resource Protection Areas


                           PEMA          Palustrine, emergent, temporary non-tidal water
                                         regime.

                           PEMC          Palustrine, emergent, seasonal non-tidal water
                                         regime.

                           PEMEb         Palustrine, emergent, seasonal saturated seasonal
                                         non-tidal water regime, beaver.

                           PEMFb         Palustrine, emegent, semipermanent non-tidal water
                                         regime, beaver.

                           PEMY          Palustrine, emergent, saturated/semipermanent,
                                         seasonal non-tidal water regime.

                           PFO Ix        Palustrine, forested, broad-leaved deciduous,
                                         excavated.

                           POWFb         Palustrine, open water, semipermanent non-tidal water
                                         regime, beaver.

                           POWZ          Palustrine, open water, intermittently exposed
                                         /permanent non-tidal water regime.

                           POWZb         Palustrine, open water, intermittently
                                         exposed/permanent non-tidal water regime, beaver.

                           POWZh         Palustrine, open water, intermittently
                                         exposed/permanent             non-tidal water
                                         regime,diked/impounded.

                           POWZX         Palustrine, open water, intermittently
                                         exposed/ permanent non-tidal water regime, excavated.

                           PSS IA        Palustrine, scrub/shrub, broad-leaved deciduous,
                                         temporary non-tidal water regime.


                           PSS IC        Palustrine, scrub/shrub, broad-leaved deciduous,
                                         seasonal non-tidal water regime.

                           PSSIE         Palustrine, scrub/shrub, broad-leaved deciduous,
                                         seasonal saturated non-tidal water regime.

                           PSSI/EME      Palustrine, scrub/shrub, broad-leaved deciduous,
                                         emergent, seasonal saturated non-tidal water regime.



                 316.01.07.rpt/report/051490          5                                  Rogers, Golden & Halpern










                          PSS I Fb      Palustrine, scrub/shrub, broad-leaved deciduous
                                        emergent, semipermanent non-tidal water regime,
                                        beaver.

                          PFO/SS I E    Palustrine, forested, scrub/shrub, broad-leaved
                                        deciduous, seasonal saturated non-tidal water regime.

                          PFO IA        Palustrine, forested, broad-leaved deciduous,
                                        temporary non-tidal water regime.

                          PFOIC         Palustrine, forested, broad-leaved deciduous,
                                        seasonal non-tidal water regime.

                          PFOIE         Palustrine,' ' forested, broad-leaved deciduous,
                                        seasonal saturated non-tidal water regime.

                          LIOWF[h       Lacustrine, fimnetic, open water, permanent non-tidal
                                        water regime, diked/ impounded.

                          R20WH         Riverine, lower perennial, open water, permanent
                                        non-tidal water regime.

                          R30WH         Riverine, upper perennial, open water, permanent
                                        non-tidal water regime.

























                316.01.07. rpt /repo rt/05 1490      6                                 Rogers, golden & Halpern












                                                     REFERENCES






                    Cowdardin, Lewis M. 1979. Classification of wetlands and Deepwater Habitats
                        of the United States.     Prepared for the Office of Biological Services,
                        Fish and Wfldlife Service, US Department of the Interior. Washington DC.

                    Chesapeake Bay Local Assistance Department. 1989. Local Assistance Manual.

                    U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). 7.5 Minute topographic Maps.
                        Fredericksburg 1966. Photorevised 1984.
                        Guinea 1966. Photorevised 1984.
                        Joplin 1966. Photorevised 1971.
                        Passapatanzy 1966. Photorevised 1979.
                        Quantico 1966. Photorevised 1978,
                        Rappahannock Academy 1969. Photorevised 1984.
                        Richardsville 1966. Photorevised 1978.
                        Salem Church. Photorevised 1984.
                        Somervile 1966. Photorevised 1978.
                        Stafford. 1966. Photorevised 1983.
                        Storck. 1966. Photorevised 1984.
                        Widewater 1966. Photorevised 1978.

                    U.S. Department of the Interior.        Fish and Wfldlife Service.      National
                        Wetland Inventory.

                        Fredericksburg 1977
                        Guinea 1977.
                        Joplin 1977.
                        Passapatanzy 1972.
                        Quantico 1977.
                        Rappahannock Academy 1977.
                        Richardsvffle 1977.
                        Salem Church. 1977.
                        Somervile 1977.
                        Stafford. 1977.
                        Storck. 1977.
                        Widewater 1977.













                   316.01.07.rpt/teport/051490            7                                   Rogers, Golden & Halpern






























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