The Virginia Marine Resources Commission invites public comment at its May
25, 2021, monthly meeting on its proposed revised Wetlands Guidelines. The
proposed revisions were undertaken in response to legislative mandates required
by the 2011 and 2020 living shorelines legislation and
�28.2-104.1 of the Code of Virginia.
The final draft of the guideline document will be posted on May 19, 2021, and
may be viewed on the VMRC web calendar at
https://mrc.virginia.gov/calendar.shtm.
The purpose of this document is to revise the existing Wetlands Guidelines
to provide �minimum standards for the protection and conservation of wetlands�
and to �communicate to stakeholders and regulatory authorities that it is the
policy of the Commonwealth to support living shorelines as the preferred
alternative� for shoreline stabilization as directed in
�28.2-104.1 of the Code of Virginia.
This document will aid citizens and local decision makers in making on-site
jurisdictional determinations, explain the risks and benefits provided by
various shoreline treatments, and identify preferred shoreline management
options.
In accordance with Section 28.2-209 of the Code of Virginia, a special
public hearing by electronic communication means on the proposed guideline
document will be held on Tuesday, May 25, 2021, at 9:30 AM. In consideration
of Governor Northam�s Executive Orders and public safety, the public may
only participate in this meeting via video/audio conference. The Virginia
Marine Resources Commission may meet by electronic communication means
without a quorum of the public body or any member of the governing board
physically assembled at one location as the Governor has declared a state of
emergency in accordance with � 44-146.17.
VMRC DOES NOT DISCRIMINATE AGAINST INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES; THEREFORE, IF YOU ARE IN NEED OF REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS BECAUSE OF A DISABILITY, PLEASE ADVISE ELLEN BOLEN, DEPUTY COMMISSIONER (757-247-2269) NO LATER THAN FIVE WORK DAYS PRIOR TO THE MEETING DATE AND IDENTIFY YOUR NEEDS.
