N E W K E N T CO U N T Y ’S
GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE ASSETS:
PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE
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NEW KENT COUNTY GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECT
July 2009
AC K N O W L E D G E M E N T S
The New Kent County Green Infrastructure Project has been made possible by the hard work, creativity and generosity of many individuals and
organizations. New Kent County and the Green Infrastructure Center would like to thank the project’s partners and participants, as well as the
project’s sponsors who have made the project possible. We wish to extend our thanks to the state agencies that have provided important data,
models and technical support. Without the work of these dedicated organizations, our work would not be possible.
Additional digital copies of this project report may be obtained from the Green Infrastructure Center’s web site, at: www.gicinc.org/resources. For
more information on the project, please contact New Kent County Planner Kelli Le Duc at klleduc@co.newkent.state.va.us or GIC Executive Director
Karen Firehock at firehock@gicinc.org.
Project Partners
Project Team
New Kent County
Richmond Regional Planning District Commission
Capital Region Land Conservancy
Karen Firehock, Executive Director, Green Infrastructure Center
Glenn Heimgartner, Research Intern, Green Infrastructure Center
Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, Division of Natural Heritage
Virginia Department of Forestry
Virginia Department of Historic Resources
Alisa Hefner, Project Manager, E2 Inc.*
Miranda Maupin, Senior Associate, E2 Inc.
Pei-Jen Shaner, Senior Associate, E2 Inc.
James Wilkinson, Senior Associate, E2 Inc.
* E2 Inc. provided technical analysis, mapping, research, and report
development services for this project.
Project Sponsors
Altria Family of Companies
Robins Foundation
Virginia Coastal Zone Management Program
Virginia Environmental Endowment
Robins Foundation
Staff from the New Kent County Department of Community Development and GIC project team facilitate
a community meeting
NEW KENT COUNTY GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECT
TABLE OF CONTENTS
|
1
TA B L E O F CO N T E N T S
View of Rockahock along the banks of the Chickahominy River
Project Overview
2
Project Purpose
2
Community Engagement
3
New Kent County’s Natural Assets
4
Then and Now: Seven Years in a Changing Landscape
5
Project Data and Analysis
6
Mapping New Kent County’s Assets
7
Planning for the Future: Opportunities and Next Steps
18
Looking Forward
24
Appendices
A. Project Data Inventory
B. Resources
C. Community Comments
D. CITYgreen Analysis for New Kent County
NEW KENT COUNTY GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECT
2
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PROJECT OVERVIEW
PROJECT OVERVIEW
PROJECT PURPOSE
In spring 2008, the Richmond Regional Planning District Commission and the
Green Infrastructure Center (GIC) contacted local governments in the Richmond
Region to assess their interest in participating in one of the GIC’s field test
projects, which are located across Virginia. The projects are part of a three-year
effort undertaken by the GIC in 2007 to field-test green infrastructure planning
methods. These field tests are designed to help localities evaluate and plan for
the management of their green infrastructure assets. Findings from this project
will help to inform a green infrastructure planning guide that will be available
from the GIC in 2010, following completion of the final field test project, which is
located in Accomack County.
The purpose of the project was to develop a series of maps that identify and
provide information for the county’s key green infrastructure assets, such as
critical forests, watersheds and wetlands, working lands (good agricultural soils
and forests suitable for timber management), and areas important for wildlife
conservation. This information can be used to:
New Kent County was selected as the GIC’s fourth field-test project based on
several criteria:
•
The project directly related to overarching goals in New Kent County’s
Comprehensive Plan and project findings would be available for the
county’s 2010 comprehensive plan update.
•
Project outcomes could inform a variety of county planning activities
and initiatives.
•
County representatives, including department staff and elected officials,
expressed significant interest in the project.
•
New Kent County has a proven track record as an innovative locality. For
example, the county is one of the 11 Virginia localities that are part of
the Cool Counties initiative, a national effort to reduce emissions that
contribute to climate change.
•
New Kent County is home to some of the Richmond Region’s highvalue green infrastructure assets and the location, abundance, and
status of these resources are changing rapidly due to land development
pressures and other factors.
Following the selection process, New Kent County and the GIC undertook this
cooperative, community-based project from summer 2008 through summer
2009.
NEW KENT COUNTY GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECT
•
guide the 2010 update of the county’s comprehensive plan.
•
inform planning initiatives such as purchase of development or transfer
of development rights programs and zoning-related decisions.
•
highlight locations for future county parks and trails.
•
identify areas where landowners and developers could work with the
county to conserve land using tools such as easements or proffer land as
part of rezoning requests.
These maps provide an opportunity for the county to plan for and protect its
high-value green infrastructure assets and guide development patterns that
are compatible with maximizing ecological, economic and cultural returns from
these assets over the long-term.
This report presents the outcomes from the New Kent County Green
Infrastructure Project. The report provides an overview of the project’s asset
maps and focuses on key findings and potential opportunities and next steps
for New Kent County and other interested parties. The project’s findings are
intended to inform ongoing county activities and initiatives as well as the
county’s 2010 comprehensive plan update.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
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3
CO M M U N I T Y E N G AG E M E N T
What Is Green Infrastructure?
Green infrastructure consists of the natural resources and working lands that provide
the county’s clean water and air, ensure residents’ quality of life and sustain the
county’s economy.
These areas are often considered independently from homes, shopping centers and
schools in zoning ordinances and comprehensive plans. In reality, green infrastructure
is woven throughout our towns, cities and subdivisions as well as across our
mountains, valleys and shores. Planning for grey and green infrastructure needs
and priorities must be coordinated. Ideally, green infrastructure is considered first;
knowing the location of key green infrastructure assets allows for better decisions
regarding the location and design of grey infrastructure. In cases where development
is located close to key natural resources, extra care and creative development designs
are needed to ensure that resources are conserved.
New Kent County’s green infrastructure includes the connected natural systems and
ecological processes that provide critical functions, such as rich soils for farming,
habitat for wildlife, drinking water storage and filtration, and clean air. The county’s
green infrastructure also links to and supports historic and cultural resources, such
as battlefields, and recreation lands,
which provide opportunities for
hunting, hiking, horseback riding and
bird watching.
New Kent County initiated its green infrastructure project as a communitybased effort built on a foundation of stakeholder engagement, partnership and
comprehensive information gathering. Community input and input from county
staff and elected officials shaped the project from its outset through to the
development of the final asset maps in this report.
The GIC conducted several field visits in the county and conducted detailed
interviews with residents, business owners, community organizations, county
staff and elected officials, and other resource users throughout the project. The
county worked with the GIC to convene a twenty-member focus group that met
three times and provided feedback throughout the project.
Draft findings from the project were shared with the Board of Supervisors
and Planning Commission, and with the community at a June 2009 Open
House held at the New Kent County Visitors and Commerce Center. Appendix
C provides a detailed summary of community feedback received during the
project.
Green infrastructure planning connects
intact habitat areas (also known as
intact landscapes or cores) through a
network of corridors to allow people,
wildlife and plants to move across the
landscape (see illustration, top right).
When a core is removed, connectivity is
lost resulting in local species extinction
(see illustration, bottom right). A connected
landscape makes species less susceptible
to extinction while allowing for both
conservation and recreation.
The results: better land use planning,
protected green infrastructure and healthier
communities.
Community Open House, June 23, 2009
Image credit: Dramstad, Wenche E., et al.
NEW KENT COUNTY GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECT
4
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NEW KENT COUNTY’S NATURAL ASSETS
N E W K E N T CO U N T Y ’S
N AT U R A L A S S E T S
New Kent County is located between Richmond and Hampton
Roads and serves as the gateway to the Virginia Peninsula. Part of
the rapidly developing Richmond Region, the county has become a
popular destination for commuters, retirees and other populations
attracted by the county’s high quality of life and proximity to
employment opportunities and regional amenities. Since 1970,
the county’s population growth rate has been higher than growth
within the Richmond Regional Planning District, the RichmondPetersburg region and Virginia as a whole. The largest development
projects in the county’s history have been completed in the past
10 years. The maps on the adjacent page highlight the recent
growth in the region, as reflected by changes in the region’s green
infrastructure assets.
The county has long recognized the importance of its green
infrastructure assets. According to the county, the first element
considered in the development of the comprehensive plan was
the protection of the county’s natural resources. Two of the county
comprehensive plan’s overarching goals are to:
(1) Preserve the county’s existing rural character; and
(2) Protect the natural environment.
New Kent County includes high-quality agricultural lands, forests,
wetlands and rivers. The county’s land area encompasses 212
square miles, or 135,680 acres, of land. The county is located in
the Coastal Plain physiographic region, which runs north to south
along Virginia’s eastern seaboard. In general, the county has a
gently rolling topography. Overall, elevations average between 50
and 100 feet above sea level. The highest elevations are around 170
feet and the lowest are at sea level along the Chickahominy and
Pamunkey Rivers.
NEW KENT COUNTY GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECT
New Kent County’s economy has relied on agriculture and
forestry as its mainstays for centuries, with many farms remaining
in the same family for generations. The county’s farms and forests
form an essential part of the county’s rural character. These farms
and forests also provide habitat for animals as well as opportunities
for scenic views, tourism and recreation.
The county’s water resources include the Pamunkey, York and
Chickahominy rivers along the county’s northern, eastern and
southern boundaries. In addition to providing ecological benefits,
the rivers provide recreation opportunities for fishing, hunting and
boating. The county’s extensive tidal and non-tidal wetlands help to
filter land runoff and provide wildlife habitat. Much of the county’s
surface waters are located in Resource Protection Areas designated
under the Chesapeake Bay Protection Act.
New Kent County also enjoys an extensive cultural history and
abundant recreation resources. Much of the county’s heritage
and recreation are closely tied to the county’s natural resources.
New Kent County’s cultural history includes a rich Native American
heritage; the county is also one of Virginia’s earliest settlements,
founded in 1654. The county’s extensive historic resources include
Crumps Mill, St. Peters Church and the old jail in the Village of New
Kent Courthouse, plantation homes such as Poplar Grove on the
Pamunkey River, historic towns such as Providence Forge, and
historic roadways that are among the oldest in the country. Other
historic resources, such as colonial-era building foundations and
grave sites, are located across the county.
The resources described above, the county’s working landscapes
and waterways, cultural history and recreational opportunities,
make New Kent County a wonderful place to live, work and play.
The field test project for New Kent County was designed to identify
and map the county’s high-quality green infrastructure assets to
help the county ensure that these resources are well-utilized and
maintained over time.
NEW KENT COUNTY’S NATURAL ASSETS
|
5
T H E N A N D N O W: S E V E N Y E A R S I N A C H A N G I N G L A N D S C A P E
y
g
As of 2009, New Kent County and the Richmond Region continue to benefit
from significant green infrastructure assets. However, as the maps on this page
illustrate, the location, abundance and status of these resources are changing
rapidly, due to population growth, new development and other factors.
Minimal Change (<20%)
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Significant Change (>20%)
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Loss of interior habitat
Richmond Region*
HANOVER
ASHLAND
GOOCHLAND
The map to the left shows the significant change in and loss of intact
landscapes in the Richmond Region between 2000 and 2007. Intact
landscapes, also known as cores, are land areas 100 acres or greater in size that
are needed to provide adequate space for key ecological functions.
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CITY OF
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CHARLES CITY
The map below shows the significant change in and loss of intact landscapes
in New Kent County between 2000 and 2007. The map below is a resource
that supports the county’s efforts to think strategically about its green
infrastructure assets and planning activities over the short- and long-term.
Both maps illustrate the need to conserve, protect and restore the area’s green
infrastructure assets before more landscapes are fragmented or degraded.
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Summary of Change, 2000-2007
New Kent County
Minimal Change (<20%)
Significant Change (>20%)
Loss of interior habitat
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* A copy of the Richmond Region Green Infrastructure Report is available
on the GIC web site at www.gicinc.org/RichReg.htm
Forest fragmentation – the creation of smaller
tracts of land through road building and
property subdivisions – results in the loss of
intact landscapes and related habitats.
Image credit: Dramstad, Wenche E., et al.
NEW KENT COUNTY GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECT
6
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PROJECT DATA AND ANALYSIS
P R O J E C T D ATA A N D A N A LYS I S
The project team worked through four phases of information gathering and
analysis in order to develop asset maps and key findings for the county’s
consideration. The project team coordinated closely with county staff and
elected officials during each phase.
In the project’s fourth and final phase, the project team analyzed the project’s
asset maps and risk assessment to identify potential opportunities and next
steps that the county could take to conserve, enhance and restore its green
infrastructure assets and maximize ecological, economic and cultural returns
from these assets over the long-term.
In the project’s opening phase, the project team focused on data collection
and research. Data were gathered from field visits and interviews, county
sources, state and federal agencies, and other organizations. Primary data
resources included the New Kent County Comprehensive Plan and the Virginia
Conservation Lands Needs Assessment, developed by the Virginia Department
of Conservation and Recreation. The table in Appendix A provides a detailed
summary of the project’s spatial data resources.
In the project’s second phase, the project team combined the spatial data into
visual layers, or “themes,” that could be mapped using geographic information
systems (GIS). These GIS layers provide a way to visualize, analyze, and display
spatial information, enabling the project team to identify and map New Kent
County’s green infrastructure assets. The asset map themes are listed below
and discussed in detail in the Mapping New Kent County’s Assets section of the
report.
•
forested lands and agricultural soils
•
water resources and riparian habitat
•
intact natural lands (ecological cores)
•
natural resource-based recreation
•
heritage resources and rural character
In the project’s third phase, the project team used the New Kent County asset
maps to conduct a risk assessment. The risk assessment identified green
infrastructure assets in the county that might be at risk due to changing land
uses, development pressures, or other factors.
NEW KENT COUNTY GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECT
New Kent County Comprehensive Plan Goals Relating to
Green Infrastructure
•
“Conserve, protect and preserve the quality of the county’s
air, water, soil, wildlife habitat and scenic views through
responsible stewardship of the land.”
•
“New Kent County’s water resources should be of the
highest possible quality.”
•
“Promote environmentally responsible waterfront
development in the county.”
•
“Protect and enhance the county’s historic and cultural
resources.”
•
“Promote the development of greenways and blueways
throughout the county to enhance recreational
opportunities and to promote public health and fitness.”
•
“Increase and enhance the county’s recreational
opportunities.”
Vision 2020: New Kent County Comprehensive Plan, 2003
MAPPING NEW KENT COUNTY’S ASSETS
M A P P I N G N E W K E N T CO U N T Y ’S
ASSETS
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7
Maps that are discussed in this section include:
This section of the report presents the green infrastructure asset maps created
for the New Kent County Green Infrastructure Project. These maps provide
a comprehensive overview of the county’s network of high-value green
infrastructure assets.
Green Infrastructure Network
(connected, large, intact natural
lands)
These maps are designed to inform current county activities and initiatives, as
well as the county’s existing comprehensive plan and upcoming comprehensive
plan update in 2010. New Kent County’s Comprehensive Plan recognizes the
importance of the county’s green infrastructure assets, with two of the plan’s
four overarching goals being to:
Water Resources
(1) Preserve the county’s existing rural character; and
(2) Protect the natural environment.
The plan states that “the first element considered in the development of the
Comprehensive Plan was the protection of the county’s natural resources,” with
Goal #1 being to “conserve, protect and preserve the quality of the county’s air,
water, soil, wildlife habitat and scenic views through responsible stewardship of
the land.”
By inventorying its assets, New Kent County can plan for economic
development alongside social and environmental priorities in a way that
provides the community with the greatest possible return now and in the future.
The county’s assets are the natural, cultural and historic landscapes that make it
such a special place to live and work. Managing and enhancing these assets can
help ensure that the county retains its remarkable character over time.
Heritage & Natural Resource-Based
Recreation
Working Lands - Farms
Working Lands - Forests
NEW KENT COUNTY GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECT
8
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MAPPING NEW KENT COUNTY’S ASSETS
N E W K E N T CO U N T Y ’S G R E E N I N F R A S T R U C T U R E N E T W O R K
(connec te d, large, intac t natural lands)
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the degradation of important ecosystem functions that provide the county
with ecosystem services such as clean air and water, assistance with climate
regulation and buffers to the impacts of natural disasters.
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The map on this page presents the distribution of natural lands by ecological
integrity in New Kent County; the map on the following page presents New Kent
County’s green infrastructure network – the connected, large intact landscapes
with the highest ecological value. Across both maps, this natural asset network
consists of the intact landscapes and corridors that provide critical functions,
such as rich soils for farming, habitat for wildlife, drinking water storage and
filtration, and clean air. Intact landscapes, also known as cores, are land areas
100 acres or greater in size that are needed to provide adequate space for key
ecological functions. Corridors are land and water resources of sufficient width
– typically about 1,000 feet – that maintain connections between key habitat
areas, allowing species to travel safely across the landscape.
HANOVER
Miles
0
1.25
2.5
5
-
Distribution of natural lands by ecological integrity. Source habitat core data supplied by the Virginia Department of
Conservation and Recreation, Division of Natural Heritage.
Background Information
Within the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR),
the Division of Natural Heritage (DNH) has developed the Virginia Natural
Landscape Assessment (VaNLA) for identifying, prioritizing and linking natural
lands in Virginia. These natural lands, or cores, are assigned an Ecological
Integrity Score. In general, higher scores are given to areas that are more
biologically diverse, part of a larger complex of natural lands, and that
contribute to water quality enhancement. The VaNLA was developed using 2000
land cover data. Working with DCR DNH and the Richmond Regional Planning
District, the GIC project team incorporated 2007 buildings to update the model.
The data was further refined for New Kent County by removing approved
planned-unit developments that were under development as of 2008.
MAPPING NEW KENT COUNTY’S ASSETS
OL
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|
9
R
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HANOVER
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H O P EW E L L R D
Dic ke
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Source habitat core data supplied by the Virginia Department of
Conservation and Recreation, Division of Natural Heritage.
Miles
0
1.25
2.5
5
-
Green Infrastructure Network: New Kent County’s green infrastructure network consists of the connected, large intact landscapes that have the highest
ecological value.
NEW KENT COUNTY GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECT
10
|
MAPPING NEW KENT COUNTY’S ASSETS
WAT E R R E S O U R C E S
Overview
Virginia’s Water Quality
The Water Resources Map highlights New Kent County’s extensive water
resources, which include intermittent and perennial streams, wetlands, and the
Chickahominy, Pamunkey and York Rivers, as well as drinking water intakes and
community wells located in the county. The county’s water resources provide
drinking water supplies for residents and wildlife habitat for fish, amphibians,
birds and insects, enable water-based recreation opportunities and are an
important part of the county’s history and heritage.
In Virginia, the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is
responsible for monitoring and reporting on the water quality
of the Commonwealth’s streams. DEQ’s annual 305(b) report
provides the status of streams across the Commonwealth,
as required under the Clean Water Act. DEQ monitors and
evaluates streams within each major watershed in Virginia to
ensure that each stream meets its assigned standard, such as for
drinking water use, contact recreation, or supporting aquatic
life.
The map shows the county’s forest cover, which helps protect water quality
and quantity, in pale green. The boundaries of the county’s watersheds, which
include the Pamunkey, a tributary of the York River watershed to the north,
and the Chickahominy, a tributary of the James River watershed to the south,
respectively, are indicated by dark blue lines. A watershed is an area of land that
drains to a particular body of water. The names of each watershed drainage
area in the county are presented on the map. Existing riparian buffers – wide
vegetated areas located along major waterways that filter runoff and mitigate
erosion – are also highlighted. Wider riparian buffers provide additional habitat
for wildlife and pathways for animals to move across the landscape.
Observations
•
The Water Resources Map illustrates that the majority of the county’s
watersheds are forested. The map also indirectly highlights areas of
development in the county – areas with the least amount of forest
cover also have the most community wells (wells that serve 20 or more
people).
•
New Kent County also has significant riparian buffers located along
most streams. While the county mandates that 100-foot-wide riparian
buffers must be maintained along major waterways in the county under
the Chesapeake Bay Preservation Areas Ordinance, many streams in the
county have existing 1,000-foot-wide riparian buffers.
•
Impacts to the riparian areas are evident in the southwestern portion of
the county, especially in the Toe Ink and Higgins Swamp areas, where
development has occurred close to streams.
NEW KENT COUNTY GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECT
Streams that fail to meet the assigned standards are placed
on the state’s 303(d) Impaired Waters list. It is important to
note that a waterway may be impaired and not named on the
list. Impaired streams may not be detected because DEQ is
not able to monitor every stream reach. Over the past several
years, DEQ has expanded its monitoring program, which has
resulted in the identification of more impaired waters in the
Commonwealth.
In New Kent County, most of the impairments are for fecal
coliform, generally measured as escherichia coli (often
abbreviated as E. coli).* Once streams are placed on the state’s
303(d) Impaired Waters list, they require preparation of a Total
Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) plan, which is an analysis of the
maximum amount of pollution a stream can receive and still
meet the assigned standard (including a margin of safety),
as well as a plan for allocating that load to various sources
to ensure the maximum is not exceeded. A TMDL plan is
required for all streams listed as impaired. Appendix B provides
additional TMDL information.
* Fecal coliforms such as E. coli indicate that there are human or animal feces
in a body of water. High levels of fecal coliform can cause illness and disease
in humans and wildlife. The organic matter containing fecal coliform can also
pose a threat to natural systems by removing oxygen from the water during
decomposition.
|
MAPPING NEW KENT COUNTY’S ASSETS
OL
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11
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HANOVER
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Miles
0
1.25
2.5
5
-
Water Resources Map: New Kent County’s water resources include forested watersheds, an extensive river and wetland network, and drinking water supplies.
NEW KENT COUNTY GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECT
12
|
MAPPING NEW KENT COUNTY’S ASSETS
H E R I TAG E A N D N AT U R A L R E S O U R C E - B A S E D R E C R E AT I O N
Overview
•
An historic district has been proposed for the Village of New Kent
Courthouse.
The Heritage and Natural Resource-Based Recreation Map identifies historical
and recreational resources that are closely linked with the county’s natural
resources. The county’s heritage resources are an integral part of the county’s
rural character and scenic beauty; many also sustain the local economy through
heritage tourism and related industries. The county’s recreational resources
provide multiple benefits to residents and visitors, including promoting exercise
and improved health, and increasing understanding of land stewardship,
restoration and conservation. Through activities such as hunting, recreational
resources also help to sustain the local economy.
•
While there are multiple public access points along the Chickahominy
River, there are no public access points to the Pamunkey River from
within New Kent County.
•
The Cumberland Marsh Preserve is a large natural asset. Public access to
the resource may need to be addressed in the future.
Heritage resources identified on the map include sites listed on the National or
State Register of Historic Places, sites of historic or cultural significance to the
county, as well as historical markers and historic routes such as the WashingtonRochambeau Route. Recreation resources identified on the map include natural
resource-based recreation areas (county, state and federally held lands), birding
and wildlife trails, Virginia scenic byways and proposed bicycle routes.
Observations
•
New Kent County’s rural character is supported by heritage resources
and natural and working landscapes (forests and farms).
•
Clusters of historic resources are located in close proximity to intact
natural landscapes (land areas 100 acres or greater in size). Historic
routes and scenic byways are surrounded by natural lands, which help
provide an appropriate historical context and scenic views.
•
A viewshed is a distinct view of an area of land, water or other landscape
feature that is valued by the community. These views, such as along
Routes 249, 60, 106 and 155 and secondary roads such as Routes
606, 623 and 608, are an important part of the county’s identity and
can be protected. The size of land parcels along roadways can also
impact viewsheds. While large tracts of land are located adjacent to
many county roads, parcels along Route 60 to the west are becoming
fragmented.
NEW KENT COUNTY GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECT
Long Bridge Civil War Battlefield interpretive sign
Wahrani Nature Trail
MAPPING NEW KENT COUNTY’S ASSETS
|
13
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KING WILLIAM
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Washington-Rochambeau Route 1781
John Smith Travels 1607-08
Miles
0
1.25
2.5
5
-
Heritage and Natural Resource-Based Recreation: Heritage and recreation resources that are closely linked with the county’s natural resources.
NEW KENT COUNTY GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECT
14
|
MAPPING NEW KENT COUNTY’S ASSETS
W O R K I N G L A N D S - FA R M S
Overview
The Working Lands – Farms Map on the adjacent page highlights the
distribution and abundance of prime agricultural soils in New Kent County,
as well as those land areas participating in USDA farm programs in 2008. The
county’s farms are an integral part of the local landscape, economy and natural
environment and the region’s cultural heritage. The county’s farms support the
local agricultural economy and, by sustaining rural livelihoods, help to maintain
the county’s rural character.
Agricultural and Forestal Districts
New Kent County protects much of its forest and farm lands in Agricultural and
Forestal Districts (AFDs). AFDs are rural zones reserved for the production of
agricultural products and timber and the maintenance of open space land as an
important economic and environmental resource. The county’s AFDs are designated
for 10-year terms.
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JAMES CITY
DR
Prime Ag Soils (Class I-II)
CHARLES CITY
E
ID
DR
R IV
ER
S
The farm tract data presented in the map represents a snapshot in time.
Accordingly, the map will need to be updated regularly to accurately
reflect current farming and other operations that actively contribute to
the county’s agricultural economy.
YS
ST
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GA
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ER
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DI
AT
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30
LD
NT
V
U
O
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The map does not show the location of development in the county.
Based on a review of county planning and zoning information,
agricultural areas in the western and south-central portions of the
county appear to have experienced the highest rates of conversion of
farmland into non-farm land uses.
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The map illustrates that prime agricultural soils are located county-wide.
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14
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WT
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re
•
KING WILLIAM
p
S
NE
Observations
son
Mill
C r ee k
Miles
0
Distribution of prime agricultural soils and working lands within A&F Districts
NEW KENT COUNTY GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECT
1.25
2.5
5
-
MAPPING NEW KENT COUNTY’S ASSETS
OL
D
CH
U
|
15
R
C
HR
D
HANOVER
am
w
H O P EW E L L R D
Dic ke
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KING WILLIAM
p
14
IV
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249
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E
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S
CHARLES CITY
Mil
l
C r ee k
Miles
0
1.25
2.5
5
-
Working Lands - Farms: While prime agricultural soils are located county-wide, not all of these areas are in agricultural use. Agricultural areas in the western and
south-central portions of the county appear to have experienced the highest rates of conversion of farmland into non-farm land uses.
NEW KENT COUNTY GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECT
16
|
MAPPING NEW KENT COUNTY’S ASSETS
WORKING LANDS - FORESTS
Forest Fragmentation
Overview
The Working Lands – Forests maps shows that New Kent County is heavily
forested (72 percent of the county’s land area). The county’s forests provide
multiple economic and environmental benefits. A forest absorbs and cleans
pollutants from land runoff while also reducing flooding that damages
homes and property. A forest performs this work more cost-effectively than
an engineered stormwater pond and provides additional services, such as
recreation, natural beauty and sequestration of carbon and other pollutants
that contribute to climate change. A national study of urban tree cover’s
capacity to reduce stormwater problems and improve air quality concluded that
trees in cities provide more than $400 billion in cost savings from not having
to build facilities to clean our air and water. According to the Trust for Public
Land, studies have documented that the larger the forest cover in a watershed,
the lower the cost to treat drinking water. Finally, the county’s forests are an
important component of the county’s working lands, with timber products
helping to sustain the local and regional economy.
Small parcels fragment forest into
many owners
OL
D
CH
U
Large parcels create contiguous
forest blocks
R
C
HR
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w
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son
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KING WILLIAM
p
14
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VI L
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SW
OL D
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p
273
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ROCK A H
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V
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SR
ID
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JAMES CITY
DR
0 - 25 acres
CA RR IA
C ollins Run
Parcels
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HA
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T
ig
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249
HENRICO
Most parcels of land that can be managed for both timber and wildlife
diversity are located within the county’s green infrastructure network.
r
V
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SO
•
T E RS LN
PE
C
ST
Big
l
N
EN
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Observations
C re e
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ton
m
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CO
NT
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A
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The map on this page illustrates forested land parcels that are greater than 100
acres in size, between 25 and 100 acres in size, and less than 25 acres in size.
Forests greater than 25 acres can be sustainably managed for timber, while
forests 100 acres and greater in size can be managed for both timber and
wildlife diversity (see diagrams). The map on the adjacent page overlays the
distribution of forested land parcels that are at least 25 acres in size over the
county’s green infrastructure network. Forest fragmentation – the creation of
smaller tracts of land through road building and property subdivisions – is the
primary threat to managed forestlands in the southern United States.
HANOVER
CHARLES CITY
E
ID
Sustainable timber management is one of the tools that can help sustain
a local working lands economy while also protecting natural resources
over the long term.
NEW KENT COUNTY GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECT
C r ee k
Mill
•
> 100 acres
R IV
ER
S
25 - 100 acres
DR
Miles
0
Parcel Distribution for Sustainable Timber Management
1.25
2.5
5
-
MAPPING NEW KENT COUNTY’S ASSETS
OL
D
CH
U
|
17
R
C
HR
D
HANOVER
am
w
H O P EW E L L R D
Dic ke
rs o n
KING WILLIAM
p
14
IV
E
R
VI L
Y
RR
FE
LL
SW
D
OR
D
w am
F OR
AM
TA B
ER
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RD
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S
TU
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60
O L D TE L E G R
RD
r
A PH
C ollins Run
OC
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RS
ROCK A H
ID
25-100 Acre Parcels
E
JAMES CITY
DR
Connected Intact Landscapes
n
H OL LY
S WA T E
> 100 Acre Parcels
Ru
p
RD
DR
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St
CA RR IA
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RD
Wetlands
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273
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CO
NT
V
U
S
CHARLES CITY
E
ID
C r ee k
Mil
l
Forest Cover
RI
VE
R
S
Contributing Intact Landscapes
DR
Miles
0
1.25
2.5
5
-
Working Lands - Forests: New Kent County is heavily forested. Most parcels of land that can be managed for both timber and wildlife diversity are located within
the county’s green infrastructure network.
NEW KENT COUNTY GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECT
18
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PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE
PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE:
OPPORTUNITIES AND NEXT STEPS
The Comprehensive Planning Process in Virginia
A primary goal of the New Kent County Green Infrastructure Project has been to
develop asset maps that the county can use to inform current county activities
and initiatives and the county’s comprehensive plan, which will be updated
in 2010. This report has illustrated that New Kent County retains significant
high-value green infrastructure assets and that green infrastructure planning
meshes well with the county’s central comprehensive plan goal to “maintain the
county’s attractive, rural character while providing opportunities for the creation
of income and wealth in the community.”
As New Kent County plans for the future and updates the comprehensive plan,
the project’s asset maps, GIS analyses, and overall findings can be used to guide
these activities and continue to inform the county’s efforts to:
(1) Preserve the county’s existing rural character; and
(2) Protect the natural environment, as outlined in the comprehensive plan.
This section of the report highlights potential planning applications of the
project’s green infrastructure asset data.
In Virginia, communities use the comprehensive planning
process to identify community goals and priorities, identify
local land assets, and provide guidance for the use and
management of all lands within a local government’s
boundaries. The Code of Virginia requires localities to prepare
a comprehensive plan every five years. According to §15.22223:
The local planning commission shall prepare and
recommend a comprehensive plan for the physical
development of the territory within its jurisdiction and
every governing body shall adopt a comprehensive plan
for the territory under its jurisdiction.
In the preparation of a comprehensive plan, the
commission shall make careful and comprehensive
surveys and studies of the existing conditions
and trends of growth, and of the probable future
requirements of its territory and inhabitants. The
comprehensive plan shall be made with the purpose of
guiding and accomplishing a coordinated, adjusted and
harmonious development of the territory which will,
in accordance with present and probable future needs
and resources, best promote the health, safety, morals,
order, convenience, prosperity and general welfare of
the inhabitants, including the elderly and persons with
disabilities.
Comprehensive plans guide all local government programs
and planning activities, including zoning. For example, any
zoning changes must be made in accordance with a locality’s
comprehensive plan goals. New Kent County’s Comprehensive
Plan was last updated in 2003. The next update of the county’s
comprehensive plan is scheduled for 2010.
Members of the focus group review and comment on asset maps
NEW KENT COUNTY GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECT
PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE
Comprehensive Planning and Zoning
At the broadest level, the project’s green infrastructure asset maps will be
able to inform the county’s comprehensive planning, mapping and zoning
activities and updates on an ongoing basis. All data gathered during the
project and translated into visual layers, or “themes,” that could be mapped
using geographic information systems (GIS) have been transferred to the
county and are now part of the county’s GIS. The asset maps directly support
the comprehensive plan’s emphasis that the first element considered in the
development of the plan was the protection of the county’s natural resources,”
with Goal #1 being to “conserve, protect and preserve the quality of the county’s
air, water, soil, wildlife habitat and scenic views through responsible stewardship
of the land.”
Specific applications of the project’s green infrastructure asset maps could
include updates to the county’s comprehensive plan and zoning maps to
help guide new development in appropriate locations and prioritize highvalue asset areas for protection or restoration. At the site scale, knowledge of
the location and value of the county’s green infrastructure assets can inform
developers’ site plans and the planning approvals process, ensuring that
these assets are retained across parcel boundaries (see illustration) within the
context of the county’s green infrastructure network of connected, large, intact
natural landscapes. The asset maps can also help New Kent County work with
private landowners in high-value asset areas to develop conservation and land
management approaches.
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•
Landowners could work with county staff to identify opportunities to
ensure that changes in a property’s land use do not “disconnect” intact
natural landscapes that extend across the property. When setting aside
green space as part of a planned unit development or other planning
activity, these areas could be selected based on their connectivity with
adjacent green infrastructure assets.
•
Organizations interested in conservation easements could prioritize
land areas located within the county’s green infrastructure network.
INFORMING LAND USE DECISION MAKING
FRAGMENTED - Even well-intentioned land use planning approaches can result in
the fragmentation of the county’s high-value natural assets.
Examples of these applications include:
•
During a property rezoning request, the county could encourage the
landowner to explore voluntary options to conserve land areas that
have high-value green infrastructure assets. The landowner could
“proffer” to set these land areas aside as open space easements.
•
A developer may be interested in linking recreational trails within a
proposed development to the county’s green infrastructure network
and could proffer an easement that would connect the trails with the
network.
CONNECTED - A green infrastructure planning approach allows for development and
growth at the same scale, while also ensuring that the county’s natural assets remain intact
and well-connected.
NEW KENT COUNTY GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECT
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PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE
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Zoning: This map highlights the relationship between the county’s zoning and the high-value assets the make up the county’s green infrastructure network.
NEW KENT COUNTY GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECT
PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE
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21
Water Supply Planning
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From a green infrastructure planning perspective, the project’s asset maps
provide a significant opportunity to inform the management and conservation
of the county’s water supplies. The maps can help the county prioritize
environmentally sensitive areas contributing to local water quality for protection
and restoration. The maps can help guide development in appropriate locations
that minimize negative impacts to local water resources. Finally, the maps can
inform management approaches, such as new or expanded riparian buffer areas
along waterways, for land areas adjacent to impaired waterways through Total
Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) plans and other tools.
am
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H O P EW E L L R D
A
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New Kent County enjoys access to high-quality water supplies. The county’s
comprehensive plan emphasizes the importance of maintaining local water
supplies, stating that the county’s water resources “should be of the highest
quality possible.” Current county strategies include protecting environmentally
sensitive areas from loss or degradation, protecting the natural resources of
the Chesapeake Bay and its tributary streams, and protecting the county’s
groundwater supply from pollution from above-ground activities.
HANOVER
Miles
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Existing resource protection includes Chesapeake Bay Act Resource Protection Areas, wetlands, conservation
lands (public holdings), county parks, and private easements.
Appendix B provides links to additional information and resources regarding
water supply planning in Virginia.
Climate Change Planning
Park and Recreation Planning
In 2007, New Kent County joined the Cool Counties initiative, a national effort
to reduce emissions that contribute to climate change. The project’s green
infrastructure data can help the county develop and refine its goals and track its
progress over time. The county’s green infrastructure can be an integral part of
planning approaches that address climate change. These approaches can then
track the climate change benefits provided by the county’s green infrastructure.
For example, analysis of the county’s forest cover using the CITYgreen software
model indicates that the county’s forests store more than 33,000 tons of carbon
every year. Accordingly, maintaining the county’s forest cover provides a longterm climate change benefit for the county, in addition to the other benefits
provided by its forests, like removing pollutants, reducing stream nutrient loads,
protecting biodiversity, fostering pollination and improving air quality.
Appendix D provides a detailed summary of the CITYgreen analysis findings.
The mission of the county’s Department of Parks and Recreation is to “enhance
the quality of life in New Kent County by promoting, providing, and maintaining
a comprehensive system of quality recreational facilities and services.” From
a green infrastructure planning perspective, the management of valued
community resources such as the Wahrani Nature Park and the management
of additional parks and recreation resources in the future provides a significant
opportunity. These resources can be linked together and located within the
context of the county’s green infrastructure network of connected, large, intact
natural landscapes. Each of these resources can also be individually managed
to provide multiple benefits and address multiple county priorities, such as the
conservation of wildlife habitat and the protection of water quality, as well as
recreation. For example, the project’s asset maps can help identify priority lands
that host rare or important species of plants and animals.
NEW KENT COUNTY GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECT
PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE
County History and Cultural Heritage
New Kent County has one of the richest community histories in the
Commonwealth of Virginia. The New Kent County Comprehensive Plan outlines
that to “protect and enhance the county’s historic and cultural resources” is
one of the community’s top priorities. From a green infrastructure planning
perspective, the protection and enhancement of these resources also presents
a significant opportunity. The county’s historical and cultural resources can be
linked together and located within the county’s green infrastructure network of
connected, large, intact natural landscapes. The visual appeal and context of the
county’s historic resources – the county’s rural landscape and scenic views – is
the same land area that provides multiple green infrastructure benefits.
New Kent County: Historical Background
•
New Kent County has a rich Native American history and is one
of Virginia’s earliest settlements, founded in 1654.
•
In 1607, the Chickahominy Indians were one of the first 30
tribes to first receive the English colonists. The famous capture
of Captain John Smith also occurred at the headwaters of the
Chickahominy River.
•
Four hundred years later, the tribal seat of the 130-member
Chickahominy Indians Eastern Division Tribe is located in the
county and Captain John Smith’s voyage is commemorated
by the Captain John Smith Water Trail. The Tribe has recently
built a new meeting house located off of Route 60. Also known
as the “coarse-ground corn people” – derived from the word
“Chickahominy” – the Tribe owns 41 acres of land in the county.
The Tribe is one of eight state-recognized tribes and is awaiting
recognition from the federal government.
•
The county’s extensive historic resources include structures such
as Crumps Mill, St. Peters Church, and the old jail in the Village
of New Kent Courthouse, plantation homes such as Poplar Grove
on the Pamunkey River, historic towns such as Providence Forge
where General Lafayette camped with his troops in 1781, and
historic roadways that are among the oldest in the country. Other
historic resources, such as colonial-era building foundations and
grave sites, are located on public and private lands across the
county.
•
The county has remained at the center of historic events and
decisions over the course of time, from Bacon’s Rebellion in
1676 through to the Green vs. County School Board of New Kent
County Supreme Court case in 1968. The court’s decision in favor
of Mr. Calvin Green, a New Kent resident and Richmond teacher,
required New Kent County schools, and subsequently all schools
in the United States, to be desegregated through zoning, busing
students and other measures.
The project’s asset maps can help identify potential locations for future historic
districts that recognize and celebrate an area’s ecological importance as part
of its history. Under §15.2-2306 of the Code of Virginia, local governments can
pursue historic district and entrance corridor designations.
The Village of New Kent Courthouse has been proposed as a potential historic
district. While this may seem controversial to some residents, historic districts
provide a way to recognize and raise the profile of the community’s history
for residents and visitors while respecting the property rights of landowners.
Historic entrance corridor designations can provide a way for local governments
to manage the landscapes surrounding important historical sites and
architectural areas.
Finally, the project’s asset maps can inform efforts to expand and locate heritage
tourism opportunities in New Kent County. As defined by the National Trust for
Historic Preservation, heritage tourism is “traveling to experience the places,
artifacts and activities that authentically represent the stories and people of
the past and present.” Heritage tourism is the third largest sector of spending
and employment in Virginia. Larger tracts of land can also help ensure that
county viewsheds are retained, which matter both for preserving the historical
integrity of sites and attracting heritage tourists. The book Better Models
for Development in Virginia (The Conservation Fund, 2001) identifies how
development can take place in the context of community goals to conserve an
area’s rural character and working landscapes.
Appendix B provides links to additional information and resources regarding
historic preservation and heritage tourism in Virginia.
NEW KENT COUNTY GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECT
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PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE
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Working Landscapes: Forestry and Agriculture
Transportation Planning
The retention of the county’s forests and farms is an important economic goal
for New Kent County. While the county’s economy has long relied on forestry
and agriculture as its mainstays, the comprehensive plan notes that “economic
changes in those industries have produced immense pressure on their
continued economic viability.” From a green infrastructure planning perspective,
efforts to sustain and retain the county’s working landscapes presents a
significant opportunity. The larger parcel size and county-wide location of the
county’s forests and farms mean that these areas are well-suited to serving
as part of the county’s green infrastructure network. The county’s working
landscapes also provide a host of green infrastructure benefits, including
water filtration, soil retention, hazard mitigation and wildlife habitat, as well as
providing opportunities for scenic views, agritourism and recreation.
New Kent County’s transportation plan recognizes that a “sustainable mobility”
system requires managing the capacity of the county’s road infrastructure,
managing travel demands, and managing land use development in appropriate
locations. From a green infrastructure planning perspective, the management
of the county’s transportation infrastructure also provides a significant
opportunity.
The project’s green infrastructure asset maps provide a way to analyze
opportunities to maximize the economic and environmental benefits provided
by the county’s working lands. The maps can help identify optimal green
infrastructure locations for farms and forests, and enable the targeting of
appropriate tools, such as Agricultural and Forestal Districts, to ensure their
effectiveness over the long-term. Two other planning tools – purchase of
development rights (PDR) and transfer of development rights programs –
could also help to sustain the county’s working lands. Within the county’s PDR
program, the addition of green infrastructure benefits as a program criterion
could support the county’s efforts to prioritize lands for conservation.
New Kent County can use the project’s asset maps to help develop a transfer of
development rights (TDR) program. TDR programs provide a way to transfer or
sell development rights from working lands or conservation areas (a “sending
zone”) to areas prioritized for growth and development (a “receiving zone”).
Receiving zones are typically already served by roads, utilities and services such
as schools and stores. In a TDR program, development rights are sold from a
sending zone to a receiving zone, allowing landowners in the sending zone to
receive value for their development rights without developing their properties.
New Kent County can use the project’s asset maps to help identify potential
sending and receiving zones for a TDR program, with sending zones established
for areas where the county’s high-value green infrastructure assets are located.
The project’s asset maps can help inform the management, location, and
expansion of the county’s roadways, bicycle lanes, and recreational trails.
Bicycle lanes and recreational trails, for example, can link together parts of
the county’s green infrastructure network as well as supporting sustainable
economic development and tourism initiatives. Similarly, the county’s roadways
can be managed to avoid unnecessary divisions within the network, as well
as to mitigate environmental impacts such as stormwater runoff. Together,
these approaches can help achieve the county’s stated goal to “promote the
development of greenways and blueways throughout the county to enhance
recreational opportunities and to promote public health and fitness.”
View across Diascund Reservoir
Appendix B provides links to additional information and resources regarding
working landscapes in Virginia.
NEW KENT COUNTY GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECT
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LOOKING FORWARD
LO O K I N G F O R WA R D
The completion of the New Kent County Green Infrastructure Project represents
a significant milestone for the county and the project team. The project has built
the community’s capacity to conserve its key land and water resources while
ensuring the high quality of life expected by county residents. The project has
identified New Kent County’s green infrastructure assets, linking ecological,
economic and cultural considerations together across the county’s rural, historic
landscapes. The project has illustrated how local governments can take the lead
in green infrastructure planning and develop a community-based approach that
reflects local needs and priorities.
At the same time, the project’s conclusion also represents a new beginning. This
report, the project’s asset maps, and the project’s data and GIS resources provide
New Kent County with a powerful set of new tools to plan for and protect the
county’s high-value green infrastructure assets and guide development patterns
that are compatible with maximizing ecological, economic and cultural returns
from these assets over the long-term.
This report summarizes only some of the ideas that can be derived from the
project’s asset maps and data and GIS resources. County staff and local officials
can request printed maps of key features, zoom into specific areas of interest
and even model land use changes over time. Residents can use the county’s
online mapping tool to inform their own plans and goals. New applications for
these tools will be identified over time as well.
Looking forward, there is no one right answer for how New Kent County should
grow. The key is to ensure that planning, policy and development decisions are
informed by the best information possible, so that outcomes reflect the county’s
goals and priorities. The tools from the New Kent County Green Infrastructure
Project will help New Kent County pursue and achieve its vision for the future,
in its 2010 comprehensive plan update and beyond: “to remain a distinctive
community for our citizens, celebrating our heritage, preserving our rural
character and quality of life, but welcoming to visitors, business and industry.”
NEW KENT COUNTY GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECT
The project’s asset maps and working relationships will be key to the county’s future
green infrastructure planning activities.
APPENDIX
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25
A P P E N D I X A – P R O J E C T D ATA
I N V E N TO R Y
The following table is an inventory of the spatial data used to develop New Kent
County’s asset maps.
Data related to the non-built environment
Dataset
Source
Description
Water
Available county data,
National Hydrography
Dataset, National
Wetlands Inventory
Rivers, streams, open water
(ponds, reservoirs), wetlands, and
watershed basins
Floodplain
FEMA
FEMA designated floodplains
Soils
Soil productivity derived from the
U.S. Dept. of
Soil Survey Geographic (SSURGO)
Agriculture, Natural
Resources Conservation database
Service
Forest Cover
Virginia Department of
Forestry
2006 grid (raster image) showing
forested, non-forested and water
areas in Virginia
Elevation
USGS National
Elevation Dataset
Topography, elevation, slope,
landform can be derived from
NED
Impaired Streams
VA Department of
Environmental Quality
2008 303(d) impaired rivers and
streams
Species
VA Department of
Conservation and
Recreation Division of
Natural Heritage and
Department of Game
and Inland Fisheries
Rare, threatened, and
endangered species information
is available
Data related to the built environment
Dataset
Source
Description
Transportation
Available county data
and VA Department of
Transportation
Primary and secondary roads,
bridges, driveways, and
intersections
Available county data
Parcel boundary and associated
tax assessment information for
each parcel
Buildings and Structures Available county data
Building and structure polygons
and 911 address location points
Zoning
Available county data
New Kent County zoning
Land Cover
VA Department of
Forestry
2006 grid (raster image) showing
land uses in Virginia
Places
US Geological Survey
Populated and non-populated
locations (towns, mountain
peaks, schools, etc.)
Parcels
NEW KENT COUNTY GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECT
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APPENDIX
A P P E N D I X A – P R O J E C T D ATA
I N V E N TO R Y ( co ntin u ed )
Data related to cultural resources
Dataset
Source
Description
Historic Resources
VA Department of
Historic Resources
Sites on the National Register of
Historic Places and/or Virginia
Landmarks Register, potentially
eligible architectural and
archeological features, historic
districts, and identified civil war
sites
Recreation and
Conservation Lands
VA Department of
Conservation and
Recreation
Federal, state, and local
recreation and conservation
lands (including national and
state parks, wildlife management
areas, and local parks)
VA Scenic Byways
VA Department of
Conservation and
Recreation
Designated scenic byways
Historic Routes
Available county data
Significant routes including
John Smith travels (1607-08),
Washington-Rochambeau Route
(1781), and J.E.B. Stuart Ride
(1862)
County Parks
Available county data
Existing county parks
Proposed Bike Routes
Available county data
Bike routes (on- and off-road)
proposed in the 2003 New Kent
County Comprehensive Plan
VA Department of
Conservation and
Recreation
The VCLNA uses GIS to model
and map land conservation
priorities and actions in Virginia.
Models include: cultural
resources, ecological resources,
forest economics, agricultural,
watershed integrity
Models
Virginia Conservation
Lands Needs
Assessment
NEW KENT COUNTY GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECT
APPENDIX
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27
APPENDIX B – RESOURCES
Agriculture
This appendix provides links to state, federal and non-governmental resources
that county government, residents and business owners can access to support
local efforts focused on the management and enhancement of New Kent
County’s green infrastructure assets.
Available agricultural resources include several programs as well as technical
assistance. For example, the Virginia Farm Link program connects experienced
farmers with new farmers, providing a way to share expertise and help new
farmers locate farming opportunities.
Forestry
The Virginia Department of Forestry (DOF) offers several programs as well
as technical assistance for parties interested in protecting and restoring the
county’s forests. For example, the Forestland Enhancement Program (FLEP)
provides funding to help landowners develop forestry management plans and
certain other stewardship activities.
•
•
Forestland Conservation Programs:
www.dof.virginia.gov/land/index.shtml
Forestland Enhancement Program (FLEP):
www.dof.virginia.gov/mgt/cip-fact-flep.shtml
•
New Kent County Forester: Will Shoup, Virginia Department of Forestry,
(804) 966-2209
•
Reforestation of Timberlands Conservation Incentive Program:
www.dof.virginia.gov/mgt/cip-fact-rt.shtml
•
Virginia Department of Forestry Publications:
www.dof.virginia.gov/info/index-forms-docs.shtml
•
Colonial Soil and Water Conservation District: colonialswcd.vaswcd.org
•
Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) Soils Data:
soildatamart.nrcs.usda.gov/
•
New Kent County Agricultural Extension: (804) 966-9645 / offices.ext.
vt.edu/new-kent/
•
Virginia Cooperative Extension Publications: pubs.ext.vt.edu/index.html
•
Virginia Farm Link Program: www.savefarms.com/farmlink_about.htm
Water Resources
Funding, technical assistance and information resources are available for parties
interested in ensuring the quality and availability of New Kent County’s water
resources.
The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) monitors and reports
on the water quality of streams in Virginia. DEQ also develops Total Maximum
Daily Load (TMDL) analyses for impaired streams. In New Kent County, most of
the impairments are for fecal coliform, generally measured as escherichia coli (or
E. coli as an abbreviation). Resources (see below) are available to help localities
work with DEQ to develop a TMDL plan that can best meet local needs and
priorities as well as ensuring that localities remain in compliance with the Clean
Water Act.
•
Center for Watershed Protection: www.cwp.org
•
National Association of Counties TMDL Watershed Planning
Tool: www.naco.org/Template.cfm?Section=New_Technical_
Assistance&template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.
cfm&ContentID=21026
NEW KENT COUNTY GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECT
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APPENDIX
A P P E N D I X B – R E S O U R C E S ( co nt i n ue d )
Water Resources (continued)
•
Cultural Resources and Heritage Tourism (continued)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) TMDL Resources:
www.epa.gov/owow/tmdl
www.epa.gov/owow/watershed/initiative
www.epa.gov/owow/funding.html
www.epa.gov/owow/nps/319hfunds.html
•
Code of Virginia, § 15.2-2306. Preservation of Historical
Sites and Architectural Areas: leg1.state.va.us/000/cod/
TOC15020000022000000000000.HTM
•
Virginia DHR Rehabilitation Tax Credit Program:
www.dhr.virginia.gov/tax_credits/tax_credit.htm
•
Virginia Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program:
www.dcr.virginia.gov/soil_and_water/crep.shtml
•
Virginia DHR Threatened Sites Program:
www.dhr.virginia.gov/arch_DHR/threatened.htm
•
Virginia Cooperative Extension Publications: pubs.ext.vt.edu/index.html
•
•
Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR), Soil and
Water Conservation Programs:
www.dcr.virginia.gov/soil_and_water/index.shtml
Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Century
Farm Program: www.vdacs.virginia.gov/century
•
Virginia Comprehensive Historic Preservation Plan:
www.dhr.virginia.gov/pdf_files/CompPlan2001.PDF
•
Virginia DCR Water Quality Guide: dcr.state.va.us/soil_&_water/
documents/wshedguideb2b.pdf
•
Virginia DEQ TMDL Web Site: www.deq.virginia.gov/tmdl
•
Virginia DEQ Impaired Waters List: www.deq.virginia.gov/wqa
Cultural Resources and Heritage Tourism
Two primary resources in Virginia that support heritage tourism activities and
the preservation and rehabilitation of cultural resources are the Virginia Tourism
Corporation and Virginia’s Department of Historic Resources (DHR). For example,
DHR offers a Rehabilitation Tax Credit Program to provide incentives for
parties interested in restoring historic structures in Virginia. DHR’s Threatened
Sites Program provides emergency resources for research at endangered
archaeological sites.
Under § 15.2-2306 of the state code, local governments can also pursue historic
district and entrance corridor designations. Historic districts provide a way to
recognize and raise the profile of the community’s history for residents and
visitors without impacting the property rights of landowners. Historic entrance
corridor designations can provide a way for local governments to manage the
landscapes surrounding important historical sites and architectural areas.
NEW KENT COUNTY GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECT
Heritage Tourism Examples:
• Journey through Hallowed Ground: www.hallowedground.org
•
Virginia Civil War Trails: www.culturalheritagetourism.org/
successStories/virginiaSummary.htm
•
Virginia Wine Trails: www.virginiawine.org/regions/hampton-roads
•
Thomas Jefferson Planning District Commission Heritage Tourism
Toolkit: www.tjpdc.org/workforce/tjV_heritageTourism.asp
•
Virginia Tourism Corporation: www.vatc.org
APPENDIX
A P P E N D I X C – CO M M U N I T Y I N P U T
Community input and input from county staff and elected officials shaped the
project from its outset through to the development of the final asset maps in
this report. This appendix provides a summary of project-related comments
received from the project’s focus group, project interviews and the project’s
June 2009 Community Open House.
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29
Project Interviews and June 2009 Community Open House Comment
Summary (continued)
•
Working lands are an important part of the county and provide scenery,
wildlife habitat, rural character, riparian buffers, economic opportunity
and a sense of home. Several respondents were concerned about the
loss of working lands to development and were interested in tools for
maintaining these working lands.
•
Most long-term landowners interviewed indicated that maintaining the
county’s strong agrarian heritage requires that farmland not be lost to
non-farm uses. Others expressed concern that the county’s location
within commuting distance of Richmond and adjacent to several rapidly
growing counties was accelerating land use pressures to convert farms
and forests into new development projects. However, one farmer
noted that the value of the rural scenery and water views allowed him
to maintain and expand his farm by carving out several lots along the
Pamunkey River. In short, this demand for new non-farm uses enabled
the farmer to stay in farming. In addition, farmers often have secondary
jobs, some of which, such as siting septic fields or digging new wells, are
driven primarily by the increase in new development. These jobs are an
important income source that can subsidize farm incomes.
•
Several respondents were concerned about shallow wells and the future
of the county’s water supply, given increasing development and higher
water demand potentially drawing down (lowering) the water table.
Several respondents were surprised by the number of community wells
(public wells serving 20 or more users) in the county. Respondents
suggested that the county should be proactive about protection of
wetlands and water quality. One resident noted the importance of
preserving existing wooded corridors along streams and rivers to help
maintain the functionality of ecosystems and provide for wildlife habitat
and wildlife movement.
•
The county should be proactive about protection of wetlands and water
quality as these are keys to good health for ecosystems and county
residents.
Focus Group Comment Summary
Representatives of various stakeholder groups such as agencies, land trusts,
developers and farmers were invited to participate in three focus group
meetings for the project. These meetings were also open to the public.
The purpose of the focus group meetings was to provide opportunities for
community review and feedback on the project’s draft asset maps prior to
presenting revised maps to county officials and the public. The focus group
meetings also provided an educational opportunity for the project team to
discuss the project and green infrastructure planning with the community.
Feedback from the focus group meetings allowed the project team to gauge
community perceptions, to explore community values and priorities, and to
ensure the accuracy of the project’s asset maps.
Examples of feedback from the focus group meetings included:
•
Comments on how to ensure that the project’s maps included key assets
such as Class I and II agricultural soils important for farming.
•
The need for project maps to show all forest cover in the county, as well
as the large forested land areas that provided the highest quality lands
for timber, wildlife habitat and water quality.
•
Interest in limiting additional motorized boating access to the
Pamunkey River. Participants preferred quieter forms of recreation on
the river, such as canoeing.
•
Clarification of project graphics and map symbols.
•
Recommending additional local and regional contacts for project
interviews to ensure that the project included as diverse a range of
perspectives as possible.
NEW KENT COUNTY GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECT
30
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APPENDIX
A P P E N D I X C – CO M M U N I T Y I N P U T
(continued)
•
Respondents emphasized that the County’s recreational resources are
important to them and expressed interest in opportunities to provide
additional nature-based recreation opportunities.
•
Several respondents expressed an interest in having more nature-based
recreation areas located closer to their homes. Other respondents
stated that New Kent County should not focus on providing new
recreation opportunities, but rather should work to keep the county
rural so that there would not be a need to buy land simply to let
residents experience nature. As one resident put it. “My backyard is my
nature and I can continue to enjoy that if the county does not develop
too much.” Specific suggestions for new nature-based recreation
opportunities included an equestrian trail from New Kent Vineyards to
estates in the northern part of the county, a park and river trail along the
Chickahominy River in the western part of the county, and additional
hiking trails similar to the Wahrani Nature Trail.
•
New Kent County’s rural landscape is appreciated by many who rely on
connected, unbroken land uses to enjoy pastimes such as hunting and
horseback riding. Horse owners often need the cooperation of multiple
landowners to provide opportunities for extended riding experiences.
Hunters also benefit from a connected landscape, which ensures that
diverse, abundant wildlife populations can be sustained. Much of the
forested landscape in the county is leased by hunting groups. A meeting
with hunting groups indicated that significant land areas county-wide
are used by hunting clubs, which own little or no land and depend
mostly on leasing arrangements for hunting opportunities.
•
Several respondents noted their enjoyment of bicycle riding
opportunities through the county’s winding and scenic landscape.
Several residents expressed support for proposed bicycle lanes in the
county, but cautioned that the lanes should only be created on routes
that are safe for cyclists and where trails will not impede the flow of
traffic.
NEW KENT COUNTY GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECT
•
Some of New Kent County’s abundant historic resources are not easily
accessible. Several respondents expressed concern regarding how
historic resources located on private land may not be adequately
protected over time.
•
Respondents noted that New Kent County’s historic resources are
abundant and scattered across the county, with the majority of historic
structures located on private land. Historic resources located on private
land include historic homes, colonial-era building foundations and ice
houses, gravestones and old roadways.
•
Most residents indicated that more people would likely want to
move to the county in the future. They expressed interest in keeping
new development located along Route 64 and closer to alreadydeveloped infrastructure (crossroads, gas stations, commercial areas)
and away from the northern and southern portions of the county.
Residents suggested that development should be limited closer to the
Chickahominy and Pamunkey Rivers.
•
Many respondents stated that the county’s forests, streams and rural
landscape are key reasons why they stayed, moved to or returned to
New Kent County. Open house attendees were especially interested in
the project’s land parcel map. Respondents identified a need to retain
larger land parcels in the county for farms and forest land, with a need
to avoid property subdivisions that could negatively impact the county’s
farms and forest land.
APPENDIX
APPENDIX D –
C I T YG R E E N A N A LYS I S
F O R N E W K E N T CO U N T Y
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31
CITYgreen is a software tool developed by American Forests. The
tool helps planners, engineers, developers, community groups
and regulatory agencies make the economic case for green
infrastructure by quantifying the important role that trees play
in improving water quality, sequestering carbon, removing
pollutants from the air and capturing and filtering runoff.
The report to the right quantifies the different types of services
that trees provide in New Kent County, including:
• how many pollutants are being removed from the air;
•
how much carbon is being stored; and
•
how much stormwater is being intercepted and how this
service translates into stormwater management savings.
In New Kent County, trees cover 70.2 percent of the county’s
land area. It is estimated that these trees remove over 10 million
pounds of pollutants each year. The value of this pollution
removal is estimated at $26 million annually. To calculate these
costs, CITYgreen relies on the indirect costs borne by society,
such as rising health care costs and reduced tourism revenue.
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decreasing stormwater volumes. In New Kent County, this value
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NEW KENT COUNTY GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECT
Green Infrastructure Center
921 2nd Street SE,
Charlottesville, VA 22902
(434) 975-6700
www.gicinc.org
NEW KENT COUNTY GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECT