Our Water
Our coastal waterways are a precious treasure in our community. The Conservancy remains committed to protecting and preserving those waterways for all to enjoy.
Sediment Mitigation
Coastal Virginia Conservancy is the first in-lieu fee (ILF) mitigation tool of its kind in the United States to be approved by the federal government for compensation of impacts to the bottom of a waterway.
The Conservancy meets developers’ needs to offset environmental impacts to the Elizabeth River watershed — particularly impacts to life along the river bottom.
Funds are used to offset unavoidable impacts when permittees conduct new dredging or filling projects for which government agencies require mitigation. Currently, funds are expended on projects to improve impaired river bottom in other areas of the river.
Use of the Conservancy for regulatory sanctioned “mitigation,” or offsetting of impacts, should be considered only after every reasonable option has been pursued to avoid or reduce environmental harm.
Watch our video about our sediment mitigation clean-up effort at Paradise Creek!
(Formerly known as Living River Trust)
Our Operating Agreement
The Elizabeth River Project; the Commonwealth of Virginia, Department of Environmental Quality; and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Norfolk District, created the Living River Trust, now known as Coastal Virginia Conservancy, through a July 2003 Memorandum of Understanding. A separate Operating Agreement between these agencies outlines the rules and regulations that govern the Living River Trust (now, Coastal Virginia Conservancy).
Under these terms, the Conservancy is one option to provide appropriate mitigation for impacts to aquatic resources authorized by permits issued by the Norfolk District or by the State Water Control Board through the DEQ. The Conservancy strives to maximize the mitigation benefit to the aquatic environment of the Elizabeth River and the public interest.
Available Mitigation Credits for River Bottom Impacts
The US Army Corps of Engineers and Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) through a permit process require mitigation to compensate for impacts.
Coastal Virginia Conservancy offers advanced mitigation credits for a fee as a mitigation option for permittees. Contact us at Info@CoVaConserve.org or call (757) 500-4579.