The Virginia Coastal Policy Center (VCPC) at William & Mary Law School, in conjunction with the Virginia Institute of Marine Science, provided science-based legal and policy analysis of environmental and land use issues affecting the state's coastal resources.
The VCPC discontinued its operation on June 30, 2023. You can view its archived webpages through the Internet Archive, in the library's Virginia Coastal Policy Center collection.
Below are reports, newsletters, and brochures produced by the VCPC. Materials and videos from its conferences and events are also available in the repository's VCPC Events collection.
Brochures
Information (2015), Virginia Coastal Policy Center, William & Mary Law School
Information (2016-2017), Virginia Coastal Policy Center, William & Mary Law School
Funding Resilience
Building Towards a Resilient Virginia: Using C-PACE Financing to Improve the Resiliency of Commercial Buildings, Jessica Kraus and Cesare Piermarini
Carbon Market Opportunities in Virginia: Eelgrass, Marshes, Soils, and Forests, Imani Y. Price
Eelgrass in Virginia: Assessing Opportunities and Obstacles for Blue Carbon Credits, Michael Jordan and Imani Price
Money for Nothing: A Case Study on Leveraging Donated Property to Satisfy Federal Grant Match Requirements, Garrett Gee
Tools for a Resilient Virginia Coast: Designing a Successful TDR Program for Virginia’s Middle Peninsula, Jessica Lung and Michael Killius
Newsletters
Newsletter (December 2020), Virginia Coastal Policy Center, William & Mary Law School
Newsletter (February 2020), Virginia Coastal Policy Center, William & Mary Law School
Newsletter (March 2021), Virginia Coastal Policy Center, William & Mary Law School
Newsletter (May 2015), Virginia Coastal Policy Center, William & Mary Law School
Newsletter (May 2020), Virginia Coastal Policy Center, William & Mary Law School
Newsletter (September 2020), Virginia Coastal Policy Center, William & Mary Law School
News of the Coast (December 2022), Virginia Coastal Policy Center, William & Mary Law School
News of the Coast (Fall 2021), Virginia Coastal Policy Center, William & Mary Law School
News of the Coast (June 2021), Virginia Coastal Policy Center, William & Mary Law School
News of the Coast (May 2022), Virginia Coastal Policy Center, William & Mary Law School
News of the Coast (September 2022), Virginia Coastal Policy Center, William & Mary Law School
News of the Coast (Spring 2022), Virginia Coastal Policy Center, William & Mary Law School
VA Coastlines (End of 2014-2015 Term), Virginia Coastal Policy Center
Offshore Uses and Ocean Planning
Ocean of Uncertainty: Regulatory Barriers to Multiple Uses in Federal Waters, Kacie Couch and Tristan Griner
Toward a Virginia Ocean Plan: Lessons and Recommendations from Other States, Nathaniel Dominy and Luke Foley
Other Topics
Heirs' Property in Virginia: Filling in the Gaps, J. Noble Pearson and Lillian Coward
Mitigating Trail Troubles: An Analysis of the Virginia Recreational Land Use Statute, Rachel Rogers and Cooper Vorel
Renewable Energy
Developing Solar Energy in Rural Virginia: An Analysis of Legal, Environmental, and Policy Issues, Reza Kameli and Sun Shen
Siting Wind Energy Projects in Virginia: Recommendations for Addressing National Security Concerns through State Permitting Processes, Erika Bosack, Dana Mirsky, Anna Nicholson, and Christopher Sanborn
Reports
Building a Resilient Virginia, Anthony Cusato; Conor Jennings; Angela King; and Virginia Coastal Policy Center, William & Mary Law School
(Post-Conference Report (VCPC's 6th Annual Conference, 2018))Defending Our Coasts: Ensuring Military Readiness & Economic Viability as Waters Rise, Deborah Kornblut, Angela King, and Virginia Coastal Policy Center
(Post-Conference Report (VCPC's 5th Annual Conference, 2017))Living with the Water - Too Much, and Too Little, Virginia Coastal Policy Center, William & Mary Law School
(Post-Conference Report (VCPC's Annual Conference, 2016))Natural Carbon Sequestration in the Commonwealth, Carbon Sequestration Task Force; Virginia Coastal Policy Center, William & Mary Law School; and Virginia Institute of Marine Science
(Report to the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Virginia)Overcoming Impediments to Shellfish Aquaculture through Legal Research and Outreach: Case Studies, National Sea Grant College Program, Catherine Janasie, Amanda Nichols, Read Porter, Mitchell Ramic, Jordan Viana, Joseph Bingaman, Elizabeth Andrews, Angela King, Danielle Goshen, Shana Jones, Lisa Schiavinato, Catherine Courtier, and Danielle Goshen
PREP Tool - Planning for Resilience: Evaluation and Prioritization, Virginia Coastal Policy Center, William & Mary Law School and Institute for Engagement & Negotiation, University of Virginia
Report to the Governor and the Chairmen of the House Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources and the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources, Pursuant to House Bill 1774, Commonwealth Center for Recurrent Flooding Resiliency
Resilient Coastal Economies and Aquaculture
Law on the Half Shell: Applying a Right-to-Farm Framework to Virginia's Aquaculture Industry, Matt Woodward and Andrew Corso
Shellfish Production in Virginia: Private Leasing Grounds, Nathan Burchard
Shellfish Production in Virginia: Public Grounds, Geoffrey Grau
Tourism Business Resilience for Coastal Virginia Assessment Report, Lindsay Usher, Michelle Covi, Juita-Elena Yusuf, Kaitlin Giles, Elizabeth Armistead Andrews, Angela King, Sashenka Brauer, and Rebecca Ribley
Working Waterfronts: On History, Conflicts, and Finding a Balance Case Studies of the Lynnhaven River, the Ware River, and the Eastern Shore of Virginia, Noah Trombly, Derek Van De Walle, and Chelsea Wilkins
Responses or Comments
Statement by Dean A. Benjamin Spencer on the Future of the Virginia Coastal Policy Center, William & Mary Law School Office of the Dean
Sea Level Rise and Recurrent Flooding
Adaptive Planning for Flooding and Coastal Change in Virginia: Legal and Policy Issues for Local Government, Chris Olcott and Erica Penn
(Post-Conference Report (October 2, 2013))Adaptive Planning for Flooding and Coastal Change in Virginia: State and Local Areas of Action, Chris Olcott and Erica Penn
(VCPC White Paper Number 10)Balancing Act: Water Quality Protection and Flood Resilience, Samatha Becker
Closing Roads Due to Increased Flooding: Potential Liability Issues in Virginia, William Howieson and Michael Tentilucci
Costs of Doing Nothing: Economic Consequences of Not Adapting to Sea Level Rise in the Hampton Roads Region, Greg Van Houtven; Brooks Depro; Daniel Lapidus; Justine Allpress; Benjamin Lord; and Virginia Coastal Policy Center, William & Mary Law School
Flooding Their Mailbox: Recommendations for Notifying Residents of Changes to FEMA Flood Maps, Andrew Major and Alston Underwood
Go Green, Save Money: Lowering Flood Insurance Rates in Virginia with Stormwater Management and Open Space, Adele Young and Kristen Clark
Green Infrastructure in the Community Ratings System: A Proposed Path to National Flood Insurance Program Recognition, Kevin MacWhorter and Kathleen Zaratzian
Let the Buyer Beware: A Comparison of Flood-Related Real Estate Disclosure Laws of Virginia and Other States, Emily Snyder and Clay Kulesza
Managed Retreat and the Life Estate: A Practical Path Forward for Coastal Communities, Sam Gross
Planning for a Managed Retreat: Moving in a New Direction, Caitlin Parry, Michael Heard Snow, and Ryan Franklin
Planning for the "New Normal": Using Build One Portsmouth to Address Flood Resilience, Alison Wrynn and Sarah Simonetti
Recurrent Flooding, Sea Level Rise, and the Relocation of At-Risk Communities: Case Studies from the Commonwealth of Virginia, Jeffrey Moore and Lauren Acker
Sea Level Rise and Recurrent Flooding: A Toolbox for Local Governments in Virginia, Victor Unnone and Jonathan Lubrano
(VCPC White Paper Number 1)Striving for Resilience in Virginia's Transportation Sector, Elizabeth H. Davis, Jacob Haddad, and Bryce Ballard
Using Zoning Tools to Adapt to Sea Level Rise, Barb Marmet
(VCPC White Paper Number 4)Shoreline Management and Riparian Rights
Beneficial Use of Dredged Material: Role of State Permitting Programs and Regulations, Samantha Becker and Sashenka Brauer
Creating Land with Artificial Oyster Rings: Legal Challenges from State Owned Bottom Land to Living Shorelines, Faith Parker and Will Reach
Dredged Material Ownership: Rights and Reuse, John Bobka and Beth Pindilli
Increasing Living Shoreline Implementation in Virginia: Legal and Policy Recommendations, Christopher Antoine
In-Lieu Fee Program Case Studies: Lessons Learned for Potentially Expanding In-Lieu Fee Habitat Coverage in Virginia, Erika Bosack and Luke Miller
Protecting Terrapins with TEDs in Virginia: Lessons from Other States, Bridget Verrekia and Shelby Fuchs
Riparian Rights and Public Trust: Enforcement Authority, Reeana Keenen
The Chesapeake Bay Preservation Act: Proposed Modifications to Improve Resilience to Sea Level Rise, Christopher Antoine
Tidal Wetlands Protection in Virginia: Time for an Update, Pamela Kalinowski and Yvonne Baker
(VCPC White Paper Number 13)Waterfront Property Rights: The Potential Impact of Government Projects, Emily Messer
Social Vulnerability and Environmental Justice
Federal Funding Programs: Benefit-Cost Analyses and Low to Moderate Income Communities, Kelsey McNeill and Alyssa Glass
Mapping Coastal Risks and Social Vulnerability: Current Tools and Legal Risks, Lisa Schiavinato and Heather Payne
Mapping Coastal Risks and Social Vulnerability: Principles and Considerations, Shana Jones
Tidal Turmoil: Environmental Justice and Sea Level Rise in Hampton Roads: Norfolk Case Study, Michael Boyer and Erica Penn
(VCPC White Paper Number 6)Vacant Housing Study: An Examination of Vacant and At-Risk Housing in the Middle Peninsula, Todd Scheid, Kean Devine, and Eric McCoy
State and Local Governments: Authority and Liability
Hampton Roads Intergovernmental Pilot Project: Memo and Legal Primer, Roy Hoagland, Joe Durant, Jeremy Forrest, Kelly Lackey, Deborah Loomis, Benjamin McFarlane, Mark Nevitt, Adam Olson, Miguel Padilla, J. Duncan Pitchford, Henry Pollard, Mark Popovich, and Lynne Rhode
(Hampton Roads Sea Level Rise Preparedness and Resilience Intergovernmental Pilot Project)Norfolk’s Flooding Adaptation Measures: Taking Lawful Precautions or ‘Takings’ Lawsuits?, Emilie A. Whitehurst
(VCPC White Paper Number 7) (VCPC White Paper Number 3)State and Local Liability for Failure to Adapt to and Protect Against Recurrent Flooding: Applying Farmers Insurance's Legal Framework to Virginia Circumstances, James M. Andris Jr.
“Takings” Liability for Vacating Roads in Flood-Prone Areas: Poquoson Case Study, Kelci Block
(VCPC White Paper Number 8) (VCPC White Paper Number 9)The Dillon Rule & Norfolk Sea Level Rise: An Analysis of the Limited Impact of the Dillon Rule on Planning for Sea Level Rise in Norfolk, Mary-Carson B. Saunders
(VCPC White Paper Number 5)The Virginia Supreme Court’s 2012 Livingston Case: Localities and the Risk of “Takings” Claims for Failure to Properly Maintain Flood Control Structures, Daniel Doty and Chris Olcott
(VCPC White Paper Number 2)Virginia Tribes
A Study of Tribal Communication Frameworks: Some Approaches to Building Partnerships Between Tribal, State, and Local Governments in Virginia, Karly Newcomb and Abigail Sisti
Tribal Communities and State and Local Governments: Existing Relationships, Mikayla Mangle
(A Study of Tribal Communication Frameworks, Appendix B.)Tribal Resilience and Community Plans: A Primer for Tribal Communities Looking to Create Their Own, Karly Newcomb
(A Study of Tribal Communication Frameworks, Appendix A.)Water Quality, Water Quantity, and Marine Debris
Abandoned and Derelict Vessels in the Commonwealth: How to Improve Virginia's ADV Program, Anthony Cusato
An Emerging Containment of (Legal) Concern: PFAS Legal Issues at the State and Federal Level, Michael S. Heard Snow and Conor M. Jennings
Climate Change and the Chesapeake Bay Total Maximum Daily Load: Policy Priorities and Options, Joseph Kurt and Victor Unnone
Groundwater Injection Projects: Mitigating the Risk of Emerging Contaminants, Conor Jennings
Hampton Roads Sanitation District’s Sustainable Water Initiative for Tomorrow Proposal, Patrick Harner, Alexa Pecht, and Emily Tucker
Onsite Sewage Systems: Background, Framework, and Solutions, Jamie Huffman, Sarah Simonetti, and R. Scott Herbert
Phase II MS4 Permit Requirements: A Survey of Public Education and Outreach & Public Involvement and Participation Efforts, Connor Jennings and Donnie Autry
Protecting Water Quality in Virginia: Recommendations to Combat Sea Level Rise and Increased Storm Events, Madhavi Kulkarni
Recommendations to Increase the Resilience of Wastewater Treatment in Coastal Virginia, Grace D. Molino and Forrest M. Via
Reducing Septic-Reliant Households: How a Comprehensive Legal Scheme Could Improve Water Quality, Environmental, and Human Health, Karlin Foor and Anna Bailey
Strengthening the VPA General Permit: Managing Animal Feeding Operations in Virginia to Meet State Law and the Bay TMDL, Rachel Cannon and Jason Kane
(VCPC White Paper Number 11)The 2016 Stormwater Bill: An Analysis of Perceived and Real Problems with Proposed Solutions, Jonathon R. Lubrano, Elizabeth A. Andrews, and Roy A. Hoagland
The Use, Impact, and Ban of Coal Tar- Based Sealants, Hannah Needleman
Trash Talk: An Exploration of the Problem of Marine Debris and Some Virginia-Specific Solutions, Elizabeth Pindilli
Water Supply Management in Virginia: Lessons from the West Coast, Kristin McCarthy
Water Supply Planning in Virginia: The Future of Groundwater and Surface Water, Jonathon Lubrano and Jeffrey Moore
When the Chesapeake Bay Preservation Act Fails: A Suffolk Case Study, Scott Van Der Hyde and Mark Badanowski
(VCPC White Paper Number 12)