Tidal wetlands and coastal lagoons behind a chain of 18 barrier islands stretching 60 miles, dominate the Atlantic seaside coastal bay area of Virginia's Eastern Shore. This area of approximately 362 square miles of open water and emergent wetlands provides habitat to fish and wildlife, including varieties and numbers of bird populations unequaled on the Atlantic coast. These features, plus Chesapeake Bay natural areas and landscapes, towns, and local culture, that characterize Eastern Shore watersheds, are valuable assets on a national and global scale, luring increasing numbers of people from cities for outdoor recreation and to experience this unique region. But change is occurring rapidly, as it is along the entire Eastern Shore of Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia. The health of estuaries, bays, and forests has declined, and along with them the resources, livelihoods and social fabric upon which rural communities and local economies depend. Maintenance of the area's natural resources is the foundation of, and essential to, a sustainable economy important far beyond the boundaries of the Eastern Shore.

To address these issues, several organizations, governmental agencies, and academic institutions have joined together to host the second Virginia Eastern Shore Natural Resources Symposium entitled "Natural Resource Values and Vulnerabilities". This symposium is designed to:

highlight the uniqueness of Virginia's Eastern Shore,

broaden understanding for interrelationships of natural resources, economics, & people,

discuss and learn about values & vulnerabilities of Eastern Shore natural resources, and

stimulate innovative approaches to problem solving.

The Symposium will provide a unique opportunity for people to link with one another on common issues of concern. It will also allow for enhanced public awareness and dialogue in order to further explore some contemporary problems facing Eastern Shore communities in developing a community sense for solutions.

Thursday - October 31, 1996

1:00-1:30 SYMPOSIUM WELCOME and REFLECTION

George Simmons, Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University

Sherman Stairs, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Kiptopeke National Wildlife Refuge

Warren Flint, The Eastern Shore Institute

GROUNDWATER: Moderator: George Simmons, Virginia Polytechnic Inst. & State Univ.

1:30-1:50 "Natural Processes Affecting Nitrate in Ground Water Discharged to Chesapeake Bay and Other Surface Waters"

Gary Speiran, Pixie Hamilton, and Michael Woodside; U.S. Geological Survey.

1:50-2:10 "Field and Modeling Studies of Submarine Ground Water Discharge to Tidal Estuarine Waters"

Michael Robinson, Daniel Gallagher, William Reay; Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University.

2:10-2:30 "Biological Removal of Nitrate from Coastal Groundwater"

Aaron Mills and A. Callaghan; University of Virginia.

2:30-2:50 "Scales of Physical Heterogeneity in an Atlantic Coastal Plain Aquifer"

Brian S. Parsons, Donald J.P. Swift, Andrew C. Muller; Old Dominion University: and Susan Hubbard, Ernest L. Majer, Ken H. Williams; Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory.

3:00-3:20 BREAK

FISHERIES: Moderator: Robin Rich-Coates, Eastern Shore Community College

3:20-3:40 "The Potential Effect of Outbreaks of Parasitic Disease on the Blue Crab Fishery in Virginia"

Jeffrey Shields; Virginia Institute of Marine Science.

3:40-4:00 "Habitat Relationships and Fisheries Management Implications for the Blue Crab in the Chesapeake Bay"

Jacques van Montfrans, Romuald N. Lipcius, Robert J. Orth and Karen S. Metcalf; Virginia Institute of Marine Science.

4:00-4:20 "On-Going Comparisons of Eastern Shore Bay-side/Sea-side Shore-zone Fishes"

Herb M. Austin and Dee M. Seaver; Virginia Institute of Marine Science.

4:20-4:40 "On-Going Studies of Eastern Shore Atlantic Silverside, Menidia menidia"

Richard K. Holmquist; Virginia Institute of Marine Science.

4:40-5:00 "Quantifying Release Mortality Rates for Flounder and Weakfish in Recreational Fisheries and Discarded Weakfish in the Commercial Pound Net Fishery in Virginia"

Jon A. Lucy; Virginia Institute of Marine Science: and Gary L. Swihart; U.S. Fish & Wildlife Serv.

6:00 PM DINNER - Eastern Shore seafood sampling; Sunset Beach Inn

Friday - November 1, 1996

LANDSCAPES and BIOLOGY: Moderator: George Oertel, Old Dominion University

8:30-8:50 "Nitrogen Fixation by Termites in a Coastal Forest"

Deborah A. Waller and Anthony D. Curtis; Old Dominion University.

8:50-9:10 "Landscape Changes and Colony Site Dynamics: How Gull-billed Terns Cope at the Sea's Edge"

R. Michael Erwin; University of Virginia: Bill Williams and Bryan Watts; Center for Conservation Biology: Barry Truitt; VA Coast Reserve: Dan Stotts and Brian Eyler; Patuxent Wildlife Research Center.

9:10-9:30 "Coast Storms"

Bruce Hayden; University of Virginia.

9:30-9:50 "The Effects of Hypsometry on Lagoonal Dynamics and Ecosystems"

George Oertel; Old Dominion University: John Porter and David Richardson; University of Virginia.

9:50-10:10 "Sediment Deposition on a Tidal Salt Marsh"

Trine Christiansen and Patricia Wiberg; University of Virginia.

10:10-10:30 BREAK

MARINE BIOLOGY and CHEMISTRY: Moderator: Linda Blum, University of Virginia

10:30 -

10:50 "Oxidation-Reduction Processes in Coastal Lagoons"

George T.F. Wong; Old Dominion University.

10:50 -

11:10 "Comparison of the Role of Bacteria in Bayside and Seaside Tidal Creeks"

Linda Blum and T. Cannon; University of Virginia.

11:10 -

11:30 "Effects of Wrack Deposition and Increased Inundation on Net Primary Productivity in a Spartina patens Marsh Community"

Iris Anderson; Virginia Institute of Marine Science.

11:30 -

11:50 "Preliminary Observations on the Variability of Chlorophyll in the Machipongo Watershed and Hog Island Bay"

William M. Dunstan and Claudette Lajoie; Old Dominion University.

11:50 -

12:10 "Benthic Foraminifera Communities of a Barrier-Lagoon System, Virginia"

George Oertel; Old Dominion University: Steve Culver; Natural History Museum of London: and Han J. Woo; Korean Ocean Research and Development Institute.

12:10 -

12:30 "Benthic Community Analysis of Hog Island Bay"

David J. Lewis and Daniel M. Dauer; Old Dominion University.

12:30-1:30 LUNCH - Box lunch; Sunset Beach Inn (walk on the beach time)

WATER QUALITY and HABITAT: Moderator: Ray Alden, Old Dominion University

1:30-1:50 "Ambient Toxicity Assessments of Chesapeake Bay Watersheds"

Robert T. Turner III and Raymond W. Alden III; Old Dominion University.

1:50-2:10 "Solving Nonpoint Introductions of Fecal Coliforms: The Use of Field and Molecular Biology to Resolve Nonpoint Fecal Coliform Sources to Tidal Inlets"

George M. Simmons, Jr., S.A. Herbein; Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University: and S.L. Myers; Radford University.

2:10-2:30 "Evaluation of Water Quality Along the Seaside of the Eastern Shore in Relation to Plastic Cultivation"

Mark W. Luckenbach, Robert Bock and Morris H. Roberts, Jr.; Virginia Institute of Marine Science.

2:30-2:50 "Evaluation of Pollutants in Source and Process Water Used in Shellfish Aquaculture"

Andrea M. Dietrich, William F. daCosta, Kathryn A. Klawiter, Maggie Becker, Daniel L. Gallagher, and George E. Simmons; Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University.

2:50-3:10 "An Assessment of the Use of Stabilized Coal Fly Ash for Enhancement of Shellfish Habitat"

Raymond W. Alden III; Old Dominion University: and Mark Luckenbach; Virginia Institute of Marine Science.

3:10-3:30 "Characterization of Resident and Transient Assemblages Associated with Constructed Oyster Reef Habitats"

Janet Nestlerode, Mark Luckenbach, and Gregory M. Coates; Virginia Institute of Marine Science.

3:30-4:00 BREAK

AQUACULTURE and SOCIO-ECONOMIC EVALUATIONS:

Moderator: Warren Flint, The Eastern Shore Institute

4:00-4:20 "Potential for Some Specialty Aquaculture Crops for the Eastern Shore"

Anthony Provenzano; Old Dominion University.

4:20-4:40 "Measuring the Regional Effects of Sustainable Development Alternatives"

Steve Smutko; North Carolina State University.

4:40-5:00 "Where the Social and Natural Meet: Attitudes About The Environment Among Residents of Virginia's Eastern Shore"

Mona Danner, Carole Seyfrit, and Lucien X. Lombardo; Old Dominion University.

5:00-5:20 "Toward a Personal Ecology for Healing Ourselves and Our Planet"

Dayl Reid-Roberts, Terry Swain, Linda Zeman; Humanitec, Inc.

7:00 PM SOCIAL - Posters, Food, and Drink; the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Kiptopeke National Wildlife Refuge Auditorium (across Rt 13 from Sunset Beach Inn)

Posters:

"Data and Information Management at the Virginia Coast Reserve Long-Term Ecological Research Site"

John H. Porter, Bruce P. Hayden, and Dave L. Richardson; University of Virginia.

"Non-point Source Fecal Coliform Pollution from Rainfall Runoff"

Bob Bisker; Virginia Department of Health.

"A Substantial Size Revision for Chilomycterus schoepfi, the Stripped Burrfish, with Notes on its Occurrence in the Chesapeake Bay"

Richard Holmquist; Virginia Institute of Marine Science.

"Maps of Critical Eastern Shore Habitats"

Bill Zinni and Jim Kenyon; U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.

"Citizens for a Better Eastern Shore (CBES) Environmental Activities"

John Chubb; Chair of Environment Committee, Citizens for a Better Eastern Shore

8:00 AM REGISTRATION

8:30 AM WELCOME:

Ms. Robin Rich-Coates, Biology Department, The Eastern Shore Community College

Dr. Richard Jenkins, President, Eastern Shore Community College

8:45-10:15 Land-Use and Water Quality: Living in Harmony

Moderator: Dr. Mark Luckenbach, Virginia Institute of Marine Science, Eastern Shore Laboratory

Workshop Theme:

fisheries and agriculture as economic main-stays and ways-of-life

importance of environmental quality to both

farming land practices and aquaculture alternatives

monitoring and feedback needs and mechanisms

Overview/Synthesis: "Land Use and Water Quality -

Past, Present, and Future: In Search of the Right Balance"

Mr. Stephen Mallette, Resource Management Associates, Locustville, VA

Panel:

Dr. Michael Peirson, Cherrystone Aquafarms, Cheriton, VA

Dr. Morris Roberts, Virginia Inst. Marine Science, Gloucester Point, VA

Mr. Richard Downing, E.S. Soil & Water Conserv. Dist., Accomac, VA

Mr. Keith Boyd, E.S. Resource Conservation & Development Council, Accomac, VA

10:15 AM BREAK

10:30-12:00 Groundwater Protection

Moderators: Ms. Sandy Manter, Accomack County Planning Dept.

and

Mr. Jim McGowan, Accomack-Northampton Planning District Comm.

Workshop Theme:

water supply

wastewater treatment and solid waste management

Route 13 development pressures

alternative use strategies

estuarine health

comprehensive management plans

Overview/Synthesis:

Dr. George Simmons, Biological Sciences, Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University, Blacksburg, VA

Panel:

Mr. Holland Scott, Virginia E.S. Groundwater Committee, Accomac, VA

Ms. Pixie Hamilton, U.S. Geological Survey, Richmond, VA

Dr. Aaron Mills, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA

Mr. Scott Bruce, Department of Environmental Quality, Richmond, VA

12:00 PM LUNCH - Taste of different Eastern Shore cuisines; Community College Student Lounge

1:30-3:00 Virginia Coastal Systems

Moderator: Dr. Frederick Kutz, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Annapolis, MD

Workshop Theme:

human impacts on coastal bay systems

importance of bays and islands for habitat, fisheries, system function, recreation/tourism, and cultural/heritage values

on-going initiatives to turn the tide and provide sound management information

Overview/Synthesis:

1) Biological - Dr. Jim Wesson, Virginia Marine Resources Commission, Newport News, VA

2) Chemical - Dr. Aaron Mills, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA

3) Physical/

Geological - Dr. Bruce Hayden, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA

4) Culture/

Heritage - Mr. James R. Kellam, Eastern Shore Barrier Island Center, Exmore, VA

Panel:

Dr. Linda Blum, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA

Dr. George Oertel, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA

Ms. Thelma Peterson, E.S. Barrier Island Center, Machipongo, VA

3:00 PM BREAK

3:30-5:00 Nature-based Business: What are the Thresholds?

Moderator: Mr. Marc Koenings, Assateague Island National Seashore, Berlin, MD

Workshop Theme:

benefits and costs of nature-based business opportunities

expanding birding/nature activities for benefit of local businesses

growth management in businesses that rely on natural resources and also guaranteeing the infrastructure is present to support growth

issues of equal access to nature-based business opportunities

issues of self-policing and awareness for protection and longevity of resources

Overview/Synthesis:

Mr. Peter Stangel, National Fish & Wildlife Foundation, Washington, DC

Panel:

Ms. Lisa Challenger, Worcester Co. Tourism, Snow Hill, MD

Dr. Jim Falk, Delaware Sea Grant, Lewes, DE

Dr. Steve Smutko, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC

Mr. Greg Manter, E.S. Economic Development Comm., Accomac, VA

Mr. Tim Hayes, Northampton County, Eastville, Va

Ms. Laura McKay, VA DEQ, Coastal Zone Management Program, Richmond, VA

SATURDAY EXHIBITORS: Displays will be in the Community College halls.

"Maps of Critical Habitats"

Bill Zinni and Jim Kenyon; U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.

"Data and Information Management at the Virginia Coast Reserve Long-Term Ecological Research Site"

John H. Porter, Bruce P. Hayden, and Dave L. Richardson; University of Virginia.

"Citizens for a Better Eastern Shore (CBES) Environmental Activities"

John Chubb; Chair of Environment Committee, Citizens for a Better Eastern Shore.

"Chesapeake Bay Shoreline Erosion: an Unsolved Problem"

Clelia Cardano Sheppard; Cape Charles, VA.

"Eastern Shore Art"

Robert F. Swain; Parksley, VA

"Resource Conservation Practices"

Rose Moore; Eastern Shore Soil & Water Conservation District.

"Landscape Changes and Colony Site Dynamics: How Gull-billed Terns Cope at the Sea's Edge"

Michael Erwin; Biological Resources Div., USGS and Univ. of Virginia.

"Forest Stewardship"

Walter Pond; Virginia Department of Forestry.

Symposium Support Provided, in part, by:

The Virginia Environmental Endowment

Virginia Coastal Resources Management Program of VA DEQ (grant from NOAA, Ocean & Coastal Resource Management Program)

The Eastern Shore Institute

Eastern Shore Resource Conservation & Development Council

First Virginia Bank of Tidewater

Farmers & Merchants Bank - Eastern Shore

Nations Bank

Symposium Organizers include:

Accomack County

Accomack-Northampton Planning District Commission

Citizens for a Better Eastern Shore

Eastern Shore Community College

Eastern Shore Resource Conservation & Development Council

Kiptopeke State Park

Northampton County

Old Dominion University

The Eastern Shore Institute

University of Virginia

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

Virginia Institute of Marine Science

Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University