Subsidence Monitoring

The HRPDC is coordinating with the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) to monitor the rate of subsidence, or sinking land, in the Hampton Roads region. By installing a network of 27 survey benchmarks, the rate of vertical land movement can be tracked over time. The report at right highlights:

• What causes land subsidence?
• How is land subsidence measured?
• What are the observed rates of land subsidence in Hampton Roads?
• What are the management implications of subsidence?

Resiliency Meetings and Working Groups

Virginia Coastal Resilience Master Plan

The Virginia Coastal Resilience Master Plan (VCRMP) is coordinated by the Department of Conservation and Recreation and includes participation from federal and state agencies, planning district commissions, academic institutions, environmental organizations, and other stakeholders. Representatives from the HRPDC serve on the VCRMP Technical Advisory Committee. Information on the VCRMP is available on DCR’s website.

Hampton Roads Adaptation Forum

The HRPDC collaborates with Virginia Sea Grant and Old Dominion University to organize the quarterly Hampton Roads Adaptation Forum. The Forum provides an opportunity for government, private sector, non-profit, and academic professionals to discuss research and collaborative approaches to flooding and sea level rise adaptation. Presentations from previous Forums are available on the Forum website, as well as information regarding the next meeting.

Chesapeake Bay Program’s Climate Resiliency Workgroup

HRPDC staff participates in the Workgroup, which is composed of federal and state government partners from all 6 of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed states. The Workgroup focuses on achieving the following outcomes:

• Monitor and assess climate change impacts to the Chesapeake Bay.
• Provide guidance for integrating climate change considerations into planning and restoration activities within the Chesapeake Bay watershed.

Coastal Virginia Community Rating System (CRS) Workgroup

Wetlands Watch leads the Workgroup, where local government participants discuss the CRS Program, develop work products, and promote education of strong floodplain management programs. Hampton Roads communities that participate in the CRS are provided in the map below. The Workgroup meets every other month in Newport News.

Scores current as of April 1, 2023