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E-mail: planinfo@rrregion.org

September 2011 •  Volume 9  •  Number 3

In This Issue:

Online:  www.rrregion.org | www.rrcommute.org | www.thevirginiapiedmont.org

Renowned Director to Speak on Civil War Sesquicentennial at Oct 5 RRRC Annual Meeting Region Welcomes New Commissioners and Environmental Planner Call for Nominations- Regional Distinguished Leadership Awards RRRC Land Use and Environment Committee Reconvened Chesapeake Bay TMDL Phase II Watershed Implementation Plan Process Update Rural Transportation Committee Report Supportive Housing Approach to Homelessness Comprehensive Plan Data and Mapping Technical Assistance RRRC Commuter Services Now of Facebook! Then & Now: Across the Rappahannock-Rapidan Region Regional Stat: Area Population Density Change from 2000 to 2010

Then & Now in the Region Can you identify the Rappahannock-Rapidan region street scene above? Click the picture for a present-day comparison photo.

Renowned Director to Speak on Civil War Sesquicentennial at Oct 5 RRRC Annual Meeting

In addition to all the usual reasons to book a seat at the popular RRRC Annual Meeting, scheduled for Wednesday, October 5 at Tuscany Hall-- delicious food, an opportunity to come together with attendees from across the region in relaxing fun and fellowship, to celebrate the past year, and ring in the autumn season-- area resident and award-winning director of Gettysburg and Gods and Generals, Ron Maxwell, it was announced on Wednesday, will be serving as this year's Keynote and Honored Guest. According to all who have heard him speak on the Civil War, his remarks are not to be missed. Call or email now to reserve a space, and plan to attend what promises to be another highly enjoyable and informative Annual Meeting! Tuscany Hall is located at 21125 Kettle Club Road in Culpeper. Tickets are $40, if purchased by September 28, and $50 thereafter. To register, please contact Sue Hromyak at (540) 829-7450 or shromyak@rrregion.org.

Region Welcomes New Commissioners and Environmental Planner

Board and staff extend an enthusiastic welcome to Fauquier County Administrator Paul McCulla, and Culpeper Town Manager Kim Alexander, as incoming new Members of the RRRC. Mr. McCulla and Ms. Alexander were recently appointed to fill the seats of outgoing Commissioners Tony Hooper and Tom Huggard. A hearty thanks to Mr. Hooper and Mr. Huggard for their invaluable contributions over the years, and a warm welcome to each of the new Commissioners!

The RRRC also is pleased to announce the addition of Michelle Edwards as Environmental Planner. Michelle has extensive experience both in planning and policy, having previously worked with the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR), and as a private-sector contractor for the Environmental Protection Agency.

Ms. Edwards' duties include serving as staff liaison to the Commission's Land Use and Environment Committee, helping member jurisdictions navigate Chesapeake Bay TMDL requirements, and coordinating upcoming regional green infrastructure activities, and other environmental planning-related responsibilities.

Call for Nominations- Regional Distinguished Leadership Awards

In conjunction with registering for the upcoming October 5 Annual Meeting, there is also still time to get in your nominations of candidates for this year's Regional Distinguished Leadership- Citizen and Government Awards. Presented at the meeting each Fall, the awards are in acknowledgment of outstanding contributions by leaders throughout the region,and facilitation of enhanced cooperation and regional planning across Planning District 9. Additional information about the awards, nomination form, and roster of past recipients can all be found on the Commission's website at: http://www.rrregion.org/awards.

RRRC Land Use and Environment Committee Reconvened

The members of the RRRC Land Use and Environment Committee recently had opportunity to get together and reaffirm the longstanding charter of the group to:

•  Provide updates on area land use and environmental issues
•  Disseminate information on applicable new planning tools and techniques
•  Obtain input on forthcoming RRRC initiatives, and
•  Serve as a forum for area stakeholders engaged in environmental planning efforts

A meeting was held on August 30 with productive exchange on a number of timely topics. With particpation from a broad number of attendees from across the region, including representatives from local and state government, soil and water conservation districts, land trusts, and other environmental organizations, one of the main focuses of the agenda this meeting was a briefing by DCR on the Chesapeake Bay TMDL Phase II Watershed Implementation Plan process (see next article). Another was a presentation by the Culpeper Green Building Resource Center (CGBRC) and numerous services that they offer. Lastly, updates were provided on a series of upcoming initiatives, including a funding opportunity for Upper Rappahannock River Basin water resource efforts, available through the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

With future meetings to be held on a quarterly basis, the next gathering of the RRRC Land Use and Environment Committee has been scheduled for Tuesday, November 29, 2011.

Chesapeake Bay TMDL Phase II Watershed Implementation Plan Process Update

Chip Rice, Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) on August 30 provided a detailed update on the Chesapeake Bay Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) Phase II Watershed Implementation Plan (WIP) process to members of the RRRC Land Use and Environment Committee. DCR, together with the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, is in the process of developing the Phase II WIP to meet EPA requirements to reduce pollutant loads to the Chesapeake Bay. Local government participation in the process is not required. However, the Phase II WIP process is the first step in avoiding potential federal actions, and also gives localities an opportunity to inform the process and any future regulations that are based on the information in the WIP. Additionally, localities that participate in this process will likely be in better position to receive Chesapeake Bay TMDL implementation funding as it is made available.

Rice emphasized that individual locality plans will not be included as a part of the Phase II WIP, and the WIP does not supersede local TMDL implementation. DCR will aggregate individual locality information into a state level plan. DCR is requesting that localities provide:

•  BMP data
•  Land use data
•  BMP implementation scenarios
•  Strategies for BMP implementation
•  Local resource needs for BMP implementation, and
•  Identification of local water quality efforts not credited in the watershed model

PDCs have been asked to help coordinate local government responses. DCR requests that any information be provided by October, 1, 2011, with a final deadline of February 1, 2012. Assistance to PDCs and localities for WIP activities will be available in the form of workshops, an EPA circuit rider, a technical consultant provided by EPA, and possible funding assistance via the PDCs. The Commission is presently working with DCR and the Virginia Conservation Network to schedule a technical workshop in October 2011 for PD9 member jurisdictions.

For further information please contact Michelle Edwards at (540) 829-7450 or medwards@rrregion.org. DCR's presentation to the Land Use and Environment Committee can be found at http://www.rrregion.org/envcmte.html, and additional information on the Chesapeake Bay TMDL Phase II WIP at http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/vabaytmdl.

Rural Transportation Committee Report

As has been reported in prior issues, a central focus of the Rural Transportation Technical Committee over the past couple of years has been the review of data and components included in the recently adopted Regional Long Range Transportation Plan Included in the document are area transportation goals assembled by the committee and detailed needs based on analysis of VDOT data and extensive stakeholder feedback. Intersection, corridor, and other deficiencies are identified through the year 2035. A copy of the document may be accessed at http://www.rrregion.org/publications. With the recent adoption of the plan the focus of the committee will be on topics of regional interest, including funding availability through such sources as the VDOT revenue-sharing program, and a review of area Six-Year Improvement Plan (SYIP) priorities.

The next meeting of the Rural Transportation Committee is scheduled to be held on Wednesday, October 6 at 10:00 am at the Regional Commission offices.

Supportive Housing Approach to Homelessness

The economic recession has had an impact on many local residents and may be most evident in the increased number of individuals and families who have lost their homes or are in danger of becoming homeless. Unfortunately, at the same time the need is increasing, the resources of the nonprofits that provide housing assistance are being cut back. The priorities of federal and state housing agencies is shifting away from support for emergency shelters and transitional housing, and are beginning to emphasize permanent supportive housing (PSH).

PSH programs are targeted toward individuals and families who experience chronic homelessness, most often because of a physical, mental health or intellectual disability. Housing assistance is coupled with case management and other supportive services intended to keep clients out of emergency rooms, jails and off the street.

In our region, Rappahannock Rapidan Community Services has partnered with Culpeper Community Development Corporation and the Culpeper Offender Reentry Program to seek a grant for rental assistance for a small number of disabled, ex-offenders who are without housing. If awarded, the parties involved hope to combine this with requested new funding for a case manager in order to create a structured pilot PSH program that can reduce recidivism and improve housing outcomes for the individuals involved. This would be a small but important first step in evaluating the effectiveness of the PSH approach in our region.

Comprehensive Plan Data and Mapping Technical Assistance

As set forth in the Code of Virginia, Section 15.2-4207, Regional Commissions shall: ". . . promote the orderly and efficient development of the physical, social and economic elements of the district by planning, and encouraging and assisting localities to plan for the future."

One of the many ways that the Rappahannock-Rapidan Regional Commission works to fulfill this mission is by making assistance available to member jurisdictions undergoing review and update of their comprehensive plans.

Commission staff has provided data and GIS mapping assistance to localities in conjunction with their ongoing comprehensive plan updates since its founding in 1973. Customized packages, including American Community Survey 5-year sample data and 2010 U.S. Census data, along with detailed map sets can all be provided at an affordable rate.

The Regional Commission is also able to provide review and consult on specific chapters.

Please contact Patrick Mauney at plmauney@rrregion.org for further details.

RRRC Commuter Services Now on Facebook!

You can now find helpful information about your daily commute on Facebook at www.facebook.com/rrcommute. "Like us" in order to remain up-to-date on transportation options across the region. RRRC Commuter Services can help you save time, money and stress on your daily commute. Be sure to keep an eye out for regular promotions. You may be able to win a free gas card in addition to other items of interest to area commuters, so tell your friends and neighbors who commute to work as well. Like us on Facebook at RRRC Commuter Services today!

Then & Now: Across the Rappahannock-Rapidan Region

Main Street, Culpeper

Then Source: RRRC Archives	Now Source: Patrick Mauney, RRRC

On August , 2011, a 5.8 magnitude earthquake, centered in Mineral, Virginia, was felt throughout much of the Rappahannock-Rapidan region. Damage estimates are still being tallied, but downtown Culpeper sustained damage to several historic buildings, including Saint Stephen's Episcopal Church. The most significant damage occurred on North Main Street, where the building locally known as the Ritz Hi-Hat building was condemned. The building was the third from left in the photo shown above left. Town of Culpeper officials indicated that damages from the earthquake were $4.7 Million.

If you have historic postcards or photographs that you would like to see in this feature, please contact the Regional Commission at (540) 829-7450 or planinfo@rrregion.org.

Regional Stat: Area Population Density Change from 2000 to 2010

The population growth experienced in the region over the past decade has been substantial, as the region grew from 134,785 people to 166,054 according to the 2010 United States Census. The patterns of growth vary throughout the region, but the changes in population density for the counties and towns in the Rappahannock-Rapidan region offer some insights into those patterns.

While population density increased in all five counties over the past decade, only four of the eight towns in the region saw their densities increase. The largest towns in the region - Culpeper and Warrenton - saw their densities increase at a rate higher than their respective counties, consistent with those towns' roles as county seats and residential and commercial centers in the region. Orange County's density grew at a higher rate than both the Town of Orange and Town of Gordonsville, due in part to expanded development in the eastern part of the county. In Madison and Rappahannock counties, densities were relatively stable over the past ten years.

Jurisdiction	Land Area (sq. mi.)	2000 Population Density (pop/sq mi)	2010 Population Density (pop/sq mi)	% Change
R-R Region	1960.4	68.8	84.7	23.1%
Culpeper County	381	89.9	122.5	36.3%
Fauquier County	649.7	84.9	100.4	18.3%
Madison County	321.4	39.0	41.4	6.2%
Orange County	341.7	75.7	98.0	29.5%
Rappahannock County	266.6	26.2	27.7	5.7%
Town of Culpeper	6.7	1,442	2,444.6	69.5%
Town of Gordonsville	0.9	1,664.4	1,662.2	-0.1%
Town of Madison	0.2	1,050	1,145	9.0%
Town of Orange	3.2	1,288.4	1,475.3	14.5%
Town of Remington	0.2	3,120	2,990	-4.2%
Town of The Plains	0.3	886.7	723.3	-18.4%
Town of Warrenton	4.2	1,588.1	2,288.3	44.1%
Town of Washington	0.3	610	450	-26.2%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau

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