The following criteria will be considered by the commission in determining whether, and upon what condition to issue any permit for a boat mooring facility. In addition, the commission may consider other factors relevant to a specific project or application.
Criteria | Undesirable | Desirable |
Water Depth | Less than 3 ft. mlw | Greater than 3 ft. mlw |
Salinity | Suitable for shellfish growth | Unsuitable for shellfish growth |
Water Quality | Approved, conditionally approved or seasonally approved for shellfish harvesting | Closed for direct marketing of shellfish. Little or no potential for future productivity |
Designated Shellfish Grounds | Private leases or public oyster ground in proximity | No private leases or public ground within affected area. No potential for future productivity |
Maximum Wave Height | Greater than 1 ft. | Less than 1 ft. |
Current | Greater than 1 knot | Less than 1 knot |
Dredging | Requires frequent dredging | Does not require frequent maintenance |
No suitable site for dredged material | Suitable site for all dredged material | |
Flushing Rate (Tidal Exchange) | Inadequate to maintain water quality | Adequate to maintain water quality |
Proximity to Natural or Improved Channel | Greater than 50 ft. to navigable water depths | Less than 50 ft. to navigable channel |
Threatened or Endangered Species | Present as defined in existing chapters, or project has potential to affect habitat | Absent; project will not affect |
Adjacent Wetlands | Cannot maintain suitable buffer | Suitable buffer to be maintained |
Navigation & Safety | Water body difficult to navigate or presently overcrowded conditions exist | Navigation not impeded |
Existing Use of Site | Presently used for skiing, crabbing, fishing, swimming or other potentially conflicting uses | Not presently used for skiing, fishing, swimming or other recreational use |
Submerged Aquatic Vegetation | Present | Absent |
Shoreline | Bulkheading Required | Shoreline protected |
Stabilization | by natural or planted vegetation or riprap | |
Erosion Control Structures | Groins and/or jetties necessary | No artificial structures needed |
Finfish Habitat Usage | Important spawning and nursery area | Unimportant area for spawning or nursery for any commercially or recreationally valuable species |
4 Va. Admin. Code § 20-360-90
Statutory Authority
§§ 28.2-201 and 28.2-1204 of the Code of Virginia.