4VAC20-360-90. Siting criteria check list.
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 |
Statutory Authority
§§ 28.2-201 and 28.2-1204 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from VR450-01-0047 § 9, Virginia Register Volume 4, Issue 21, eff. August 17, 1988.