The Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries are one of the most important and productive
estuarine systems in the world, providing economic and social benefits to the citizens
of Isle of Wight County and the Commonwealth of Virginia. The health of the Bay is
vital to maintaining Isle of Wight County's economy and the welfare of its citizens.
The Chesapeake Bay waters have been degraded significantly by many sources of pollution,
including nonpoint source pollution from land uses and development. Existing high
quality waters are worthy of protection from degradation to guard against further
pollution. Certain lands that are adjacent to the shoreline have intrinsic water quality
value due to the ecological and biological processes they perform. Other lands have
severe development constraints from flooding, erosion, and soil limitations. Protected
from disturbance, they offer significant ecological benefits by providing water quality
maintenance and pollution control as well as flood and shoreline erosion control.
These lands together, designated by the board of supervisors as Chesapeake Bay Preservation
Areas (hereinafter "CBPAs"), need to be protected from destruction and damage in order
to protect the quality of water in the Bay and consequently the quality of life in
Isle of Wight County and the Commonwealth of Virginia. (8-21-06.)
