VCRC 2026 Conferences & Workshops

Spring 2026 Workshop: Changing Vertical Datums & Impacts to VA State and Local Law

April 21st, 2026 | 9:30am - 1:00pm | William & Mary School of Education

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Join the VCRC, VIMS, and CBNERR-VA on Tuesday, April 21st for a workshop discussing NOAA’s updates to geodetic vertical datums and tidal datums.

Vertical datums are the baseline standards from which we derive land elevation and marine-based measurements like mean low water, mean high water, and mean sea level. NOAA and the National Geodetic Survey is in the process of updating vertical and tidal datums. Several of these derived measurements are addressed in state a local government codes and ordinances.

This workshop will focus on a project funded by NOAA through the Virginia Coastal Zone Management Program, where references to tidal datums, vertical datums, and their derived measurements were catalogued and assessed for potential impacts from pending updates. Topics will include background on datums and their use in state and local codes in Virginia; how the VCRC, VIMS, and CBNERR-VA approached this research and catalogued references; the results of an analysis of these changes on Virginia state and local laws; and discussion on possible ways to address these impacts.

The workshop will be held from 9:30am to 1:00pm at William & Mary’s School of Education (301 Monticello Ave, Williamsburg, VA 23185). Registration is FREE and lunch will be provided. Following various presentations on aspects of the project and preliminary conclusions, ample time for discussion is built in to garner feedback on next steps and address questions. We encourage you to share this event with your networks, particularly state and local government officials and employees, and planning district commissions who will see the most impact from these updates.

This Vertical Datums Project is funded by the Virginia Coastal Zone Management Program through a grant to DEQ from NOAA under the Federal Coastal Zone Management Act.

SAVE THE DATE: VCRC Annual Fall Conference - October 14th, 2026

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Fall 2026 Annual Conference: No Adverse Impact - National & State Standards & Guidance for Floodplain Management

Flood losses remain our Nation’s greatest disaster losses, and they are growing. The Association of State Floodplain Managers (ASFPM) has pioneered “No Adverse Impact” (NAI) for better floodplain management to reduce flood risk. Experts from ASFPM and Certified Floodplain Managers will address the history, use, and future of NAI as a key tool in our Nation’s effort to address flooding and explore how the national “No Adverse Impact Legal Guide for Flood Risk Management” is useful for federal issues while discussing its limitations as they relate to state-specific law. The conference will also premier the VCRC’s “Virginia No Adverse Impact Legal Guide,” how it builds on national guidance, and how it provides a model to other states for providing state-specific, actionable information to local floodplain managers and attorneys.

Wednesday, October 14th from 9:00am - 4:30pm (Reception to Follow)

William & Mary School of Education

301 Monticello Avenue, Williamsburg, VA 23185

Stay tuned for more information on registration, speakers, agenda, and sponsors! See you in October!

Spring 2026 Workshop: Changing Vertical Datums & Impacts to VA State and Local Law

SAVE THE DATE: VCRC Annual Fall Conference - October 14th, 2026

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