The Gloucester Planning Commission reviewed the chapter of comprehensive plan revisions relating to natural resources during a meeting last Thursday night in the colonial courthouse. The commission is expected to complete its comp plan revision process in 2012, planning director Anne Ducey-Ortiz said.

"Many of the sections provided in this chapter are requirements based on the Chesapeake Bay Preservation Act," Ducey-Ortiz said in a Sept. 27 memorandum to the commission. "Our current plan contains all elements that were required and was found in compliance."

Ben McFarlane, regional planner for Hampton Roads Planning District Commission, reviewed the chapter with the commission. Gloucester is a member jurisdiction of HRPDC and has contracted that agency to serve as consultant during the county’s comp plan review.

The chapter includes basics, McFarlane said, such as identifying water supply, sensitive areas like shorelines and flood-prone areas. As required, the plan includes a description of what constitutes the Resource Protection Areas and the less environmentally sensitive Resource Management Areas.

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