VACo Environment and Agriculture Steering CommitteeVML Environmental Policy Committee

June 2, 2010Charlottesville, VA

Chesapeake Bay Watershed Roanoke River Watershed

New River Watershed

Putting things in ContextWe are here because it rains

What Federal and State Agencies are doing about it:

• Virginia’s Soil and Water Conservation Board is continuing to develop new stormwater regulations that will apply to all local governments.

• In 2008 EPA found that the Chesapeake Bay and most of its tributaries are impaired and require that a “TMDL” or “pollution diet” will need to be developed by December 31, 2010.

What is a TMDL?

Total Maximum Daily Loading

“a calculation of the maximum amount of a pollutant (i.e. excess nitrogen, phosphorus, and sediments) that a water body can receive and still meet water quality standards.”

3 Chief Pollutants that Affect Bay

Nitrogen

Phosphorus

Sediments

2008 Levels

Nitrogen – from 311 million pounds

Phosphorus - from 19 million pounds

2025 Reduction Target

to 175 million pounds

to 14.1 million pounds

Targeted Nutrient Reduction Goals:(Chesapeake Bay Watershed – All States)

Key Deadlines in 2010

• July 1: EPA will provide nitrogen and phosphorus allocations to Virginia.

• August 15: EPA will provide sediment allocations

• September 1: Deadline for VA to submit draft “Phase 1” Watershed Implementation Plans (WIP) to EPA.

• October 1- November 1: 30 day public comment period for “Phase 1” WIP.

Key Deadlines in 2010 (Continued)

• November 29, 2010: Final “Phase 1” WIP must be submitted to EPA.

• December 31, 2010: EPA will announce the final TMDL

Stormwater!!!!!

SB 395 (Wagner)/HB 1220 (Hugo)(2010 Virginia General Assembly)

Within 280 days after establishment by EPA of the Chesapeake Bay TMDL, Virginia’s new stormwater regulations shall be adopted (but no later than December 1, 2011.

Virginia Stormwater Regulations

To be adoptedno later than

12/01/11

(Nutrient and sediment limits in TMDL will driveStormwater Standards)

TMDL

To be finalized12/31/10

Virginia Must Finalize A

“Phase 1” Watershed Implementation Plan

By

November 29, 2010

Rappahannock River Watershed

Shenandoah/Potomac River Watershed

James River Watershed

#3 Chief River BasinsChesapeake Bay

Watershed

Purpose of This Meeting

• Provide fundamental information needed to understand the role of local governments in meeting TMDLs and managing stormwater.

• To promote thought and discussion about the most critical challenges facing local government in assuming these responsibilities in reducing pollutants.

• Discuss ways to strengthen partnerships so that responsibilities will be equitably shared.

• Begin dialogue about strategies for working with state agencies and federal government.

Remaining Agenda Items

• Presentation by Katherine Antos, EPA• Presentation by David Hirschman, Center for

Watershed Protection• Presentation by Jack Fry, DCR• Presentation by Alan Pollock, DEQ• Presentation by Chris Pomeroy, VAMWA/VAMSA• Panel Discussion: CBF, HBAV, Agribusiness

Council and others