1

“Understanding the Local Role of Improving Water

Quality”

Virginia Association of Counties

November 14, 2011

2

Chesapeake Bay TMDL - Overview

What is the Chesapeake Bay TMDL?A regulation governing the discharge of nitrogen, phosphorous and sediment into the Chesapeake Bay and all rivers that enter the Bay. Governs:Agriculture & ForestryNew DevelopmentStorm WaterExisting Development Wastewater Treatment Plants

3

Chesapeake Bay TMDL – Overview

What is the Virginia Watershed Implementation Plan?~ A set of implementation strategies for point and

nonpoint source controls which are needed to meet the water quality requirements of the TMDL

~ Phase I WIP developed by State – 11/2010~ Phase II WIP to be developed by the State

incorporating local strategies by 3/2012

State has requested that local governments develop Community Conservation Information regarding land use, BMP’s and Strategies to meet goals.

4

Watershed Segments / LULC

303,000 acres

3 watershed segmentsTown of Ashland 4500 acresMS-4 Area 23,000 acres

0 3 6 9 121.5Miles

±

5

Animal Operations4%

Crop35%

Hay2%

Pasture9%

Nurseries2%

MS4 Urban6%

Non MS4 Urban15%

Construction2%

Surface Mine7%

Unman-aged Grass

0%

Forest19%

Hanover Land Uses 2009 P Loads

Source: tmdllocgoalstate.xls DCR June 2011

6

TMDL (LA & WLA) 2009 Existing Progress0

500,000

1,000,000

1,500,000

2,000,000

2,500,000

496,605

1,973,287999918.895384813

TMDL P Loads Upper James River JMSTF2 DEL

WLA LA

lbs

/ yea

r

Reduction 476,763

Source: EPA Chesapeake Bay TMDL, Appendix Q

7Source: Va. Ches. TMDL WIP December 2010

8

MS4 ComparisonBay model overestimates developed by ~5%?

NLCD Bay Raster

DPW Bay Model

02000400060008000

1000012000140001600018000

Pervious DevelopedImpervious Developed

Source: Clifton Bell - Arcadis

9

Urban Reductions-Retrofits of Existing- filtering practices, ponds, etc.

10

Grass B

uffers Ripari

an Cro

pland

Grass B

uffers Ripari

an H

aylan

d

Conserva

tion Tillag

e

Conservati

on Plan Croplan

d

Conserva

tion Plan Hayl

and

Stream

Protection Fe

ncing

Animal W

aste S

ystem

s

Nutrient M

anage

ment C

ropland

Nutrient M

anag

emen

t Hay

land

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

90

57 60

715

25

59

18

21

1

23

5

33

30 9

31

72

60

89

1030

5550

61

5 5

Current Progress and Select Agricultural BMPs Required for 2017 and 2025

2009 % Implemented 2017 % Implemented 2025 % Implemented

% T

otal

Impl

emen

tatio

n

Source: Va. Ches. TMDL WIP December 2010

11

State WIP – BMP Proposal – via RRPDC

Exceed Goals• Septic Pump outs

• Urban Stream Restoration

•Wet Ponds

12

2009 Progress BMPsMuch more discrepancy with local databases

Cover Crops

Nutrient Mang.

Stormwat. Treat.

Low/No Till0

5000

10000

15000

20000

25000

30000

35000

40000

ModelLocal Data

Source: Clifton Bell - Arcadis

13

Waste Water Treatment Plan Reductions

14

Stormwater from New Development

Virginia’s position is that the recently adopted Stormwater Management Regulations address nutrient pollution from stormwater associated with new development in accordance with the TMDL.

If wastewater treatment capacity is not available, new development and redevelopment will be hindered.

15

Local Government Consequences

Withhold Construction permits under VSMP Impose treatment plant limits at limit of technology and existing

flows, precluding new connections Mandatory Urban Retrofits of existing urban lands (MS4 Permits) Financial penalties for noncompliance with MS4 and other

permits Expanded regulated urban area under residual designation

authority Stricter limits/requirements on Confined and non-confined Animal

Feeding Operations

16

Chesapeake Bay TMDL

Questions: