Establishment of water quality criteria for new development within the Chesapeake Bay Watershed
Dear Mr. Dowling:
Pursuant to the Notice of Intended Regulatory Action published in the Virginia Register of Regulations on December 12, 2010 that the Virginia Soil and Water Conservation Board is considering amendments to the Stormwater Management Regulations (4 VAC 50-60) in order to establish water quality design criteria for new development activities within the Chesapeake Bay Watershed that are consistent with the pollutant loadings called for in the Virginia TMDL Implementation Plan, the staff of the Hampton Roads Planning District Commission is submitting the following comments and recommendations on behalf of the HRPDC Regional Stormwater Management Committee.
As you are aware, the HRPDC staff and the Regional Stormwater Management Committee have participated extensively in the legislative and regulatory processes associated with stormwater management for years. The region has participated in the process of developing this new stormwater management regulation since the inception of the process in 2006. Prior to that, the HRPDC and localities were involved in the studies and development of HB 1177, which established the legislative basis for this regulation, the initial implementing regulations, and the Phase II General Permit Regulation. Regional Committee members have or are participating in the charettes convened by DCR and the ASCE and serve on the BMP Clearinghouse and Handbook Advisory Committees.
Based on its review of the NOIRA, the HRPDC Regional Stormwater Management Committee encourages DCR to carefully coordinate this process with EPA’s Chesapeake Bay TMDL development and Virginia’s Chesapeake Bay TMDL Implementation Plan development processes. The Committee strongly suggests that DCR delay development of Chesapeake Bay specific stormwater criteria until final loading targets are released by EPA in August 2010.
At its meeting of January 7, 2010, the HRPDC Regional Stormwater Management Committee recommended that Hampton Roads representatives continue serve on the Regulatory Advisory Panel to assist the Department of Conservation and Recreation in establishing water quality design criteria for new development activities within the Chesapeake Bay Watershed that are consistent with the pollutant loadings called for in the EPA approved Virginia TMDL Implementation Plan for the Chesapeake Bay Nutrient and Sediment TMDL. The Committee recommended that the following individuals serve on the TAC:
Mr. David Kuzma, Newport News
Mr. L.J. Hansen, Suffolk
Mr. Tim Hare, CH2MHill
Ms. Jennifer Tribo, HRPDC
The staff of the Hampton Roads Planning District Commission and the members of the Regional Stormwater Management Committee appreciate your consideration of our comments. We look forward to continuing to work with DCR to develop regulations that will enhance the ability of the Commonwealth and the region’s localities to effectively manage stormwater. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to give me a call.
