The Chesapeake Bay Preservation Act (Bay Act) and accompanying Regulations were amended to address resiliency in the performance criteria required to be implemented by 84 Tidewater localities.  An informal comment on the proposed Guidance was previously held in December of 2022.  

The Guidance has been updated based upon comments during the prior informal comment period, in particular the accompanying examples. Additionally, a model ordinance, locality implementation checklist, resiliency assessment template, adaptation measure checklist, and nature-based adaptation measure has been developed. 

Prior to finalizing the Guidance and additional documents, DEQ is providing an informal comment opportunity. Additional information and materials for public review and comment are available on the DEQ website at: 

https://www.deq.virginia.gov/our-programs/water/chesapeake-bay/chesapeake-bay-preservation-act/local-program-regulations-guidance 

A webinar co-hosted with the Virginia Institute of Marine Science is planned for April 3rd, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. to provide an overview of the updates, additional documents, and AdaptVa model for use in resiliency assessments. For additional information about the webinar, please contact Heather Mackey at Heather.Mackey@deq.virginia.gov.  

Informal Public Comment Period: 

March 19th, 2024, to May 3, 2024. 

How to Comment: 

Anyone wishing to submit comments on the draft Resiliency Guidance, or the additional documents, may do so by email to DEQ at Heather.Mackey@deq.virginia.gov.  All comments must be received by May 3, 2024 and include your name, organization represented (if any), mailing address and/or email address.