HD7 - Nonpoint Source Pollution Potential and Control on State-Owned Land

  • Published: 1985
  • Author: Virginia Soil and Water Conservation Commission
  • Enabling Authority: House Resolution 11 (Regular Session, 1984)

Executive Summary:
The 1984 General Assembly adopted House Resolution No. 11 (Appendix A), to express its concern over the potential for nonpoint source water pollution from state-owned land. The Resolution requested the Governor to assign responsibility for coordinating state agency and institutional programs to deal with nonpoint source water pollution problems on state-owned land. It further requested that a report on this subject be prepared for further consideration by the General Assembly.

The Governor subsequently assigned this responsibility to the Secretary of Commerce and Resources and the Virginia Soil and Water Conservation Commission (VSWCC). In response, the Commission conducted a study with two primary objectives:

1. To determine the magnitude and scope of nonpoint source (NPS) pollution potential on state-owned land.

2. To determine current agency policies and procedures for controlling NPS pollution.

As a first step, an inventory of state-owned land was conducted. By using the computerized "Fixed Asset Accounting And Control System" at the Department of Accounts, a summary of land ownership by agency, was produced. A rough breakdown by various land-uses was also possible using this system. A table containing a summary of the data generated from this inventory is contained in Appendix B.

In order to determine agency policies and procedures relative to nonpoint source pollution control a questionnaire was developed and sent to all state agencies with significant land holdings. Each was asked to respond to five basic questions corresponding to different nonpoint source pollution and control issues. A copy of the questionnaire is contained in Appendix C. The Virginia Department of Highways and Transportation (VDH&T) was sent a separate list of questions relevant to its operations. The responses to these questionnaires provided the primary basis for this report. Copies of individual agency responses are on file in the Commission office.

Completion of this report would not have been possible without the helpful assistance of the Division of Engineering and Buildings, the Department of Accounts and all of the state agencies and institutions who responded to the questionnaire. The assistance of all contributors is greatly appreciated.