SD24 - The Problems Associated With Nutrient Enrichment and Related Water Quality Standards in the Commonwealth of Virginia

  • Published: 1987
  • Author: General Assembly. Joint subcommittee
  • Enabling Authority: Senate Joint Resolution 65 (Regular Session, 1986)

Executive Summary:
Nutrients were identified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in its Chesapeake Bay Program studies as one of the major causes of decline in the resources of the Chesapeake Bay. Starting in 1985 with the passage of Senate Joint Resolution No. 116, which created a joint subcommittee to study nutrient problems, the General Assembly has been examining ways in which the Commonwealth can reduce the load of nutrients entering the Bay and its tributaries. The term "nutrients" refers to the chemicals nitrogen and phosphorus. Excessive amounts of nutrients enhance the growth of nuisance algae in the water, sometimes to the point of causing unsightly and odorous blooms. Even when algae concentrations do not reach this level, they can cause the water to be turbid, inhibiting the growth of submerged grasses such as eelgrass. When the algae die and decay they use up oxygen, causing an "anoxic" or low oxygen condition which is harmful to aquatic life. Nutrients enter the Bay in a variety of forms from a variety of sources. The two primary means of control of the amount of these substances entering the Bay are (1) the implementation of "best management practices" on farmland, and (2) the limitation, in permits issued by the State Water Control Board (SWCB), of the concentration of these substances discharged from sewage treatment plants and industries. The extent of the nutrient problems and the relative importance of various sources are described in detail in Senate Document No. 16, submitted by this subcommittee to the 1986 Session of the General Assembly.

The subcommittee found, in the first year of its study, that the scarcity of funds to control point sources of nutrient discharge was a significant barrier to implementing a comprehensive strategy to deal with nutrients, and it recommended that the 1986 General Assembly create a Revolving Loan Fund. The Fund, which was created by S.B. 232, received an initial appropriation of $20 million for the 1986-88 Biennium. This, together with similar appropriations for the next three biennial budget cycles, and the use of federal funds available under the Clean Water Act, should be sufficient to meet Virginia's sewage treatment needs.

The 1986 Session of the General Assembly passed Senate Joint Resolution No. 65 continuing the study by the joint subcommittee examining the problems associated with nutrient enrichment and related water quality standards in the waters of the Commonwealth. The joint subcommittee was to examine and make recommendations to the General Assembly concerning the following:

1. The establishment of specific nutrient target loads, in terms of pounds of nitrogen and phosphorus entering the Chesapeake Bay and each of its tributaries;

2. How best to coordinate point and nonpoint source control strategies in order to achieve such target loads and mitigate the effects of nutrient enrichment; and

3. Changes in existing laws, regulations and administrative programs to achieve target nutrient loads.