RD37 - 2003 Annual Report on Watershed Planning and Permitting


Executive Summary:
This report for the year 2003 is submitted to the Governor and the General Assembly in response to the requirement under § 10.1-1193 of the Code of Virginia for an annual report on the Department's watershed planning and permitting activities, the Department’s findings and recommendations and the findings and recommendations of the Watershed Planning and Permitting Coordination Task Force, the "Task Force" (established under § 10.1-1194 of the Code of Virginia).

The Task Force is composed of the Directors, Commissioners or their designees from the following agencies:

• Department of Environmental Quality - [DEQ]
• Department of Conservation and Recreation - [DCR]
• Chesapeake Bay Local Assistance Department - [CBLAD]
• Department of Mines, Minerals, and Energy - [DMME]
• Department of Forestry - [DOF]
• Department Agriculture and Consumer Affairs - [VDACS]

The Virginia Department of Health [VDH], while not listed as a member of the Task Force in the Code, also participates.

In 2003, the Task Force met on April 3, August 20, and November 17. Discussions and presentations during those meetings focussed on the following issues:

- Chesapeake Bay Tributary Strategies
- Local Watershed Management Planning
- Total Maximum Daily Load [TMDL] Implementation
- Commitments under the Governor’s Natural Resources Partnership Agenda, primarily with respect to the Agricultural Stewardship Act [ASA] and Straight Pipe Discharges/On-Site Systems
- US Environmental Protection Agency [EPA] Watershed Initiative Grant

In addition to the Task Force meetings, Task Force members were engaged in watershed permitting and planning activities throughout the year. This report also provides an overview of two major agency activities related to watershed permitting and planning, specifically the Total Maximum Daily Load [TMDL] program and the Roundtables Initiative.