RD125 - Chesapeake Bay and Virginia Waters Clean-Up Plan - Progress Report - May 2015


Executive Summary:
This report was developed to comply with water quality reporting requirements stipulated in § 62.1-44.118 of the Code of Virginia. This section of the Code requires the Secretary of Natural Resources to submit semiannual progress reports May 1 and November 1 regarding implementation of the impaired waters clean-up plan as described in § 62.1-44.117. Pursuant to § 62.1-44.118, the May 1 progress report focuses exclusively on clean-up plan implementation whereas the November 1 report consolidates additional annual reporting requirements of § 10.1-2127, § 10.1-2128.1, and § 10.1-2134 and any plan updates or revisions.

During the reporting period, Virginia’s Water Quality and Natural Resources agencies have invested significant time and effort in developing Management Strategies for the 2014 Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement while continuing to implement existing water quality programs under the framework of the Clean Water Act, state law and the provisions of the Chesapeake Bay Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL). Some of the significant actions and progress are detailed in this report. Additionally, this report contains Virginia’s 2014 Progress results for complying with the Chesapeake Bay TMDL, indicating that we are ahead of schedule for meeting our nutrient reduction goals for the 2015 milestone period and the 2017 60% target for reductions in the TMDL. Sediment reductions are lagging slightly behind the projected reduction levels and will be a focus going forward as Virginia refines its water quality programs and strategies.