Nonpoint source, or runoff, pollution is the leading source of impairments to the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries. As Virginia's lead agency for implementing and coordinating nonpoint source pollution prevention efforts, the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation is a partner in Bay restoration efforts.

Partnerships with soil and water conservation districts, local governments, planning district commissions, sister state and federal agencies, and other stakeholders play a key role in DCR's ability to implement nonpoint source initiatives throughout Virginia's Chesapeake Bay watershed.

DCR has five regional offices that offer technical staff to provide nonpoint source assistance in a variety of program areas in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. DCR strives to:

• Implement nonpoint source pollution prevention programs and seek new nonpoint source solutions
  
• Encourage citizen involvement in local water quality issues to prevent nonpoint source pollution
  Support local conservation leaders through funding and technical support 
• Help Virginia's 115 Chesapeake Bay localities conduct better erosion and sediment control and stormwater management programs 
• Manage the EPA Chesapeake Bay Implementation Grant to expand local participation in water quality programs 
• Cultivate a unified voice for each Bay tributary through support of watershed conservation roundtables 
• Foster land use stewardship, site-by-site and person by person

DCR Nonpoint Source Initiatives in the Bay Watershed

Here is a brief overview of the leading nonpoint source pollution control programs DCR manages to improve water quality in Virginia's Bay watershed:

• Agricultural Incentives Programs - Working through soil and water conservation districts, DCR provides cost-share to implement best management practices on agricultural lands. Millions of dollars have been spent on the implementation of thousands of conservation practices on tens of thousands of acres statewide. These efforts have significantly reduced the runoff of harmful soil loss and excess nitrogen and phosphorus.
• Conservation Reserve and Enhancement Program (CREP) - CREP funds the establishment of riparian buffers on agricultural lands, providing payments for easements and planting trees, shrubs and grasses.
• Nutrient Management Planning - DCR staff members write nutrient management plans for agricultural, urban open space and recreation lands. DCR staff push for better fertilizer and pesticide management at golf courses and recently published "Golfing Green Virginia: Golf Course Environmental Stewardship-18 Strokes of Golf Course Best Management Practices."
• Local Watershed Management and Planning - DCR helps develop and implement watershed specific nutrient and sediment reduction tributary strategies as well as small watershed management plans. Working with other Virginia Bay partners, DCR has written a small watershed management planning guide for use by localities and other local groups. Click here to download (PDF - 4MB).
• Community Stewardship and Engagement - Support is extended to local governments and citizen nonprofit groups to expand local attention to nonpoint source water quality problems. Assistance is provided in grant-writing and watershed management planning activities.
• Erosion and Sediment Control Program - DCR works to reduce runoff from construction sites and helps local governments carry out more effective water quality ordinances.
• Grants - DCR administers two federal and one state grant program for nonpoint source pollution. Tens of millions of dollars in grants have been awarded over the years to improve land use planning and water quality management.

Chesapeake Bay Program - A Watershed Partnership

DCR staffs represent Virginia in Chesapeake Bay Program interactions and are dedicated to strengthening the multi-state Bay partnership through participation and leadership in more than 30 workgroups and subcommittees.

DCR initiatives in the Chesapeake Bay watershed are funded by state general funds as well as through the EPA Chesapeake Bay Implementation Grant. DCR's objective is to mobilize public and private sector attention to NPS issues across Virginia's portion of the Chesapeake Bay watershed.