in general . . .

intro | regional offices | programs, in general

Introduction

Virginia's Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) coordinates and directs programs and services to prevent degradation of the Commonwealth's water quality and quantity. Most DCR soil and water conservation efforts are devoted to controlling nonpoint source pollution. In fact, DCR is the state's lead agency for developing and implementing statewide nonpoint source pollution control programs and services.

Nonpoint source pollution is water pollution caused by diffuse runoff that is not confined to a single discharge point such as a wastewater treatment plant or industrial discharge pipe. Because of the diverse nature of NPS pollution, approaches to addressing the sources must also be diverse. It requires numerous programs and involves a number of state, local and federal agencies, and the private sector.

Statewide nonpoint source pollution control programs and services support both individual natural resource stewardship and assist local governments with resource management. These statewide programs are funded through state agency budgets and through non-general fund revenues raised by programs such as sale of Chesapeake Bay license plates. Technical assistance, financial assistance, education and research efforts are enhanced by funds available from the federal Nonpoint Source Pollution Control Program (Section 319 of the Clean Water Act) and the Chesapeake Bay Program. These activities are targeted using a statewide system of 494 watersheds analyzed for their potential for NPS pollution.

In addition, department staff administers nonpoint source pollution control programs required by state law. They include erosion and sediment control, stormwater management, nutrient management, agricultural best management practices, shoreline erosion control, floodplain management, dam safety, public beach conservation and the administrative, technical and financial support of soil and water conservation districts.

Services are delivered to local governments, special interest groups and citizens by staff members located in seven regional offices. Staff in Richmond serves as a resource for field staff. This arrangement ensures that technical expertise is consistent and near the client.

Regional offices

DCR's soil and water conservation regions changed July 1, 2009. Please click here for further details.

• Abingdon: 252 W. Main Street, Suite 3, Abingdon, Va. 24210; phone: (276) 676-5528, fax #: (276) 676-5527. Here's a Google map.
• Christiansburg: 8 Radford St., Suite 102A, Christiansburg, Va., 24073; phone (540) 394-2580, fax (540) 394-2588. Here's a Google map.
• Clarksville: 11632 Highway 15 South, Clarksville, Va. (434) 374-3648. Here's a Google map.
• Richmond: 101 N. 14th St., 11th Floor, Monroe Building, Richmond, Va.  23219; phone (804) 225-4468, fax (804) 371-0771. Here's a Google map.
• Staunton: 44 Sanger Lane, Suite 102, Staunton, Va. 24401; phone: (540) 332-9991, fax #: (540) 332-8956. Here's a Google map.
• Suffolk: 1548 Holland Road, Suffolk, Va. 23434; phone: (757) 925-2468, fax #: (757) 925-2388. Here's a Google map.
• Tappahannock: P. O. Box 1425, Tappahannock, Va. 22560; phone: (804) 443-6752, fax #: (804) 443-4534. Here's a Google map.
• Warrenton: 98 Alexandria Pike, Suite 33, Warrenton, Va. 20186-2849; phone: (540) 347-6420, fax #: (540) 347-6423. Here's a Google map.

Click here (PDF) for a larger, more detailed version of the above map. The map delineates jusdictional and SWCD boundaries.

Click here for a list of regional office contacts by locality.

Programs

DCR's programs are grouped according to function. The major areas are nonpoint source pollution control, urban programs, and district and landowner assistance. In addition to NPS control, soil and water conservation staff supports DCR's mission of reducing the risk to life and property from flooding and shoreline erosion. The staff works to support local efforts to protect citizens from flood hazards, and the agency manages programs to prevent pollution and loss of property caused by shoreline erosion.

In addition, DCR engineers help soil and water conservation districts (SWCDs) with dam certification. Twelve SWCDs own 103 dams. These dams were originally built by the United States Department of Agriculture's Soil Conservation Service for flood control. When Dam Safety Regulations came into effect, it became necessary for districts to hire an engineer to inspect and certify the dams. DCR provides that engineer. The same engineer serves as contract officer when these structures need modification.

Over the past several years, staff has assisted with the establishment and support of community-based committees in watersheds having water quality problems from nonpoint pollution sources. The size of each watershed varies, given the interests and issues addressed by the groups, but frequently the committees follow the small watershed boundaries delineated by DCR in cooperation with other state and federal agencies. The entire land area of the Commonwealth has been divided into 494 unique watersheds.

Watershed committees are comprised of citizens, government and private sector representatives from various interest groups. The primary mission of most committees is to identify the causes of NPS pollution and effect lasting change with solutions members of the community will accept and implement.

The establishment and long-term continuation of watershed committees is dynamic. Some groups have had the same members for several years. Others are formed to address specific water quality problems and, once resolved, look to other groups such as SWCDs to monitor progress and prevent future problems.

For further information regarding local watershed committees, please contact your local soils and water conservation district.