Technical Assistance and Guidance

Local government liaison network

DCR staffers are assigned to localities within Tidewater to facilitate local program development and review. The liaison network is aligned along planning district lines and allows DCR staff to respond to specific program needs of the 84 local governments in Tidewater. The liaison network also enables localities to receive consistent assistance from one individual and thus establish a strong working relationship. To find the liaison for your locality, scroll through the "contact" document. Click here to go to the contact page.

Technical assistance and training for local governments

DCR offers a number of technical assistance services to the local governments. These services include:

• Training and assistance in making site-specific RPA determinations.
• Training and assistance in nontidal wetlands dellineation and perennial flow determinations (PFD).
• Training for staff and local review boards in the exception criteria and exceptions process.
• Assistance in reviewing site plans compliance with the requirements of the Chesapeake Bay Preservation Act regulations and the local implementing ordinance.

Training can be arranged on an individual or group basis. Training offers an opportunity for local staff to ask locality specific questions and allows DCR - CBLA staff to identify areas of program implementation assistance needs.

Training workshops

The Department has conducted a range of local government training programs in the following areas: initial program development, stormwater management calculation procedure, wetlands delineation, perennial stream identification, land use and water quality, land conservation, computer software for program administration, site plan review and comprehensive planning.

Advisory plan review

The Department provides advisory review of local site plans, subdivision plats and water quality impact assessments as requested by Tidewater local governments. DCR - DCBLA frequently performs advisory plan review services for a number of localities. Some localities opt to send us most, if not all, of their CBPA plans. Our review is advisory in nature, intended to help to local government in implementing the Act and Regulations, and we can limit the review to specific portions of a project, or expand the review to a comprehensive review dependent on the locality's needs. To inquire about or arrange for any of these services, please contact your county's DCR-CBLA liaison.

Comprehensive plan assistance

In addition to the training mentioned above, the Department will provide assistance to local governments in preparing revisions to their comprehensive plans. Technical studies will establish a foundation for the development of appropriate local water quality improvement policies and strategies.