Department of Conservation and Recreation
Conserve. Protect. Enjoy.
Department of Conservation and Recreation
Media inquiries: Please contact Dave Neudeck, dave.neudeck@dcr.virginia.gov, 804-786-5053.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: February 02, 2005
Contact: Dave Neudeck, Communications and Marketing Director, 804-786-5053, dave.neudeck@dcr.virginia.gov
Released by the Virginia Secretary of Natural Resources Office
Virginia Chesapeake Bay nutrient and sediment reduction strategy released
(RICHMOND) - Virginia Secretary of Natural Resources W. Tayloe Murphy Jr. today released an action plan to reduce nutrients and sediments in Virginia rivers feeding the Chesapeake Bay. The plan, also known as Virginia's Chesapeake Bay Tributary Strategy, was drafted by state agency personnel with stakeholder assistance and public input for the Shenandoah-Potomac, Rappahannock, York and James River basins and the bayside of Virginia's Eastern Shore. Basin specific strategy documents are still in production and will be released shortly.
Virginia's strategy, along with those from Maryland, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Delaware, New York and the District of Columbia outline practices needed to remove the Chesapeake Bay and its tidal tributaries from the federal list of impaired waters in 2010 as called for by the Chesapeake Bay Agreement of 2000. In addition to listing the conservation best management practices and a statewide approach to wastewater plant treatments needed to meet basin specific goals, the strategy addresses in detail the implementation challenges that lie ahead.
"This is much more than a listing of practices and a discussion of treatment levels," said Murphy. "This strategy outlines the direction for bringing about these actions. This implementation will take place on the ground as we work treatment plant by treatment plant, farm by farm, parking lot by parking lot, and locality by locality."
Draft tributary strategies for each Bay river basin were released in April 2004 after staff from Virginia's natural resource agencies worked with local governments, soil and water conservation districts, planning district commissions, and other stakeholders in each of the tributary basins. The drafts addressed wastewater treatment plants, agricultural conservation practices, storm water management in suburban and urban areas and other reduction actions. Many comments received on the draft strategies called for more emphasis on how the strategies will be carried out.
This combined Virginia strategy highlights the state's approach to limiting nutrients released from wastewater treatment plants and outlines a seven-pronged approach to dealing with nonpoint source pollution through 2010.
The strategy also details estimated costs for Virginia's approach to reducing nutrients and sediments in rivers and streams that feed the Bay. The $9.9 billion price tag captures all costs associated with the reductions including initial installation, capital, operational and maintenance and technical support costs through 2010.
"The restoration of the Chesapeake Bay is possible, however, it will not come without the commitment of substantial public and private resources," said Murphy. "Without them the promises we have made to restore the bay and its rivers have no meaning. Without such actions, the economic and environmental benefits of a restored bay will not be realized."
The Virginia Chesapeake Bay Tributary Strategy can be found on the Secretary of Natural Resources' website at www.naturalresources.virginia.gov.
-30-
Share this news release:
