As part of Virginia’s enduring commitment to restoring the Chesapeake Bay, DEQ has announced the innovative $20 million Pay-For-Outcomes Nonpoint Source Pollution Reduction grant program. Nonpoint pollution sources do not usually come from one place like a pipe, but instead runoff from larger areas and are the largest manageable sources of pollution entering the Bay. This one-year pilot program will provide payments based on the number of pounds of pollution actually removed or prevented. DEQ intends that the Pay-For-Outcomes program will help identify cost-effective means of reducing nonpoint source pollution and encourage innovation. In doing so, Virginia will continue its commitment to improving the environmental quality of the Chesapeake Bay.

DEQ’s Stormwater Local Assistance Fund (SLAF) is accepting applications through October 1. This fund provides financial assistance for nutrient credit purchases and several types of stormwater projects – including stream and wetland restoration, new stormwater Best Management Practices (BMPs) and BMP retrofits. Completed SLAF applications must be submitted via the MyDEQ Portal. In addition to the online application submittal, applicants must submit hard copies of certain documents associated with each project type. Hard copy submissions must be postmarked by October 1 and mailed to DEQ, 1111 East Main Street, Suite 1400, Richmond, VA 23219 or PO Box 1105, Richmond, VA 23218 – Attn: CWFAP Deputy Director. Visit our website for more information.

DEQ is pleased to announce that it has disbursed $150.7 million and counting in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding to wastewater treatment plants across Virginia. These funds are investments to address much-needed combined sewer overflows, stormwater, and wastewater infrastructure maintenance and upgrades. Wastewater projects include collection and conveyance systems, advanced and enhanced nutrient removal, and the retirement of aging septic systems. So far, recipients of these funds include the Hampton Roads Sanitation District, Cities of Richmond and Lynchburg, and the Towns of Quantico and Wachapreague. In total, DEQ plans to disburse $656.7 million in ARPA funds to assist wastewater infrastructure maintenance and upgrades across the Commonwealth.

Recently, DEQ staff were provided a tour by the Hampton Roads Sanitation District (HRSD) of the new Sustainable Water Initiative for Tomorrow (SWIFT) expansions at their Nansemond facility. SWIFT intends to reduce land subsidence and impacts of relative sea-level rise, create a sustainable ground water supply, and reduce nutrient discharge to the Chesapeake Bay. 

Earlier this month the Town of Tangier was selected to participate in the U.S. Department of Energy’s Energy Transitions Initiative Partnership Project (ETIPP). This is a funding and technical assistance program that provides assistance to geographically isolated communities that face unique energy challenges. Tangier seeks to leverage ETIPP assistance to develop an energy transition plan that charts a pathway to a cleaner, more resilient future for the island, potentially starting with a full utility-scale microgrid. Entry into the program includes a $50,000 grant. Part of these grant funds will be used to switch the fuel source of 21 homes currently heated with kerosene, which will eliminate the need to provide kerosene storage on the island. 

Participating in the energy transition program, along with the $2.3 million grant recently provided by DEQ, will allow Tangier Island to implement several important environmental protection and mitigation projects. One of the largest projects is replacement of the island’s fuel storage facility with tanks that provide secondary containment to prevent spills or breeches from reaching the waters of the Chesapeake Bay.