10.1-2124 - Cooperative nonpoint source pollution program.
§ 10.1-2124. Cooperative nonpoint source pollution program.
A. The state has the responsibility under Article XI of the Constitution ofVirginia to protect the bays, lakes, rivers, streams, creeks, and other statewaters of the Commonwealth from pollution and impairment. Commercial andresidential development of land as well as agricultural and other land usesmay cause the impairment of state waters through nonpoint source pollution.In the exercise of their authority to control land use and development, it isthe responsibility of counties, cities, and towns to consider the protectionof all bays, lakes, rivers, streams, creeks, and other state waters fromnonpoint source pollution. The exercise of environmental stewardship byindividuals is necessary to protect state waters from nonpoint sourcepollution. To promote achievement of the directives of Article XI of theConstitution of Virginia and to implement the cooperative programsestablished by this chapter, the state shall assist local governments, soiland water conservation districts and individuals in restoring, protecting andimproving water quality through grants provided from the Fund.
B. In order to restore, protect, and improve the quality of all bays, lakes,rivers, streams, creeks, and other state waters, and to achieve the pollutionreduction goals, including nutrient reduction goals, established incommitments made by the Commonwealth to water quality restoration,protection, and enhancement, including but not limited to the Chesapeake BayAgreement, as amended, the Department shall assist local governments, soiland water conservation districts, and individuals in the control of nonpointsource pollution, including nutrient reduction, through technical andfinancial assistance made available through grants provided from the Fund asprovided in § 10.1-2132.
C. In order to engage stakeholders within each of the Commonwealth's 14 majorriver basins to develop comprehensive strategic plans to mitigate and preventlocal nonpoint source water pollution, the Department may establish theWatershed Coordination Program, hereinafter referred to as "the Program."The Program shall continue the work of watershed roundtables, support citizenstewardship activities, and be coordinated with the agencies of theSecretariat of Natural Resources, the Department of Forestry, and theDepartment of Agriculture and Consumer Services. The Program shall be fundedwith private funds; however, the Department may assist with the initial costsassociated with the development of the Program to the extent that funding isavailable. The Department may assist in fund-raising efforts to supplementthe Fund and provide assistance to the fund-raising efforts of the watershedroundtables. The Program shall strive to provide appropriate incentives forachievements to include public recognition and awards.
(1997, cc. 21, 625, 626; 2004, c. 413.)