Virginia DEQ
Home MenuDEQ News Vol. 4 No. 5
May 20, 2025
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DEQ Awards $19 Million in Grants to Reduce Water Pollution in Chesapeake Bay |
Find Your Permit Path with DEQ's New
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DEQ Unveils New Checklist Tool for Environmental Impact Reporting |
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Virginia Brownfields Restoration Funds Help Revitalize Communities in Need |
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DEQ Wins EPA Award for Living Shoreline Project with Berkeley Plantation |
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Provide Feedback on DEQ's New Food Rescue and Composting Program |
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Does Your Company Do Petroleum Investigation/Remediation Work? |
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DEQ Holds Annual Brownfield Symposium in Hopewell |
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Hampton Roads Planning District Commission Unveils Parking Lot Retrofit |
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DEQ Employee Recognized for Service to National Association of Wetland Managers |
DEQ Awards $19 Million in Grants to Reduce Water Pollution in Chesapeake Bay
DEQ has announced $19 million in awards for nine innovative projects as part of the Pay-For-Outcomes Nonpoint Source Pollution Reduction grant program. Nonpoint pollution does not come from one place like a pipe but instead comes from many different, widely distributed sources such as urban areas and agricultural fields. Nonpoint sources are the largest manageable sources of pollution entering the Chesapeake Bay. This pilot program provides payments based on the amount of pollution directly removed or prevented from entering the Bay.
"Under Governor Youngkin’s leadership, Virginia continues to accelerate progress towards meeting our Chesapeake Bay goals by implementing innovative and cost-effective solutions in a transparent manner" said Secretary of Natural and Historic Resources Stefanie Taillon. “This Pay-for-Outcomes pilot program allows the Commonwealth to explore new strategies for nutrient reduction while maintaining a commitment to voluntary incentive-based approaches."
"The Pay-For-Outcomes program is a great example of what can be accomplished when a diverse range of stakeholders work together to restore one of our nation’s great treasures – the Chesapeake Bay," said Delegate David Bulova. "This program will not only achieve pollutant reductions in a cost-effective manner but is designed to spark innovation and ensure that pollutant reductions are sustainable. While I was proud to sponsor the budget amendment establishing the program, this was truly a team effort. Special thanks to the Chesapeake Bay Commission, Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Virginia Farm Bureau, and Virginia Municipal Stormwater Association for getting the ball rolling and to DEQ for designing a program that makes Virginia a leader in this area."
"This innovative Pay-For-Outcomes program empowers Virginia's restoration experts to lead the charge in Bay restoration," said Joe Wood, Virginia Senior Scientist at the Chesapeake Bay Foundation. "By rewarding tangible outcomes associated with pollution reductions, we're unlocking the ingenuity of partners to develop and implement the most effective solutions for a healthier Chesapeake Bay. Linking payments directly to environmental outcomes ensures that our investments yield the greatest possible benefit for water quality, offering a clear pathway to cleaner streams, rivers, and Chesapeake Bay.”
This program will remove approximately 580,000 pounds of nitrogen from the Chesapeake Bay at an average cost of $32.73 per pound. This is the equivalent of one-year’s run-off from over 52,000 acres of parking lots, roads and rooftops. Awardees were selected using a rigorous scoring method to calculate expected impacts to pollution. Thirty applications were scored based on the confidence of the project’s success, environmental benefits, readiness to proceed, and local government involvement.
“These projects push the envelope of what’s possible for the Bay, and at the lowest possible cost for nonpoint source projects,” said DEQ Director Michael Rolband.
The award recipients, in alphabetical order, are:
The Conservation Innovation Fund (Augusta and Rockingham counties; $2.66 million) will convert 706 acres of corn and soybean fields into a sterile form of giant miscanthus. This tall, perennial grass requires no nitrogen fertilizer and, in fact, fixes nitrogen in the soil. As a result, the project will stop approximately 172,200 pounds of nitrogen from reaching the Bay over 10 years.
The Hampton Roads Sanitation District (Gloucester County; $1.18 million) will disconnect private septic systems and connect those homes to the public sewer system. As a result, the project will stop approximately 71,200 pounds of nitrogen from reaching the Bay. This project will offer incentives to homeowners who volunteer to participate.
Keystone Streams (Albemarle, Augusta, Rappahannock, and Richmond counties; $588,500) will restore 44 acres of native forest to current agricultural lands by removing invasive species and planting native trees. The project will stop approximately 29,200 pounds of nitrogen from reaching the Bay.
LIXIL Americas (Gloucester and Mathews counties; $499,800) will integrate proprietary Urine Diverting Flush Toilets to enhance nitrogen removal within onsite sewage systems. The project will stop approximately 10,700 pounds of nitrogen from reaching the Bay.
MOVA Technologies (Shenandoah Valley; $1.3 million) will filter and collect ammonia gas, a source of nitrogen that falls on lands and waters near poultry houses, preventing its release into the environment. This project will stop an amount of ammonia equivalent to approximately 47,100 pounds of nitrogen from reaching the Bay.
Oyster Company of Virginia (Severn River; $6.8 million) will restore approximately 57 acres of oyster reef near the mouth of the Severn River. The reefs will be constructed using alternative substrate and will cultivate around 200 oysters per square meter. The surrounding area of 59 acres will also be protected, serving as a buffer zone of “oyster support.” Over the five-year project duration, the project will stop approximately 74,200 pounds of nitrogen from reaching the Bay.
Resource Environment Solutions, LLC. – First award (Accomack County; $500,000) will directly sell existing nutrient credits from the Qualen Woods Nutrient Bank to DEQ. A nutrient credit bank is an entity that generates and sells these credits by implementing practices that reduce nutrient runoff. Credits are sold to offset the impacts of development on water quality. The nutrient bank was established in 2017 by converting 28 acres of cropland to forest. By removing these credits from the market, approximately 16,000 pounds of nitrogen will be prevented from reaching the Bay.
Resource Environment Solutions, LLC. – Second award (Northumberland County; $1.25 million) will permanently convert 85 acres of active agricultural land into forest by planting native grasses and hardwood trees. The project will stop approximately 43,800 pounds of nitrogen from reaching the Bay.
Virginia Dairyman's Association (Amelia, Augusta, Fauquier, and Rockingham counties; $4.2 million) will prevent the release of approximately 115,600 pounds of nitrogen from at least seven farms. This will be achieved by adopting nitrogen reduction practices tailored to specific farms. These practices may include changes to feed management, manure handling, and fertilizer application.
View more information about the Pay-for-Outcomes grant program on DEQ’s website.
Find Your Permit Path with DEQ's New Permit Key
DEQ Unveils New Checklist Tool for Environmental Impact Reporting
DEQ has developed checklists to assist in the development of Environmental Impact Reports and Federal Consistency Certifications. These checklists are provided as a tool for projects that must submit these documents to DEQ for coordinated review.
DEQ encourages applicants to use the checklists in the development of these documents and to include them in their submission.
Please find the checklists on our website:
EIR Checklist for Major State Projects
FCC Checklist for Federal Consistency Certification
Virginia Brownfields Restoration Funds Help Revitalize Communities in Need
The Virginia Brownfields Restoration and Economic Redevelopment Assistance Fund (VBAF) is a Virginia Commonwealth funded incentive program that serves as a critical resource for communities across Virginia. The investment of these funds plays a key role in positioning sites for constructive reuse. The fund is collaboratively managed by the Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP) and DEQ. To date over $21 million has been awarded via 267 grants.
In 2024, DEQ performed an Economic Impact Analysis of the first 10 years of VBAF grant funding. The purpose of this study was to review the large body of grant-funded investments that have been made through the VBAF program and evaluate their economic impact on local communities. The analysis encompassed 102 sites which received $9.6 million of the $14.3 million awarded between FY2012 and FY2022. The aggregate change from the previous condition to the current and planned conditions was analyzed for employment, labor income, economic output, property value and property tax payments and considered direct, indirect, and induced effects.
The findings of this analysis highlight the benefits of critical early investment in brownfields redevelopment. The final report can be viewed here.
$9.6 million in VBAF funds resulted in:
- 1,670 new jobs
- $959 million in increased real estate value
- $264 million in additional economic output
A limited amount of grant funds are still available for FY25 and Virginia’s budget for FY26 includes another $2.25 million for the program. Information about the VBAF grants can be found here: Virginia Brownfields Restoration and Economic Redevelopment Assistance Fund (VBAF) | Virginia Economic Development Partnership.
DEQ Wins EPA Award for Living Shoreline Project with Berkeley Plantation
On April 23, EPA awarded DEQ and Berkeley Plantation the George F. Ames Performance and Innovation in the State Revolving Fund (SRF) Creating Environmental Success (PISCES) award. This award celebrates innovation demonstrated by Clean Water SRF programs and assistance recipients. With the PISCES award, EPA recognized DEQ and Berkeley Plantation's living shoreline project for its "Excellence in Creative Solutions” for its public/private funding partnerships.
The living shoreline project was designed to combat erosion and enhance coastal resilience. The project included the creation of 39,830 square feet of low marsh and 22,300 square feet of upland buffer. The project incorporated 16,570 native plants, such as saltmeadow hay, big cordgrass, three-square, broadleaf arrowhead, and pickerelweed, to enhance habitat and stabilize the shoreline. Construction also required 4,275 tons of sand nourishment and 2,825 tons of armor stone to build protective sills. The project will provide habitat for wildlife and safeguard over 1,500 feet of shoreline along a working agricultural landscape. In addition, the project will improve water quality by assisting in the prevention of nonpoint source pollutants from entering the James River.
The SRF programs directly support EPA’s Powering the Great American Comeback Initiative, which emphasizes the need for clean air, land, and water for every American and the importance of cooperative federalism. DEQ’s Agricultural Best Management Practice Loan Program provided a zero-interest loan to the property owner for construction. The design and installation were supported by funding from the Virginia Agricultural Best Management Practice Cost-Share (VACS) program administered by the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, alongside a grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation’s Innovative Nutrient and Sediment Reduction program, as funded by the EPA and Altria Group.
This project is an exemplary instance of intergovernmental cooperation and of how public funds can operate in conjunction with funding from the non-profit sector to drive positive ecological and environmental outcomes. It also serves as proof of concept for other local agricultural landowners that they can restore both their land and the environment without risking the economic viability of their farm operations.
Provide Feedback on DEQ's New Food Rescue and Composting Program
Thanks to funding from EPA’s Climate Pollution Reduction Grant, DEQ is working to reduce methane pollution in the Commonwealth through the creation of the Food Rescue and Composting Subaward Program. This program will offset the amount of food waste going into landfills by investing in edible food recovery and composting programs at colleges, universities, and state agencies. If you have feedback or information about ongoing efforts, barriers, and needs related to food rescue and composting activities in the Commonwealth, please complete this form.
Does Your Company Do Petroleum Investigation/Remediation Work?
DEQ's Petroleum State-Lead Program will soon be issuing a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the investigation and remediation of petroleum contaminated sites with the intent to award multiple term contracts. In early June, DEQ will be holding a mandatory pre-proposal conference at DEQ's Piedmont Regional Office, located at 4949-A Cox Road, Glen Allen. Vendors must attend the pre-proposal conference to be eligible to submit a proposal. For more information on the DEQ petroleum state-lead program, email james.barnett@deq.virginia.gov. For more information on the RFP or the pre-proposal conference, please email rebecca.m.taylor@deq.virginia.gov.
DEQ Holds Annual Brownfield Symposium in Hopewell
In case you missed it, DEQ’s Brownfield Symposium was a great success! Held at the John Randolph Foundation in Hopewell on April 24, the one-day event highlighted Hopewell’s remarkable brownfield redevelopment journey.
The theme, "Measuring Success in Brownfields" sparked meaningful discussions about how Brownfields work is defined and its successes evaluated. This included covering environmental aspects such as risk assessment, remedial planning, economic outcomes, and community impacts.
Event Highlights:
· Walking tour of key brownfield sites featured in Hopewell's Brownfield Redevelopment Plan.
· Engaging presentations on Hopewell’s industrial history and redevelopment achievements.
· Insightful panel discussions and success story highlights.
· And a lively networking reception overlooking the scenic Appomattox River.
Attendants left inspired by Hopewell’s progress and the collaborative spirit that drives us all to keep working diligently in our own communities.
Thank you to all involved for hosting this valuable and energizing event!
DEQ staff attended the recent Hampton Roads Planning District Commission (HRPDC) meeting in Chesapeake, including a ribbon cutting ceremony to unveil the recently completed parking lot retrofit project. The project received funding from DEQ to remove the existing 53-space asphalt parking lot at the HRPDC's headquarters building and replace it with various stormwater best management practices (BMPs). This included installing porous concrete panels, planting native plants and trees, and implementing a stormwater bioretention facility. HRPDC also incorporated electric vehicle charging stations. This project will reduce runoff volume, improve local water quality, reduce emissions, provide pollinator habitat, and limit the heat island effect. The new parking lot also has educational signage about how BMPs improve the quality of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed and other environmental outcomes.
DEQ Employee Recognized for Service to National Association of Wetland Managers
Congratulations to DEQ’s Office of Permitting Assistance Manager, Dave Davis, for receiving the 2025 Distinguished Service Award from the National Association of Wetland Managers (NAWM). Dave has been a member of NAWM for over 25 years and served on the NAWM board for 11 years — four years as National Secretary-Treasurer, five years as National Chairperson, and two years as an Ex Officio board member. Prior to serving on the NAWM board, he was a member of the NAWM’s Applied Science Committee for three years. Dave spent 11 years in private consulting before joining DEQ in 2001 as the Senior Wetland Ecologist. After almost six years in this role, he was promoted to the Manager of the Office of Wetlands & Stream Protection in 2007, a position he held for 18 years. Dave is also the 2015 recipient of the National Wetland Award (State and Tribal Program Development category) from the Environmental Law Institute. Dave now manages DEQ’s Office of Permitting Assistance, which collaborates with the Virginia Economic Development Partnership and the Virginia Business-Ready Sites Program to help prospective businesses navigate DEQ’s environmental permitting processes.
“It’s been an honor learning from and working alongside my colleague Dave Davis for many years,” said Mark Biddle, current NAWM board chair. “Dave continues to provide his vast knowledge and expertise to his role in Virginia, and more broadly to the state and tribal members of the NAWM. His dedication to NAWM through his work on the board and as Board Chair and through networking with wetland specialists is invaluable. Dave’s professionalism and willingness to mentor are true indicators of his commitment, and this award is well-deserved!”
“Dave has made a tremendous positive impact on the wetland management sector through his many decades of service to Virginia first as a wetland ecologist and later as the Director of the Office of Wetlands and Stream Protection,” said Marla Stelk, NAWM Executive Director. “And yet he still found time to volunteer on the NAWM Board of Directors for 11 years, including as Board Chair for five years. Dave’s vast knowledge and experience, paired with his commonsense approach and good-natured personality, has made him a role model and good friend to many, including myself. I consider myself very fortunate to have had the opportunity to work with him and hope to continue doing so for many years to come.”