                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA

COOPERATIVE NONPOINT SOURCE POLLUTION PROGRAM (§ 10.1-2124)

A. The state has the responsibility under Article XI of the Constitution of
Virginia to protect the bays, lakes, rivers, streams, creeks, and other state
waters of the Commonwealth from pollution and impairment. Commercial and
residential development of land as well as agricultural and other land uses may
cause the impairment of state waters through nonpoint source pollution. In the
exercise of their authority to control land use and development, it is the
responsibility of counties, cities, and towns to consider the protection of all
bays, lakes, rivers, streams, creeks, and other state waters from nonpoint
source pollution. The exercise of environmental stewardship by individuals is
necessary to protect state waters from nonpoint source pollution. To promote
achievement of the directives of Article XI of the Constitution of Virginia and
to implement the cooperative programs established by this chapter, the state
shall assist local governments, soil and water conservation districts and
individuals in restoring, protecting and improving 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 pollution
reduction goals, including nutrient reduction goals, established in commitments
made by the Commonwealth to water quality restoration, protection, and
enhancement, including but not limited to the Chesapeake Bay Agreement, as
amended, the Department shall assist local governments, soil and water
conservation districts, and individuals in the control of nonpoint source
pollution, including nutrient reduction, through technical and financial
assistance made available through grants provided from the Fund as provided in
&#xA7; 10.1-2132.

C. In order to engage stakeholders within each of the Commonwealth&#8217;s 14
major river basins to develop comprehensive strategic plans to mitigate and
prevent local nonpoint source water pollution, the Department may establish the
Watershed Coordination Program, hereinafter referred to as &#8220;the
Program.&#8221; The Program shall continue the work of watershed roundtables,
support citizen stewardship activities, and be coordinated with the agencies of
the Secretariat of Natural and Historic Resources, the Department of Forestry,
and the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. The Program shall be
funded with private funds; however, the Department may assist with the initial
costs associated with the development of the Program to the extent that funding
is available. The Department may assist in fund-raising efforts to supplement
the Fund and provide assistance to the fund-raising efforts of the watershed
roundtables. The Program shall strive to provide appropriate incentives for
achievements to include public recognition and awards.

HISTORY: 1997, cc. 21, 625, 626; 2004, c. 413.