Virginia Coastal Program: 2004 Coastal Grant Project Description and Final Summary
Project Task:
FY2004 Task 83.01
Grantee:
Middle Peninsula Planning District Commission
Project Title:
Middle Peninsula PDC Coastal Nonpoint Program
Project Description as Proposed:
The Middle Peninsula
Planning District Commission’s Environmental Program has been
assisting the region’s residents with financial and technical
resources for on-site wastewater and other nonpoint source issues
since May of 1997. Changes in 2000 to the Virginia Department of
Health Sewage Handling and Disposal Regulations have dramatically
influenced coastal development patterns as well as the types and
costs of septic repair systems available to coastal residents.
The ongoing operation of the Middle Peninsula PDC Coastal Non Point
Program assists local government and citizens with addressing complex
nonpoint issues. This project consists of three distinct tasks:
1. Community forum on the status of sanitary waste management within
the Middle Peninsula.
2. Comprehensive inventory of non-traditional OSDS - Phase TWO-Draft
Oversight Plan
3. Continuation of On-site Waste Water Technical Assistance Program
-Support of a larger ongoing effort to repair failing wastewater
treatments and to assist in OSDS management in the region.
Federal Funding:
$48,207
Project Contact:
Sara Stamp, 804.758.2311; sstamp@mppdc.com
Project Status:
Project Completed
Final Product Received:
Project Summary Provided by Grantee:
Changes in the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) Onsite Disposal System (OSDS) regulations in 2000 have had a significant impact on community development within the coastal zone.
Since then, many areas that may have been approved for a conventional system prior to the regulation change are no longer acceptable for non-conventional system use. Alternatively, many areas that can not be developed with a conventional system can now be developed with a non-conventional OSDS as per the regulation.
Two concerns over non-conventional systems stand out more than any others -land-use implications and maintenance implications.
These high maintenance and expensive systems are being installed at an accelerating rate throughout the Middle Peninsula. With many land use decisions under the authority of the locality, implications of this changed paradigm in the Health Department have rippled through the region faster than policy to manage these changes could be developed. The rate and locations in which non-conventional systems are being installed have significant implications for locality tax bases, system proliferation and "shotgun sprawl." Additionally, if not properly maintained, the proliferation of non-conventional systems in the Middle Peninsula could potentially lead to a spike in failures, causing health and environmental hazards. Other localities have witnessed a higher rate of failure of non-conventional systems, primarily attributed to improper or lack of maintenance.
In order to raise the awareness of local government decision makers, MPPDC staff conducted a total of 6 presentations to members of these groups. The forums were designed to stimulate awareness and discussion, as well as garner input from the decision-making and planning communities.
In order to provide a management approach, the localities requested that their current ordinances be reviewed for relevant regulations. Upon an ordinance review, it was found that none of the Middle Peninsula localities have any regulations in place to handle the maintenance or land-use (with some slight exceptions) implications of non-conventional systems. The current ordinances were designed to reflect conventional systems and do not effectively apply to non-conventional systems.
The MPPDC staff returned to these decision makers through follow-up forums to report the ordinance review findings. Locality representatives provided feedback on types of regulations they believed to be manageable and feasible. MPPDC staff reviewed the state regulations with regard to enabling the localities to impose penalties for non-conventional OSDS violations. Several different approaches, which align with the EPA recommendations for management of non-conventional OSDS were identified and summarized in the report, Middle Peninsula Planning District Commission Report on Recommendations for Management of Non-conventional Septic Systems at the Local Government Level.
In addition to making recommendations for local government, the report also makes recommendations for changes to the program design for the MPPDC Onsite Loan Program. The MPPDC On-Site Wastewater Treatment and Disposal Funding Project Management Committee will present recommendations to the Commission for approval at its next meeting to require that all clients who receive assistance in the future for non-conventional system installations sign a landowner agreement and easement to be recorded on their deed stating that the homeowner will be responsible for maintaining the system per manufacturer recommendations and will enter into a contract with a third party to perform annual inspection and maintenance for the life of the system. This new requirement, if approved by the Commission will be incorporated into the MPPDC On-Site Wastewater Treatment and Disposal Funding Program Design.
Disclaimer: This project summary provides the federal dollars initially awarded to the grantee. Due to underexpenditure or reprogramming of grant funds, this figure may change. For more information on the allocation of coastal grant funds, please contact Laura McKay, Virginia Coastal Program Manager, at 804.698.4323 or email: Laura.McKay@deq.virginia.gov
A more detailed Scope of Work for this project is available. Please direct your request for a copy to Virginia.Witmer@deq.virginia.gov
