Effort to improve Eastern Shore ground water management

DEQ geologist Todd Beach operates the controls to raise the camera from the bottom of the well.

DEQ’s ground water permitting and characterization staffs are conducting field tests to improve the understanding of ground water on the Eastern Shore. These evaluations also provide technical assistance to members of the agricultural community as they strive to accurately describe their withdrawals.  

The DEQ groups conducted camera surveys and recorded information (using an induction log) on 20 wells at four permitted agricultural facilities in January 2008. This is one of the few ways that information can be obtained after a well has been constructed. The company that owns the facilities received the permit based upon their historic use of ground water. Prior to the Ground Water Management Act of 1992, agricultural ground water withdrawals were unregulated, so many of these historic use permit holders did not have adequate well construction records. 

Using these tools, the ground water permitting program can more precisely allocate the effects these permitted withdrawals are having on the ground water of the Eastern Shore. Information obtained from this process also can help determine if the permit holder should raise the pumps in these wells to reduce potential effects on neighboring wells.

The continued use of this technology through the outreach effort put forth by the staff in the two programs will result in significant improvements to how DEQ manages the ground water resource of the Eastern Shore. 

Previn Smith, Central Office

Environmental group highlights DEQ monitoring, local riverkeeper

The Blackwater Nottoway Riverkeeper Program, a member of the Waterkeeper Alliance, held its annual banquet on Feb. 6 in Franklin. The program is dedicated to protecting and preserving the Blackwater and Nottoway rivers and their watersheds.  Wick Harlan, the water quality monitoring supervisor at the Tidewater Regional Office, was the guest speaker for the banquet and discussed DEQ’s monitoring efforts. The Blackwater River and the Nottoway River have fish consumption advisories for mercury, and this topic was of particular interest to those attending the banquet.  

The banquet also included recognition of the program’s riverkeeper, Jeff Turner. He regularly patrols the Blackwater and Nottoway rivers; works with state, federal, and local agencies to protect the rivers; and visits groups and organizations in an effort to better educate watershed residents. Jeff’s dedication to the environment was highlighted when he was selected recently as a finalist in the environment category for the Volvo for Life awards. This program recognizes people who make a positive difference in the lives of others.

Roger Everton, DEQ Tidewater Regional Office

Coastal program efforts result in expanded dune, beach protection

Coastal primary sand dunes and beaches above mean high water, like those shown in the foreground of the photo above, will now have extra protection in all coastal localities as a result of changes to the Coastal Primary Sand Dunes and Beaches Act. The house in the background is an example of the encroachment that should no longer be permitted. Photo courtesy Virginia Institute of Marine Science

Governor Kaine signed legislation expanding the reach of the Coastal Primary Sand Dunes and Beaches Act to the entire coastal zone (roughly the area east of Interstate 95) on Feb. 22. Passage of the legislation is the culmination of years of coordination and research by the Virginia Coastal Zone Management Program. The program is a network of agencies responsible for implementing the laws, regulations and policies that manage coastal resources, with DEQ serving as the lead agency. 

Dunes and beaches provide critical habitat for a number of species, help protect water quality and protect property from shoreline erosion. At the time of the original dune act legislation in 1980, it was known that coastal primary sand dunes existed in nine localities, but there was no comprehensive inventory of dune or beach resources.

A series of studies funded by the coastal program and conducted by the Virginia Institute of Marine Science showed that extensive dune and beach resources were unprotected, especially from the effects of shoreline hardening structures designed to control shoreline erosion. Based on this new information the Virginia CZM Program's policy team, consisting of representatives from the network of coastal agencies, supported the idea of expanding the act, and Delegate Harvey Morgan sponsored the bill. As a result of the expanded legislation, more localities have the ability to manage these critical resources by adopting ordinances that would be administered by local wetlands boards. If a coastal locality chooses not to adopt the ordinance, then the Virginia Marine Resources Commission will regulate development affecting dunes and beaches in that locality. 

Shep Moon, Central Office

Document management makes strides

Many DEQ employees have heard about DEQ’s document management initiative in terms of the scanning project. And while the scanning of documents is a step in the document management process, it is only a small part of a much larger effort and vision.   

The official term for this effort is Enterprise Content Management, or ECM, and it is one of Governor Kaine’s priorities for the Commonwealth. DEQ was selected as the pilot agency for Virginia. The goal of document management is to improve how we do business and unify DEQ from a data and information standpoint. Some of the reasons why document management is important include tighter security of agency information and greater accessibility of information to all employees. It also helps facilitate telecommuting.

Like any computer-based project, ECM has several main parts. These include program processes, how agency information is categorized, how files get into the content management system and how agency information is validated. Each of these parts is being defined and shaped by expert panels comprised of DEQ employees. Betty Lamp is the facilitator of the expert panels and represents the end users. Other members of the project team include Herb Ward, program manager; Bernie Farkas, project manager; and Chris Evans, coordinator. Using lessons learned, the main goal of the ECM team is to design and implement a document management tool that is flexible and user friendly, and will work for DEQ for the foreseeable future.

Chris Evans, Central Office

DEQ recognizes best practices

DEQ has compiled a statewide summary of the agency’s “best practices” for promoting community involvement in environmental activities and decision making.

The summary describes efforts by DEQ staff in the Richmond central office and seven regional offices, primarily in 2006 and 2007, who put into practice the agency’s commitment to promote meaningful public participation in environmental issues that are most important to people.

Covering topics such as collaboration, citizen input opportunities, agency responsiveness and use of non-technical language, the summary highlights what has been successful for DEQ and provides guidance on other types of initiatives that may be useful in the future.

The community involvement best practices are available on the DEQ website.

 

Bill Hayden, Central Office

Involving communities around Virginia

Many changes have taken place in the three years since the Department of Environmental Quality adopted its formal community involvement policy in December 2004.

The policy laid the groundwork for how DEQ would involve and communicate with communities, environmental groups and other stakeholders in making significant environmental decisions, establishing strong partnerships and building consensus.

It has become more than a just a plan; it is now a daily part of our work while protecting the environment. We are committed to involving the public early and often throughout the regulatory process.

Read more...

David K. Paylor, DEQ Director

Virginia Green

 

For hotels, restaurants and other tourism-related industries, it’s easy being green in the Commonwealth with the help of Virginia Green.  

Virginia Green is a partnership program among DEQ, the Virginia Tourism Corporation and the Virginia Hospitality and Travel Association. The program seeks to reduce the environmental effects of the tourism industry and raise environmental awareness.

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Julia Wellman, Central Office