Virginia's Programmatic Milestones

In addition to the Phase III Watershed Implementation Plan (WIP), Virginia is committed to setting and working towards two-year Nutrient and Sediment Reduction Milestones. These milestones are a part of EPA's accountability framework designed to ensure, with confidence, that the nitrogen, phosphorus, and sediment allocations of the TMDL will be met.

At the beginning of a milestone period, EPA evaluates the proposed commitments and assesses their ability to achieve the reductions outlined in the WIP. At the end of each milestone period, EPA reviews the progress that each jurisdiction has made; the model-estimated loads based on implemented practices are expected to be at or below the jurisdiction's trajectory for meeting the target load for nitrogen, phosphorus and sediment by 2025.

2020-2021 Programmatic and Numeric Milestones

The 2020-2021 Programmatic Milestones were submitted to EPA on June 1, 2020. If you would like a version of these documents with track changes from the draft milestones, please email the request to Chesbayplan@DEQ.Virginia.gov. 

EPA Evaluation of Virginia's 2018-2019 and 2020-2021 Milestones with Virginia's comments (June 1, 2020)

Secretary of Natural Resources Matthew Strickler's letter in response to EPA's evaluation (June 1, 2020)

The EPA submitted their revised final evaluation of Virginia’s 2018-2019 milestone progress and 2020-2021 milestone commitments to the Virginia Secretary of Natural Resources on July 29, 2020. 

2018-2019 Programmatic Milestones

Virginia's 2018-2019 Milestones Closeout Report was submitted to EPA on Jan. 15, 2020.