Virginia Chesapeake Bay Phase III Watershed Implementation Plans (WIP)
Watershed Implementation Plans (WIPs) serve as a roadmap for how the Chesapeake Bay states and the District of Columbia, in collaboration with federal and local governments, will achieve the Chesapeake Bay Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL). Recently, the Bay states partnered with local stakeholders to develop the third phase of their WIPs.
The Phase III WIPs include updates to state and federal strategies and the identification of new pollutant reduction strategies, with a strong emphasis on sustained local engagement.
In Virginia, the TMDL mandates a 20.5% reduction in nitrogen, a 25.2% reduction in phosphorus, and a 20.8% reduction in sediment entering the bay. The goal is to implement cleanup practices, known as best management practices (BMPs), by 2025 in order to achieve a clean Chesapeake Bay and local waterways that meet established water quality standards. For additional information, you can access the Chesapeake Bay Phase III Watershed Implementation Plan (WIP).
CVPDC Partners with DEQ to Advance Chesapeake Bay Phase III WIP
The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has contracted CVPDC to coordinate the region’s Phase III Watershed Implementation Plan (WIP). The CVPDC is working in partnership with the Virginia DEQ and other stakeholders to reduce nitrogen, phosphorus, and sediment loads affecting the Chesapeake Bay Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL). This collaboration involves providing educational resources to the region and offering technical assistance to local governments and other stakeholders.
CVPDC Water Relief Mini Grant Program
The CVPDC Water Relief Mini Grant is a reimbursement grant program to support the implementation of Best Management Practice (BMP) projects to improve water quality by reducing sediment and runoff in our area’s local streams and the Chesapeake Bay watershed.
The Water Relief Mini Grant program offers up to $4,500 to fund the construction/implementation of or the evaluation/design of Best Management Practice (BMP) projects (e.g., rain garden, permeable pavement) that reduce sediment and stormwater from entering local waterways. Funding is available to localities, organizations, schools, businesses, and community groups within the CVPDC region and the Chesapeake Bay watershed.
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until Friday, October 30, 2026, or until all grant funds have been exhausted. Projects must be fully completed by February 1, 2027, and have the project report submitted by February 15, 2027, to qualify for reimbursement.
Grant Materials:
CVPDC Water Relief Grant Guide: Details grant goals, requirements, eligible activities, and timeline.
CVPDC Water Relief Grant Application: Submit application and requested attachments to communications@cvpdc.org.
BMP Toolkit: Examples of BMPs
Important Grant Deadlines:
- Friday, October 30, 2026: Final day to submit an application
- Monday, February 1, 2027: Project must be completed
- Monday, February 15, 2027: Project Completion Report submission deadline
Direct program questions to Kelly Hitchcock, Deputy Director of Planning, at kelly.hitchcock@cvpdc.org.
2019 CVPDC WIP Activities
DEQ Host BMP Warehouse Training Webinar – June 17, 2019
DEQ led a training webinar designed to introduce to local staff and citizens information on the DEQ BMP Warehouse, a tool that records programs, activities to reduce pollutant loads.
Region 2000 (PDC 11) WIP III Workbook - from CAST (August 2018)
2018 CVPDC WIP Activities
See Content Archives for Meeting and Presentation documents.
