Public invited to final 2018 Chesapeake Bay Watershed Implementation Plan meetings

Public invited to final 2018 Chesapeake Bay Watershed Implementation Plan meetings
Input needed on watershed pollution reduction plan in Accomack and Northampton counties

MELFA— The public is invited to the last two meetings to provide input on nutrient and sediment reduction measures on the Eastern Shore during the Chesapeake Bay Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) Phase III Watershed Implementation Plan (WIP) meetings on Thursday, Nov. 29.

The goal of the WIP planning process is to gather local input that improves “pollution diet” plans to help restore clean water in the Chesapeake Bay and its local waterways. The Phase III WIP is the road map for how Bay communities will achieve these goals.

Both meetings will take place at the Eastern Shore Community College, in Melfa, and will focus on refining the local WIP.

The first meeting is from 9:30-11:30 am and will be stakeholders’ last opportunity to provide input on non-agriculture best management practices (BMPs) and programmatic actions in the Eastern Shore’s WIP before the plan is submitted to the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ).

The second meeting is from 1-4 pm and will focus on agricultural BMPs, which local Soil and Water Conservation Districts developed and will be presented by DEQ. This will be a combined session of Eastern Shore and Hampton Roads stakeholders.

Local input in the development of the WIP can drive state policy and may influence future funding availability.

Everyone is invited to attend both meetings on Thursday, Nov.29, at the Eastern Shore Community College’s Great Hall, at 29300 Lankford Highway, in Melfa.

Please contact the Accomack-Northampton Planning District Commission at 757-787-2936 with any questions.