Virginia Launches Pay-for-Outcomes Program to Reduce Chesapeake Bay Pollution

RICHMOND, Va. — The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has introduced a new pilot program aimed at reducing nitrogen and phosphorus pollution in the Chesapeake Bay, a $20 million initiative championed by the Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) and approved during the 2024 General Assembly session.

The Pay-For-Outcomes program marks a shift from traditional agricultural cost-share models, tying payments to measurable pollution reductions in waterways. It targets nonpoint pollution sources such as stormwater and agricultural runoff, with an emphasis on innovative, scientifically verified solutions.

“This program represents a critical step forward,” said a spokesperson for the CBF. “By incentivizing results-driven practices, we’re aligning efforts with the latest science to tackle Bay restoration challenges head-on.”

Virginia’s current agricultural cost-share program funds established practices, such as planting tree buffers along waterways and fencing livestock out of streams, based on computer modeling. In contrast, the new program will provide flexibility to support projects that demonstrate direct, cost-effective improvements in water quality through pre- and post-implementation monitoring.

Proposals will be evaluated by a panel of scientific experts, ensuring only the most promising approaches receive funding. The program comes as Bay restoration efforts face a critical juncture, with a looming 2025 deadline for pollution reduction goals and increasing demands for innovative, climate-resilient solutions.

Applications for the pilot program are due by February 3, 2025. A mandatory pre-application webinar will be held on January 6, 2025, offering details on submission requirements and program objectives.

For more information and to register for the webinar, visit DEQ’s website.