Virginia Regulatory Town Hall
Agency
Virginia Department of Health
 
Board
State Board of Health
 
Guidance Document Change: The Guidance for Cyanobacteria Bloom Recreational Advisory Management requires revision for the Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) response season, beginning in April 2025. The proposed revision includes the DEQ and VDH staff recommendations, which allow for more extensive and targeted monitoring of algal toxins in recreational freshwater areas during a HAB, and for using toxin data alone for recreational advisory determinations. These recommendations are based on a review of current processes for HAB monitoring and managing recreational HAB advisories, final recommendations from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on protecting human health risks from incidental ingestion while recreating in freshwaters, data collected from Virginia HAB investigations with paired cell counts and toxin assays, and budget and staff efficiencies. This approach is supported by both VDH and DEQ agency secretaries.
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5/16/25  5:06 pm
Commenter: Roy and Theresa Perkins - 138 Lake Court, Bumpass, Louisa County

Lake Anna Harmful Algae Bloom Notification Protocol
 

BLUF:   We object to the proposed change eliminating cynobacteria cell counts in the Lake Anna HAB Advisory Protocol and support the Lake Anna Civic Association efforts to continue current HAB advisory protocols.

For the past 2 summers, we have been short term rental STR owners of a mid-lake home on the public side of Lake Anna.   While our location has not been affected by HAB, we have had comments that our location was preferred based upon notifications recieved from VDH.     We belong to a group of STR owners who also identify that VDH notifications asssist in the management of their properties. 

This year, we have pulled our house from the STR market to conduct a major renovation in preparation for making Lake Anna our primary residence.    VDH ability to accurately track HAB using every tool (including cell counts) will keep my family safe and enjoying the lake. 

CommentID: 235382