Virginia Regulatory Town Hall View Comments

Virginia Department of Health

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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5/19/25 11:31 am

Commenter: Theo

proposed changes to the VDH HAB Advisory Protocol

I'm writing about eliminating cell counts of cyanobacteria as a primary trigger for issuing a HAB Advisory. I am concerned that this will delay advisories if cell counts are no longer a primary trigger. Please be pro-active not re-active. Is this change being made for budgetary reasons? Please consider not only the health and safety of those recreating at Lake Anna, but the economic impact that harmful algae blooms have on the community. Please keep the cell counts as a trigger for issuing advisories. Thank you

CommentID: 235628