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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5/17/25 9:39 am

Commenter: Steven M Jones

Proposed Changes to Harmful Algae Bloom Advisory Protocol

I am writing to express my concern over the proposed change in the advisory protocol. I strongly feel that removing cell counts as a primary trigger could shift the protocol towards a more reactive approach, potentially delaying public notification and increasing the risk of exposure to harmful cyanotoxins, especially during the early stages of bloom development when cell densities can be high even before toxin levels spike. I am also concerned about the potential impact this change could have on demonstrating the ongoing need for funding and support for HAB mitigation efforts at Lake Anna and within the affected watershed.

CommentID: 235411