The Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) announces the release of Virginia’s Draft 2020-2021 Milestones for public review beginning March 9, 2020. These milestones were developed by the various agencies responsible for implementing Virginia\'s Phase III Watershed Implementation Plan (WIP). Virginia is committed to setting and working towards two-year Milestones to improve water quality in accordance with the Chesapeake Bay Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL). These milestones are a part of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency\'s (EPA) accountability framework designed to ensure, with confidence, that the nitrogen, phosphorous, and sediment allocations of the TMDL will be met.

The review period begins March 9, 2020 and will conclude April 7, 2020. Beginning March 9, 2020 the draft documents can be found on DEQ\'s Chesapeake Bay TMDL Phase III Watershed Implementation Planning webpage. We invite review by all stakeholders and the general public.

Virginia’s Final 2020-2021 Milestones will be submitted to EPA no later than May 30, 2020 and will be available no later than June 13, 2020 on DEQ\'s Chesapeake Bay Nutrient and Sediment Reduction Milestones webpage.

WRITTEN COMMENTS:

Written comments on the Draft 2020-2021 Milestones may be submitted by any of the three methods listed below. Please include the name and mailing address (or e-mail address) of the commenter.

1. E-mail: chesbayplan@DEQ.Virginia.gov
2. Postal mail: DEQ, ATTN: Chesbayplan, P.O. Box 1105, Richmond, VA 23218
3. Hand-delivery: DEQ, ATTN: Chesbayplan, 1111 East Main Street, Suite 1400, Richmond, VA 23219 (Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., except on state holidays and any other days on which state offices in the Richmond area are closed)

CONTACTS FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Michael Murphy, (804) 698-4139, Michael.Murphy@DEQ.Virginia.gov   

James Martin, (804) 698-4298, James.Martin@DEQ.Virginia.gov

Arianna Johns, (804) 698-4525, Arianna.Johns@DEQ.Virginia.gov