The Virginian-Pilot
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RICHMOND
Tougher rules to prevent pollution from entering the Chesapeake Bay would be put on hold under a measure endorsed Wednesday by a key House committee.
The bill, sponsored by Del. Tim Hugo, R-Fairfax County, deals with regulations that govern how development should be built and where to avoid sending oil, fertilizers and other toxins into the Chesapeake Bay.
If approved, the stormwater regulations would no longer go into effect this summer. Instead, their start date would be pushed back until either 280 days after the Environmental Protection Agency comes out with new figures on proper nutrient levels in the Bay, or December 2011, whichever comes first.
The idea is to provide consistency for developers, instead of putting a set of regulations in place that could be changed shortly afterward to better fit with new federal numbers, Hugo said.
"It's a fair way to proceed," he said. "Within that window, people would have just stopped building."
The Chesapeake Bay Foundation said it did not oppose the measure, adding that regulations should be based on the latest available data.
The House Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources Committee voted 21-0 Wednesday to send the bill on to the full House.
The vote comes weeks after a state panel decided to delay implementing the new stormwater management rules, citing concerns from builders and developers. The decision means the rules must undergo another round of public comment, and will require Gov. Bob McDonnell's signature. McDonnell has been critical of stormwater regulations in the past.
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Loadings of Sediments, Nutrients, Oils, Grease, and Bunk
For the DCR to yield to pressures from construction and agricultural groups to quash implementation of newly formed regulations to control loadings of pollutants into nearby waters is sad and reflects quite poorly on the environmental stance of the Commonwealth. Looks like everything waits on the EPA to decide how nationwide permits will look before Virginia acts. How many more tons of sediments, nutrients and other known and troublesome pollutants will wash from farm field and construction site before the State acts to control those sites? The sole use of best management practices is fine if one can trust, without question, the applicant of those minimal practices. However, with reduced budgets, resources and staffing for all agencies tasked with confirmation of compliant practices and actions in the field, it will be difficult or impossible to respond to citizen complaints and/or inspect sites regularly, if at all. Under the new administration, Virginia is not only open for business but appears welcoming of all their pollution and toxic discharges to waters of this grand Commonwealth.
Another study
How mush can you idiots spend on sudy after study. And most times by groups from out of stste.
Let's ask our Universities and colleges to perform these. They know so much, and some would appreciate the funds.
It's not about a "study"
That's just a code word for the Agriculture lobbyists getting paid and giving donations to the Agriculture Committee to vote in favor of continued pollution to line all their pockets.