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CHESAPEAKE BAY LOCAL ASSISTANCE
Technical Assistance and Guidance

Local government liaison network

Division staff are assigned to localities within Tidewater to facilitate local program development and review. The liaison network is aligned along planning district lines and allows the small staff at the Division to respond to specific program needs of the 84 local governments in Tidewater. The liaison network also enables localities to receive consistent assistance from one individual and thus establish a strong working relationship. To find the liaison for your locality, scroll through the "contact" page. Click here to go to the contact page.

Technical assistance and training for local governments

The Department offers a number of technical assistance services to the local governments. These services include:

  • Training and assistance in making site-specific RPA determinations.

  • Training and assistance in proper buffer management and restoration.

  • Training and assistance in perennial flow determinations (PFD).

  • Assistance in reviewing site plans compliance with the requirements of the Bay Act and local implementing ordinance.

Training can be arranged on an individual or group basis. Training can provide good insights for DCR - DCBLA staff as well regarding needed guidance items, implementation issues, and gives the localities an opportunity to interact with the DCR - DCBLA staff.

DCR - DCBLA frequently performs advisory plan review services for a number of localities. Some localities opt to send us most, if not all, of their CBPA plans. Our review is advisory in nature, intended to help to local government in implementing the Act and Regs, and we can limit the review to specific portions of a project, or expand the review to a comprehensive review dependent on the locality's needs. To inquire about or arrange for any of these services please contact Shawn Smith at (804) 371-0609 or email her at: Shawn.Smith@dcr.virginia.gov

Training workshops

The Department has conducted a range of local government training programs in the following areas: initial program development, stormwater management calculation procedure, wetlands delineation, computer software for program administration, site plan review and comprehensive planning. The Department will conduct biannual surveys of Tidewater local governments to determine their training needs. This information will be used to develop and schedule training for local governments.

Advisory plan review

The Department provides advisory review of local site plans, subdivision plats and water quality impact assessments as requested by Tidewater local governments.

Comprehensive plan assistance

In addition to the training mentioned above, the Department will provide assistance to local governments in preparing revisions to their comprehensive plans. Technical studies will establish a foundation for the development of appropriate local water quality improvement policies and strategies.