Portsmouth, Virginia invites public comment on Chesapeake Bay action plan for stormwater pollution reduction target

The City of Portsmouth invites the public to provide comments on the Updated Local TMDL Action Plan. The City’s overall strategy to meet the TMDL requirements includes continuation of local programs, including: public pet waste stations, local education, signage, and multidepartment communication to reduce bacteria pollutants in the rivers.

In 2010, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in conjunction with the Chesapeake Bay jurisdictions, established the Chesapeake Bay Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) or “pollution diet” that sets the maximum amount of pollutants that a waterway can receive without violating water quality standards. The TMDL included accountability measures to restore clean water in the Bay and local streams and rivers. The City of Portsmouth (City) has developed its Local Bacteria Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) Action Plan (Plan) for the approved local TMDL reports for Elizabeth River and Hoffler Creek watersheds, as required by the Virginia Stormwater Management Program (VSMP) Individual Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) Permit (Permit No. VA0088668), which was effective on January 22, 2024 and expires on January 21, 2029.

The Local streams TMDL requires Portsmouth to achieve specific nutrient reductions through local stormwater management programs. The City’s Municipal Separate Storm Sewer (MS4) Permit, issued by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (VDEQ), requires Portsmouth to reach the following reduction targets:

• Allocated Load counts per day of less than 4.42E+12 in the eastern, southern branch for an overall reduction of 95%
• Allocated Load counts per day of less than 9.77E+12 in the western branch for an overall reduction of 95%
• Allocated Load counts per day of less than 4.79E+11 in the paradise creek for an overall reduction of 95%

The deadline for public comment is June 21, 2025.