Regional Stormwater Management

The Roanoke Valley-Alleghany Regional Commission is working with the region’s local governments and state agencies to assess ways to work cooperatively to address stormwater issues affecting the region. The Regional Commission works to coordinate the Stormwater Advisory Commitee, which examines opportunities to work regionally to reduce flooding while improving the water quality of the rivers and streams in the region, and assists local governments in meeting mandated stormwater management activities.

Virginia Stormwater Management Program (VSMP)

The Virginia Stormwater Management Program (VSMP) includes both erosion and sediment control as well as stormwater management. The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is the lead agency for developing and implementing statewide nonpoint source pollution control programs to protect the Commonwealth’s water quality and quantity.The Stormwater Act and Virginia Stormwater Management Program (VSMP) permit regulations provide DEQ the ability to manage the quantity and quality of stormwater runoff on construction sites as well as on a regional or watershed basis. Visit DEQ’s website on Stormwater Management for more information.

Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) Permits

Many of the state’s storm sewer systems empty directly into rivers and streams. The EPA’s National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) mandates that such discharges in ‘urbanized areas’ are regulated under a general permit. Discharges from municipal separate storm sewer systems (MS4s) are regulated under the Virginia Stormwater Management Act, the Virginia Stormwater Management Program (VSMP) Permit regulations, and the Clean Water Act as point source discharges. Phase II Small MS4s in ‘urbanized areas’ include storm sewer systems operated by cities, counties, towns, and federal and state facilities. MS4 localities and facilities in the RVARC region include:

• City of Roanoke
• City of Salem
• Botetourt County
• Roanoke County
• Town of Vinton
• Veterans Administration Medical Center
• Virginia Western Community College

Under the general permit, Phase II Small MS4s must develop, implement and enforce a program that includes the following “six minimum control measures” and associated best management practices (BMPs)

• Public education and outreach on stormwater impacts
• Public involvement and participation
• Illicit discharge detection and elimination
• Construction site stormwater runoff control
• Post-construction stormwater management in new development and redevelopment
• Pollution prevention/good housekeeping for municipal operations  

Additional Stormwater Management Resources

Clean Valley Council 
Western Virginia Water Authority
Virginia Department of Transportation

National Menu of Stormwater Best Management Practices
Virginia Stormwater Management Best Management Practice (BMP) Clearinghouse

Virginia Environmental Geographic Information System (VEGIS)

For more information about Water Quality concerns, visit our Water Supply and Water Quality page.