The Roanoke Valley-Alleghany Regional Commission (RVARC) plays a pivotal role in stormwater management across the region, working in tandem with local governments, state agencies, and federal bodies to address and mitigate stormwater issues. This collaborative approach aims to reduce flooding risks while improving the water quality of rivers and streams in the region, ensuring environmental sustainability and public safety. Key to RVARC’s stormwater management efforts is its involvement with the Virginia Stormwater Management Program (VSMP). This program encompasses both erosion and sediment control as well as comprehensive stormwater management, overseen by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). The VSMP is integral in managing stormwater runoff, especially in construction sites, and adopts a regional or watershed approach to ensure water quality and quantity are maintained in line with state and federal standards.
Stormwater Management
Environment, Sustainability, Hazard Mitigation
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