VIRGINIA ASSOCIATION OF SOIL & WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICTS BOARD MEETING
MOTION REGARDING THE ORGANIZATION OF WATER QUALITY PROGRAMS IN VA
Motion: In order to provide the most effective and efficient water quality planning, management,
and operation for all the citizens of the Commonwealth, the Virginia Association of Soil and Water
Conservation Districts supports the consolidation of Virginia’s water quality programs within the
Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) under the following conditions:

All voluntary programs administered by soil and water conservation districts will remain
voluntary after the consolidation of water quality programs within DEQ.

DEQ will provide technical and financial assistance to districts through a DEQ division
completely separate from DEQ regulatory programs.

Conservation District Coordinators and other Department of Conservation and Recreation
employees providing support for district programs moving to DEQ will be transferred to
DEQ.

The Virginia Soil and Water Conservation Board (a state citizen board) will retain oversight
of soil and water conservation district programs, making decisions on district operational
funding, Agricultural Best Management Program, nutrient management regulations,
resource management plans, and other programs related to districts. Regulatory programs
including erosion and sediment control, stormwater management, MS4 and Total Maximum
Daily Load should be transferred to the State Water Control Board.

Districts will be placed under a Division of Soil & Water Conservation and a Division logo
developed to be placed on all forms and correspondence. DEQ will recognize that the
Division of Soil & Water Conservation provides non-regulatory advisory services to the
citizens of the Commonwealth

Districts will not be expected to report suspected regulatory problems.
Motion passed at VASWCD Annual Business Meeting held on December 4, 2012