Chesapeake Bay Watershed Implementation Plan (WIP)

In 2010, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) established the Chesapeake Bay Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL), a historic and comprehensive water quality improvement plan to guide federal, state, and local actions to clean up the Chesapeake Bay.

In Virginia, the TMDL pollution reduction targets aim to reduce the amount of nitrogen by 20.5%, phosphorous by 25.2%, and sediment by 20.8% by 2025 through clean up practices known as best management practices (BMPs).

The Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) works with the CSPDC through the statewide Watershed Implementation Plan (WIP) to provide coordination and technical assistance to local governments and other stakeholders in the region to meet the state’s TMDL targets for the Potomac River Water Basin and Chesapeake Bay pollution reduction goals.

2025 WIP Program Activities

The 2025 CSPDC Chesapeake Bay WIP Scope of Work outlines three main implementation activities:

  1. Administer the CSPDC's Watershed Wellness Stormwater Grant Program
  2. Submit and administer a Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) Community Flood Preparedness Fund (CFPF) Regional Flood and Stormwater Plan Grant
  3. Provide grant assistance for localities that address water quality and stormwater issues

 

 

2025 Watershed Wellness Grant - Application Cycle Now Open 

The CSPDC Watershed Wellness Grant is a reimbursement grant that provides up to $100,000 in non-match funding for planning, design, and construction of practical, cost-effective, and ready-to-go best management practice (BMP) stormwater projects that improve water quality and reduce runoff in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Funding is available for localities and non-profits within the five-county CSPDC region. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis throughout 2025 until all grant program funds are expended. All projects must be complete by December 19, 2025.

The 2025 Watershed Wellness Mini-Grant Guide details the the grant goals, requirements, eligible activities, and timeline.

Download the 2025 Watershed Wellness Application, and submit the application and requested attachments to CSPDC WIP Coordinator Zach Beard at zach@cspdc.org. Important Watershed Wellness Grant dates are below:

  • Monday, January 13, 2025 - Application available on a rolling basis throughout 2025
  • Friday, December 19, 2025. Project complete.
  • Friday, January 9, 2025. Project Completion Report submission deadline.

Grant materials

2025 Watershed Wellness Grant Guide

2025 Watershed Wellness Grant Application 

Questions

Contact CSPDC WIP Coordinators Zach Beard at zach@cspdc.org or Rachel Kinzer at rachel@cspdc.org.