Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Environmental Regulation topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Panel approves bill to align erosion‑and‑sediment civil penalties with stormwater law
Summary
HB 1350 would level civil penalties under the Virginia erosion and sediment control program with stormwater management penalties; DEQ and conservation groups supported the change and the subcommittee voted to report the bill.
The sponsor introduced House Bill 1350 as an update to Virginia's erosion and sediment control program. The measure would align civil penalties for erosion and sediment control violations with penalties currently used under stormwater management law; the sponsor said the goal is to make fines at the start of projects commensurate with those at the end.
Mike Grohlman, director of the Department of Environmental Quality, told the subcommittee the intent is to 'level set' penalties and noted federal standards are indexed to inflation; he observed Virginia penalties have lagged. Supporters including Friends of the Rappahannock, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation and the Virginia Conservation Network told the panel that stronger and consistent penalties will provide deterrence and regulatory certainty. The subcommittee voted to report HB 1350 to the full committee.
