HARRISONBURG, Va. – The City of Harrisonburg’s Public Works Department is currently accepting comments on the Chesapeake Bay Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) Action Plan – a roadmap for reducing pollutants in local waterways
before they reach the coast.
The City is developing its third phase of the action plan, which quantifies the maximum amount of pollutants a waterway can carry and the amount of each pollutant that must be reduced to stay within this limit. The Chesapeake Bay TMDL
covers two pollutants: nitrogen and phosphorous. The deadline for comments is October 5.
The second phase of the Action Plan was completed in 2023, when the City reduced three pollutants by 35 percent. The third phase outlines how the City will meet the required 60 percent additional reductions that are needed for full compliance by 2028.
The public comment period provides an opportunity for community members to provide input on the additional best management practices (BMPs) proposed in the second phase as well as a chance to express any concerns about the plan.
Members of the community are encouraged to review the plan online at https://www.harrisonburgva.gov/MS4-permitprogram and ask City staff questions for additional information. A summary of comments received will be included in the
plan as well as any revisions made to the Action Plan as a result of public participation.
Comments can be submitted in writing to Harrisonburg Environmental and Sustainability Manager Keith Thomas at stormwater@harrisonburgva.gov or by mail to 320 E. Mosby Road, Harrisonburg, VA 22801.
