Section 10. Definitions

The following words and terms when used in this chapter shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

"Assessment" means an onsite review of a management unit.

"Best management practice" or "BMP" means structural and nonstructural practices that manage soil loss, nutrient losses, or other pollutant sources to minimize pollution of water resources and improve water quality.

"Board" means the Virginia Soil and Water Conservation Board.

"Corrective action agreement" means a written agreement that guides the owner or operator in the steps needed and the specific remedies required to return to compliance with the minimum standards of a resource management plan.

"Department" means the Department of Conservation and Recreation.

"Management unit" means one or more agricultural fields or United States Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency tracts under the control of the owner or operator and identified as the appropriate unit for RMP implementation. The management unit may consist of multiple fields and tracts or an entire agricultural operation.

"NRCS" means the United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service.

"Operator" means a person who exercises managerial control over the management unit.

"Owner" means a person who owns land included in a management unit.

"Person" means an individual, corporation, partnership, association, state, municipality, commission, or political subdivision of a state, governmental body, any interstate body, or any other legal entity.

"Perennial stream" means water bodies depicted as solid blue lines on the most recent U.S. Geological Survey 7-1/2 minute topographic quadrangle map (scale 1:24,000); or a body of water that flows in a natural or man-made channel year-round during a year of normal precipitation as a result of groundwater discharge or surface runoff. Such stream exhibits the typical biological, hydrological, and physical characteristics commonly associated with the continuous conveyance of water. However, determinations based on site-specific characteristics shall be made or confirmed by the RMP developer.

"Resource management plan" or "RMP" means a plan developed and implemented pursuant to the standards established by this chapter.

"Review authority" means a soil and water conservation district or the department where applicable that is authorized under this chapter to determine the adequacy of a resource management plan and perform other duties specified by this chapter.

"RMP developer" means an individual who meets the qualifications established by this chapter to prepare or revise a resource management plan.

"Soil and water conservation district" or "district" means a political subdivision of the Commonwealth organized in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 5 (§ 10.1-500 et seq.) of Title 10.1 of the Code of Virginia.

"Technical Review Committee" or "TRC" means a committee established by a soil and water conservation district board to review RMPs and provide recommendations to the soil and water conservation district board regarding RMPs. A TRC may include, but not be limited to, the following members: soil and water conservation district directors, associates, and personnel; Virginia Cooperative Extension personnel; department nutrient management specialists; and such other technical resources available to the district.

"Total maximum daily load" or "TMDL" means a calculation of the maximum amount of a pollutant that a waterbody can receive and still meet water quality standards and an allocation of that amount to the pollutant's sources. A TMDL includes wasteload allocations for point source discharges and load allocations for nonpoint sources or natural background, or both, and must include a margin of safety and account for seasonal variations.

Historical Notes

Derived from Volume 30, Issue 18, eff. July 1, 2014.

Statutory Authority

§ 10.1-104.8 of the Code of Virginia.