Section 90. Review and evaluation of VESCPs: minimum program standards

A. This section sets forth the criteria that will be used by the department to determine whether a VESCP operating under authority of the Act, satisfies minimum standards of effectiveness, as follows.

Each VESCP must contain an ordinance or other appropriate document or documents adopted by the VESCP authority. Such document or documents must be consistent with the Act and this chapter, including the following criteria:

1. The document or documents shall include or reference the definition of land-disturbing activity including exemptions, as well as any other significant terms, as necessary to produce an effective VESCP.

2. The document or documents shall identify the VESCP authority and any soil and water conservation district, adjacent locality, or other public or private entities that the VESCP authority entered into agreements or contracts with to assist with carrying out the provisions of the Act and this chapter, and must include the requirements and design standards to be used in the program.

3. The document or documents shall include procedures for submission and approval of plans, issuance of permits, monitoring and inspections of land-disturbing activities. The position, agency, department, or other party responsible for conducting inspections shall be identified. The VESCP authority shall maintain, either on-site or in VESCP files, a copy of the approved plan and a record of inspections for each active land-disturbing activity.

4. Each VESCP operated by a county, city, or town shall include provisions for the integration of the VESCP with Virginia stormwater management, flood insurance, flood plain management, and other programs requiring compliance prior to authorizing a land-disturbing activity in order to make the submission and approval of plans, issuance of permits, payment of fees, and coordination of inspection and enforcement activities more convenient and efficient both for the local governments and those responsible for compliance with the programs.

5. The VESCP authority must take appropriate enforcement actions, where authorized to do so, to achieve compliance with the program and maintain a record of enforcement actions for all active land-disturbing activities.

B. The department shall periodically conduct a comprehensive review and evaluation of local programs. The department will coordinate the review with its other program reviews for the same entity to avoid redundancy. The review and evaluation of a local program shall consist of the following: (i) consultation with the local program administrator or designee or designees; (ii) review of the local ordinance and other applicable documents; (iii) review of plans approved by the program; (iv) inspection of regulated activities; and (v) review of enforcement actions where authorized to do so. The department is also authorized to conduct a partial program compliance review.

C. Local programs shall be reviewed and evaluated for effectiveness in carrying out the Act and this chapter using the criteria in this section.

D. If deficiencies noted in the review will cause the erosion and sediment control program to be inconsistent with the state program and this chapter, the board shall provide the VESCP authority with a copy of its decision that specifies the deficiencies, action needed to be taken, and an approved corrective action plan and schedule required to attain the minimum standard of effectiveness. If the VESCP authority has not implemented the necessary compliance actions identified by the board within the corrective action schedule, or such additional period as is granted to complete the implementation of the corrective action, then the board shall have the authority to (i) issue a special order to any VESCP imposing a civil penalty set out in § 62.1-44.15:54 F of the Act or (ii) revoke its approval of the VESCP. The Administrative Process Act (§ 2.2-4000 et seq. of the Code of Virginia) shall govern the review activities and proceedings of the board and the judicial review thereof. In lieu of issuing a special order or revoking the program, the board is authorized to take legal action against a VESCP to ensure compliance.

E. Review and evaluation of VESCPs shall be conducted according to a schedule adopted by the department.

Historical Notes

Former 4VAC50-30-90, derived from VR625-02-00 § 9, eff. September 13, 1990; amended, Volume 11, Issue 11, eff. March 22, 1995; Volume 29, Issue 04, eff. November 21, 2012; amended and renumbered, Virginia Register Volume 30, Issue 02, eff. October 23, 2013.

Statutory Authority

§ 62.1-44.15:52 of the Code of Virginia.