Watershed Managementas a Compliance Tool: A Holistic Approach to Compliance with MS4 Permits and TMDLs in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed

Communities across the U.S. are faced with meeting multiple regulatory requirements of the Clean Water Act, often while dealing with perennial budget constraints and interdepartmental issues. Identifying the most cost-effective approach to stormwater management can be a struggle.With its location in the Chesapeake Bay watershed, Chesterfield County, Virginia is required to not only meet its MS4 permit requirements, but to comply with stringent TMDLs and manage its stormwater system on a set budget. This paper reviews the evolution of stormwater management in the U.S. ; the movement toward integration of infrastructure, regulations, and funding; and a holistic approach to regulatory compliance.The key for Chesterfield County’s approach was the development a watershed-focused Compliance Plan to guide its stormwater management program, MS4 permit, and Chesapeake Bay TMDL implementation efforts. The Plan is an important step in helping communities determine pertinent watershed information, assess existing stormwater programs, and establish a proactive cost-effective approach towards meeting regulatory requirements.