Stormwater
Stormwater from roads, buildings, lawns and parking lots carry pollutants to streams and rivers to the Chesapeake Bay. Hanover County's stormwater brochure (PDF) talks about improving water quality in our streams and rivers.
Requirements for erosion and sediment control, drainage, flood plains and wetlands, protect waterways and apply to these activities:
- Land clearing / tree removal
- Areas being filled with soil or having soil removed
- Construction (homes, barns, riding rinks, trails, ponds, roads, stream crossings, etc.)
Municipal Separate Storm Sewer (MS4) Permit
Additionally Hanover County administers a Municipal Separate Storm Sewer (MS4) permit to reduce and remove pollutants from streams and rivers. As a requirement of the MS4 permit Hanover County has developed a Chesapeake Bay Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) Action Plan (PDF) to improve the water quality of the Chesapeake Bay. View a summary of projects addressing the action plan (PDF).
To report potential illicit discharges, improper disposal or spills to the MS4, questions regarding land disturbing activities, provide input on the MS4 program plan, or other potential stormwater pollution concerns, the Public Works Department can be reached at 804-365-6181 or [email protected]
Chesapeake Bay Preservation Area Mapping
Local governments are required to prepare generalized mapping of Chesapeake Bay Preservation areas (CBPA) based on the requirements of the CBPA regulations. Provided below are Hanover County’s generalized maps depicting Chesapeake Bay Resource Protection areas (RPA) and Resource Management areas (RMA).
Hanover County staff are available to assist with the interpretation of these maps. When a site is developed, a site-specific evaluation is conducted to determine whether water bodies on or adjacent to the development site have perennial flow. RPA boundaries are established based on this site specific information. Developers conduct the evaluation and submit the required information with the development plans for the site.