Municipal Growth Issues

• Unprecedented development, which results in an increase of impervious (hardened) surfaces, may contribute to the increase of sediment and runoff pollutants in the waterways. Low water clarity prevents the growth of aquatic vegetation.  There are no bottom grasses in the Nansemond. 

• Increased design standards for run off catchment basins and protection of the 100-foot vegetated buffer along the River can help the flow of sediment and other elements.

• Environmental governmental regulations, such as the Chesapeake Bay Preservation Act (CBPA), need to be properly enforced. Scientific research supports the fundamental premise of the CBPA, the significance of the 100-foot buffer area as an important natural stormwater runoff filter. The state legislature agreed with the research by passing the CBPA.

• The benefits of a vegetated buffer should not be trivialized by citizens and developers.