Development of a state-mandated stormwater program was the topic of a presentation given before the Mathews County Board of Supervisors last month by Middle Peninsula Planning District Commission Executive Director Lewie Lawrence.

Lawrence said the MPPDC became involved in the issue to consolidate the efforts of local governments in the district and help them develop a less expensive, more cost-effective, and higher-quality program than would be possible for each locality to do independently.

In order to develop the plan, the MPPDC applied for and received two grants, said Lawrence, one of only 12 awarded nationwide by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and one from the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation to help reduce the cost of governmental services, assist local staff, and establish consistent requirements for developers.

The requirement to develop a stormwater program is driven by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean Water Act, said...