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Virginia Loses Federal Bay Restoration Funds

Chesapeake Bay, 123rf,com

NORFOLK, Va. (AP) - Virginia is losing federal aid for Chesapeake Bay restoration projects because regulators aren't satisfied with the state's efforts to address storm water pollution.

The Virginian-Pilot  says the Environmental Protection Agency notified the state late last month that it is withholding $1.2 million in grant money. Virginia was supposed to receive more than $2.4 million this year.

The EPA cited Virginia's lack of progress in reducing storm water runoff from city streets, parking lots and urban storm drains. If Virginia makes improvements, it can reapply for the funding.

Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation spokesman Gary Waugh says the state has been working to improve its storm water program. 

Don Rush is the News Director and Senior Producer of News and Public Affairs at Delmarva Public Media. An award-winning journalist, Don reports major local issues of the day, from sea level rise, to urban development, to the changing demographics of Delmarva.