Chesapeake's Environment

Positive Environmental Steps

The City of Chesapeake takes positive steps toward improving the environment by participating in the following areas: recycling, Central Fleet Environmental Management System, substituting hazardous materials with non-hazardous, Environmental Policy Statement, energy reduction measures, paper-use reduction measures, and computer recycling. Find out more about the Sustainable Chesapeake Initiative.

Citizens can be involved by educating themselves on environmental best practices, participating in various programs and using resources wisely.

Trash, Waste & Recycling

• Waste Management Division
• Facts About Litter, Trash & Recycling (flyer)
• Bulk Trash: More Info
• Dead Animal Removal
• Citizen Waste Collection and Recycling Survey
• Recycling – including curbside
• Hazardous Waste
• Waste Disposal (brochure)

Water Conservation

• What Can I Do To Conserve Water or H2ouse Water Saver Home
• Water Quality Report

Stormwater Education

• Public Education
• Stormwater Utility Fee
• Best Management Practice (BMPs)
• Preventing Stormwater Pollution
• Soil Disposal Program
• The Chesapeake Stormwater Committee
• EPA Stormwater Program
• Stormwater Brochure

Mosquito Control

• Controlling Mosquito Populations
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Tips for Residents
• Request Mosquito Control Spraying
  • Service Area Maps

Building & Land Development

• Best Management Practice (BMP) Inspection Program
• Maintenance of Ditches, Storm Drains & Other Structures
• Commercial Land Disturbing Permits
• Residential Land Disturbing Permits
• Inspections
• Landscape Information
• Wetland Regulations
• Wetlands and Natural Resource Permitting
• CBPA Guidelines & Information

Get Involved

• Chesapeake Environmental Improvement Council (CEIC)
• Business Beautification
• Notable Yards
• Adopt a Garden or Highway with Public Works
  Invites groups and organizations to select a specific site to adopt and promise to keep it free from litter at least four times per year for a two-year period. Orange vests and trash bags are provided. Road signs identifying the adopting group are erected. Program sponsors include the CEIC, Chesapeake Public Works Department, and the Virginia Department of Transportation.
• Adopt a Park with Parks & Recreation
  Civic organizations and businesses are encouraged to take an active role in helping to beautify the city by creating and maintaining a garden on selected medians, parks, municipal grounds, or other public locations. Some participants take a hands-on approach by designing, planting, and maintaining the gardens for a two-year period. Others agree to pay for a professional landscaping company to do the work. A sign is erected to identify the participating group. Sponsors include the Department of Public Works, Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism, and the CEIC.

Chesapeake Participates in Positive Environmental Initiatives

1. Recycling – Various departments are recycling materials; data is available.
2. Central Fleet Environmental Management System – Central Fleet has received the Environmental Enterprise (E2) designation from the Virginia Dept of Environmental Quality (VDEQ) Virginia Environmental Excellence Program. The City is shown on the VDEQ website.
3. Substituting hazardous material with non-hazardous. Efforts have been made by various departments and divisions, namely Public Works, Central Fleet, and Mosquito Control.
4. Environmental Policy Statement – signed by Mayor Ward in 2002 (not currently on the website)
5. Energy Reduction Measures (as applicable)
6. Paper Use Reduction Measures (use of scanner/copiers, two-sided printing, e-mail, etc.)
7. Chesapeake Arboretum
8. Computer Recycling – City participates in Dell return program.
9. Money Point Task Force – The City was an active participant.
10. Rt 17/Dismal Swamp Canal Trail

Environmental Ordinances & Associated State and Federal Regs

Chesapeake Bay Preservation Act

• Chesapeake Bay Preservation Act
• CBPA – General Information, Schedules, Forms

Environmental Ordinances

• Environmental Site Assessment – Phase I & II ESA
• Environmental Disclosure

Erosion & Sediment Control

• DCR Erosion & Sediment Control Program
• Commercial Land Disturbing Permits
• Residential Land Disturbing Permits

Landscaping

• Landscaping Ordinance
• Landscape Specifications Manual Adopted 9/16/08 – Effective 10/16/08
• Landscaping and Tree Preservation

Wetlands

• U.S. Army Corps Wetlands Regulations – Norfolk District
• Virginia Code
• Virginia DEQ Wetland Regulations
• Wetlands
• Wetlands Advocacy

Resources & Links

State of Virginia & Local

• Elizabeth River Project
• HRPDC – Hampton Roads Planning District Commission
• HRSD – Hampton Roads Sanitation District
• Resources for Everything Green in Hampton Roads
• VDCR – Virginia Department of Conservation & Recreation
• VDEQ – Virginia Dept. of Environmental Quality
• VDH – Virginia Dept. of Health - Office of Environmental Health Services
• VMRC – Virginia Marine Resource Commission

Federal

• EPA – U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
• Indoor Air Quality
• USACOE – U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

Contacts – Quick Reference List