This one-day workshop is for stormwater and litter prevention professionals is hosted by Clean Virginia Waterways and the Virginia Coastal Zone Management Program on September 8th at Pocahontas State Park.  The workshop will address urban trash pollution and strategies employed to intercept a piece of trash before it becomes part of stormwater runoff and is conveyed to and through the storm sewer system.

This workshop will address the pressing need to address stormwater challenges in Virginia, where rising sea levels and increased precipitation intensify the risks of flooding and water pollution. Workshop participants will be equipped with practical strategies and innovative approaches to manage stormwater effectively while enhancing the resilience of their communities. This workshop will emphasize the need for collaboration and proactive planning to mitigate the impacts of stormwater on both natural ecosystems and human settlements in Virginia.

We will share ideas through case studies, networking, and discussions and address funding, behavioral changes, legislation, and more!

Tentative Agenda

11:00-11:10: Virginia Coastal Zone Management Program, Welcome and Intro

11:10-11:35: Secretary of Natural & Historic Resources, David Bulova - Opening Remarks with Q & A

11:40-12:00: Clean Virginia Waterways, Christina Trapani - Overview of the 2026-2030 VMDRP

12:00- 1:00: Working lunch and break out session

1:00-1:30 Surfrider Foundation South Jersey Chapter, Brian Thompson - Cut the Dust Program

1:35-2:05 James River Association, Speaker and Topic TBA

2:10-2:40 Sea Grant Fellow, Zane Ruzicka - Plastic Pellet BMPs

2:40-2:50 Break

2:50-3:15 Clean Virginia Waterways, Zach Huntington - Cost of Plastic in Virginia

3:20-3:50 Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), Fernando Pasquel - Topic TBA

3:45- 4:00 Virginia Coastal Zone Management Program, Closing Remarks/Final Q & A