Board of Supervisors Work Session

On Wednesday, December 1st, the Board of Supervisors discussed fourteen proposals to improve stream health during a work session. We invite you to review the staff reports and view the meeting recording. 

Utilizing feedback and input from stakeholders and the broader community and active collaboration with technical experts from partner organizations, the project team developed a variety of proposals that include regulations; incentives and voluntary opportunities; and monitoring, education, and partnerships.

Why Focus on Stream Health?

Healthy streams & riparian corridors provide many benefits to our county including protecting our supply of clean drinking water, flood protection, wildlife habitat, recreational activities, and supporting agriculture & other industries.

Water quality monitoring by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) tells us that 59% of the miles of rivers and streams that the agency has tested in Albemarle County are currently impaired. These data, combined with land cover and stream buffer data, show opportunities for improvement.

The Stream Health Initiative seeks to improve the county’s waterways to maximize benefits to the community and the natural environment.

Reference Library

  • Albemarle County Website Find detailed information about stream health including the current conditions of our waters, water protection policies, the benefits of healthy streams, and opportunities for landowners.

Receive Project Updates

Click here to subscribe to the "Stream Health Initiative" email list

Community Kickoff Video

Below you'll be able to view the recorded Community Kickoff. You'll hear a brief introduction to the topic of stream health, including the current conditions of our waters, and learn about the timeline and ways to participate.

Our Public Engagement Goals

  • Inform participants about the project, the process, and provide background information to prepare everyone to participate fully.
  • Create space to share and understand different perspectives, knowledge, and experiences.
  • Reduce barriers to participation.
  • Learn who we are, and who we are not, reaching and adjust approach to respond accordingly.
  • Create an inviting, enjoyable experience and get lots of folks to participate in the process.

Learn about how the Stream Health Initiative is helping to support other County priorities. Access the Alignment with Other County Plans table.

Read the Vision and Goals for Stream Health in our Community, developed by the Stream Health Initiative Stakeholder Work Group with additional feedback from the broader community.

This website is the project hub for Phase 2 of the Stream Health Initiative. Phase I, which began in 2017 and is still ongoing, focuses on development-related issues and strategies for improving stream health. Phase 2 will be focused on rural land use issues and strategies for improving stream health in the Rural Areas.

Project Team Contacts

Project Lead
Kim Biasiolli, Natural Resources Manager
kbiasiolli@albemarle.org

Newsletter Archive

January 8, 2021
January 15, 2021
February 18, 2021
March 12, 2021
May 13, 2021
August 19, 2021
November 24, 2021

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Stage 1: DISCOVER (Jan-March 2021)

Stage 1 is focused on building a shared understanding of the current condition of our waters and identifying challenges related to improving stream health in the Rural Areas. We will provide you with opportunities to share your expertise, knowledge, and experience. Input provided will be used to guide the focus of discussions and design recommendations for subsequent stages of the project.

Participate: Review the Discover Questionnaire responses
Learn: Stream Health Community Learning Series

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Stage 2: DEFINE (Apr-June 2021)

Stage 2 will involve identifying the challenges we face and opportunities to work together to achieve mutual goals. We will explore different concepts and innovative solutions for improving stream health in the Rural Areas and discuss options we might pursue in Albemarle County.

During this stage, County staff will collaborate primarily with the Stakeholder Work Group but will continue to receive input from the public and adjust our approach as needed. 

Participate: Review the Define Questionnaire responses

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Stage 3: DEVELOP (July-Sept 2021)

The focus of Stage 3 is review of selected strategies and development of specific proposals to improve stream health in the Rural Areas. Opportunities for collaboration between County Staff and the Stakeholder Work Group will continue, with a focus on evaluation and finalization of the proposals.

In this stage, we will involve the BOS to provide input and help work through the details and feasibility of each proposal.  In an open and transparent process, we will maintain a continuous feedback loop of providing information and receiving input from the public. 

Participate: Review the Develop Questionnaire responses

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Stage 4: DECIDE (Oct-Dec 2021)

Stage 4 of the project is when final decisions will be made about how the County will move forward with improving stream health in the Rural Area.  The final proposals will be presented to the Board of Supervisors during a work session. Implementation of the selected strategies and solutions will extend beyond this timeframe. 

View the Board of Supervisors work session via live stream on December 1st at 1:40 pm