DEQ Proposes Updates to Virginia Stormwater Management Handbook

Summary — DEQ has released Version 1.2 of the Virginia Stormwater Management Handbook for public comment through December 17, 2025, updating the Handbook to align with recent amendments to the Virginia Erosion and Stormwater Management Regulation and new agency guidance. The update also incorporates stakeholder feedback by correcting errors, refining best management practice specifications, updating planting lists and replacing outdated figures.

The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is accepting comments on Version 1.2 of the Virginia Stormwater Management Handbook (the “Handbook”) (Version 1.2) until 11:59 PM on December 17, 2025. Version 1.2 updates Version 1.1 to align the Handbook with amendments to the Virginia Erosion and Stormwater Management (VESM) Regulation, 9VAC25-875, which took effect on August 14, 2025, and to incorporate guidance issued since Version 1.1 became effective. The update also addresses stakeholder feedback regarding corrections, updates, revisions, and additions to best management practice specifications.

On October 14, 2025, DEQ issued Guidance Memo No. GM24-2001 (the “Guidance Memo”) summarizing revisions included in Version 1.2.¹ The Guidance Memo highlights several categories of revisions and directs users to the Handbook and DEQ’s website for full details.

Key revisions in the Guidance Memo include:

• Correction of typographical errors and broken links from DEQ's 2025 website relaunch.
• Replacement of Figure 4.1, which showed Local Virginia Stormwater Management Program (VSMP) Authorities, with an updated figure that displays Local Virginia Erosion and Stormwater Management Program (VESMP) Authorities.
• Updates throughout to ensure consistency with amendments to the VESM Regulation that became effective on August 14, 2025. These updates address plan modifications and the enforceability of minimum standards, among other minor adjustments.
• Modification of specifications for temporary waterbars (C-ECM-08) and added a new specification for permanent waterbars (C-ECM-17). These changes aim to provide clear guidance and standards for the installation, conversion, and maintenance of both types of waterbars and their different design standards.
• Revisions to 61 Construction Best Management Practice specifications to correct errors, resolve conflicts, align with industry standards (including material availability), and meet the inspection requirements of the General Virginia Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Permit for Discharges from Construction Activities (9VAC25-880).
• Updates to planting lists to remove invasive species, incorporate more native species, and reference the most recently published plant lists maintained by the state.

Entities with planned or ongoing construction activities should review Version 1.2 to assess potential impacts on design, construction operations, maintenance, training procedures, and any relevant erosion and sediment control or stormwater management obligations. DEQ will continue to accept applications, plans, specifications, and other submissions developed using Version 1.1 until July 1, 2026, as long as they are submitted on or before June 30, 2026, and are deemed complete (as per 9VAC25-875-110). Beginning on July 1, 2026, DEQ will only accept submissions that adhere to Version 1.2 when DEQ acts as the VSMP or VESMP authority.

DEQ has posted Version 1.2 and a summary of changes on its website under the “Virginia Stormwater Management Handbook, Version 1.2” banner.² The Virginia Townhall page for the proposed change to the VSMH indicates the notice of the public comment period for Version 1.2 was published in Volume 42, Issue 7 of the Virginia Register on November 17, 2025. As previously stated, DEQ is accepting comments on Version 1.2 until 11:59 PM on December 17, 2025.