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City of Newport News
Chesapeake Bay TMDL Action Plan
(2024-2029 MS4 Permit Cycle)
5.2 Summary of Comments and Actions Taken
Recommendations and concerns received during the public comment period are summarized below:
• Recommendation to discontinue the City’s loose-leaf collection program; leaves are put out too
early by residents and are allowed to wash into storm drains which is not good for the drains or
the Bay
• Recommendation to implement a sales fee/tax on fertilizers and lawn products that contain
nutrients and on car care products
• Frustration that stormwater fees continue to increase, even for residents who don’t use lawn
fertilizer or contribute to stormwater pollution
• Concern that stormwater retention ponds are surrounded by fescue grasses that are tended by
landscape contractors who apply fertilizers/herbicides and leave loose lawn clippings on the
ground to be washed into the ponds
• Recommendation to plant appropriate decorative grasses around stormwater structures to
protect against erosion and prevent chemicals/silt/debris from entering stormwater drains and
basins
• Concern that poorly trained landscape contractors have been destroying select areas throughout
the City for years by applying Roundup to shorelines and ditch banks, planting non-natives,
planting drought-intolerant species, and placing heavy planter containers on sidewalks/pavers
While no changes were made to this plan after the public comment period, the comments were
passed on to appropriate City staff for review, consideration, and educational responses. For
example, the City does promote native plantings but cannot legally require native species under
current ordinance, nor can the City legally regulate the sale of fertilizers. City staff will continue to
operate the stormwater pollution prevention programs that are required of its MS4 Permit and are
detailed in the MS4 Program Plan.
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