What is the Water Resources Program?
The Department of Environmental Programs (DEP), Water Resources Program assist COG's local government members, and affiliated wastewater treatment and drinking water utilities, with protecting, restoring, and conserving the region's water resources as well as addressing the policy and technical implications of various state and federal initiatives that have water quality implications for the COG region. COG's four primary Water Resources Programs are:

• Regional Water Quality Management Program (RWQM) - tracks regional water quality issues that affect the Chesapeake Bay and related tributaries by providing up-to-date information on regional water quality monitoring programs and local stormwater management issues
• Blue Plains Intermunicipal Agreement Support (BP IMA) - supports the coordination of the Blue Plains IMA through the Blue Plains Intermunicipal Regional Committee
• Urban Watershed Programs, including the Anacostia Restoration Program (ARP) - supports the Anacostia Watershed Restoration Partnership and Steering Committee
• Homeland Security: Water Resources - supports issues of importance/impact to local drinking water and wastewater utilities including water supply and drought monitoring and water security monitoring

Who keeps track of all the information?

Established as the policy committee to the COG Board of Directors, the Chesapeake Bay and Water Resources Policy Committee tracks developments under the federal-state Chesapeake Bay Program for implications to local governments and recommends Bay-related policies to the Board. Board action in 2005 added “Water Resources” to the committee’s title and expanded its mandate to include other regional water quality issues in addition to those associated with the Bay. Elected officials and staff officials from COG's 20 member governments comprise the committee's membership. The CBPC normally meets on the third Friday in January, March, May, July, September and November.

The Water Resources Technical Committee (WRTC) tracks water quality issues in the Potomac River Basin and serves a technical resources for the Chesapeake Bay and Water Resources Policy Committee. The WRTC is a group of wastewater (point source) and stormwater (non-point source) municipal and county officials that meet bi-monthly to address water resources issues related to the COG region and the Chesapeake Bay. Working subgroups of the committee include a stormwater, wastewater, and regional water quality workgroup.

Where can I find information about future committee meetings and additional news items?

We update the "Meetings and Events" section of our web site frequently but you can also check the "News" tab for the latest information. Also, feel free to contact any member of the water resources staff.