The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has launched its first ever publicly available Supplemental Environmental Projects (SEPs) Database. The database connects environmental improvement project ideas with parties seeking to partially offset civil penalties through environmental action, redirecting penalty resources toward immediate environmental benefits in the state’s impacted communities.
With the SEP Database, users can explore historic or available projects that enhance environmental quality in communities impacted by environmental violations, track progress on project implementation, and submit proposals for DEQ’s review. Examples of past projects include hazardous waste collection days, emergency equipment donations to fire departments, streambank restoration projects, and donations for oyster restoration.
DEQ will evaluate project submissions to ensure compliance with the DEQ Enforcement Manual and potential permit requirements. Have a great idea for a SEP? Submit it to DEQ here.
