Bounded by the Chesapeake Bay on the north, the Atlantic Ocean on the east and dotted with some 56 square miles of wetlands, waterways, lake and marshes, Virginia Beach is committed to water quality and overall environmental improvement.  More than a quality of life issue, our livelihood depends on the quality of our waterways.  Water quality touches our tourism, economic development, military presence, and even the city’s agribusiness. 

In order to ensure water quality now and in the future, a Green Ribbon Committee was established by the Virginia Beach City Council in May, 2006.  This group of 30 people included land developers, builders, attorneys, non-profit representatives, planning commissioners, city council members, city staff, professional engineers, landscape architects and private citizens.  The committee conducted a comprehensive review of all the city’s ordinances and policies pertaining to water quality in order to advise and assist the City Council in this effort.  The committee was asked to make recommendations on how the city can improve water quality.