By Lillian Kafka

Published: May 6, 2008

The gap is increasing between what Prince William County can afford and what federal and state governments mandate when it comes to keeping streams healthy.

“I do want to sound an alarm today,” said Marc Aveni, watershed management branch chief for the county’s environmental services division, during the board of supervisors meeting on Tuesday.

He said Virginia is considering new regulations that the county could have to follow — and the new rules could raise costs for developers, Aveni said.

“Should the regulations go through, there will be a big fiscal impact,” he said.

County supervisors could be asked to raise a pollution discharge fee, one-third of which would have to be remitted to the state, Aveni said.

In addition to that proposal, Aveni said the state could mandate that county staff inspect more storm water ponds annually instead of every five years and that, too, would cost more money.

Currently, all property owners pay a small annual fee to fund maintenance of storm water retention ponds and stream bank restoration projects.

One recent restoration project on Cabin Run in the Dumfries district cost $350,000.

Staff redesigned the bank to mimic a natural setting while ensuring water flowed clean instead of eroding the banks.

Aveni is also a Manassas City Council member.

Potomac News and Manassas Journal Messenger staff writer Lillian Kafka can be reached at 703-878-8065.