Regional Coordination
Strengthening the Region Through Partnership and Shared Purpose
Unifying Efforts to Address Environmental Challenges
CREST
The Crater Region Environmental Stewardship Team (CREST) is comprised of diverse local staff in planning, public works, stormwater management, non-profits, and academic partners within the Crater Planning District. The CREST group’s purpose is to both share information and coordinate on implementing the Technical Assistance program through Coastal Zone Management. The CREST meetings will be held quarterly, excepting breaks for holidays or as needed for planning purposes, and will feature high-quality, targeted trainings on environmental topics relevant to CZM’s goals as well as robust discussion on resilience topics. See below for CREST meeting agendas and minutes and information on upcoming meetings.
If you are interested in attending a CREST meeting or being added to our list-serv, please email Environment & Resilience Planner Kit Friedman at
Southern Rivers Roundtable
The Southern Rivers Roundtable brings together partners from across the region to collaborate on protecting and enhancing the health of southern Virginia’s waterways. Through shared research, coordinated planning, and regular meetings, the Roundtable fosters communication among local governments, nonprofits, and state agencies working toward common water quality and conservation goals.
Our Mission:
The Southern Rivers Roundtable aims to convene regional agencies and stakeholders to facilitate dialogue and collaboration on initiatives pertaining to the well-being of the Chowan Basin and Albemarle-Pamlico Watershed’s ecosystems and communities.
Our Vision:
We envision a resilient regional coalition of partners across the Chowan Basin and Albemarle-Pamlico Watershed that centers on natural resources and the communities that rely upon them in its work to improve visibility, resources, public access, and project implementation.
The Southern Rivers Roundtable meets on a quarterly basis either in person or virtually. Each of the four committees meets between each full convening of the entire Roundtable membership.
Meeting Minutes
| ID | Title | Content | Image | Date | Categories | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1695 | 2.20.26 Southern Rivers Roundtable Meeting Notes | Southern Rivers Roundtable 2.20.26 Minutes | 2026/03/10 | Southern Rivers Roundtable | Download | |
| 1694 | 2.20.26 Southern Rivers Roundtable Agenda | Southern Rivers Roundtable 2.20.26 Agenda | 2026/03/10 | Southern Rivers Roundtable | Download | |
| 1690 | 10.17.25 Southern Rivers Roundtable Agenda | 10.25 Southern Rivers Roundtable Agenda | 2026/03/10 | Southern Rivers Roundtable | Download | |
| 1689 | 7.18.25 Southern Rivers Roundtable Agenda | 7.18.25 Southern Rivers Roundtable Quarterly Meeting | 2026/03/10 | Southern Rivers Roundtable | Download | |
| 1688 | 4.25.25 Southern Rivers Roundtable Agenda | 4.25 Southern Rivers Roundtable Agenda (2) | 2026/03/10 | Southern Rivers Roundtable | Download | |
| 1687 | 1.17.25 Southern Rivers Roundtable Meeting Minutes | Southern Rivers Roundtable 1.17 Meeting Minutes | 2026/03/10 | Southern Rivers Roundtable | Download | |
| 1685 | 1.17.25 Southern Rivers Roundtable Meeting Agenda | Southern Rivers Roundtable 1.17 Meeting Agenda | 2026/03/10 | Southern Rivers Roundtable | Download | |
| 1684 | 10.18.24 Southern Rivers Roundtable Kickoff Agenda | Southern Rivers Roundtable Kickoff Meeting Agenda 10.18 | 2026/03/10 | Southern Rivers Roundtable | Download | |
| 1683 | 10.18.24 Southern Rivers Roundtable Kickoff Meeting Notes | Southern Rivers Roundtable 10.18 Kickoff Meeting Minutes | 2026/03/10 | Southern Rivers Roundtable | Download | |
| 1682 | Southern Rivers Roundtable Strategic Plan 2025-2028 | Southern Rivers Roundtable Strategic Plan 2025-2028 | 2026/03/10 | Southern Rivers Roundtable | Download |
Strategic Plan
On July 18th, 2025, the Southern Rivers Roundtable adopted its first 3-year stratgic plan, which outlines the group’s goals and objectives through the year 2028. This strategic plan provides a foundation and touchstone for the Southern Rivers Roundtable to guide the organization in the pursuit of its mission and vision over the next three years. Having a clear roadmap to success will allow the Roundtable to increase its impact and build new partnerships along the way.
Water Quality
Water quality in the Crater region faces several pressing challenges, including nutrient runoff from agriculture and development that can trigger harmful algal blooms, sediment pollution from erosion that disrupts aquatic habitats, bacterial contamination from failing septic systems and livestock runoff, and chemical pollutants from urban and industrial sources. These issues threaten both ecological health and community well-being, and Crater PDC works to address them through regional collaboration, planning support, and technical assistance.
ABOUT CPDC's WQ PROGRAMS
Crater PDC oversees regional water quality efforts through the Watershed Implementation Plan in concert with VA DEQ. This program allows Crater PDC to assist localities in meeting their Chesapeake Bay water quality requirements, such as nutrient and sediment control, total maximum daily load, MS4 permitting, and providing relevant trainings and materials when necessary. Beyond the Chesapeake Bay, Crater PDC works with VA DEQ’s Non-Point Source program to fund water quality initiatives through the Southern Rivers Roundtable (LINK) across the Chowan Basin.
Resilience
Whether it be flood resilience or community resilience broadly, Crater PDC is working to bolster the region’s ability to withstand, recover from, and adapt to changing environmental conditions that threaten safety and wellbeing. Communities across the Crater Region face flooding hazards from multiple sources, including riverine, tidal, flash, and rainfall-driven events. Many areas also struggle with undersized and outdated stormwater infrastructure, which is increasingly overwhelmed by intensifying rainstorms, which can cause flooding even outside designated floodplains. Crater PDC works closely with localities to provide proactive support in flood prevention, preparedness, and recovery, helping to protect critical infrastructure, homes, and essential services for long-term community resilience.
Crater PDC is currently working with localities and partners to develop the first Crater Regional Resilience Plan–a comprehensive document that explores strategies for local capacity building, vulnerability across multiple types of hazards (flooding, extreme heat, wind, and wildfire), project recommendations across multiple time horizons, and initiatives for Crater PDC to better support the region and serve its localities. This plan is funded by an award from Virginia Department of Conservation & Recreation’s Community Flood Preparedness Fund Round 4.
ABOUT CPDC's RESILIENCE PROGRAMS
Crater PDC’s resilience programs are primarily administered through two sources: VA DEQ’s Coastal Zone Management (CZM) and VA DCR’s Community Flood Preparedness Fund. Efforts include the creation, adoption, and implementation of a Regional Resilience Plan, convening the Crater Region Environmental Stewardship Team (CREST) (LINK), and providing one-on-one floodplain administration assistance and trainings for localities to better manage development in flood-prone areas.