79492510.1-1196Virginia Decodedhttps://vacode.org2016ConservationActivities Administered By Other EntitiesDepartment Of Environmental QualityWatershed Planning And Permitting Promotion And CoordinationGuiding definition and principles1995, c. 793.Sinclair v. NEW CINGULAR WIRELESS PCS, LLC101831727 S.E.2d 402012-01-13https://www.courtlistener.com/opinion/1057939/sinclair-v-new-cingular-wireless-pcs-llc/ . . . purposes cannot be questioned. See, e.g., Code § 10.1-1196(B) (guiding principle of watershed . . . <abbr title="Supreme Court of Virginia">SCV</abbr>http://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/10.1-1196//10.1-1196/10.1/II/11.1/3/10.1-1196The Department, the Task Force and any advisory panels appointed by the Task Force shall be guided by the principles contained in the following statement: Stream systems tend to reflect the character of the watershed they drain. Unchecked physical conversion in a watershed accompanying urbanization leads to degraded streams and wetlands. As urbanization continues to spread across the state, natural vegetation, slope and water retention characteristics are replaced by impervious surfaces disrupting the dynamic balance of the natural hydrologic cycle. Poorly planned development can increase peak storm flows and runoff volume, lower water quality and aesthetics, and cause flooding and degradation of downstream communities and ecosystems.sectionBB1