Virginia Regulatory Town Hall
 
Agency
Department of Environmental Quality
 
Board
State Water Control Board
 
chapter
Water Quality Management Planning Regulation [9 VAC 25 ‑ 720]
 
Guidance Documents
Chapter Information
Description The regulation establishes, among other things, the public participation process for TMDL development, procedures for submittal of proposed TMDLs to the EPA for approval and procedures for inclusion of TMDLs and TMDL implementation plans into the Water Quality Management Plans.
State Authority Section 62.1-44.15 (10 ) and (13 ) of the Code of Virginia
Federal Authority 33 USC 1313(e) of the Clean Water Act
Text of Regulation Link to Virginia Administrative Code
Goals of Regulation To protect public health and/or welfare with the least possible costs and intrusiveness to the citizens and businesses of the Commonwealth.

To establish minimum public participation opportunities during the development of Total Maximum Daily Loads, certain wasteload allocations, 303(d) lists of impaired waters and water quality management plans.
Meetings See all meetings (32) relating to this chapter.

Contact Information
Name / Title: Mark Richards 
Address: 1111 East Main Street, Suite 1400
P.O. Box 1105
Richmond, VA 23218
Email Address: mark.richards@deq.virginia.gov
Telephone: (804)698-4392    FAX: ()-    TDD: ()-
Current Actions
Action Title Latest Stage Status
None

Past Actions
Action Title Latest Stage Status
Amendment to add ten new TMDL wasteload allocations in the James River Basin (9VAC25-720-60 A) and Rappahannock River Basin (9VAC25-720-70 A).
Action is Exempt from Article 2 of the Administrative Process Act
Final Stage complete. This regulation became effective on 09/25/2024.
Amendment to add six new TMDL wasteload allocations in the James River Basin (9VAC25-720-60 A) and Roanoke River Basin (9VAC25-720-80 A).
Action is Exempt from Article 2 of the Administrative Process Act
Final Stage complete. This regulation became effective on 05/22/2024.
Final Exempt CH 720 Changes in Response to 2022 Board Bill
Action is Exempt from Article 2 of the Administrative Process Act
Final Stage complete. This regulation became effective on 11/23/2022.
Amend Existing WQMP Regulation - nutrient allocations Final Stage complete. This regulation became effective on 12/21/2022.
Amendment to add sixteen new TMDL waste load allocations in the Potomac-Shenandoah River Basin (9VAC25-720-50.A), Roanoke River Basin (9VAC25-720-80.A), and York River Basin (9VAC25-720-120.A)
Action is Exempt from Article 2 of the Administrative Process Act
Final Stage complete. This regulation became effective on 03/02/2022.
9VAC25-720 DMME Name Change
Action is Exempt from Article 2 of the Administrative Process Act
Final Stage complete. This regulation became effective on 10/27/2021.
Enhanced Nutrient Removal Certainty Program
Action is Exempt from Article 2 of the Administrative Process Act
Final Stage complete. This regulation became effective on 10/27/2021.
Technical Error Correction to 9VAC25-720-60
Action is Exempt from Article 2 of the Administrative Process Act
Final Stage complete. This regulation became effective on 06/23/2021.
June 2020 Amendment to add eleven new TMDL waste load allocations in the Potomac-Shenandoah River Basin (9VAC25-720-50.A) and James River Basin (9VAC25-720-60.A)
Action is Exempt from Article 2 of the Administrative Process Act
Final Stage complete. This regulation became effective on 09/02/2020.
Amendment to add one new TMDL adopted in September 2019
Action is Exempt from Article 2 of the Administrative Process Act
Final Stage complete. This regulation became effective on 10/30/2019.
Amendment to add twenty new and three revised TMDL waste load allocations in the Potomac-Shenandoah
Action is Exempt from Article 2 of the Administrative Process Act
Final Stage complete. This regulation became effective on 09/04/2019.
Wasteload Allocations (12.2018) (110 and 130)
Action is Exempt from Article 2 of the Administrative Process Act
Final Stage complete. This regulation became effective on 05/01/2019.
Amendment - Potomac-Shenandoah River Basin - Six New TMDL Waste Load Allocations
Action is Exempt from Article 2 of the Administrative Process Act
Final Stage complete. This regulation became effective on 06/13/2018.
Amend Wasteload Allocations in Section 60 A, 80 A, 80 B, 90 A and 110 A
Action is Exempt from Article 2 of the Administrative Process Act
Final Stage complete. This regulation became effective on 02/21/2018.
Wasteload Allocations - July 2017 Adoption
Action is Exempt from Article 2 of the Administrative Process Act
Final Stage complete. This regulation became effective on 09/20/2017.
Transfer of Nitrogen Allocation between VEPCO (Dominion) and Tranlin, Inc./Vastly
Action is Exempt from Article 2 of the Administrative Process Act
Final Stage complete. This regulation became effective on 09/20/2017.
Two Revised Waste Load Allocations in the Tennessee-Big Sandy River Basin
Action is Exempt from Article 2 of the Administrative Process Act
Final Stage complete. This regulation became effective on 02/22/2017.
TMDL Actions - June 2016
Action is Exempt from Article 2 of the Administrative Process Act
Final Stage complete. This regulation became effective on 08/24/2016.
TMDL Actions - October 2015
Action is Exempt from Article 2 of the Administrative Process Act
Final Stage complete. This regulation became effective on 12/02/2015.
TMDL Actions - December 2014
Action is Exempt from Article 2 of the Administrative Process Act
Final Stage complete. This regulation became effective on 06/03/2015.
2014 HB445 Amendment (add WLAs)
Action is Exempt from Article 2 of the Administrative Process Act
Final Stage complete. This regulation became effective on 03/11/2015.
Adopt Three TMDLS (62014 - James & Tennessee-Big Sandy)
Action is Exempt from Article 2 of the Administrative Process Act
Final Stage complete. This regulation became effective on 08/27/2014.
Adopt Four New TMDL Waste Load Allocations in the James River Watershed (32014)
Action is Exempt from Article 2 of the Administrative Process Act
Final Stage complete. This regulation became effective on 06/04/2014.
Amend Sections 50, 60, 70, 110 and 120 Fast-Track Stage complete. This regulation became effective on 07/30/2015.
TMDL Adoptions - March 2013
Action is Exempt from Article 2 of the Administrative Process Act
Final Stage complete. This regulation became effective on 05/22/2013.
Adoption of Waste Load Allocations - June 2012
Action is Exempt from Article 2 of the Administrative Process Act
Final Stage complete. This regulation became effective on 08/15/2012.
Revise Total Nitrogen Waste Load Allocation for Fauquier Co. WSA - Vint Hill
Action is Exempt from Article 2 of the Administrative Process Act
Final Stage complete. This regulation became effective on 11/23/2011.
Revise Total Nitrogen (TN) and Total Phosphorus (TP) Waste Load Allocations for Merck, Inc. (VPDES VA0002178)
Action is Exempt from Article 2 of the Administrative Process Act
Final Stage complete. This regulation became effective on 09/28/2011.
48 TMDL Waste Load Allocations - December 2010
Action is Exempt from Article 2 of the Administrative Process Act
Final Stage complete. This regulation became effective on 03/16/2011.
Frederick-Winchester S.A. - Opequon WRF - Nutrient Waste Load Allocations
Action is Exempt from Article 2 of the Administrative Process Act
Final Stage complete. This regulation became effective on 03/02/2011.
Deadline Extensions for Conditional Nutrient Waste Load Allocations
Action is Exempt from Article 2 of the Administrative Process Act
Final Stage complete. This regulation became effective on 12/23/2009.
Amend TMDLs - Sections 50, 60, 90, 110 - 4/2009
Action is Exempt from Article 2 of the Administrative Process Act
Final Stage complete. This regulation became effective on 07/08/2009.
Amend Nutrient Waste Load Allocations in Section 50.C. for the Merck WWTP and the Frederick-Winchester Service Authority Opequon WRF Final Stage complete. This regulation became effective on 02/18/2010.
New Kent County/Parham Landing Fast-Track Stage complete. This regulation became effective on 04/02/2009.
Adoption of 20 TMDLs (April 2008)
Action is Exempt from Article 2 of the Administrative Process Act
Final Stage complete. This regulation became effective on 06/11/2008.
Amendment Concerning Separate Allocations for the Doswell Wastewater Treatment Plan and Bear Island Paper Company Fast-Track Stage complete. This regulation became effective on 08/07/2008.
Amendment of Section 50 and 90 to add/amend TMDLs.
Action is Exempt from Article 2 of the Administrative Process Act
Final Stage complete. This regulation became effective on 11/15/2007.
Fast-Track Rulemaking Amending Section 50 (Potomac-Shenandoah River Basin: Middletown STP) Fast-Track Stage complete. This regulation became effective on 10/22/2007.
Fast-Track Rulemaking Amending Section 50 (Potomac-Shenandoah River Basin: North River WWTF) Fast-Track Stage complete. This regulation became effective on 10/22/2007.
Fast-Track Rulemaking Amending Section 50 (Potomac-Shenandoah River Basin: Skyline Swannanoa) Fast-Track Stage complete. This regulation became effective on 10/22/2007.
Fast-Track Rulemaking Amending Section 80 (Roanoke River Basin: Danville City-Northside WWTP) Fast-Track Stage complete. This regulation became effective on 10/22/2007.
Amendment of Sections 50 and 130 (122006)
Action is Exempt from Article 2 of the Administrative Process Act
Final Stage complete. This regulation became effective on 05/02/2007.
Amendment of Sections 50, 80, 90 and 100 (9-2006)
Action is Exempt from Article 2 of the Administrative Process Act
Final Stage complete. This regulation became effective on 03/21/2007.
Water Quality Management Planning Regulation Amendment to Tyson Foods - Glen Allen's Allocation for Total Phosphorus Fast-Track Stage complete. This regulation became effective on 05/21/2007.
Amendment of the Nutrient Allocation for City of Fredericksburg Fast-Track Stage complete. This regulation became effective on 02/26/2007.
Amendment of Section 110 to Correct Phosphorus Waste Load Allocation for Tyson Foods in Temperenceville
Action is Exempt from Article 2 of the Administrative Process Act
Final Stage complete. This regulation became effective on 05/17/2006.
Amendment to Policy Addressing Total Nitrogen and Phosphorus Limitations for Certain Permits within the Chesapeake Bay Watershed - This stage only 9 VAC 25-720-60 and 120
Action is Exempt from Article 2 of the Administrative Process Act
Final Stage complete. This regulation became effective on 01/11/2006.
Amend New River Basin - Section 130 B Final Stage complete. This regulation became effective on 12/28/2005.
Amendment of Tennessee-Big Sandy River Basin - Section 90 B Final Stage complete. This regulation became effective on 12/28/2005.
Amend the Roanoke River Basin - Section 80 B Final Stage complete. This regulation became effective on 12/28/2005.
Amend the Potomac-Shenandoah Basin - Section 50 B Final Stage complete. This regulation became effective on 12/28/2005.
Amend to Incorporate Three New and One Amended Wasteload Allocations (June 2005)
Action is Exempt from Article 2 of the Administrative Process Act
Final Stage complete. This regulation became effective on 11/02/2005.
Amendment to adopt four TMDL waste load allocations contained in four TMDL reports (March 2005)
Action is Exempt from Article 2 of the Administrative Process Act
Final Stage complete. This regulation became effective on 06/01/2005.
Amendment to Incorporate 11 TMDL Plan Amendments (SWCB-12/02/2004)
Action is Exempt from Article 2 of the Administrative Process Act
Final Stage complete. This regulation became effective on 03/23/2005.
Amendments to Sections 50, 60, 80 & 90 - Thirteen TMDLs
Action is Exempt from Article 2 of the Administrative Process Act
Final Stage complete. This regulation became effective on 11/17/2004.
Amendment to adopt eighteen TMDL waste load allocations contained in eight TMDL reports for the following river basins: Shenandoah River Basin (9 VAC 25-720-50.A) and Tennessee – Big Sandy River Basin (9 VAC 25-720-90.A).
Action is Exempt from Article 2 of the Administrative Process Act
Final Stage complete. This regulation became effective on 09/08/2004.
Amendment to Include 10 TMDL Waste Load Allocations
Action is Exempt from Article 2 of the Administrative Process Act
Final Stage complete. This regulation became effective on 09/08/2004.
Adoption of Water Quality Management Planning Regulation and repeal of WQM Plans (9 VAC 25-420, 430,440, 450, 452, 460, 470, 480, 490, 500, 510, 520, 530, 540, 550, 560, 570, 572 Final Stage complete. This regulation became effective on 04/23/2003.

Withdrawn Actions
Action Title Latest Stage Status
Amendment of the Rappahannock River Basin - Section 70 B NOIRA Stage withdrawn on 12/14/2023 after the comment period had ended.
Fauquier Co. WSA-Vint Hill Total Nitrogen Wasteload Allocation Amendment NOIRA Stage withdrawn on 10/28/2011 after the comment period had ended.
Amend Nutrient Waste Load Allocations in Section 720-50.C. to Transfer Unused Allocations NOIRA Stage withdrawn on 10/24/2011 after the comment period had ended.
Regulating Stormwater Flow Through the TMDL Process NOIRA Stage withdrawn on 10/24/2011 after the comment period had ended.
Amendment to add Nutrient Waste Load Allocations for Louisa Co.-Zion Crossroads WWTP NOIRA Stage withdrawn on 11/03/2009 after the comment period had ended.