Department of Environmental Quality
State Water Control Board
Electronic Access
Meeting:
TMDL Public Meeting - Water Quality Study (TMDL) for the Tidal James River and Elizabeth River (Tidewater Meeting)
| Meeting Details | |
|---|---|
| Date / Time | 1/26/2021 6:00 pm |
| Type | Electronic Only |
| Electronic Access | To register for the meeting and receive access information, use the following link: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/9198601550875530254. Please register ahead of the meeting. |
| Board Website | http://www.deq.virginia.gov |
| Agenda document | agency has not posted |
| Minutes document | minutes not taken |
| Disability Friendly? Yes Deaf interpreter available upon request? Yes | |
| Purpose of the meeting The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and its contractor, Virginia Institute of Marine Science, are continuing the development of a water quality study to address Polychlorinated Biphenyl (PCB) contamination in the tidal James River, Elizabeth River, and tidal portions of some tributaries. This water quality study is known as a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL), or simply a watershed clean-up plan. To continue this process, DEQ will hold separate meetings for the Richmond based Piedmont Regional Office and the Virginia Beach based Tidewater Regional Office due to the large area and number of stakeholders involved in this project. This notice provides information on the Tidewater public meeting. A 30-day public comment period will follow the public meeting, during which time DEQ invites stakeholders interested in serving on the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) to submit their request. A TAC typically consists of representatives from local governments, Virginia Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permittees, watershed residents, anglers, recreational and conservation groups, and other stakeholders interested in providing input on the technical aspects of the TMDL development process. Description of Study: DEQ monitoring data indicates levels of PCBs in fish tissue are elevated in the tidal James River, Elizabeth River, and tidal portions of some tributaries and present a risk to individuals who consume the fish (for more information on PCBs watch this DEQ video). As a result, sections of the rivers are listed as impaired for PCBs on the 303(d) TMDL priority list. Additionally, several James River mainstem segments and tributaries within the tidal watershed are listed as impaired because DEQ monitoring data indicates levels of PCBs in the water above the state water quality criteria. Section 303(d) of the Clean Water Act and §62.1-44.19:7.C of the Code of Virginia requires DEQ to develop TMDLs for pollutants responsible for each impaired water contained in Virginia’s 303(d) TMDL priority list and report. TMDLs are developed to identify the total amount of a pollutant (i.e., PCBs) that a waterbody can receive and still meet water quality standards. To restore water quality, pollutant levels must be reduced to the TMDL. TMDLs will be developed for the all of the tidal James River watershed draining from the Richmond to its mouth at the Chesapeake Bay, and the Elizabeth River. The affected counties in the Piedmont region include Amelia, Appomattox, Buckingham, Charles City, Chesterfield, Colonial Heights City, Cumberland, Dinwiddie, Hanover, Henrico, Hopewell City, New Kent, Nottoway, Petersburg City, Powhatan, Prince Edward, Prince George, Richmond City, and Surry. The affected counties in the Tidewater region include Chesapeake City, Hampton City, Isle of Wight, James City, Newport News City, Norfolk City, Portsmouth City, Suffolk City, Virginia Beach City, Williamsburg City, and York. Public Meeting: The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality will virtually host the Tidewater region public meeting for the Tidal James River and Elizabeth River PCB TMDL Project on Tuesday January 26, 2021. Please register ahead of the meeting (see above for registration link). Given the current State of Emergency related to the COVID-19 pandemic, this meeting will be held entirely virtually. A computer or telephone are necessary to participate virtually. Although using a phone for audio only participation is an option, all participants are encouraged to access the meeting using a computer so that they can view the meeting presentation. This meeting will be recorded. If you have technical issues registering for this meeting or difficulty during the meeting, please contact Kristie Britt at Kristie.Britt@DEQ.Virginia.gov or 757-518-2153. For more information on the meeting in general, please contact Mark Richards at Mark.Richards@DEQ.Virginia.gov or 804-698-4392. This meeting is open to the public and all are welcome. A 30-day public comment period will follow this meeting, from January 26, 2021 through March 1, 2021. The goal of this meeting is to reintroduce interested stakeholders to the water quality improvement process in Virginia (i.e., the TMDL process), provide information on PCB monitoring efforts, and invite stakeholder participation and input. During this meeting participants will be invited to serve on the TAC. In the event that the Governor’s State of Emergency is lifted, the meeting will be held on the same date and time at: DEQ - Tidewater Regional Office, 5636 Southern Boulevard, Virginia Beach, VA 23462. How to Comment and Participate: The meetings of the TMDL process are open to the public. Anyone who is interested is welcome. Written comments will be accepted from January 26, 2021 through March 1, 2021. These comments should include the name, address, and telephone number of the person submitting the comments. It is important to have public input throughout the TMDL development process. Among many possible benefits, this input helps to ensure that the final pollution reductions are reasonable, realistic and reflect local insight. DEQ invites stakeholders interested in serving on the TAC to submit their request during this public comment period. For more information or to submit comments, please contact the staff person listed below. Notice of this meeting appears in the January 4, 2021 Virginia Register. | |
| Meeting Scope |
Public hearing to receive comment on a proposed stage
X
General business of the board
Discuss particular regulations / chapters
|
| Contact Information | |
|---|---|
| Name / Title: | Mark Richards |
| Address: |
DEQ, 1111 East Main Street, Suite 1400 P.O. Box 1105 Richmond, 23218 |
| Email Address: | Mark.Richards@DEQ.Virginia.gov |
| Telephone: | (804)698-4392 FAX: (804)698-4178 TDD: ()- |