Department of Environmental Quality
Department of Environmental Quality
Meeting:
NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING AND PUBLIC COMMENT - Implementation Plan for the South Fork Holston River watershed in Washington and Smyth Counties
| Meeting Details | |
|---|---|
| Date / Time | 6/22/2023 6:00 pm |
| Type | Physical Location Only |
| Location | Damascus Public Library, 310 Water St, Damascus, VA 24236 in Damascus, Virginia
In the event of inclement weather, the meeting will be held on June 23, 2023, at 4 p.m. at the DEQ Southwest Regional Office located at 355-A Deadmore Street, Abingdon, VA. |
| Board Website | http://www.deq.virginia.gov |
| Agenda document |
Meeting Agenda
5/16/2023
(91k)
|
| Minutes document | minutes not taken |
| Disability Friendly? Yes Deaf interpreter available upon request? Yes | |
| Purpose of the meeting PURPOSE OF NOTICE: The Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) seeks public comment on the development of a cleanup plan for impaired waters, also known as an Implementation Plan (IP), for the South Fork Holston River watershed in Washington and Smyth Counties. These streams are listed as impaired since monitoring data indicates that the waters do not meet Virginia’s water quality standards for bacteria (E. coli). Section 303(d) of the Clean Water Act and §62.1-44.19:7.C of the State Water Control Law requires DEQ to develop cleanup studies to address pollutants responsible for causing waters to be on Virginia’s 303(d) list of impaired waters. Once a cleanup study is developed, Section §62.1-44.19:7 of the State Water Control Law outlines the requirements needed in a cleanup plan to address the pollutants contained in the study. A cleanup plan has been completed for the South Fork Holston River watershed that identifies corrective actions needed to improve water quality and discusses the associated costs and environmental benefits of the actions. A summary of the plan will be presented at the meeting. Citizens are invited to provide comment on the plan and will learn how they can be part of implementing the plan to improve water quality in the watershed. Community Engagement meetings to assist in development of this cleanup plan were convened on January 25 and April 26, 2023. CLEANUP PLAN LOCATION: The cleanup plan addresses the following impaired stream segments: Slemp Creek in Smyth County downstream to its confluence with the South Fork Holston River (3.85 miles); Cressy Creek, south of Sugar Grove to the South Fork Holston confluence (1.63 miles); Bishop Branch from south of Riverside to the South Fork Holston River confluence (0.48 stream miles); Saint Clair Creek south of St. Clair Bottom to the South Fork Holston confluence (3.68 miles); Grosses Creek, southeast of Loves Mill from its headwaters downstream to its confluence with the South Fork Holston River (4.01 miles); South Fork Holston River from the headwaters downstream to Rush Creek confluence (42.24 miles); Whitetop Laurel Creek from Little Laurel Creek confluence to the Green Cove confluence (3.8 miles); Whitetop Laurel Creek from Straight Branch confluence to Laurel Creek confluence (3.19 miles); Laurel Creek from South Fork Holston River confluence upstream to state line near Iron Mountain (6.09 miles); and Beaverdam Creek mainstem from the Tennessee state line, upstream to its confluence with South Fork Holston River in Damascus (2.01 miles). PUBLIC MEETING: Damascus Public Library, 310 Water St, Damascus, VA 24236 in Damascus, Virginia, on June 22, 2023, at 6 p.m. In the event of inclement weather, the meeting will be held on June 23, 2023, at 4 p.m. at the DEQ Southwest Regional Office located at 355-A Deadmore Street in Abingdon, Virginia. PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD: June 22, 2023, to July 24, 2023 HOW TO COMMENT: DEQ accepts comments orally at the public meeting, by e-mail, fax or postal mail. All comments must be received by DEQ during the comment period. Submittals must include the name, organization they represent (if any), mailing addresses and telephone numbers of the commenter/requester. CONTACT FOR PUBLIC COMMENTS, DOCUMENT REQUESTS AND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Stephanie Kreps; Southwest Regional Office, 355A Deadmore Street, Abingdon, VA, 24210. Phone: (276) 608-8811; E-mail: stephanie.kreps@deq.virginia.gov; Fax: 804-698-4178. The public may review the cleanup plan at the following website address: https://www.deq.virginia.gov/water/water-quality/implementation/implementation-plans-under-development. | |
| 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: | Stephanie Kreps |
| Address: |
355-A Deadmore Street Abingdon, 24210 |
| Email Address: | stephanie.kreps@deq.virginia.gov |
| Telephone: | (276)608-8811 FAX: (804)698-4178 TDD: ()- |