This General Notice restates information in the Description of Proposed Guidance Document Changes and Contact Information for GM24-2001, Virginia Stormwater Management Handbook, Version 1.0, that will be published in the Virginia Register of Regulations (Register) on Monday, February 26, 2024. Publication in the Register marks the beginning of the 30-day public comment period for a guidance document that is required by § 2.2-4002.1 of the Code of Virginia before the guidance can become effective. The 30-day public comment period closes at 11:59 pm on March 27, 2024.
The Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is posting the General Notice because the format is easier to read and follow than the description on Town Hall. It also includes active hyperlinks for the Virginia Stormwater Management Handbook, Version 1.0, and relevant pages on DEQ’s website.
Virginia Stormwater Management Handbook, Version 1.0
Description of Proposed Guidance Document Changes
The Virginia Stormwater Management Handbook, Version 1.0 (Handbook) provides guidance to implement water quantity and water quality criteria in the Virginia Erosion and Stormwater Management Regulation, 9VAC25-875, effective July 1, 2024. The Handbook replaces nine guidance documents, listed below, that the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) plans to rescind effective July 1, 2025:
The reason that the guidance documents will be rescinded effective July 1, 2025, through a separate Town Hall notice, is that they have been incorporated into the Handbook to reduce complexity and improve the ease of use. A one-year transition period allows plans and permit applications submitted between July 1, 2024 and June 30, 2025 to utilize either the existing manuals, handbooks and guidance or the Virginia Stormwater Management Handbook, Version 1.0.
The Handbook is available as a Portable Document Format (pdf) file and online at https://online.encodeplus.com/regs/deq-va/index.aspx. Due to the large file size and number of pages in the Handbook, DEQ recommends using the web-based version to review it and submit comments. Chapters, best management practice specifications, and other information from the Handbook may be downloaded from the website as pdf files.
Written comments on the Handbook may be submitted directly through the enCodePlus website that is hosting the Handbook, as well as through the Town Hall website (https://townhall.virginia.gov/L/Forums.cfm), and by email to the contact address provided with this notice. Instructions for submitting comments through the host website are available from the “Comment” link on the webpage banner. DEQ will use comments received during this forum and after the Handbook becomes effective to maintain its content consistent with the process for updates and revisions described in Chapter 1: Introduction.
DEQ formed a Stakeholders Advisory Group (SAG) to help develop the Handbook and its content. The SAG met 12 times between July 2022 and October 2023. Members of the SAG were provided an opportunity review and provide feedback on a draft version of the Handbook during November 2023. DEQ reviewed and revised the draft Handbook based on the feedback SAG members provided. Handbook Version 1.0 reflects those revisions. Two Excel spreadsheets with comments SAG members submitted on the draft version of the Handbook, and responses to those comments, are available from the DEQ website at: https://www.deq.virginia.gov/our-programs/water/stormwater/stormwater-construction/handbooks under the Virginia Stormwater Management Handbook, Version 1.0 banner.
Contact Information
Becky Rochet, Deputy Director, Water Permitting Division
1111 East Main St, Suite 1400
P.O. Box 1105
Richmond, VA 23219
(804) 801-2950
| Name / Title: | Rebeccah Rochet / Deputy Director, Water Permitting Division |
| Address: |
1111 East Main St, Suite 1400 P.O. Box 1105 Richmond, 23219 |
| Email Address: | SWMguidance@deq.virginia.gov |
| Telephone: | (804)801-2950 FAX: ()- TDD: ()- |