PURPOSE OF NOTICE:
DEQ is announcing an informal public comment period for the updated draft of the Environmental Justice in the Permitting Process Guidance Memo. House Bill 1266 (2026) was enacted into law as Chapter 461 of the 2026 Acts of Assembly and requires DEQ to update the draft guidance to “consider how to assess the cumulative impacts of the types of permits covered in the guidance memo and outreach strategies to engage communities impacted by any such permit.”

This notice is being provided in accordance with House Bill 1266 / Chapter 461.

PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD:
September 23, 2026, to October 23, 2026.

DESCRIPTION OF UPDATED GUIDANCE:
In accordance with House Bill 1266 (2026), enacted into law as Chapter 461 of the 2026 Acts of Assembly, DEQ was tasked with updating the draft 2023 Environmental Justice in the Permitting Process Guidance Memo to “consider how to assess the cumulative impacts of the types of permits covered in the guidance memo and outreach strategies to engage communities impacted by any such permit.”

In July 2026, DEQ held two in-person public town hall meetings, one in Richmond and the other in Virginia Beach, as well as a virtual town hall meeting in August 2026. The purpose of the meetings was to collect public input to assist DEQ with updating the draft guidance document. This updated draft guidance document incorporates suggestions received during the meetings.

HOW TO COMMENT:
DEQ accepts written comments by email and postal mail, as well as those submitted through the Public Comment Form on DEQ’s Environmental Justice Permitting Guidance webpage. All comments must be in writing and received by DEQ by the last day of the comment period. Comments received after the comment period closes will not be considered. DEQ encourages commenters to include their full name, a physical address, and an email address or telephone number. All materials received are part of the public record.

Email:
ejcomments@deq.virginia.gov

Postal Mail:
Virginia Department of Environmental Quality
Attn: Kate Miller, OEJ
901 Russell Dr.
Salem, VA 24153

DEQ’s Environmental Justice Permitting Guidance webpage:
Environmental Justice Permitting Guidance | Virginia DEQ
(https://www.deq.virginia.gov/news-info/environmental-justice/environmental-justice-permitting-guidance; (please copy and paste the link if it does not work correctly)

TO REVIEW THE UPDATED GUIDANCE:
The updated 2026 draft Environmental Justice in the Permitting Process Guidance, a Public Comment Form, and information about a webinar (scheduled for Oct. 6, 2026) focused on the updated draft guidance are posted on DEQ’s Environmental Justice in Permitting Guidance website (https://www.deq.virginia.gov/news-info/environmental-justice/environmental-justice-permitting-guidance; please copy and paste the link if it does not work correctly). The updated draft guidance can also be directly accessed using this link: Draft Guidance Memo Environmental Justice in the Permitting Process_9-23-26 (https://www.deq.virginia.gov/home/showdocument?id=39106; please copy and paste the link if it does not work correctly).

Contact for public comments, document requests, and additional information:
Kate Miller - Office of Environmental Justice, Public Outreach Coordinator; 901 Russell Dr.; Salem, VA 24153; ejcomments@deq.virginia.gov; 804-486-0492 (TTY: dial 711).

CONTACT INFORMATION

Name / Title:
Kate Miller / Office of Environmental Justice, Public Outreach Coordinator

Address:
901 Russell Dr.
Salem, VA 24153

Email Address:
ejcomments@deq.virginia.gov

Telephone:
804-486-0492
TTY: dial 711