Action:
Amend 9VAC15-60 to include mitigation for forest cores
Action 6730
General Information
| Action Summary |
The Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) was directed by Chapter 688 of the 2022 Acts of Assembly to amend the Small Renewable Energy Projects (Solar) Permit by Rule (PBR), (9VAC15-60) regulation to consider significant adverse impacts to prime agricultural soils and forest lands. As part of that regulatory action, DEQ initially proposed requiring enhanced mitigation for C1 and C2 forest cores as identified through a ranking system previously developed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR). DCR previously defined and ranked ecological cores into 5 categories (C1 through C5) in 2017 for use as a planning tool. Comments received on the proposed regulation identified several limitations of the available mapping tool and definition of C1 and C2 forest cores when used as a regulatory tool. DEQ has decided to initiate this regulatory action to address the issues concerning enhanced mitigation for forest cores with very high and outstanding ecological integrity. This regulatory action will be used to develop regulatory amendments to address enhanced mitigation for disturbance of forest cores with very high and outstanding ecological integrity using updated mapping and definitions which can be applied in the field to verify the mapped resources.
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| Chapters Affected |
Only affects this chapter.
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| Executive Branch Review |
This action will go through the normal Executive Branch Review process.
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| RIS Project |
Yes [8317] |
| New Periodic Review |
This action will not be used to conduct a new periodic review.
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Stages
Stages associated with this regulatory action.
| Stage ID |
Stage Type |
Status |
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10738
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NOIRA
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Comment period is underway and will end on 06/18/2025. |
Contact Information
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Name / Title:
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Amber Foster
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Small Renewable Energy PBR Program Specialist
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Address:
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1111 E Main St., Suite 1400
Richmond, VA 23219
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Email Address:
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amber.foster@deq.virginia.gov
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Phone:
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(804)774-8474
FAX: ()-
TDD: ()-
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