Department of Environmental Quality
Department of Environmental Quality
Meeting:
TMDL Public Meeting - Chickahominy River and Tributaries (Hanover, Henrico, Charles City, New Kent and City of Richmond)
| Meeting Details | |
|---|---|
| Date / Time | 2/7/2013 6:00 pm |
| Location | Mechanicsville Branch Library
7461 Sherwood Crossing Place Mechanicsville, Virginia 23111 |
| 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 is announcing a draft Implementation Plan (IP) for the Chickahominy River and its tributaries, which are impaired for the primary contact or swimming use due to water quality standard exceedances. The sources of bacteria and reductions necessary to meet the water quality standard and restore the impaired use, were detailed in the Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) study, which was approved by EPA in September 2012. The TMDL is available on the DEQ website here: http://www.deq.virginia.gov/portals/0/DEQ/Water/TMDL/apptmdls/jamesrvr/chickec.pdf. The implementation plan is based on the reductions to bacteria identified in the TMDL. Public meetings provide an opportunity for the public to share their knowledge of the watershed and learn about pollution affecting community waters. Meetings will feature a summary of information from the draft implementation plan, the Best Management Practices (BMPs) identified for reducing bacteria from sources, and the estimated costs of implementation. Those attending the meeting are invited to ask questions, contribute their knowledge of the watershed, and to provide feedback during the public comment period. Virginia agencies have been identified sources of bacteria in the waters of the Chickahominy River and it’s tributaries. The impaired waterways are portions of Stony Run in Hanover (0.21 miles); Beaverdam Creek in Hanover (6.69 miles); Chickahominy River in Henrico & Hanover (7.54 miles); Boatswain Creek in Hanover (3.76 miles); and, Collins Run in Charles City County (4.50 miles). These streams are impaired for failure to meet the Primary Contact (Recreational or Swimming) designated use due to exceedances of the bacteria water quality standard. The TMDL study reported on the sources of bacteria and recommended total maximum daily loads, or TMDLs. A TMDL is the total amount of a pollutant a water body can contain and still meet water quality standards. To restore water quality, bacterial levels need to be reduced to the TMDL amount. The Implementation Plan (IP) utilizes the source information and reductions identified in the TMDL and recommends a series of watershed measures, known as Best Management Practices (BMPs). BMPs can be implemented throughout the watershed in order to meet the TMDL bacteria reduction goals. The development of an IP requires the participation of watershed stakeholders at “working group” meetings to evaluate BMPs for the watersheds and the participation of a steering committee, made up of working group members, to guide the process. After the initiation of the IP development in May 2012, a government, residential, and agriculture workgroup each met to evaluate potential BMPs and costs in order to meet reduction goals set by the TMDL. The meeting minutes and handouts used during implementation planning are available on the DEQ website here: http://www.deq.virginia.gov/Programs/Water/WaterQualityInformationTMDLs/TMDL/TMDLImplementation/TMDLImplementationProgress.aspx. The draft implementation plan will be available on the DEQ website one week prior to the public meeting here: http://www.deq.virginia.gov/Programs/Water/WaterQualityInformationTMDLs/TMDL/TMDLImplementation/TMDLImplementationPlans.aspx. The comment period will begin on Friday February 8th and end on Monday, March 11, 2013. Notice of this meeting and comment period appears in the January 14, 2013 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: | Margaret Smigo / TMDL Coordinator |
| Address: |
629 East Main Street P.O. Box 1105 Glen Allen , 23060 |
| Email Address: | Margaret.Smigo@deq.virginia.gov |
| Telephone: | (804)527-5124 FAX: (804)527-5106 TDD: ()- |