Department of Environmental Quality
Department of Environmental Quality
Meeting:
TMDL Public Meeting - Crooked Run and its Tributaries - Water Quality Study
| Meeting Details | |
|---|---|
| Date / Time | 1/9/2014 6:30 pm |
| Location | North Warren Fire Hall
266 Rockland Court Front Royal, VA 22630 |
| Board Website | http://www.deq.virginia.gov |
| Agenda document | agency has not posted |
| Minutes document | agency has not posted |
| Disability Friendly? Yes Deaf interpreter available upon request? No | |
| Purpose of the meeting In the case of inclement weather, please contact Tara Sieber at (540) 574-7870. The Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and its contractors, Virginia Tech’s Biological Systems Engineering Department, will present preliminary data for the development of a water quality study known as a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDLs) for Crooked Run and its tributaries, including Stephens Run and West Run, Happy Creek, Manassas Run, Willow Brook, Borden Marsh Run and Long Branch. This is an opportunity for local residents to share information about the area and its local streams. A public comment period will follow the meetings (1/9/2014 – 2/10/2014). MEETING DESCRIPTION: A public meeting will be held to introduce to the local community the water quality improvement process in Virginia, known as the TMDL Process, invite their participation and solicit their contributions, and review the next steps. Section 303(d) of the Clean Water Act and §62.1-44.19:7.C of the Code of Virginia require DEQ to develop TMDLs for pollutants responsible for each impaired water contained in Virginia’s 303(d) TMDL Priority List and Report. DESCRIPTION OF STUDY: Several streams in the Shenandoah River watershed do not meet Virginia’s water quality standards due to excessive bacteria and have been placed on the 2006, 2008, and 2010 303(d) TMDL Priority List and Report as impaired. The bacteria standard preserves the “Primary Contact (recreational or swimming)” designated use for Virginia waterways. Excessive bacteria levels may pose a threat to human health. This water quality study reports on the sources of bacterial contamination and recommends reductions to meet Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) for the impaired waters. 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. Virginia agencies are working to identify sources of bacterial contamination in the tributaries to the Shenandoah River, which will include the following waterways: Crooked Run, Frederick/Warren Counties, 8.87 mi; Stephens Run, Frederick, 0.95 mi; West Run, Frederick/Warren, 6.12 mi; Happy Creek, Warren, 8.42 mi; Manassas Run, Warren, 9.15 mi; Willow Brook, Warren, 3.95 mi; Borden Marsh Run, Clarke/Warren, 9.46 mi; Long Branch, Clarke, 3.63 mi. In addition, Happy Creek does not host a healthy and diverse population of aquatic life, and subsequently was 8.42 miles of it was listed as impaired for the “General Benthic (Aquatic life)” water quality standard. This water quality study (TMDL) will review all data collected and determine the cause of the benthic impairment through a weight of evidence approach. Reductions and a TMDL for the cause of the impairment will be developed. In addition, Crooked Run and Stephens Run have very low Dissolved Oxygen (DO) levels and therefore 8.87 miles was listed as impaired for the DO water quality standard. This water quality study (TMDL) will review all data collected and determine the cause of the low DO levels through a weight of evidence approach. Reductions and a TMDL for the cause of the impairment will be developed. The public comment period for these public meetings will end on February 10, 2014. Notice of this meeting appears in the December 30, 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: | Tara Sieber |
| Address: |
DEQ Valley Regional Office PO Box 3000 Harrisonburg, 22801 |
| Email Address: | tara.sieber@deq.virginia.gov |
| Telephone: | (540)574-7870 FAX: (540)574-7878 TDD: ()- |