Department of Environmental Quality
Department of Environmental Quality
Meeting:
Public Meeting Notice - James River and Tributaries Polychlorinated Biphenyl (PCB) Water Quality Study Update - MARCH 4 MEETING CANCELLED AND RESCHEDULED FOR MARCH 18
| Meeting Details | |
|---|---|
| Date / Time | 3/18/2014 2:00 pm |
| Location | Chester Library
11800 Centre Street Chester, VA 23831 |
| 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 Meetings are to provide an update on progress since initial public meetings were held in 2010 and 2011. A formal comment period will not be offered at this time; however, the public is encouraged to contact DEQ with questions or concerns. DEQ expects to complete the study next year, at which time a draft study will be made available and public comments will be accepted on the document. STUDY BACKGROUND: The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality initiated a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) study for the James River and selected tributaries for Polychlorinated Biphenyl’s (PCBs) at public meetings in late 2010 and early 2011. PCBs were first detected in fish-tissue samples collected at monitoring stations along the James River and its tributaries in the early 2000s. PCBs were historically used as coolants and lubricants, particularly in transformers, capacitors, and other electrical equipment, because of their high heat capacity. The U.S. prohibited production of PCBs in the late 1970s because it was found that they accumulate and persist in the environment, especially within the fatty tissue of animals, and evidence showed that PCBs can be harmful to human health. For information about PCBs and potential health impacts, please visit the VDH Frequently Asked Questions for PCBs (http://www.vdh.state.va.us/epidemiology/dee/publichealthtoxicology/advisories/Fish Consumption Advisory Fact Sheet 10 18 3013.pdf) or the EPA PCB website (http://www.epa.gov/epawaste/hazard/tsd/pcbs/about.htm). For the handouts and presentations provided at the initial DEQ public meetings, please visit the DEQ TMDL website: http://www.deq.virginia.gov/Programs/Water/WaterQualityInformationTMDLs/TMDL/PCBTMDLs.aspx The waterways impaired for fish consumption due to the concentration of PCBs are: Appomattox River (to Lake Chesdin Dam), Poythress Run, Bailey Creek (to Route 630), Chickahominy River (to Walkers Dam), Skiffes Creek (to Skiffes Creek Dam), Pagan River (and tributary Jones Creek), Chuckatuck Creek, Nansemond River (and tributaries Bennett Creek and Star Creek), Hampton River, Willoughby Bay and the Elizabeth R. system (Western, Eastern, and Southern Branches and Lafayette R.) and tributaries St. Julian Creek, Deep Creek, and Broad Creek. The study will report on sources of PCB contamination and recommend total maximum daily loads, or 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, pollutant levels have to be reduced to the TMDL amount. For the purposes of these meetings, the James River from the fall line to the Charles City Co. and Surry Co. extents will be discussed. This portion of the James River and tributaries is part of a larger PCB study which includes the lower James and Elizabeth Rivers. Public meetings to update the public in these downstream vicinities are planned for mid March in Croaker and Virginia Beach. **In case of inclement weather please contact Mark Alling at (804)527-5021 for meeting status.** | |
| 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: | Mark Alling / TMDL Regional Manager |
| Address: |
VADEQ – Piedmont Regional Office 4949 Cox Road Glen Allen, 23060 |
| Email Address: | Mark.Alling@deq.virginia.gov |
| Telephone: | (804)527-5021 FAX: (804)527-5106 TDD: ()- |