Meeting:
Public Informational Meeting - Water Quality (TMDL) Study for Barbours Creek, Craig Creek, Catawba Creek, Little Patterson Creek, Sinking Creek, Lapsley Run and Part of the James River
Meeting Details | |
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Date / Time | 6/21/2018 6:00 pm |
Location | Craig-Botetourt Electric Cooperative – 26198 Craigs Creek Road, New Castle, VA 24127 |
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? Yes | |
Purpose of the meeting The Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and its contractors, Virginia Tech’s Biological Systems Engineering Department, will discuss the results of a water quality study, known as a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) for Barbours Creek, Craig Creek, Catawba Creek, Little Patterson Creek, Sinking Creek, Lapsely Run and a section on the James River in Craig and Botetourt Counties. These streams are listed on the 303(d) TMDL Priority List and Report as impaired due to violations of Virginia’s water quality standards for Recreational Use and General Standard (Benthics). Section 303(d) of the Clean Water Act and §62.1-44.19:7.C of the Code of Virginia requires DEQ to develop TMDLs for pollutants responsible for each impaired water contained in Virginia’s 303(d) TMDL Priority List and Report. This is an opportunity for local residents to learn about the condition of these streams, share information about the area, and become involved in the process of local water quality improvement. A 30-day public comment period on the draft TMDL will follow the meetings (6/21/2018- 7/25/2018). To access the draft TMDL document visit http://bit.do/VADEQdraftTMDL DESCRIPTION OF STUDY: In Botetourt and Craig Counties, portions of the James River, Catawba Creek, Craig Creek, Barbours Creek, Sinking Creek, Lapsley Run and Little Patterson Creek are impaired for the “recreational use” water quality standard, meaning there is too much E. Coli bacteria present in these waterbodies. A section of Catawba Creek does not have a healthy and diverse community of aquatic organisms and subsequently does not meet the “aquatic life” water quality standard. Excessive bacteria levels may pose a threat to human health; therefore, a bacteria standard was established to preserve recreational uses in Virginia’s waterbodies. This water quality study will report on the sources of bacteria and recommend 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, bacteria levels need to be reduced to the TMDL amount. A component of a TMDL is the Waste Load Allocation (WLA); therefore, this notice is provided pursuant to §2.2-4006.A.14 of the Administrative Process Act for any future adoption of the TMDL WLAs. Affected Streams: 1. Craig Creek - 7.91 miles, Mainstem from the mouth of Turnpike Creek extending downstream to the Rt. 311 crossing (Craig County) - Bacteria; 2. Craig Creek - 11.43 miles, Craig Creek from the mouth of Johns Creek downstream to the Barbours Creek confluence (Craig County) - Bacteria; 3. Craig Creek - 27.56 miles, Craig Creek mainstem from the mouth of Wilson Branch downstream confluence with the James River (Botetourt County) - Bacteria; 4. Barbours Creek - 7.15 miles, Barbours Creek from just downstream of the Rt. 617 and 611 junction at the mouth of Valley Branch on downstream to its mouth on Craig Creek (Craig County) - Bacteria; 5. Little Patterson Creek - 4.24 miles, Little Patterson Creek from just upstream of the Rt. 684 (Sugar Tree Hollow Rd.) crossing downstream to its confluence with Patterson Creek (Botetourt County) - Bacteria; 6. Lapsley Run - 9.01 miles, Lapsley Run from its confluence with the James River upstream to its headwaters (Botetourt County) - Bacteria; 7. James River - 7.63 miles, James River from the confluence of the Jackson and Cowpasture Rivers downstream to the mouth of Stull Run (Botetourt County) - Bacteria; 8. Sinking Creek - 6.42 miles, Sinking Creek mainstem from its mouth on the James River upstream to the Route 697 crossing (Botetourt County) - Bacteria; 9. Catawba Creek - 13.46 miles, Catawba Creek from the confluence of Little Catawba Creek downstream to the Town of Fincastle POTW (Botetourt County) - Bacteria; 10. Catawba Creek - 3.23 miles, Catawba Creek from Buchanan Branch downstream to the confluence with Little Catawba Creek (Botetourt County) - Aquatic Life. HOW TO COMMENT AND PARTICIPATE: The meetings of the TMDL process are open to the public and all interested parties are welcome. Written comments will be accepted through July 25, 2018 and should include the name, address, and telephone number of the person submitting the comments. For more information or to submit written comments, please contact the staff person listed. In the case of inclement weather, the meeting will be rescheduled for June 25, 2018 from 6:00pm - 8:00pm at Craig-Botetourt Electric Cooperative. Notice of this meeting appears in the June 11, 2018 Virginia Register. | |
Meeting Scope |
Public hearing to receive comment on a proposed stage
X
General business of the board
Discuss particular regulations / chapters
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Contact Information | |
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Name / Title: | Lucy Baker |
Address: |
DEQ Blue Ridge Regional Office 3019 Peters Creek Roanoke, 24019 |
Email Address: | lucy.baker@deq.virginia.gov |
Telephone: | (540)562-6718 FAX: (540)562-6725 TDD: ()- |