Department of Environmental Quality
State Water Control Board
Meeting:
Technical Advisory Committee Meeting - Water Quality Study (TMDL) for the Bullpasture River
| Meeting Details | |
|---|---|
| Date / Time | 12/12/2018 1:30 pm |
| Location | Stonewall Ruritan Hall,
67 Bullpasture River Road, McDowell, VA |
| Board Website | http://www.deq.virginia.gov |
| Agenda document | agency has not posted |
| Minutes document |
Meeting minutes
12/20/2018
(118k)
FINAL
|
| 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 model calibration and validation data in addition to bacteria reduction scenarios that will be used to complete a water quality study known as a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) for the Bullpasture River and its tributaries. This meeting will serve as an opportunity for local residents to share information about the area and the Bullpasture River and its tributaries. MEETING DESCRIPTION: A Technical Advisory Committee meeting will be held to review model calibration and validation data in addition to bacteria reduction scenarios. DEQ will invite participation and solicit input from local stakeholder, review the next steps in the planning process and accept volunteers to be part of a Technical Advisory Committee. 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. The meeting will be open to the public and all are welcome. DESCRIPTION OF STUDY: The upper portion of the Bullpasture River, located in Highland County, Virginia is impaired for the “recreational use” water quality standard, meaning that there is too much E. coli bacteria present in river. The impaired segment begins at the headwaters of the river at the VA-WVA border and extends to just below the confluence with Davis Run south of McDowell. 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 a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) for the impaired segment of the river. A TMDL is the total amount of a pollutant a water body can contain and still meet water quality standards. To restore water quality in the upper Bullpasture River, bacteria levels will need to be reduced to the TMDL amount. Through this process, Virginia agencies will partner with a Technical Advisory Committee made up of local stakeholders to identify sources of bacteria in the upper portion of the river, and the reductions needed from these sources to meet the TMDL. All meetings in support of TMDL development are open to the public and all interested parties are welcome. For more information, please contact the DEQ staff person listed below. Note: In the case of inclement weather, the meeting will be postponed until December 17, to be held at the same time and location. | |
| 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: | Nesha McRae |
| Address: |
DEQ Valley Regional Office P.O. Box 3000 Harrisonburg, 22801 |
| Email Address: | nesha.mcrae@deq.virginia.gov |
| Telephone: | (540)574-7850 FAX: (540)574-7878 TDD: ()- |