Department of Environmental Quality
State Water Control Board
Electronic Access
Meeting:
Buffalo River TMDL Implementation Plan - Final Public Meeting
| Meeting Details | |
|---|---|
| Date / Time | 10/20/2020 6:00 pm |
| Type | Electronic Only |
| Electronic Access | This meeting will be held virtually. Please register in advance using the following link: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/4106924828708741648 |
| 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 Given the current State of Emergency related to the COVID-19 pandemic, this meeting will be held entirely virtually to discuss the draft Implementation Plan for the Buffalo River watersheds. At this meeting, the process by which the implementation plan was developed to restore water quality in the watersheds will be discussed and citizens will learn how they can be part of the water quality improvement process. A computer or a telephone are necessary to participate virtually. All participants are encouraged to access the meeting using a computer to view presentations or visual displays, although audio only participation using a phone is also an option. The URL to access the virtual meeting is provided at the end of this notice. If meeting participants experience any interruption in the meeting broadcast, they should call the technical support line - technical assistance during the meeting call 804-698-4470 or email kevin.vaughan@deq.virginia.gov. The Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) seeks written and oral comments from interested persons on the draft TMDL Implementation Plan (IP) for bacteria and sediment Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) for Buffalo River, Long Branch, Rutledge Creek, Mill Creek and Turner Creek watersheds in Amherst County. These streams were listed as impaired on the Virginia’s 303(d) TMDL Priority List and Report due to exceedances of the State’s water quality standard for bacteria. The following are the names of the bacteria “impaired” stream, the length of the impaired segment and the reason for the impairment : Buffalo River, 23.48 miles, bacteria; Buffalo River, 2.09 miles, sediment; Long Branch, 3.59 miles, sediment; Mill Creek, 4.15 miles, bacteria; Rutledge Creek, 7.48 miles, bacteria; Turner Creek, 4.49 miles, bacteria. For previous meeting minutes please visit the DEQ Implementation Planning Progress page https://www.deq.virginia.gov/Programs/Water/WaterQualityInformationTMDLs/TMDL/TMDLImplementation/TMDLImplementationProgress.aspx#Buffalo%20River The TMDL studies for these stream impairments were completed in June 2013 and July 2013, and can be found, respectively, in the Bacteria Total Maximum Daily Load Development for Hat Creek, Piney River, Rucker Run, Mill Creek, Rutledge Creek, Turner Creek, Buffalo River and Tye River in Nelson County and Amherst County, Virginia report (available at https://www.deq.virginia.gov/portals/0/DEQ/Water/TMDL/apptmdls/jamesrvr/tyetribsbact.pdf), the Sediment TMDL Development Report for Benthic Impairments in Long Branch and Buffalo River Amherst County, Virginia report (available at https://www.deq.virginia.gov/portals/0/DEQ/Water/TMDL/apptmdls/jamesrvr/longbuffsed.pdf Section 62.1-44.19:7.C of the Code of Virginia requires the development of an IP for approved TMDLs. The IP should provide measurable goals and the date of expected achievement of water quality objectives. The IP should also include the corrective actions needed and their associated costs, benefits, and environmental impacts. DEQ accepts written comments by e-mail, fax or postal mail. The 30-day public comment period on the information presented at the meeting will begin on October 20, 2020 and end on November 20, 2020. Questions or information requests should be addressed to James Moneymaker with the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality. Written comments and inquiries should include the name, address, and telephone number of the person submitting the comments and should be sent to the staff contact listed below. Notice of this meeting appears in the September 28, 2020 Virginia Register. In the event the Governor’s State of Emergency is lifted, the meeting will be held on the same date and time at the: DEQ Blue Ridge Regional Office Training Room 901 Russell Drive Salem, VA 24153 | |
| 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: | James Moneymaker |
| Address: |
Virginia DEQ - Blue Ridge Regional Office 901 Russell Drive Salem, 24153 |
| Email Address: | james.moneymaker@deq.virginia.gov |
| Telephone: | (540)562-6738 FAX: (540)562-6725 TDD: ()- |