Virginia Regulatory Town Hall
Agency
Department of Environmental Quality
Board
Department of Environmental Quality
Meeting:
NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING AND PUBLIC COMMENT - CLEANUP PLAN- Pigg River, Beaverdam Creek, Fryingpan Creek and Poplar Branch in Franklin, Pittsylvania, and Bedford County, Virginia

 
Meeting Details
Date / Time 2/29/2024  4:30 pm
Type Physical Location Only 
Location 355 Franklin Street, Franklin County Public Library in Rocky Mount, Virginia 24151 
Board Website http://www.deq.virginia.gov 
Agenda document agency has not posted
Minutes document minutes not taken
Disability Friendly? Yes       Deaf interpreter available upon request? Yes
Purpose of the meeting
PURPOSE OF NOTICE: The Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) seeks public comment on the development of a cleanup plan for impaired waters, also known as an Implementation Plan (IP), for the Pigg River, Beaverdam Creek, Fryingpan Creek and Poplar Branch in Franklin, Pittsylvania, and Bedford County, Virginia. These streams are listed as impaired since monitoring data indicates that the waters do not meet Virginia’s water quality standards for bacteria and aquatic life (benthic). Section 303(d) of the Clean Water Act and §62.1-44.19:7.C of the State Water Control Law requires DEQ to develop cleanup studies to address pollutants responsible for causing waters to be on Virginia’s 303(d) list of impaired waters. Once a cleanup study is developed, Section §62.1-44.19:7 of the State Water Control Law outlines the requirements needed in a cleanup plan to address the pollutants contained in the study. DEQ is developing a cleanup plan to identify the actions necessary to address the water quality impairment in the Pigg River, Beaverdam Creek, Fryingpan Creek and Poplar Branch area. DEQ will introduce the community to the process used to develop the plan and invites the public to contribute to the plan by participating in IP Community Engagement Meetings. Persons interested in participating may notify the DEQ contact and provide their name, address, phone number, email address, and the organization they represent (if any). The proposed cleanup plan will explain the pollutant reductions needed to meet the targets contained in both the bacteria (2006) and benthic (2022) TMDL report prepared for the watershed. The plan will also recommend a specific set of voluntary best management practices (BMPs) for agricultural lands, residential septic systems, pet waste, and urban practices to reduce both bacteria and sediment from entering area streams. It will also include associated costs and a timeline of the expected achievement of water quality objectives. CLEANUP PLAN LOCATION: The cleanup plan addresses the following impaired stream segments: Pigg River, Beaverdam Creek, Fryingpan Creek and Poplar Branch. The impaired section of the Pigg River is listed for a recreational use impairment (E. coli) in three different segments (1.48 mi, 1.01 mi, and 1.94 mi). The impairment for Beaverdam Creek has two segments of recreational use impairments (4.98 mi and 5.35 mi). Fryingpan Creek is impaired from its headwaters downstream to about 0.85 miles downstream of the Route 40 crossing. Approximately 2.56 miles on Fryingpan Creek are impaired for aquatic life use, and a downstream portion is also impaired for E. coli. Poplar Branch is also impaired for the recreational use standard (E. coli) from its headwaters downstream to about 2.56 miles. PUBLIC MEETING: 355 Franklin Street, Franklin County Public Library in Rocky Mount, Virginia 24151 on February 29th, 2024, at 4:30 p.m. In the event of inclement weather, the meeting will be held on March 7th, 2024, at the same time and location stated above. PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD: February 29, 2024, to April 1, 2024 HOW TO COMMENT: DEQ accepts written comments by e-mail, or postal mail. All comments must be received by DEQ during the comment period. Submittals must include the name, organization they represent (if any), mailing addresses, and telephone numbers of the commenter/requester. CONTACT FOR PUBLIC COMMENTS, DOCUMENT REQUESTS AND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Kimberly Romero; BRRO Office, 901 Russell Dr, Salem, Virginia 24153 Phone: (540) 759-9075; E-mail: kimberly.romero@deq.virginia.gov. Information about this plan will be posted here throughout the development process: https://www.deq.virginia.gov/our-programs/water/water-quality/implementation/implementation-plans-under-development.
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: Kimberly Romero  / BRR Office
Address: 901 Russell Dr.
Salem, 24153
Email Address: kimberly.romero@deq.virginia.gov
Telephone: (540)759-9075    FAX: ()-    TDD: ()-