The guidance provides Virginia Water Protection (VWP) Permit Program staff with information on a 2008 Virginia General Assembly action that changed the Code of Virginia (see §62.1-44.15:21 H) to exempt certain agricultural and silvicultural ponds and impoundments from VWP permit requirements. This guidance also clarifies how applications for these certain activities should be evaluated and processed relative to water withdrawal permitting and permit actions by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE).  This guidance supersedes DEQ Guidance Memorandum 02-2011.  It is available on the web at:  http://townhall.virginia.gov/L/ViewGDoc.cfm?gdid=3727.