Department of Environmental Quality
State Water Control Board
Meeting:
TMDL Public Meeting - LONG MEADOW RUN AND TURLEY CREEK
| Meeting Details | |
|---|---|
| Date / Time | 9/14/2015 7:00 pm |
| Location | J. Frank Hillyard Middle School
226 Hawks Hill Dr., Broadway, VA 22815 |
| 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? No | |
| Purpose of the meeting The Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), its contractors, Virginia Tech’s Biological Systems Engineering Department, and the Local Steering Committee, comprised of local landowners and interested parties, will present the results of a water quality study known as a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDLs) and the recommendations in the Implementation Plan, or watershed clean-up plan, for Long Meadow Run and Turley Creek. This is an opportunity for local residents to learn more about the water quality study, the clean-up plan, and find out how they can make a difference to their local streams. A public meeting will be held to reintroduce to the local community the water quality improvement process in Virginia, known as the TMDL Process, review the work of the Local Steering Committee, and solicit the input of the community on the TMDL document and the Implementation Plan, also known as a watershed clean-up plan. Section 303(d) of the Clean Water Act and §62.1-44.19:7.C of the Code of Virginia require DEQ to develop TMDLs for pollutants responsible for each impaired water contained in Virginia’s 303(d) TMDL Priority List and Report. Several streams in the North Fork Shenandoah River watershed do not meet Virginia’s water quality standards. Long Meadow Run and Turley Creek were listed in 2002 as impaired due to violations of the State’s general water quality standard (benthic) for aquatic life. The aquatic life impairment on Long Meadow Run extends from its headwaters to the confluence with the North Fork Shenandoah River, which is a total of 8.53 miles. The Turley Creek aquatic life impairment extends a total of 4.01 miles from its headwaters to the confluence with the North Fork Shenandoah River. These streams do not host a healthy and diverse population of aquatic life, and subsequently were listed as impaired for the “General Benthic (Aquatic life)” water quality standard. This water quality study reviewed all data collected and determined the cause of the benthic impairment to be excess sediment in both streams; in addition, nitrogen was identified as an issue in Long Meadow Run. A TMDL is the total amount of a pollutant a water body can contain and still meet water quality standards. To restore water quality, sediment levels need to be reduced to the TMDL amount in both streams, and nitrogen should be reduced in Long Meadow Run. Virginia agencies worked with local community partners to identify sources of excess sediment and recommend actions, practices, and strategies that could achieve the necessary reductions. The imparied stream segments included in this TMDL study and IP are for 8.53 miles of Long Meadow Run (Rockingham County) and for 4.01 miles of Turley Creek (Rockingham Count). . This meeting will be open to the public and all are welcome. In the case of inclement weather, the meeting will take place on Thursday, September 17, 2015 at the same time and place. Please contact Tara Sieber at (540) 574-7870 with any questions. A public comment period will follow the meeting (9/15/2015 – 10/16/2015) and notice of this meeting and comment period appears in the September 7, 2015 Virginia Register. | |
| 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: | Tara Sieber |
| Address: |
DEQ-Valley Regional Office P.O. Box 3000 Harrisonburg, 22801 |
| Email Address: | tara.sieber@deq.virginia.gov |
| Telephone: | (540)574-7870 FAX: (540)574-7878 TDD: ()- |