Virginia Regulatory Town Hall
Agency
Department of Environmental Quality
Board
State Water Control Board
Meeting:
TMDL Public Meeting - Water Quality Study (TMDL) - Cunningham Creek and its Tributaries

 
Meeting Details
Date / Time 2/29/2016  6:30 pm
Location Fluvanna County Public Library
214 Commons BLVD
Palmyra, VA 22963 
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
A public meeting will be held to introduce to the local community to the water quality improvement process in Virginia, known as the TMDL Process, invite their participation and solicit their contributions, and review the next steps. 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. The Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and its contractors, Virginia Tech’s Biological Systems Engineering Department, will discuss population data for the development of a water quality study known as a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) for Cunningham Creek and its Tributaries. This is an opportunity for local residents to learn about the condition of these streams, share information about the area, and become involved in the process of local water quality improvement. A public comment period will follow the meetings (2/29/2016 – 3/28/2016). DESCRIPTION OF STUDY: These streams do not host a healthy and diverse population of aquatic life, and subsequently was listed as impaired for the “General Benthic (Aquatic life)” water quality standards. In addition, the Middle Fork of Cunningham Creek has an excess of bacteria. The bacteria standard preserves the “Primary Contact (recreational or swimming)” designated use for Virginia waterways. Excessive bacteria levels may pose a threat to human health. This water quality study reports on the sources of bacterial contamination and recommends reductions to meet Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) for the impaired waters. A TMDL is the total amount of a pollutant a water body can contain and still meet water quality standards. To restore water quality, bacterial levels need to be reduced to the TMDL amount. Virginia agencies are working to identify sources of bacterial and will determine the cause of the benthic impairments through a weight of evidence approach. Reductions and a TMDL for the cause of the impairment will be developed. HOW TO COMMENT AND PARTICIPATE: The meetings of the TMDL process are open to the public and all interested parties are welcome. Written comments will accepted through March 28th, 2016 and should include the name, address, and telephone number of the person submitting the comments. Notice of this meeting appears in the February 22, 2016 Virginia Register. For more information or to submit written comments, please contact the staff person listed below. In the case of inclement weather, the meeting will be postponed until Monday, March 7, 2016 at 6.30pm.
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: ()-