Department of Environmental Quality
State Water Control Board
Meeting:
TMDL Public Meeting - Water Quality Study for Woods Creek
| Meeting Details | |
|---|---|
| Date / Time | 4/18/2017 6:30 pm |
| Location | Maury River Middle School, 600 Waddell St, Lexington, VA 24450 |
| 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 The Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and its contractors, Virginia Tech’s Biological Systems Engineering Department, and the Technical Advisory 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) for Woods Creek. This is an opportunity for local residents to learn more about the water quality study and find out how they can assist in the process of water quality improvement. A public comment period will follow the meeting (4/18/2017 – 5/19/2017). Stakeholders are invited to comment on the draft TMDL document found here: http://www.deq.virginia.gov/Programs/Water/WaterQualityInformationTMDLs/TMDL/TMDLDevelopment/DraftTMDLReports.aspx This public meeting will be held to introduce to the local community the water quality improvement process in Virginia, known as the TMDL Process, review the work of the Technical Advisory Committee, solicit the input and involvement of the local community, 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. Woods Creek does not meet water quality standards for recreation due to an excess of bacteria. In addition, this stream does 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. 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 bacteria and will determine the pollutant cause of the benthic impairments as well as identify sources of this pollutant through a weight of evidence approach. Reductions and a TMDL for the cause of the impairment will be developed. This meeting will be open to the public and all are welcome. In the case of inclement weather, the meeting will be postponed until Wednesday, April 19 at 6.30pm. For more information, please contact the staff person listed. Notice of this meeting and public comment period appears in the April 17, 2017 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: ()- |