Department of Environmental Quality
State Water Control Board
Meeting:
Public Informational Meeting - Water Quality Study (TMDL Study) - Barbours Creek, Craig Creek, Catawba Creek, Little Patterson, Sinking Creek, Lapsley Run & James River
| Meeting Details | |
|---|---|
| Date / Time | 11/2/2017 6:00 pm |
| Location | Eagle Rock Library, 55 Eagles Nest Drive, Eagle Rock, VA 24085 |
| 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, will discuss the process and data used to develop a water quality study, known as a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) for Barbours Creek, Craig Creek, Catawba Creek, Little Patterson Creek, Sinking Creek, Lapsely Run and a section on the James River in Craig and Botetourt Counties. These streams are listed on the 303(d) TMDL Priority List and Report as impaired due to violations of Virginia’s water quality standards for Recreational Use and General Standard (Benthics). 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 (11/2/2017 - 12/11/2017). MEETING DESCRIPTION: A public informational meeting will be held to introduce the local community to the water quality improvement process in Virginia, known as the TMDL Process, provide information on bacteria and biological monitoring efforts and sources, invite participation and solicit input, review the next steps and accept volunteers to be part of a Technical Advisory Committee. Section 303(d) of the Clean Water Act and §62.1-44.19:7.C of the Code of Virginia requires DEQ to develop TMDLs for pollutants responsible for each impaired water contained in Virginia’s 303(d) TMDL Priority List and Report. These meetings will be open to the public and all are welcome. DESCRIPTION OF STUDY: In Botetourt and Craig Counties, portions of the James River, Catawba Creek, Craig Creek, Barbours Creek, Sinking Creek, Lapsley Run and Little Patterson Creek are impaired for the “recreational use” water quality standard, meaning there is too much E. Coli bacteria present in these waterbodies. A section of Catawba Creek does not have a healthy and diverse community of macroinvertebrates and subsequently does not meet the “aquatic life” water quality standard. Excessive bacteria levels may pose a threat to human health; therefore, a bacteria standard was established to preserve recreational uses in Virginia’s waterbodies. This water quality study will report on the sources of bacteria and recommend 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, bacteria levels need to be reduced to the TMDL amount. Virginia agencies are working to identify sources of bacteria and determine the pollutant cause for the benthic impairment through a weight of evidence approach. The following streams are impaired for bacteria: (i) Craig Creek - 7.91 miles (mainstem from the mouth of Turnpike Creek extending downstream to the Rt. 311 crossing), Craig County; (ii) Craig Creek - 11.43 miles (Craig Creek from the mouth of Johns Creek downstream to the Barbours Creek confluence), Craig County; (iii) Barbours Creek - 7.15 miles (Barbours Creek from just downstream of the Rt. 617 and 611 junction at the mouth of Valley Branch on downstream to its mouth on Craig Creek), Craig County: (iv) Little Patterson - 4.24 miles (Little Patterson Creek from just upstream of the Rt. 684 (Sugar Tree Hollow Rd.) crossing downstream to its confluence with Patterson Creek), Botetourt County; (v) Lapsley Run - 9.01 miles (Lapsley Run from its confluence with the James River upstream to its headwaters), Botetourt County; (vi) James River - 7.63 miles (James River from the confluence of the Jackson and Cowpasture Rivers downstream to the mouth of Stull Run), Botetourt County; (vii) Sinking Creek - 6.42 miles (Sinking Creek mainstem from its mouth on the James River upstream to the Route 697 crossing), Botetourt County; and, (viii) Catawba Creek - 13.46 miles (Catawba Creek from the confluence of Little Catawba Creek downstream to the Town of Fincastle POTW), Botetourt County. The Catawba Creek is also impaired for aquatic life for 3.23 miles (Catawba Creek from Buchanan Branch downstream to the confluence with Little Catawba Creek). HOW TO COMMENT AND PARTICIPATE: The meetings of the TMDL process are open to the public and all interested parties are welcome. A Technical Advisory Committee or TAC will be formed to assist in the development of this TMDL. Persons interested in assisting in the development of this TMDL as a TAC member should contact staff person listed during the comment period, 11/2/2017 - 12/11/2017. Written comments will be accepted through December 11th, 2017 and should include the name, address, and telephone number of the person submitting the comments. For more information or to submit written comments, please contact the DEQ staff person listed. In the case of inclement weather, the meetings will be rescheduled for November 6, 2017 from 6:00 - 8:00 at Eagle Rock Library. Notice of this meeting and public comment period are published in the October 16, 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: | Lucy Baker |
| Address: |
DEQ Blue Ridge Regional Office 3019 Peters Creek Roanoke, 24019 |
| Email Address: | lucy.baker@deq.virginia.gov |
| Telephone: | (540)562-6718 FAX: (540)562-6725 TDD: ()- |