Department of Environmental Quality
State Water Control Board
Meeting:
Public Informational Meeting - Water Quality Study (TMDL) for the Bullpasture River
| Meeting Details | |
|---|---|
| Date / Time | 9/18/2018 6:00 pm |
| Location | Stonewall Ruritan Hall,
67 Bullpasture River Road, McDowell, VA 24458 |
| 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 NOTE: MEETING DATE CHANGED FROM SEPTEMBER 13 TO SEPTEMBER 18. TIME AND LOCATION UNCHANGED. DEADLINE FOR COMMENTS CHANGED FROM OCTOBER 15, 2018 TO OCTOBER 22, 2018. The Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and its contractors, Virginia Tech’s Biological Systems Engineering Department, will discuss the process that will be used to complete a water quality study known as a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) for the Bullpasture River and its tributaries. The river is listed on the 303(d) TMDL Priority List and Report as impaired due to violations of Virginia’s water quality standards for Recreational Use. This is an opportunity for local residents to learn about the condition of the river, share information about the area, and become involved in the process of local water quality improvement. A public comment period will follow the meeting (9-14-18 through 10-15-18). This 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 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. The meeting will be open to the public and all are welcome. DESCRIPTION OF STUDY: The upper portion of the Bullpasture River, located in Highland County, Virginia is impaired for the “recreational use” water quality standard, meaning that there is too much E. coli bacteria present in river. The impaired segment begins at the headwaters of the river at the VA-WVA border and extends to just below the confluence with Davis Run south of McDowell. 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 a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) for the impaired segment of the river. A TMDL is the total amount of a pollutant a water body can contain and still meet water quality standards. To restore water quality in the upper Bullpasture River, bacteria levels will need to be reduced to the TMDL amount. Through this process, Virginia agencies will partner with a Technical Advisory Committee made up of local stakeholders to identify sources of bacteria in the upper portion of the river, and the reductions needed from these sources to meet the TMDL. HOW TO COMMENT AND PARTICIPATE: All meetings in support of TMDL development are open to the public and all interested parties are welcome. Written comments will be accepted through October 22, 2018 and should include the name, address, and telephone number of the person submitting the comments. Notice of this meeting and associated comment period is provided in the August 20, 2018 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: | Nesha McRae |
| Address: |
DEQ Valley Regional Office P.O. Box 3000 Harrisonburg, 22801 |
| Email Address: | nesha.mcrae@deq.virginia.gov |
| Telephone: | (540)574-7850 FAX: (540)574-7878 TDD: ()- |