Virginia Regulatory Town Hall View Meeting

Agency

Department of Environmental Quality

Board

Department of Environmental Quality

Electronic Access

Meeting:

Environmental Justice in the Permitting Process – Public Webinar on Guidance Memo Draft (virtual only)

Meeting Details
Date / Time	10/6/2026 12:00 pm
Type	Electronic Only
Electronic Access	Please register for the webinar at: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/8747849109271463259 (please copy and paste the link if it does not work correctly).
Board Website	http://www.deq.virginia.gov
Agenda document	agency has not posted
Purpose of the meeting Purpose of the Meeting: On September 23, 2026, DEQ released the updated 2026 draft Environmental Justice in the Permitting Process Guidance Memo for informal public comment until Oct. 23, 2026. During this webinar, DEQ will provide an overview of the updated draft guidance memo and explain how to submit public comments on the draft. Note that public comments cannot be provided or submitted during the webinar itself. PUBLIC MEETING DETAILS: Date: October 6, 2026 Time: 12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. Location: Please register for the webinar at: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/8747849109271463259 (please copy and paste the link if it does not work correctly) MEETING DESCRIPTION: In accordance with House Bill 1266 (2026), enacted into law as Chapter 461 of the 2026 Acts of Assembly, DEQ was tasked with updating the draft 2023 Environmental Justice in the Permitting Process Guidance Memo to “consider how to assess the cumulative impacts of the types of permits covered in the guidance memo and outreach strategies to engage communities impacted by any such permit.” In July 2026, DEQ held two in-person town hall meetings, one in Richmond and the other in Virginia Beach, as well as a virtual town hall meeting in August 2026. The purpose of those meetings was to collect public input to assist DEQ with revising the draft guidance memo. The 2026 draft incorporates suggestions received during those meetings. This informational webinar will provide attendees with an overview of the updated 2026 draft Environmental Justice in the Permitting Process Guidance Memo, including DEQ’s proposed framework for assessing cumulative impacts and recommended outreach strategies, as directed by HB1266/Chapter 461. The presentation will also provide instructions on how the public can submit comments during the informal public comment period, which will close on Oct. 23, 2026. Public comments on the updated draft guidance cannot be provided or submitted to DEQ during the webinar. If time permits, DEQ staff will accept questions at the end of the webinar limited to clarifying the content of the revised guidance. To review the updated guidance document: The updated 2026 draft Environmental Justice in the Permitting Process Guidance Memo, as well as information on how to submit public comments, is posted on DEQ’s Environmental Justice Permitting Guidance webpage, and can also be accessed using this link: Draft Guidance Memo Environmental Justice in the Permitting Process_9-23-26 (https://www.deq.virginia.gov/home/showdocument?id=39106; please copy and paste the link if it does not work correctly). Language Access: To request language interpretation services for the webinar, please contact civilrights@deq.virginia.gov or call 804-914-3509 by September 29, 2026. All language services are offered at no cost to the public. Contact for the virtual webinar: Gwendolin McCrea - Office of Environmental Justice, Public Participation Coordinator; 13901 Crown Court; Woodbridge, VA 22193; gwendolin.mccrea@deq.virginia.gov; 804-914-3509 (TTY: dial 711). Contact for technical assistance during the webinar: Kathryn Miller - Office of Environmental Justice, Public Outreach Coordinator; 901 Russell Drive; Salem, VA 24153; kathryn.miller@deq.virginia.gov; 804-486-0492 (TTY: dial 711). CONTACT INFORMATION Name / Title: Gwendolin McCrea / Office of Environmental Justice, Public Participation Coordinator Address: 13901 Crown Court Woodbridge, VA 22193 Email Address: gwendolin.mccrea@deq.virginia.gov Telephone: 804-914-3509 TTY: dial 711
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:	Gwendolin McCrea / Public Participation Coordinator
Address:	13901 Crown Court Woodbridge, 22193
Email Address:	gwendolin.mccrea@deq.virginia.gov
Telephone:	(804)914-3509 FAX: ()- TDD: ()-
Reasonable accommodations for people with disabilities, such as sign language interpreters and/or real-time captioning services, are available upon request. Please send accommodation requests to the meeting contact as early as possible but no later than seven business days before the date of the meeting.