Department of Environmental Quality
Department of Environmental Quality
Meeting:
TMDL Public Meeting - Draft Implementation Plan - James River and Tributary Bacteria Impairments (Richmond City; Counties of Chesterfield, Henrico, Goochand, Powhatan)
| Meeting Details | |
|---|---|
| Date / Time | 5/18/2011 6:00 pm |
| Location | Central Office location of the Dept. of Environmental Quality (DEQ)
629 East Main Street Richmond, VA 23218 |
| 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 PURPOSE OF NOTICE: The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality will host a public meeting to provide a summary of the draft Implementation Plan (IP) which incorporates results of the recently completed TMDL study. A public comment period beginning on May 19 and ending on June 20, 2011 will allow stakeholder input of the draft document. The draft will be made available online by the day of or the day after the public meeting at: http://www.deq.virginia.gov/tmdl/ipproj.html" class="linkblue">http://www.deq.virginia.gov/tmdl/ipproj.html. MEETING DESCRIPTION: The goal of the IP process is to outline a plan for reaching the pollutant reduction goals of a completed TMDL study. The plan will identify the type and number of “best management practices” (BMPs) which may be implemented in order to mitigate the bacteria pollution in the waterways. The plan also identifies funding opportunities and estimates the costs of remedial efforts. DEQ has been working with area stakeholders as part of the Implementation Planning process for the James River (Richmond) area bacteria impairments since the project was initiated in November 2010. DEQ has met with watershed “working-groups” and a steering committee was formed to incorporate and evaluate information from local governments, non-profit groups, and citizens for the plan. DESCRIPTION OF TMDL: Virginia agencies developed a TMDL report to identify sources of the bacterial contamination in the waters of the James River and it’s tributaries in the above jurisdictions. These streams are impaired for failure to meet the Primary Contact (Recreational) designated use because of bacteria standard violations. The study reported on sources of bacterial contamination and recommended total maximum daily loads, or 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 must be reduced to the TMDL amount. The James River and tributaries report, which was submitted to EPA on 9/30/10, is available on the DEQ website here: http://www.deq.virginia.gov/tmdl/apptmdls/jamesrvr/jamesg3.pdf. The Tuckahoe Creek watershed TMDL study was developed by DEQ and approved by EPA on 9/20/2004, and is available on the DEQ website here: http://www.deq.virginia.gov/tmdl/apptmdls/jamesrvr/tuckcr.pdf. IMPLEMENTATION PLAN DEVELOPMENT: Implementation Plan development is required by Virginia state law under the Water Quality Monitoring, Information, and Reporting Act (WQMIRA). The development of an Implementation Plan includes a minimum of two public meetings and two public comment periods prior to submitting the final draft IP to the State Water Control Board for approval. In addition to the required public meetings, DEQ and contractor MapTech also hosted a brainstorming session and 2 formal workgroup meetings as well as 3 steering committee meetings. Meeting minutes are available at: http://www.deq.virginia.gov/tmdl/ipproj.html for review. The public comment period will begin on May 19, 2011 and end on June 20, 2011. | |
| 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: | Margaret Smigo / TMDL Coordinator |
| Address: |
VDEQ Piedmot Regional Office 4949A Cox Road Glen Allen, 23060 |
| Email Address: | margaret.smigo@deq.virginia.gov |
| Telephone: | (804)527-5124 FAX: (804)527-5106 TDD: ()- |