Virginia Regulatory Town Hall
Agency
Department of Environmental Quality
Board
State Water Control Board
Meeting:
TMDL Public Meeting - Implementation Plan Development, Powell River and Tributaries Watershed (Lee & Wise Counties)

 
Meeting Details
Date / Time 4/13/2017  6:00 pm
Location Big Stone Gap Town Hall Gymnasium located at 505 East 5th St South, Big Stone Gap, VA 24219. 
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) will be hosting a public meeting for interested persons on the development of a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) Implementation Plan for the Powell River and Tributaries watershed in Lee and Wise Counties. There are ten (10) different impaired stream segments in this study area, including the following streams: Butcher Fork, South Fork Powell River, North Fork Powell River and Powell River. All segments are listed as impaired on Virginia’s 303(d) TMDL Priority List and Report due to violations of the State’s water quality standard for bacteria and aquatic life. There are four segments within the watershed that are impaired for bacteria: Powell River, North Fork Powell, South Fork Powell and Butcher Fork. In addition, there are eight segments impaired for aquatic life: Powell River (5), North Fork Powell (1) and South Fork Powell (2). A complete list of the Powell River and Tributary impairment segments, listing years, river miles and locations can be found at http://bit.do/DEQPowellandTributaries_Impairments. 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. In addition, Section 62.1-44.19:7.C of the Code of Virginia requires expeditious implementation of total maximum daily loads when appropriate. The Implementation Plan (IP) will provide measurable goals and the date of expected achievement of water quality objectives. The IP will also include the corrective actions needed and their associated costs, benefits, and environmental impacts. DEQ completed the bacteria and benthic TMDL for the Powell River and Tributaries in 2011. The TMDL was approved by the Environmental Protection Agency in March of 2011. The TMDL report is available on the DEQ website at: http://bit.do/DEQPowellRiverandTributariesTMDL Because of the large geographic area of the watershed, the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality will host two public meetings to initiate the development of a TMDL Implementation Plan for the Powell River and Tributaries watershed. Both meetings will cover the same material; therefore, participation in only one of the meetings will be needed. This is the second meeting. In the event of inclement weather, please call the number provided below to confirm postponement of the meeting. A 30-day public comment period will begin on April 11, 2017 and end on May 12, 2017. Written comments should include the name, address, and telephone number of the person submitting the comments and should be sent to DEQ contact person listed. Notice of this meeting appears in the April 3, 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: Stephanie Kreps  / TMDL Coordinator
Address: DEQ Southwest Regional Office
355A Deadmore
Abingdon, 24210
Email Address: stephanie.kreps@deq.virginia.gov
Telephone: (276)676-4803    FAX: (276)676-4899    TDD: ()-