Department of Environmental Quality
State Water Control Board
Electronic Access
Meeting:
Community Meeting - Water Quality Study (TMDL) for the South Fork Rivanna River (Albermarle County)
| Meeting Details | |
|---|---|
| Date / Time | 11/18/2020 6:00 pm |
| Type | Electronic Only |
| Electronic Access | To register for this virtual meeting and to receive access information, sign up here: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/9045925564054225936 For technical assistance during the meeting call: 703-583-3906. |
| Link to Electronic Record | https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/recording/1274834665452620040 |
| 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 Given the existing State of Emergency related to the COVID-19 pandemic, this meeting will be held entirely virtually. A computer or a telephone are necessary to participate virtually. All meeting attendees are encouraged to access the meeting using a computer to view the meeting visuals. Attendees may also use a phone for audio and a computer for visual to avoid possible interruptions in computer audio. Although the use of a phone for audio only participation is possible, since the meeting will rely on visuals, audio only participation is discouraged. The URL to register for the virtual meeting is provided above. Once registered for the meeting, registrants will receive an email with the URL and telephone information to participate in the meeting. If meeting attendees experience any interruption in the meeting broadcast, they should call the technical support line that is also provided at the end of this notice. The Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and its contractors, James Madison University and 3E Consulting will discuss the process that will be used to complete a water quality study known as a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) for the South Fork Rivanna 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 Aquatic Life 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 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 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. The meeting will be open to the public and all are welcome. In the event that the Governor’s State of Emergency is lifted, the meeting will be held on the same date and time at: DEQ- Valley Regional Office, 4411 Early Road, Harrisonburg, VA 22801. The South Fork Rivanna River and twelve of its tributaries in Albemarle County have been placed on Virginia’s impaired waters list for failing to support the benthic water quality standard. This standard is intended to protect the aquatic life designated use, which states that all of the Commonwealth’s waterways will support a diverse and abundant population of aquatic life. This water quality study will include a benthic stressor analysis to determine the most likely pollutant(s) responsible for the impairments, and it will report on the sources of these pollutant(s) and recommend reductions to meet a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) for the impaired stream segments. 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 South Fork Rivanna River and its tributaries, pollutant 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 complete a benthic stressor analysis and identify pollutant(s) of concern in the watershed in addition to pollutant sources and the reductions needed from these sources to meet the TMDL. All are welcome to participate in this committee and TAC meetings are open to the public. All meetings in support of TMDL development are open to the public and all interested parties are welcome. Written comments will be accepted November 18, 2020 through December 18, 2020 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 staff person listed below. Notice of this meeting and comment period appears in the November 9, 2020 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 PO Box 3000 Harrisonburg, 22801 |
| Email Address: | nesha.mcrae@deq.virginia.gov |
| Telephone: | (540)574-7840 FAX: (540)574-7878 TDD: ()- |