The comment period for the development of the Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) for Roanoke River, Tinker Creek, and Wolf Creek in the City of Roanoke and Roanoke County has been extended. The comment period began on April 10, 2024, and was initially set to end on May 10, 2024. The public comment period has been extended until June 10, 2024. 

PURPOSE OF NOTICE: The Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) seeks public comment on the development of a cleanup study, also known as a Total Maximum Daily Load report (TMDL), for the Roanoke River, Tinker Creek, and Wolf Creek in the City of Roanoke and Roanoke County. These streams are listed as impaired waters and require a cleanup study since monitoring data indicates that the waters do not meet Virginia’s water quality standards for Aquatic life. Section 303(d) of the Clean Water Act and §62.1-44.19:7.C of the State Water Control Law requires DEQ to develop cleanup studies to address pollutants responsible for causing waters to be on Virginia’s 303(d) list of impaired waters. A component of a cleanup study is the Waste Load Allocation (WLA); therefore, this notice is provided pursuant to §2.2-4006.A.14 of the Administrative Process Act for any future adoption of the WLA into the Water Quality Management Planning Regulation (9VAC25-720) after completion of the study. The adoption of the WLA may require new or additional requirements for entities holding a Virginia Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (VPDES) permit in these Roanoke River, Tinker Creek, and Wolf Creek watersheds. 

CLEANUP STUDY LOCATION: The cleanup study addresses the following impaired stream segments: The study area totals 19.53 river miles in The City of Roanoke and Roanoke County and includes three watersheds: Roanoke River (from Niagara Dam downstream to the mouth of Back Creek), Tinker Creek (from the confluence of Buffalo Creek downstream to the Roanoke River), and Wolf Creek. 

TMDL ADVISORY GROUP (TAG): 

DEQ invites public comment on the establishment of a TAG to assist in development of this cleanup study. A TAG is a standing group of interested parties established by the department for the purpose of advising the department during developing of the cleanup study. Any member of the public may attend and observe proceedings. However, only group members who have been invited by the department to serve on the TAG may actively participate in the group’s discussions. Persons requesting the department use a TAG and those interested in participating should notify the DEQ contact person by the end of the comment period and provide their name, address, phone number, email address, and their organization (if any). If DEQ convenes a TAG, all individuals who wish to participate on the TAG will be considered on a case-by-case basis. TAG members will be expected to attend all TAG meetings. Notification of the composition of the panel will be sent to all individuals who requested participation.  

If DEQ receives no requests to establish a TAG, the department will not establish a standing group but will still solicit public feedback by conducting community engagement meetings during cleanup study development. At these community meetings, which are open to the public and any person may participate, DEQ will present its progress on the cleanup study and solicit feedback from those present. 

PUBLIC MEETING: The first public meeting on the development of the cleanup study was held at 901 Russell Dr. Salem, VA 24153, VDEQ Blue Ridge Regional Office, Training Room on April 10th, 2024 at 5:30 PM.  

PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD: April 10th, 2024 to June 10th, 2024  

HOW TO COMMENT: DEQ accepts written comments by e-mail or postal mail. All comments must be received by DEQ during the comment period. Submittals must include the name, organization they represent (if any), mailing addresses and telephone numbers of the commenter/requester.  

CONTACT FOR PUBLIC COMMENTS, DOCUMENT REQUESTS AND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Aerin Doughty; Blue Ridge Regional Office, 901 Russell Dr. Salem, VA 24153; Phone: (540) 988-3684; E-mail: aerin.doughty@deq.virginia.gov.