PURPOSE OF NOTICE: The Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) seeks public comment on edits to a draft cleanup study, also known as a Total Maximum Daily Load report (TMDL), for the James, Maury, and Jackson Rivers in Albemarle, Alleghany, Amherst, Appomattox, Augusta, Bath, Bedford, Botetourt, Buckingham, Campbell, Chesterfield, Craig, Cumberland, Fluvanna, Giles, Goochland, Greene, Hanover, Henrico, Highland, Montgomery, Nelson, Powhatan, and Roanoke, and the affected cities include Buena Vista, Charlottesville, Covington, Lexington, Lynchburg, and Richmond.  

At the final public meeting on February 15, 2024, DEQ presented the results of the study and provided an overview of the draft report. In response to feedback received, changes have been made to PCB baseline loads and Waste Load Allocations, as well as other components of the document. This notice is to invite citizens to provide comment on the revised study. 

This project effects streams located within the territories of DEQ’s Blue Ridge, Valley, and Piedmont Regional Offices. These streams are listed as impaired since monitoring data does not meet Virginia’s water quality standards for Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) in fish tissue. 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 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 the James, Maury, and Jackson Rivers watersheds. 

CLEANUP STUDY LOCATION: The study area totals 4,342,969 acres (approximately 6,786 mi2), and consists of four TMDL watersheds: Jackson River, Maury River, Upper James River study area (from the head of the James near Iron Gate to the Bent Creek confluence), and Lower James River study area (from the Bent Creek confluence to I-95 James River Bridge in Richmond). 

PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD: DEQ will accept comments beginning December 2, 2024 until January 6, 2025.  

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:  

Karen Kline; Blue Ridge Regional Office, 901 Russel Dr, Salem, VA, Phone: (540) 676-5773; E-mail: Karen.Kline@deq.virginia.gov.