Department of Environmental Quality
State Water Control Board
Electronic Access
Meeting:
TMDL Public Meeting - James River, Maury River and Jackson River PCB TMDL Project
| Meeting Details | |
|---|---|
| Date / Time | 1/12/2021 6:00 pm |
| Type | Electronic Only |
| Electronic Access | To register for the meeting and receive access information, use the following link: https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/7942773453649560335. Please register ahead of the meeting. |
| Link to Electronic Record | https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/recording/1166273286589047820 |
| 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 Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and its contractors, Virginia Tech Biological Systems Engineering, are initiating the development of a water quality study to address Polychlorinated Biphenyl (PCB) contamination in the James River, Maury River and Jackson River watersheds. This water quality study is known as a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL), or simply a watershed clean-up plan. A 30-day public comment period will follow the public meeting, during which time DEQ invites stakeholders interested in serving on the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) to submit their request. A TAC typically consists of representatives from local governments, Virginia Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permittees, watershed residents, anglers, recreational and conservation groups, and other stakeholders interested in providing input on the technical aspects of the TMDL development process. Description of Study: DEQ monitoring data indicates levels of PCBs in fish tissue are elevated in portions of the James, Maury and Jackson Rivers and present a risk to individuals who consume the fish (for more information on PCBs watch this DEQ video). As a result, sections of these rivers are listed as impaired for PCBs on the 303(d) TMDL priority list. Additionally, Fishing Creek in Lynchburg and Reedy Creek in Richmond are also listed as impaired on the 303(d) TMDL priority list because DEQ monitoring data indicates levels of PCBs in the water above the state water quality criteria. 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. TMDLs are developed to identify the total amount of a pollutant (i.e., PCBs) that a waterbody can receive and still meet water quality standards. To restore water quality, pollutant levels must be reduced to the TMDL. TMDLs will be developed for the entire Jackson River and Maury River watersheds and all of the James River watershed draining from the headwaters to Richmond. The affected counties include 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. The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality will virtually host the first public meeting for the James River, Maury River and Jackson River PCB TMDL Project. Given the current State of Emergency related to the COVID-19 pandemic, this meeting will be held entirely virtually (please register at the link provided above). A computer or telephone are necessary to participate virtually. Although using a phone for audio only participation is an option, all participants are encouraged to access the meeting using a computer so that they can view the meeting presentation. This meeting will be recorded. If you have technical issues registering for this meeting or difficulty during the meeting, please contact Lucy Smith at 540-562-6718. For more information on the meeting in general, please contact Will Isenberg at William.Isenberg@DEQ.Virginia.gov or 804-698-4228. This meeting is open to the public and all are welcome. A 30-day public comment period will follow this meeting, from January 13, 2021 through February 11, 2021. The goal of this meeting is to introduce interested stakeholders to the water quality improvement process in Virginia (i.e., the TMDL process), provide information on PCB monitoring efforts, and invite stakeholder participation and input. During this meeting participants will be invited to serve on the TAC. 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 - Piedmont Regional Office, 4949-A Cox Road, Glen Allen, VA 23060. Notice of this meeting appears in the January 4, 2021 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: | William Isenberg |
| Address: |
1111 East Main Street, Suite 1400 P.O. Box 1105 Richmond, 23218 |
| Email Address: | william.isenberg@deq.virginia.gov |
| Telephone: | (804)698-4228 FAX: (804)698-4178 TDD: ()- |