Notice of action: The Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is announcing an opportunity for public review and comment on a proposed exceptional events demonstration showing that certain air quality monitoring data gathered during August of 2011 were affected by exceptional events. Therefore, this data should not be used to make determinations regarding National Ambient Air Quality Standards. The exceptional event was the wildfire in the Great Dismal Swamp in Suffolk, Virginia. This exceptional event impacted fine particulate matter monitoring data in the Hampton Roads area.
Purpose of notice: DEQ is seeking comments on the overall demonstration.
Public comment period: From January 6, 2014 to February 14, 2014.
Description of proposal: The proposed demonstration provides meteorological information, photographs, and other evidence of air pollution generated by the wildfires. The proposed demonstration also provides evidence of the air pollution impacts on fine particulate matter monitors at various times in August of 2011 in Hampton Roads, Virginia.
Federal information: This notice is being given to satisfy the public participation requirements of federal regulations (40 CFR 50.14).
How to comment: DEQ accepts written comments by e-mail, facsimile transmission, and postal mail. In order to be considered, written comments must include the full name, address, and telephone number of the person commenting and be received by DEQ no later than the last day of the comment period (14 February 2014).
To review the proposal: Please note, the information will not be available until the start of the comment period (6 January 2014). The proposal and any supporting documents are available on the DEQ Air Monitoring Division web site: http://www.deq.virginia.gov/airmon/ The document may also be obtained by contacting the one of the DEQ representatives named below. The public may review the documents between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. of each business day until the close of the public comment period at the following locations: 1)DEQ Main Street Office, 8th Floor, 629 E. Main Street, Richmond, Virginia, 804-698-4070; 2) DEQ Piedmont Regional Office, 4949-A Cox Road, Glen Allen, Virginia, 804-527-5020; or, 3) DEQ Tidewater Regional Office, 5636 Southern Blvd., Virginia Beach, Virginia, 757-518-2000.
