The Virginia Transportation Construction Alliance (VTCA) is comprised of nearly 300 highway contractors, aggregate producers, consulting engineers and support organizations that represent the transportation construction industry in the Commonwealth. VTCA’s Aggregate Producer Members represent 90% of the total metal/nonmetal minerals mined in Virginia.

Much of the general public does not fully comprehend the significant and important role mining, specifically aggregate mining plays in local communities and in society.

 Aggregates mined in the Commonwealth include crushed stone, sand, gravel, and industrial minerals are essential and critical components for construction and maintenance of infrastructure, construction of housing, commercial and government building construction, erosion control structures and many other vital facilities that enhance public convenience and safety.

 VTCA’s Aggregate Producer Members respectfully submit the below comments for the 2026 Reissuance of General Permit – 9VAC25-690 - Virginia Water Protection General Permit for Impacts from Development and Certain Mining Activities:

 We are grateful for the Department’s promulgation of VWP-4, a General Permit for Impacts from Development and Certain Mining Activities.  This permit is useful to our members who are able to minimize potential impacts to waters of the US to less than 2 acres.  We support these limits and urge the Department to keep the limit at 2 acres.  We also support the permit length of 10 years, due to the nature of our industry, that typically measures project length in decades rather than in short annual terms.

 Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or need further information.