Comments needed: James River TDML up for review
Comment period for the draft Implementation Plan developed for the James River – City of Richmond Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) will end this coming Monday June 20. The draft plan is available on the DEQ website: http://www.deq.virginia.gov/tmdl/iprpts.html The presentation given at the final meeting on May 18th which summarized the draft is available […]
Comment period for the draft Implementation Plan developed for the James River – City of Richmond Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) will end this coming Monday June 20.
The draft plan is available on the DEQ website: http://www.deq.virginia.gov/tmdl/iprpts.html
The presentation given at the final meeting on May 18th which summarized the draft is available at: http://www.deq.virginia.gov/tmdl/ipproj.html
DEQ will accept written comments by e-mail, fax or postal mail. Written comments should include the name, address and telephone number of the person commenting and be received by DEQ during the comment period. Comments received after June 20th may not be accepted.
Please send comments to:
Margaret Smigo
VA DEQ Piedmont Regional TMDL Coordinator
4949-A Cox Road
Glen Allen, VA 23060
Email: Margaret.Smigo@deq.virginia.gov
If sending your comment by email, please include “James River – City of Richmond IP comment” in the subject line.
FAX: “Attn: Margaret Smigo” (804)527-5106
BACKGROUND: A TMDL study is meant to address “what” the problem is and how much of the pollutant must be reduced to meet water quality standards. The TMDL is then followed by Implementation Planning (or IP), which addresses “how” we meet the reductions identified in the TMDL study in order to meet water quality standards and restore the uses of the waterways.
DEQ seeks public comment and review of an implementation plan (IP) developed for the James River and tributaries around the Richmond area. The goal of the IP process is to outline a plan for reaching the reduction goals of the completed TMDL study. The plan identifies the types of “best management practices” (BMPs) which may be implemented to reduce bacteria pollution in the waterways. The plan also identifies potential funding opportunities and estimates the costs of remedial efforts. The final draft IP and comments received along with DEQ responses will be submitted to the State Water Control Board for approval. Implementation Plan development is required by Virginia state law under the Water Quality Monitoring, Information, and Reporting Act (WQMIRA).
NOTE: The BMPs identified within the plan represent one way in which the necessary bacteria reductions may be achieved to meet water quality standards. While these efforts are highly recommended, they are not mandatory. The IP is not a regulatory document. In addition, no single state/local government agency or non-profit group is responsible for the implementation of the plan, rather, it will be the responsibility of all watershed stakeholders, citizens included, to achieve the bacteria reductions required to meet water quality standards.
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