The State Water Control Board heard presentations and updates from the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality at its meeting this week.
The board approved the issuance of a general permit for certain groundwater withdrawals, and amended multiple regulations to conform to statutory changes passed during the 2022 session of the Virginia General Assembly.
The board, which welcomed returning board member Robert Dunn and new board member Scott Cameron, approved regulations, including:
During the meeting, the SWCB approved changes to guidelines for the Stormwater Local Assistance Fund Program to enhance grant percentages to fiscally-stressed communities. The board also authorized DEQ to proceed to solicit public input for proposed amendments to the Local and Regional Water Supply Planning regulation (9VAC25-780), which designates regional planning areas based primarily on river basins and regional water sources.
The SWCB accepted DEQ’s recommendation to repeal the VPDES General Permit for Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (9VAC25-191), an expired general permit no longer applicable due to federal regulations.
Director of Water Permitting Melanie Davenport provided an update on the Mountain Valley Pipeline project, for which construction has halted and work is limited to inspection and maintenance activities.
The SWCB plans to hold its next meeting on Aug. 25.
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