Discharge to Surface Waters - Virginia Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (VPDES)

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Opportunities for public comment for VPDES Permits, issued under the authority of the State Water Control Board, are listed below in chronological order. DEQ accepts comments and requests for public hearing on the draft permit by hand-delivery, e-mail, or postal mail.

How to comment and/or request a public hearing:

All comments and requests must be in writing and be received by DEQ during the comment period. DEQ must receive hand-delivery and postal mail by close of business and email comments by 11:59 p.m. on the last day of the comment period. Submittals must include the names, mailing addresses and telephone numbers of the commenter/requester and of all persons represented by the commenter/requester.

A request for public hearing must also include:

  1. The reason why a public hearing is requested.
  2. A brief, informal statement regarding the nature and extent of the interest of the requester or of those represented by the requestor, including how and to what extent such interest would be directly and adversely affected by the permit.
  3. Specific references, where possible, to terms and conditions of the permit with suggested revisions. 

A public hearing may be held, including another comment period, if public response is significant, based on individual requests for a public hearing, and there are substantial, disputed issues relevant to the permit.

Helpful Terms

  • Watershed: A watershed is the land area drained by a river and its incoming streams.

Current VPDES Public Notices:

Stormwater & Wastewater Treatment - City of Newport News; VA0080179

  • Date: -  

Permit Number: VA0080179

Notice Purpose: To seek public comment on a draft permit from the Department of Environmental Quality that will allow the release of treated tunnel wash wastewater and stormwater into a waterbody in Newport News, Virginia.

Public Comment Period: Sept. 2 – Oct. 2, 2024

Applicant: Virginia Department of Transportation, 204 National Ave., Hampton, VA 23663

Facility: Monitor Merrimac Memorial Bridge Tunnel, Interstate 664, Newport News, VA 23607

Project Description: The Virginia Department of Transportation has applied for a reissuance of a permit for the Monitor Merrimac Memorial Bridge Tunnel. The applicant proposes to release treated tunnel wash wastewater and stormwater into the James River in Newport News in the Lower James River watershed. The solids will be disposed at Clearfield MMG. A watershed is the land area drained by a river and its incoming streams. The permit will limit the following pollutants to amounts that protect water quality: physical and chemical properties, solids, metals and inorganics.

DEQ Contact:
Loan Pham, Tidewater Regional Office
Phone: (757) 799-8000
E-mail: Loan.Pham@deq.virginia.gov

The public may review the draft permit and application at the DEQ Tidewater Regional Office by appointment or may request copies of the documents from the contact person listed above.

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