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: