From DEQ announcement:

DEQ would like to invite you to the final public meeting for the draft Implementation Plan (IP) developed for the James River – City of Richmond Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) study. This meeting will be held on Wednesday May 18, 2010 at 6 p.m. at the DEQ Central Office located at 629 East Main Street in Richmond VA 23218. Click here for directions to DEQ Central Office.

The draft plan will be made available on the DEQ website. When the document has been posted, you will receive an email with a link to the draft.

Over the last 6 months DEQ and MapTech (project contractor) have met with the residential, agriculture, and urban workgroups as well as the steering committee to develop the draft document. Many of you have participated in one (or more) of the three working groups and on the steering committee – a very big thank you for all of your help – we truly appreciate all of your great ideas and the information you have shared with us!

TMDL Background (a refresher): DEQ developed a study to identify sources of the bacterial contamination in the waters of the James River and its tributaries in the following jurisdictions:

Stream
County/City
Length (mi.)
Impairment
Bacteria
(Primary Contact Use)
Bernards Creek
Chesterfield, Powhatan
6.97
Powhite Creek
Chesterfield, Richmond City
8.12
Reedy Creek
Richmond City
3.68
James River (riverine – lower)
Richmond City
2.99
Gillie Creek
Richmond City, Henrico
5.79
Almond Creek
Henrico
2.26
Goode Creek
Richmond City
1.23
Falling Creek
Chesterfield
3.81
No Name Creek
Chesterfield
1.83
James River (tidal)
Chesterfield, Henrico, Richmond City
10.84 (sq. miles)
Tuckahoe Creek
Goochland, Henrico
8.7
Bacteria
(Primary Contact Use)

These streams are impaired for failure to meet the Primary Contact (Recreational) designated use due to bacteria standard violations. The study reported sources of bacterial contamination and recommended total maximum daily loads, or TMDLs, for the impaired waters. A TMDL is the total amount of a pollutant a water body can contain and still meet water quality standards. To restore water quality, bacterial levels have to be reduced to the TMDL amount. The report, which was approved by EPA on 11/4/2010, is available on the DEQ website. 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, which addresses “how” we meet the reductions identified in the TMDL study in order to meet water quality standards.

The Tuckahoe Creek TMDL was developed in 2004 and because it lies within the overall study area above, was incorporated into the plan. The TMDL study for this project is available at: http://www.deq.virginia.gov/tmdl/apptmdls/jamesrvr/tuckcr.pdf.

Meeting Purpose: DEQ seeks public comment and review of an implementation plan (IP) developed for the James River and tributaries around the Richmond area. This is the final public meeting for the IP process. 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 development of an Implementation Plan includes a minimum of two public meetings and two public comment periods prior to submitting the final draft IP 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.

Public Notice: A notice will be placed on the Virginia Town Hall website and a notice will print in the Richmond Times Dispatch the week of May 9th. Please feel free to forward this email to anyone you think would be interested in attending!

Comment Period: 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, which will begin on 5/19/11 and end 6/20/11. Please send comments to:

Mail: Margaret Smigo
VA DEQ Piedmont Regional
TMDL Coordinator
4949-A Cox Road
Glen Allen, VA 23060

Email: Margaret.Smigo@deq.virginia.gov

FAX: ATTN Margaret Smigo (804)527-5106

We hope to see you at the public meeting! Please let me know if have any questions.