Public Notice — Environmental Permit

PURPOSE OF NOTICE: To seek public comment on a draft permit from the Department of Environmental Quality that will allow the release of stormwater into water bodies throughout urbanized areas across the Commonwealth of Virginia.

PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD:

April 29, 2024 to May 30, 2024

PERMIT NAME: Virginia Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Permit — Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4 - VA0092975) Permit issued by DEQ, under the authority of the State Water Control Board

NAME AND ADDRESS OF APPLICANT: Virginia Department of Transportation, 1401 East Broad Street, Richmond, VA 23219

SYSTEM NAME: VDOT MS4

PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The Department of Transportation has applied for a reissuance of a permit for the public Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4). The applicant proposes to release stormwater from the MS4 into water bodies located in urbanized areas across the Commonwealth of Virginia including the Potomac River, Rappahannock River, York River, James River, Roanoke River, Tennessee and Big Sandy River, and New River watershed. A watershed is the land area drained by a river and its incoming streams. VDOT proposes to implement a collective series of programs to reduce the discharge of pollutants from the given storm sewer system to the maximum extent practicable in a manner that protects water quality of nearby streams, rivers, wetlands, and bays. For specific information regarding discharges from the MS4 to watersheds in the Commonwealth of Virginia, please contact Laura Herrmann at

laura.herrmann@deq.virginia.gov to obtain a copy of the draft permit and fact sheet.

HOW TO COMMENT AND/OR REQUEST A PUBLIC HEARING: DEQ accepts comments and requests for public hearing by hand-delivery, by e-mail or postal mail. All comments and requests must be in writing and be received by DEQ during 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.

CONTACT FOR PUBLIC COMMENTS, DOCUMENT REQUESTS AND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Ms. Laura Herrmann, Office of VPDES Permits, 1111 E. Main Street, P.O. Box 1105, Richmond, VA 23218; E-mail:

laura.herrmann@deq.virginia.gov. The public may review the draft permit and application at the DEQ office named above by appointment or may request copies of the documents from the contact person listed above.

Run dates: April 29th, and May 6th, 2024

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