Public Notice – Environmental Permit

Purpose of notice: To seek public comment on a draft permit from the Department of Environmental Quality that would allow impacts to wetlands and stream channel in Loudoun County, Virginia

Public comment period: September 3, 2025 to October 2, 2025

Permit name: Virginia Water Protection Permit issued by DEQ pursuant to applicable water laws and regulations

Applicant Name, address and permit number: Loudoun County Department of Transportation; 101 Blue Seal Drive, Leesburg, Virginia 20177; VWPP Permit Application No. 24-1609

Project description: The applicant has applied for a new permit for the Route 15 Widening Phase II project. The project is approximately located at 42353 Rocky Meadow Lane in Loudoun County, Virginia. The project will take place along James Monroe Highway (Route 15) beginning at the intersection of Route 15 and Whites Ferry Road and ending at the intersection of Route 15 and Montresor Road. The proposed activity will expand a portion of the existing two-lane highway (Route 15)to a four-lane highway. The proposed activity would affect 0.07 acre of wetlands, and1,823 linear feet of stream channel. The proposed activity would affect Limestone Branch and unnamed tributaries to Limestone Branch in the Potomac watershed. To compensate for the surface waters affected, the applicant would purchase 0.14 wetland mitigation credits, 370 USM stream mitigation credits or 1,726 Stream Condition Units (SCUs). In addition, the applicant would relocate and restore 1,189 linear feet of the impacts proposed to perennial stream channel. DEQ's tentative decision is to issue the permit.

HOW TO COMMENT AND/OR REQUEST A PUBLIC HEARING: DEQ accepts written comments and requests for public hearing by hand-delivery, 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 or email addresses 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 fora public hearing, and there are substantial, disputed issues relevant to the permit.

Contact for public comments, document requests and additional information: Connor Dupree-sood; Northern Regional Office, 13901 Crown Court, Woodbridge, Virginia22193; Phone: 571-866-6065; E-mail: connor.dupree-sood@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 Date: September 2nd, 2025

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