The Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) will host a public meeting to provide information and obtain public comment on modifications to the Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) developed for Poquoson River and Back River, along with several tributaries; located in the Cities of Hampton, Newport News, Poquoson, and York County. The purpose of the meeting is to provide information and discuss the draft modifications of the Total Maximum Daily Loads with community members and local government. Section 303(d) of the Clean Water Act and §62.1-44.19:7.C of the State Water Control Law require the DEQ to develop TMDLs for pollutants responsible for each impaired water contained in Virginia’s 303(d) TMDL Priority List and Report. A component of a TMDL is the Waste Load Allocation (WLA); therefore, this notice is provided pursuant to §2.2-4006.A.14 of the Administrative Process Act for any future adoption of the TMDL WLAs. An advisory committee to assist in development of this TMDL was convened on December 10, 2014. Information on the development of the TMDLs for the impairments is available upon request. Poquoson River, Hodges Creek, Lyons Creek, Floyds Bay, Cabin Creek, Roberts Creek, White House Cove, Bennett Creek, Patricks Creek, Back Creek, Lower Chisman Creek, and Lambs Creek were identified in Virginia’s 2014 Water Quality Assessment & Integrated Report as impaired due to violations of the State’s water quality standards for recreation bacteria and shellfish consumption bacteria (Enterococci and Fecal coliform) and do not support the Designated Uses. A total maximum daily load of Enterococci and Fecal coliform was developed to address the bacterial impairments in the waterways and cities mentioned above. This TMDL was approved by the Environmental Protection Agency on 03/19/2014. The report is available at: http://www.deq.virginia.gov/Portals/0/DEQ/Water/TMDL/apptmdls/baycoast/Poquoson_River_10Feb2014.pdf The Back River watershed includes the Northwest and Southwest Branches, Brick Kiln Creek, Newmarket Creek, Cedar Creek, Harris River, Long and Grunland Creeks, Tabbs Creek, Topping Creek, and Wallace Creek. These waterbodies were also identified in Virginia’s 2014 Water Quality Assessment & Integrated Report as impaired due to violations of the State’s water quality standards for recreation bacteria and shellfish consumption bacteria (Enterococci and Fecal coliform) and do not support the Designated Uses. A total maximum daily load of Enterococci and Fecal coliform was developed to address the bacterial impairments in the waterways and cities mentioned above. This TMDL was approved by the Environmental Protection Agency on 04/24/2014. The report is available at: http://www.deq.virginia.gov/Portals/0/DEQ/Water/TMDL/apptmdls/baycoast/Back_River_11feb2014.pdf The public comment period on materials presented at this meeting will extend from November 2, 2016 to December 2, 2016. Please note, all written comments should include the name, address, and telephone number of the person submitting the comments and should be sent to the staff contact listed below. Notice of this meeting and public comment period appears in the October 17 2016 Virginia Register.  

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