The Department of Environmental Quality is hosting the second public meeting on a study to restore water quality in various streams within the James River Watershed. Virginia agencies are working to identify sources of fecal bacteria contamination in stream segments from the James River watershed in Central Virginia. This contamination exceeds water quality standards and thus, impairs, or decreases, the quality of the water. The streams segments that will be included in the study are: 10.53 miles James River, 20.8 miles Ivy Creek, 5.89 miles Tomahawk Creek, 6.89 miles Burton Creek, 3.43 miles unnamed tributary to Burton Creek, 10.54 miles Judith Creek, 5.44 miles Fishing Creek, 10.3 miles Blackwater Creek, 8.5 miles Beaver Creek, 7.72 miles Harris Creek, 4.69 miles Dreaming Creek, 3.04 miles Opossum Creek, 6.37 miles Williams Run, 5.17 miles Graham Creek, and 9.46 miles Pedlar River. During the study, DEQ will develop a total maximum daily load, or TMDL, 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, contamination levels have to be reduced to the TMDL amount. The public comment period on the materials presented at the public meeting will extend from December 6, 2016 to January 6, 2016. DEQ accepts 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 during the comment period. DEQ also accepts written and oral comments at the public meeting announced in this notice. For additional information,contact the DEQ staff person listed. Please note, in the case of inclement weather, the meeting will be held on Monday, December 12, 2016 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm. Notice of this meeting appears in the November 28, 2016 Virginia Register.  

Sponsored by State Water Control Board
http://www.deq.virginia.gov