PURPOSE OF NOTICE: The Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) seeks public comment on the development of a cleanup study, also known as a Total Maximum Daily Load report (TMDL), for Wolf Creek in Washington County. This stream is listed as impaired since monitoring data does not meet Virginia’s water quality standards for Aquatic life (Benthic Macroinvertebrates). Section 303(d) of the Clean Water Act and §62.1-44.19:7.C of the State Water Control Law requires DEQ to develop cleanup studies to address pollutants responsible for causing waters to be on Virginia’s 303(d) list of impaired waters. A component of a cleanup study 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 WLA into the Water Quality Management Planning Regulation (9VAC25-720) after completion of the study. The adoption of the WLA may require new or additional requirements for entities holding a Virginia Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (VPDES) permit in the Wolf Creek watershed. A study has been completed for Wolf Creek to identify pollutant sources and recommend reductions needed from the sources to meet water quality standards. At the meeting, DEQ will present the results of the study and provide an overview of the draft report. Citizens are invited to provide comments on the study. CLEANUP STUDY LOCATION: The cleanup study addresses the following impaired stream segments: Lower mainstem from Town Creek confluence through the Great Knobs, downstream to upper Rt. 75 bridge (3.33 miles). From upper Rt. 75 bridge near Abingdon downstream to lower Rt. 75 bridge near Green Spring (2.93 miles). Lower end of Wolf Creek from lower Rt. 75 bridge near Green Spring downstream to South Holston Lake backwaters (0.41 miles). Wolf Creek drains most of the Town of Abingdon, Virginia, flows south, and empties into South Holston Lake. PUBLIC MEETING: The final public meeting on the development of the cleanup study will be held on October 28, 2025, at 3:00 pm at the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality’s Abingdon Regional Office. This office is located at 355-A Deadmore Street Abingdon, VA 24210. Please enter at the front entrance where we will have someone there to check you in. In the event of inclement weather, the meeting will be held on October 29, 2025, at the same time and location stated above. TMDL COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT MEETING: TMDL Community Engagement meetings to assist in development of this cleanup study were convened on June 25, 2025, and February 26, 2025. PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD: October 28, 2025, to December 5, 2025 HOW TO COMMENT: DEQ accepts written comments by e-mail or postal mail. All comments must be received by DEQ during the comment period. Submittals must include the name, organization they represent (if any), mailing addresses and telephone numbers of the commenter/requester. CONTACT FOR PUBLIC COMMENTS, DOCUMENT REQUESTS AND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Landon Jenkins; DEQ Southwest Regional Office, 355-A Deadmore Street Abingdon, VA 24210; Phone: (276) 608-8643; E-mail: landon.jenkins@deq.virginia.gov. The public may review the cleanup study at the following website address: https://www.deq.virginia.gov/water/water-quality/tmdl-development/tmdls-under-development  

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