Purpose: The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (“DEQ”) is developing an updated draft of the Environmental Justice in the Permitting Process Guidance. DEQ held in-person town hall meetings on July 22 and July 29, and will also host a virtual town hall on August 6 to discuss with the public the development of the guidance. Any member of the public is welcome to attend the town hall. Use this link to register: https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/1104581932914897749. When registering, participants will have the option to sign up to provide suggestions during the virtual town hall meeting. The purpose of the town hall is to hear from the public regarding the following two topics, to further assist DEQ with the development of the guidance: (1) how to assess the cumulative impacts of certain DEQ-issued permits; and (2) what are recommended outreach strategies to engage communities impacted by such permits. DEQ will post the draft guidance as soon as it is available. The town hall meeting presentation slides, a fact sheet providing an overview of the Virginia Environmental Justice Act and 2026 House Bill 1266, and a link to a recording of the July 29 town hall livestream are available on DEQ’s Environmental Justice Permitting Guidance webpage (https://www.deq.virginia.gov/news-info/environmental-justice/environmental-justice-permitting-guidance). For assistance with technical issues during the virtual town hall meeting, please contact Kate Miller at 804-486-0492 (TTY: dial 711) or kathryn.miller@deq.virginia.gov. Contact Information Name / Title: Danielle Simms / Office of Environmental Justice Program Manager Address: 1111 East Main Street, Suite 1400 P.O. Box 1105 Richmond, VA 23219 Email Address: Danielle.Simms@deq.virginia.gov Telephone: (804) 914-3508; TTY: dial 711  

Sponsored by Department Of Environmental Quality
http://www.deq.virginia.gov/