Title of Regulation: 9VAC25-260. Water Quality Standards (amending 9VAC25-260-460).

Statutory Authority: § 62.1-44.15 of the Code of Virginia; Clean Water Act (33 USC § 1251 et seq.); 40 CFR Part 131.

Effective Date: January 24, 2018.

On January 14, 2016, the State Water Control Board adopted revisions to the Water Quality Standards in 9VAC25-260-5, 9VAC25-260-50, 9VAC25-260-140, 9VAC25-260-155, 9VAC25-260-185, 9VAC25-260-187, 9VAC25-260-310, 9VAC25-260-390, 9VAC25-260-400, 9VAC25-260-410, 9VAC25-260-415, 9VAC25-260-440, 9VAC25-260-450, 9VAC25-260-460, 9VAC25-260-470, 9VAC25-260-510, 9VAC25-260-520, 9VAC25-260-530, and 9VAC25-260-540. The revisions related to water quality criteria, use designations, antidegradation, and other policies related to water quality. The amendments were published in final form on August 22, 2016, Volume 32, Issue 26 (32:26 VA.R. 3461-3542 August 22, 2016) of the Virginia Register to be effective upon filing notice of U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approval with the Registrar of Regulations. The State Water Control Board received approval from the EPA by letter dated June 5, 2017, of all the amendments except for the amendment to 9VAC25-260-460, which removed a natural trout waters designation from Lovills Creek Lake. Notice of the effective date of the amendments, except for the amendment to 9VAC25-260-460, appeared in the Virginia Register of Regulations on July 24, 2017, in Volume 33, Issue 24 (33:24 VA.R. 2671-2672 July 24, 2017).

The State Water Control Board has since received a letter from EPA, dated December 22, 2017, approving the amendment in 9VAC25-260-460. The amendment changes the natural trout water segment of Lovills Creek in Section 1 of the Yadkin River basin to read as follows "Lovills Creek and its tributaries from the headwaters of the impoundment formed by the Natural Resource Conservation Service dam to their headwaters."

Copies are available online at http://www.deq.virginia.gov/Programs/Water/WaterQualityInformationTMDLs; by calling toll free at 1-800-592-5482 ext. 4121 or local at 804-698-4121 or by written request or email request to the agency contact.

Agency Contact: David Whitehurst, Department of Environmental Quality, P.O. Box 1105, Richmond, VA 23218, telephone (804) 698-4121, FAX (804) 698-4032, TTY (804) 698-4021, or email david.whitehurst@deq.virginia.gov.