Notice is hereby given in accordance with § 2.2-4007.01 of the Code of Virginia that the State Water Control Board intends to consider amending 9VAC25-800, Virginia Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (VPDES) General Permit for Discharges Resulting From the Application of Pesticides to Surface Waters. The purpose of the proposed action is to amend and reissue a VPDES general permit for discharges from pesticides applied directly to surface waters to control pests, or applied to control pests that are present in or over, including near, surface waters. This permit expires on December 31, 2013, and needs to be reissued so pesticide operators can continue to have coverage to apply chemical pesticides that leave a residue in water and all biological pesticide applications that are made in or over, including near, waters of the United States. This regulatory action is also needed to incorporate appropriate changes from the federal National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Pesticide General Permit.

The agency intends to hold a public hearing on the proposed action after publication in the Virginia Register.

Statutory Authority: § 62.1-44.15 of the Code of Virginia.

Public Comment Deadline: May 23, 2012.

Agency Contact: William K. Norris, Department of Environmental Quality, 629 East Main Street, P.O. Box 1105, Richmond, VA 23218, telephone (804) 698-4022, FAX (804) 698-4347, or email william.norris@deq.virginia.gov.