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 9VAC25-260, Water Quality Standards. The purpose of the proposed action is to include updated numerical and narrative criteria, use designations, and other policies contained in the Water Quality Standards. The intent of this rulemaking is to protect designated and beneficial uses of state waters by adopting regulations that are technically correct, necessary, and reasonable. These standards will be used in setting Virginia Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Permit limits and for evaluating the waters of the Commonwealth for inclusion in the Clean Water Act 305(b) report and on the 303(d) list. This rulemaking is needed because the last triennial review was completed in February 2010 and new scientific information is available to update the water quality standards. Changes to the regulation are also needed to improve permitting, monitoring, and assessment programs. In addition, the Department of Environmental Quality must fulfill the legal mandates for a three-year review under § 62.1-44.15 (3a) of the Code of Virginia and 40 CFR Part 131.

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; Clean Water Act (33 USC § 1251 et seq.); 40 CFR Part 131.

Public Comment Deadline: October 11, 2013.

Agency Contact: David Whitehurst, Department of Environmental Quality, 629 East Main Street, 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.