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 9VAC25-151, General Virginia Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (VPDES) Permit for Discharges of Storm Water Associated with Industrial Activity. The purpose of the proposed action is to amend and reissue the VPDES general permit for stormwater discharges from industrial activity. The permit expires on June 30, 2019, and needs to be reissued so that industrial facilities with point source discharges to surface waters of stormwater from regulated industrial activities can continue to have general permit coverage. Issues to be considered are registration statement requirements, electronic reporting requirements, effluent limitations review, definitions clarification, facility inspections, Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) corrective actions, benchmark monitoring, total maximum daily load (TMDL) requirements review, and industry-sector specific monitoring requirements review.

In addition, pursuant to Executive Order 17 (2014) and § 2.2-4007.1 of the Code of Virginia, the agency is conducting a periodic review and small business impact review of this regulation to determine whether this regulation should be terminated, amended, or retained in its current form. Public comment is sought on the review of any issue relating to this regulation, including whether (i) the regulation is necessary for the protection of public health, safety, and welfare or for the economical performance of important governmental functions; (ii) the regulation minimizes the economic impact on small businesses in a manner consistent with the stated objectives of applicable law; (iii) the regulation is designed to achieve its intended objective in the most efficient, cost-effective manner; (iv) the regulation is clearly written and easily understandable; (v) the regulation overlaps, duplicates, or conflicts with federal or state law or regulation; and (vi) technology, economic conditions, or other factors have changed in the area affected by the regulation since the last review.

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; § 402 of the Clean Water Act; 40 CFR Parts 122, 123, and 124.

Public Comment Deadline: March 21, 2018.

Agency Contact: Matthew Richardson, Department of Environmental Quality, 1111 East Main Street, Suite 1400, P.O. Box 1105, Richmond, VA 23218, telephone (804) 698-4195, FAX (804) 698-4032, or email matthew.richardson@deq.virginia.gov.