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 promulgating 9VAC25-920, General Permit for Use of the Surficial Aquifer in a Groundwater Management Area. This regulatory action will create a new general permit to promote use of the surficial aquifer in any groundwater management area. The purpose of the proposed new regulation is to conserve groundwater in the confined aquifers within groundwater management areas for potable needs. Chapter 670 or the 2020 Acts of Assembly directs the State Water Control Board to address the impacts of nonagricultural irrigation on the confined aquifer system by prohibiting the use of these aquifers unless the quality and quantity of the surficial aquifer is insufficient for the proposed beneficial use. The new general permit for nonagricultural irrigation from the surficial aquifer will include the establishment of permit terms, withdrawal limits, reporting requirements, and criteria for determining adequate quality and quantity from the surficial aquifer necessary to permit withdrawals.

Statutory Authority: §§ 62.1-256, 62.1-258.1, and 62.1-266 of the Code of Virginia.

Public Hearing Information:

Public Comment Deadline: December 23, 2020.

Agency Contact: Joseph Grist, Department of Environmental Quality, 1111 East Main Street, Suite 1400, P.O. Box 1105, Richmond, VA 23218, telephone (804) 698-4031, or email joseph.grist@deq.virginia.gov.