DEQ Hearing Scheduled for September 25, 2024
- Admin
- Sep 19, 2024
- 3 min read
Public Hearing for VWP Surface Water Withdrawal 20-0154
Date: 09/25/2024 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Public Notice – Environmental Permit
Permit Number: VWPP No. 20-0514
Notice Purpose: To seek public comment and announce a public hearing on a draft permit from the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) that will authorize a surface water withdrawal from the Rappahannock River in Caroline County, VA.
Public Comment Period: August 25, 2024 – October 11, 2024.
Public Hearing Location/Date/Time: Caroline County Community Center, Auditorium located at 17202 Richmond Turnpike, Milford, Caroline County, VA 22514 on September 25, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Public Hearing Purpose: To obtain input from the public related to this project for DEQ to consider.
Permit Name: Virginia Water Protection Permit issued by DEQ pursuant to applicable water laws and regulations.
Applicant Name, Address and Permit Number: Caroline County Public Utilities; P.O. Box 424, Bowling Green, VA 22427; VWPP Permit No. 20-0514
Name and Location of Water Withdrawal: Caroline County Rappahannock River Water Supply, 19095 Tidewater Trail, Fredericksburg, VA 22408
Project Description: Caroline County Department of Public Utilities has applied for a new permit to install a new (primary) 13.90 million gallon per day (MGD) water withdrawal intake structure located on the south bank of Rappahannock River, a raw water pump station, and associated infrastructure, the installation of approximately 35 miles water of line for the transfer of raw water from the intake to the proposed water treatment plant (WTP) located in the vicinity of Carmel Church, VA, which will connect to a new distribution system as well as to parts of the existing distribution system. Permanent impacts associated with the project include 1,400 square feet of open water and the conversion of 1,174 square feet of palustrine forested (PFO) to palustrine emergent wetland (PEM). No compensation is proposed or required by DEQ for these impacts. DEQ’s preliminary decision is to issue the permit.
Issues Raised by the Public: The previous public notice was published on May 18, 2024 in the Richmond Times Dispatch and the Free Lance-Star. The previous comment period began on May 18, 2024 and ended on June 18, 2024. Based on staff analysis, the commenters met the regulatory threshold for convening a public hearing for this draft Surface Water Withdrawal permit action. Based on the significant interested raised by the community, staff recommended that the request for a hearing be approved.
How to comment: DEQ accepts written comments by hand-delivery, e-mail, or postal mail. All comments must be in writing and be received by DEQ during the comment period. DEQ also accepts written and oral comments at public hearings. To make a statement at a public hearing, write your name on a sign-up sheet available before the hearing. You may sign up only for yourself. The time allowed for each statement is set by the hearing officer. Written comments must include: 1) The names, mailing addresses or email addresses of the person commenting and of all people represented by the person. 2) A brief, informal statement on how the proposal affects the person. The public may review the draft permit and application at the DEQ office named below {by appointment}.
Contact for public comments, document requests and additional information:
DEQ Contact:
Allison Major, Central Office
Phone: 804-698-4087
To download the draft permit package, please click here.
