STATE WATER CONTROL BOARD

STATE WATER CONTROL BOARD

NOTICE OF LOCALITIES PARTICULARLY AFFECTED

WATER QUALITY STANDARDS REGULATION

Notice is hereby given in accordance with § 62.1-44.15:01' that Rappahannock County and the incorporated towns therein may be particularly affected by amendments to the water quality standards regulation (9 VAC 25-260) to control the impacts of nutrients and suspended sediments to the Chesapeake Bay and its tidal tributaries.

ESTIMATED LOCAL IMPACT: The amendments to the regulation include updated designated uses for protection of migratory, spawning and nursery anadromous fish, shallow-water submerged aquatic vegetation, open, deep and deep channel aquatic life of the Chesapeake Bay and its tidal tributaries. The regulation also includes revised numencal criteria for dissolved oxygen that have seasonal application periods and the values range from 1 mg/I (instantaneous value) in the deep channels of the Bay (summer) to 6 0 mg/I (7-day average) in the tidal-fresh spawning waters (spring). The regulation includes shallow water Submerged aquatic vegetation criteria expressed as number of acres for each Bay program segment during the growing season ranging from 15.901 acres in Mobjack Bay to zero acres in the Elizabeth River. In addition, water clarity criteria expressed as 13% light through water or 22% light through water, depending on location and salinity, applies to each Bay program segment during the growing season. Finally, a narrative chlorophyll a critena applies to all open waters during the spring and summer and numerical chlorophyll a criteria are proposed for the James River ranging from 10ug/I - 20ug/l, depending on location and salinity.

While the criteria and designated uses apply to the Chesapeake Bay and its tidal tributaries, attainment of these standards may necessitate nutrient (nitrogen and phosphorus) and suspended sediment reductions from waters above and below the fall line l(tidal and free-flowing waters) including the localities listed in this notice

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION: Public hearings will be held and public comment will be accepted from November 15, 2004 until January 31, 2005. Public comments may be submitted at the public hearings, by mail, by e-mail or fax to the Department of Environmental Quality staff contact below. Written comments must include your name and address (including e-mail) For additional information on the amendments and public hearing opportunities contact the individual or web address listed below.

CONTACT: Elleanore Daub -Department of Environmental Quality. P O Box 10009, Richmond, VA 23240-0009, emdaub®dea virainia.gov. (804) 698-4111 or toll-free (800) 592-5482 ext. 4111. Information may also be found at, http:/Avww. dea. Virginia. aovAftqs/rule.htmltfNUTI

12-02-04

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