PURPOSE OF NOTICE: The Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) seeks public comment on the development of a cleanup plan for impaired waters, also known as an Implementation Plan (IP), for North Fork Rivanna River watershed in Albemarle and Greene County, Virginia. These streams are listed as impaired since monitoring data indicates that the waters do not meet Virginia’s water quality standards for bacteria and aquatic life (benthic). Section 303(d) of the Clean Water Act and §62.1-44.19:7.C of the State Water Control Law requires DEQ to develop cleanup studies to address pollutants responsible for causing waters to be on Virginia’s 303(d) list of impaired waters. Once a cleanup study is developed, Section §62.1-44.19:7 of the State Water Control Law outlines the requirements needed in a cleanup plan to address the pollutants contained in the study. A cleanup plan has been completed for the North Fork Rivanna River Watershed that identifies corrective actions needed to improve water quality and discusses the associated costs and environmental benefits of the actions. A summary of the plan will be presented at the meeting. Citizens are invited to provide comment on the plan and will learn how they can be part of implementing the plan to improve water quality in the watershed. Community Engagement meetings to assist in development of this cleanup plan were convened on December 13th, 2023 and September 24th, 2024. CLEANUP PLAN LOCATION: The cleanup plan addresses the following impaired stream segments: Blue Run from the headwaters downstream to its confluence with Swift Run (8.72 mi) for failure to meet the general standard for aquatic life (benthic); Marsh Run from the headwaters downstream to its confluence with the North Fork Rivanna River (3.65 mi) for failure to support aquatic life; Preddy Creek is impaired for failing to support aquatic life and for exceedance in E. coli from the headwaters downstream to its confluence with the North Fork Rivanna River (7.48 mi); Preddy Creek North Branch is impaired from the headwaters downstream to its confluence with Preddy Creek (6.24 mi) for failing to support aquatic life and for exceedance in E. coli; Quarter Creek is impaired for 1.58 miles of its length from the dam outfall at Jonquil Road downstream to its confluence with Swift Run for failing to support aquatic life; the North Fork Rivanna River is listed as impaired for a total length of 7.33 miles from the confluence of the Lynch River downstream to the Rivanna Water and Sewer Authority North Fork Rivanna River Public Water Intake for failing to meet aquatic life use; the North Fork Rivanna River is also listed as impaired for an exceedance in E. coli for 3.98 miles from the public water intake to the confluence of the Rivanna River; Standardsville Run and its tributaries are listed as impaired for failure to meet standards for aquatic life from the headwaters downstream to the confluence with Blue Run (5.71 mi); Swift Run is impaired for failing to support aquatic life and for exceedance in E. coli for 1.91 miles from its confluence with Welsh Run downstream to its confluence with the North Fork Rivanna River; and the unnamed tributary to Flat Branch (X-trib to Flat Branch) is impaired from its headwaters downstream to its confluence with Flat Branch (2.03 mi) for failing to support aquatic life. PUBLIC MEETING: Greene County Public Library, 222 Main Street, Suite 101, Stanardsville, Virginia, 22973 on May 5th, 2025 at 5:30 p.m. In the event of inclement weather, the meeting will be held on May 12th, 2025 at the same time and location stated above. PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD: May 5th, 2025 to June 4th, 2025 HOW TO COMMENT: DEQ accepts written comments by e-mail or postal mail. All comments must be received by DEQ during the comment period. Submittals must include the name, organization they represent (if any), mailing addresses and telephone numbers of the commenter/requester. CONTACT FOR PUBLIC COMMENTS, DOCUMENT REQUESTS AND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Madison Whitehurst; Central Office, 1111 E Main St. Suite 1400, Richmond, Virginia 23219; Phone: (804) 489-8796; E-mail: madison.whitehurst@deq.virginia.gov. Information about this plan will be posted here throughout the development process: https://www.deq.virginia.gov/our-programs/water/water-quality/implementation/implementation-plans-under-development.  

Sponsored by Department Of Environmental Quality
http://www.deq.virginia.gov/