PURPOSE OF NOTICE: The Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) seeks public comment on the development of a cleanup study, also known as a Total Maximum Daily Load report (TMDL), for Back Creek, Eidson Creek and Jennings Branch in Augusta County, Virginia. These streams are listed as impaired waters and require a cleanup study since monitoring data indicates that the waters do not meet Virginia’s water quality standards for Aquatic life (Benthics). 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. A component of a cleanup study is the Waste Load Allocation (WLA); therefore, this notice is provided pursuant to §2.2-4006.A.14 of the Administrative Process Act for any future adoption of the WLA into the Water Quality Management Planning Regulation (9VAC25-720) after completion of the study. The adoption of the WLA may require new or additional requirements for entities holding a Virginia Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (VPDES) permit in these watersheds. At the meeting, DEQ will introduce the community to the process used in Virginia to improve stream water quality and invite the public to participate in the study by attending community engagement meetings or through a TMDL Advisory Group (TAG). DEQ will also present the results of a draft stressor analysis for the creeks. CLEANUP STUDY LOCATION: The cleanup study addresses the following impaired stream segments: Back Creek, located in Augusta County, is impaired from its headwaters, located south of Middlebrook, to its confluence with Middle River 10.7 miles downstream. Eidson Creek, also located in Augusta County, is impaired from its headwaters north of Middlebrook to its confluence with Middle River 8.9 miles downstream. The benthic impairment on Jennings Branch extends from its confluence with McKittricks Branch 4.1 miles downstream to its confluence with Middle River. TMDL ADVISORY GROUP (TAG): DEQ invites public comment on the establishment of a TAG to assist in development of this cleanup study. A TAG is a standing group of interested parties established by the department for the purpose of advising the department during developing of the cleanup study. Any member of the public may attend and observe proceedings. However, only group members who have been invited by the department to serve on the TAG may actively participate in the group’s discussions. Persons requesting the department use a TAG and those interested in participating should notify the DEQ contact person by the end of the comment period and provide their name, address, phone number, email address, and their organization (if any). If DEQ convenes a TAG, all individuals who wish to participate on the TAG will be considered on a case-by-case basis. TAG members will be expected to attend all TAG meetings. Notification of the composition of the panel will be sent to all individuals who requested participation. If DEQ receives no requests to establish a TAG, the department will not establish a standing group but will still solicit public feedback by conducting community engagement meetings during cleanup study development. At these community meetings, which are open to the public and any person may participate, DEQ will present its progress on the cleanup study and solicit feedback from those present. PUBLIC MEETING: The first public meeting on the development of the cleanup study will be held at Buffalo Gap High School, 1800 Buffalo Gap Hwy, Swoope, Virginia, on May 11, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. In the event of inclement weather, the meeting will be held on May 13, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. at the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality Valley Regional Office, 4411 Early Road, Harrisonburg, Virginia. PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD: May 11, 2026 to June 10, 2026. 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: Nesha McRae; DEQ Valley Regional Office, 4411 Early Road, Harrisonburg, Virginia, 22801; Phone: (540) 217-7173; E-mail: nesha.mcrae@deq.virginia.gov.  

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