Virginia Environmental Regulatory Developments (December 2013)

BY:  CHANNING J. MARTIN

VIRGINIA WASTE MANAGEMENT BOARD

A.     Final Regulations

1.       9VAC20-160. Voluntary Remediation Regulations (amending 9VAC20-160-10 through 9VAC20-160-120).

Statutory Authority: § 10.1-1232 of the Code of Virginia.

Effective Date: January 29, 2014.

Summary:   The regulatory action (i) updates current remediation levels and sampling and analysis methods; (ii) improves reporting and notification requirements; (iii) clarifies eligibility, application, registration fee, and termination requirements; (iv) makes termination and certificate revocation requirements more consistent with a voluntary program; (v) updates program procedures to process contaminated sites more efficiently and reflect changes in technology; and (vi) changes the language for fees so that an affected entity will pay $5,000 at the start of a remediation project and may apply for a refund of any unowed moneys at the end.

STATE WATER CONTROL BOARD

A.     Final Regulations

1.       9VAC25-740. Water Reclamation and Reuse Regulation (amending 9VAC25-740-10, 9VAC25-740-30 through 9VAC25-740-180, 9VAC25-740-200; adding 9VAC25-740-45, 9VAC25-740-55, 9VAC25-740-105).

Statutory Authority: § 62.1-44.15 of the Code of Virginia.

Effective Date: January 29, 2014.

Summary The amendments (i) allow design or operational deviations for facilities still capable of producing or distributing reclaimed water in a manner protective of the environment and public health; (ii) allow temporary authorization of water reclamation and reuse without a permit during periods of significant drought; (iii)  clarify that a VPDES permit modification will be required where diversion of source water from the VPDES permitted discharge to water reclamation and reuse has the potential to cause a significant adverse impact to other beneficial uses of the receiving state water for the discharge; and (iv) improve clarity, reduce redundancies, and correct references throughout the regulations.

B.     Proposed Regulations

1.       9VAC25-32. Virginia Pollution Abatement (VPA) Permit Regulation (amending 9VAC25-32-10, 9VAC25-32-140, 9VAC25-32-250; adding 9VAC25-32-255).

Statutory Authority: § 62.1-44.15 and 62.1-44.18 of the Code of Virginia.

Summary The proposed amendments (i) add definitions for clarification or consistency with other regulations governing the pollutant management activities at animal feeding operations (AFOs); (ii) delete the term "concentrated animal feeding operations" and modify the term "confined animal feeding operations"; (iii) establish technical requirements for end-users of animal waste transferred off the farm; (iv) specify that the technical requirements for end-users will address proper storage, appropriate land application practices, and recordkeeping; and (v) modify the public notice provisions for consistency with the Virginia Pollutant Discharge Elimination System regulation governing AFOs.