The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is seeking public comment on its proposal to certify the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 2017 Nationwide Permits.
DEQ, under the authority of the State Water Control Board, may issue a final certification decision on a Corps permit if the permit meets the requirements of the Virginia Water Protection permit program regulations.
State law requires that a VWP permit be obtained for impacts to wetlands, streams and open water unless otherwise excluded from permitting.
Application is made through the Joint Permit Application process for concurrent federal and state project review. DEQ routinely issues these certifications every five years.
DEQ still will require that every project go through the formal application process before any permit decision is made, and it will retain authority to require that certain projects obtain individual permits.
The comment period on the proposed certification approval ends March 17, 2017.