Regional Offices T his material provides a guide to state and federal environmental requirements that affect businesses and industries located or operating within the Commonwealth of Virginia . It has been written to inform company managers, facility engineers, local economic development officials and citizens about approvals that must be obtained before a business constructs or operates a facility. While a few environmental regulatory programs have originated in Virginia law, most are the result of nationwide environmental and health regulations developed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency under federal law. Methods of implementing federal regulations in state programs vary among the agencies. Generally, environmental standards are adopted by reference to federal standards, while procedures for permit application and review are detailed in state regulations.
Agencies typically control fees, review times and application processes.
The complexities of environmental programs, both regulatory and non-regulatory, dictate that any business or industry new to Virginia or that is modifying a facility or process seek guidance from all appropriate regulatory agencies. A wide variety of regulatory requirements are used in Virginia by the various agencies charged with protecting public health and conserving natural resources. Some, such as the requirement that a business determine the toxicity of materials to be used or stored, require little interaction with an agency prior to the start of an industrial activity. At the other extreme, a permit may specify in considerable detail how a facility may be constructed or operated and therefore must be obtained prior to commencement of any activity, including construction. The list below briefly describes the regulatory methods employed by agencies in Virginia.