Source: https://law.lis.virginia.gov/admincodeexpand/title9/agency25/chapter690/
Timestamp: 2020-08-11 22:05:59
Document Index: 41771846

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 62', '§ 1344', '§ 62', '§ 401', '§ 62', '§ 45', '§ 7', '§ 717', 'art 230', '§ 10', '§ 10', '§ 401', '§ 1341', '§ 62', '§ 510', '§ 62', '§ 62', '§ 311', '§ 62', 'art 136']

9VAC25-690-10. Definitions.
The words and terms used in this chapter shall have the meanings defined in the State Water Control Law (§ 62.1-44.2 et seq. of the Code of Virginia) and the Virginia Water Protection Permit Program Regulation (9VAC25-210) unless a different meaning is required by the context or is indicated below.
"Bank protection" means measures employed to stabilize channel banks and combat existing erosion problems. Such measures may include the construction of riprap revetments, sills, rock vanes, beach nourishment, breakwaters, bulkheads, groins, spurs, levees, marsh toe stabilization, anti-scouring devices, and submerged sills.
"Bioengineering method" means a biological measure incorporated into a facility design to benefit water quality and minimize adverse effects to aquatic resources, to the maximum extent practicable, for long-term aquatic resource protection and improvement.
"Coverage" means authorization to conduct a project in accordance with a VWP general permit.
"DEQ" means the Department of Environmental Quality.
"Histosols" means organic soils that are often called mucks, peats, or mucky peats. The list of histosols in the Commonwealth includes, but is not limited to, the following soil series: Back Bay, Belhaven, Dorovan, Lanexa, Mattamuskeet, Mattan, Palms, Pamlico, Pungo, Pocaty, and Rappahannock. Histosols are identified in the Hydric Soils of the United States lists generated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service.
"Independent utility" means a test to determine what constitutes a single and complete project. A project is considered to have independent utility if it would be constructed absent the construction of other projects in the project area. Portions of a phased development project that depend upon other phases of the project do not have independent utility. Portions of a phased development project that would be constructed even if the other phases are not built can be considered as separate single complete projects with independent public and economic utility.
"In-stream mining" means activities or operations that remove accumulated sand, gravel, and mineral deposits directly from stream channels using equipment such as, but not limited to, hydraulic dredges, clamshell dredges, or draglines for the sole purpose of processing and selling the material. In-stream mining does not include dredging activities, whose main purpose is to maintain channels and harbors for navigation, nor does it include the recovery of spilled material, such as sand, gravel, and aggregate, that was inadvertently spilled into a waterway during loading activities.
"Notice of project completion" means a statement submitted by the permittee or authorized agent that the authorized activities and any required compensatory mitigation have been completed.
"Phased development" means more than one project proposed for a single piece of property or an assemblage of contiguous properties under consideration for development by the same person, or by related persons, that will begin and be completed at different times. Depending on the relationship between the projects, (i) a phased development may be considered a single and complete project, or (ii) each project may be considered a single and complete project if each project has independent utility, as defined in this subsection.
"Recreational facility" means a facility that is integrated into the natural landscape and does not substantially change preconstruction grades or deviate from natural landscape contours.
"Single and complete project" means the total project proposed or accomplished by a person, which also has independent utility, as defined in this section. For linear projects, the "single and complete project" (e.g., a single and complete crossing) will apply to each crossing of a separate surface water (e.g., a single water body) and to multiple crossings of the same water body at separate and distinct locations. Phases of a project that have independent public and economic utility may each be considered single and complete.
"State program general permit (SPGP)" means a general permit issued by the Department of the Army in accordance with 33 USC § 1344 and 33 CFR 325.5(c)(3) and that is founded on a state program. The SPGP is designed to avoid duplication between the federal and state programs.
"Up to 300 linear feet" means 300.00 linear feet or less as measured along the center of the main channel of the stream segment.
"Up to 1,500 linear feet" means 1,500.00 linear feet or less, as measured along the center of the main channel of the stream segment.
"Up to one-tenth acre" means 0.10 acre (4,356 square feet) or less.
"Up to two acres" means 2.00 acres (87,120 square feet) or less.
"Utility line" means a pipe or pipeline for the transportation of a gaseous, liquid, liquefiable or slurry substance, for any purpose, and a cable, line, or wire for the transmission for any purpose of electrical energy, telephone, and telegraph messages and radio and television communication. The term utility line does not include activities which drain a surface water to convert it to an upland, such as drainage tiles or french drains; however, it does apply to pipes conveying drainage from another area.
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 17, Issue 21, eff. October 1, 2001; amended, Virginia Register Volume 21, Issue 8, eff. January 26, 2005; Volume 22, Issue 21, eff. August 1, 2006; Volume 24, Issue 9, eff. February 6, 2008; Volume 32, Issue 21, eff. August 2, 2016.
9VAC25-690-15. Statewide information requirements.
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 17, Issue 21, eff. October 1, 2001; amended, Virginia Register Volume 21, Issue 8, eff. January 26, 2005; Volume 22, Issue 21, eff. August 1, 2006; Volume 32, Issue 21, eff. August 2, 2016.
9VAC25-690-25. Authorization for coverage under VWP general permit effective August 1, 2006.
A. All complete applications or notifications received by the board through 11:59 p.m. on August 1, 2016, shall be processed in accordance with the VWP general permit regulation in effect August 1, 2006, through August 1, 2016. If the application or notification is incomplete or if there is not adequate time as allowed by § 62.1-44.15:21 of the Code of Virginia to make a completeness determination, the applicant shall reapply for coverage under the VWP general permit effective August 2, 2016, or apply for a VWP individual permit, including payment of any required permit application fee. No refund of permit application fees shall be made.
B. VWP general permit authorizations granted through 11:59 p.m. on August 1, 2016, shall remain in full force and effect until 11:59 p.m. on the expiration date stated on the VWP authorization cover page, unless otherwise revoked or terminated or unless a notice of project completion is received by the board on or before that date. Any permittee that desires to continue an authorized activity beyond the stated expiration date must reapply for coverage under the VWP general permit effective August 2, 2016, pursuant to its terms, standards, and conditions, or apply for a VWP individual permit, including payment of any required permit application fee. This section shall only apply to permittees holding valid authorizations for coverage granted under the VWP general permit effective August 1, 2006, through August 1, 2016.
9VAC25-690-27. VWP general permit coverage; transition; continuation.
A. All applications or notifications received on or after August 2, 2016, will be processed in accordance with the VWP general permit regulation effective August 2, 2016.
B. The general permit in 9VAC25-690-100 is effective August 2, 2016, and expires August 1, 2026. Any coverage that is granted pursuant to 9VAC25-690-30 shall remain in full force and effect until 11:59 p.m. on August 1, 2026, unless the general permit coverage is terminated or revoked on or before this date. Where a permittee that has received general permit coverage desires to continue or complete the authorized activities beyond August 1, 2026, the permittee shall reapply for new general permit coverage or for a VWP individual permit, including payment of any required permit application fee. Activities in surface waters requiring a permit shall not commence or continue until VWP general permit coverage is granted or a VWP individual permit is issued by the board.
C. Application may be made at any time for a VWP individual permit in accordance with 9VAC25-210. Activities in surface waters requiring a permit shall not commence or continue until VWP general permit coverage is granted or a VWP individual permit is issued by the board.
9VAC25-690-30. Authorization to impact surface waters.
A. Any person granted coverage under the VWP general permit effective August 2, 2016, may permanently or temporarily impact up to two acres of nontidal wetlands or open water and up to 1,500 linear feet of nontidal stream bed for general development and certain mining activities, provided that:
1. The applicant submits notification as required in 9VAC25-690-50 and 9VAC25-690-60.
4. The applicant has not been required to obtain a VWP individual permit under 9VAC25-210 for the proposed project impacts. The applicant, at his discretion, may seek a VWP individual permit, or coverage under another applicable VWP general permit, in lieu of coverage under this VWP general permit.
5. Impacts, both temporary and permanent, result from a single and complete project including all attendant features.
a. Where a road segment (e.g., the shortest segment of a road with independent utility that is part of a larger project) has multiple crossings of surface waters (several single and complete projects), the board may, at its discretion, require a VWP individual permit.
b. For the purposes of this chapter, when an interchange has multiple crossings of surface waters, the entire interchange shall be considered the single and complete project.
8. When required, compensation for unavoidable impacts is provided in accordance with 9VAC25-690-70 and 9VAC25-210-116.
B. Activities that may be granted coverage under this VWP general permit include the following:
1. Residential, commercial, institutional. The construction or expansion of building foundations, building pads, and attendant features for residential, commercial, and institutional development activities.
a. Residential developments include both single and multiple units.
b. Commercial developments include retail stores, industrial facilities, restaurants, business parks, office buildings, and shopping centers.
c. Institutional developments include schools, fire stations, government office buildings, judicial buildings, public works buildings, libraries, hospitals, and places of worship.
d. Attendant features include roads, parking lots, garages, yards, utility lines, stormwater management facilities, and recreation facilities (such as playgrounds, playing fields, and golf courses). Attendant features must be necessary for the use and maintenance of the structures.
2. Recreational facilities. The construction or expansion of recreational facilities and small support facilities.
a. Recreational facilities include hiking trails, bike paths, horse paths, nature centers, and campgrounds (but not trailer parks). Boat ramps (concrete or open-pile timber), boathouses, covered boat lifts, mooring piles and dolphins, fender piles, camels (wooden floats serving as fenders alongside piers), and open-pile piers (including floating piers, travel-lift piers, etc.) associated with recreational facilities are also included.
b. Recreational facilities do not include as a primary function the use of motor vehicles, buildings, or impervious surfaces.
c. Golf courses and ski area expansions may qualify as recreational facilities provided the construction of the proposed facility does not result in a substantial deviation from the natural contours and the facility is designed to minimize adverse effects on state waters and riparian areas. Measures that may be used to minimize adverse effects on waters and riparian areas include the implementation of integrated pest management plans, adequate stormwater management, vegetated buffers, and fertilizer management plans.
d. Small support facilities are authorized provided they are directly related to the recreational activity. Small support facilities include maintenance storage buildings and stables.
e. The following do not qualify as recreational facilities: hotels, restaurants, playing fields (e.g., baseball, soccer, or football fields), basketball and tennis courts, racetracks, stadiums, arenas, or new ski areas.
f. The recreational facility must have an adequate water quality management plan, such as a stormwater management plan, to ensure that the recreational facility results in no substantial adverse effects to water quality.
3. Stormwater management facilities. The construction, maintenance, and excavation of stormwater management facilities; the installation and maintenance of water control structures, outfall structures, and emergency spillways; and the maintenance dredging of existing stormwater management facilities.
a. Stormwater management facilities include stormwater ponds and facilities, detention basins, retention basins, traps, and other facilities designed to reduce pollutants in stormwater runoff.
b. The stormwater management facility must:
(1) To the maximum extent practicable, be designed to maintain preconstruction downstream flow conditions (e.g., location, capacity, and flow rates).
(2) Not permanently restrict or impede the passage of normal or expected high flows, unless the primary purpose of the facility is to impound waters.
(3) Withstand expected high flows.
(4) To the maximum extent practicable, provide for retaining excess flows from the site, provide for maintaining surface flow rates from the site similar to preconstruction conditions, and not increase water flows from the project site, relocate water, or redirect flow beyond preconstruction conditions.
(5) To the maximum extent practicable, reduce adverse effects such as flooding or erosion downstream and upstream of the project site, unless the facility is part of a larger system designed to manage water flows.
(6) Be designed using best management practices (BMPs) and watershed protection techniques. Examples of such BMPs are described in the Virginia Stormwater Management Handbook and include forebays, vegetated buffers, bioengineering methods, and siting considerations to minimize adverse effects to aquatic resources.
c. Maintenance excavation shall be in accordance with the original facility maintenance plan, or when unavailable, an alternative plan approved by the Department of Environmental Quality, and shall not exceed to the maximum extent practicable, the character, scope, or size detailed in the original design of the facility.
4. Mining facilities. The construction or expansion of mining facilities and attendant features for a single and complete project. This general permit may not be used to authorize impacts from in-stream mining activities or operations as defined in 9VAC25-690-10.
a. Mining facilities include activities directly associated with aggregate mining (e.g., sand, gravel, and crushed or broken stone); hard rock/mineral mining (e.g., metalliferous ores); and surface coal, natural gas, and coalbed methane gas mining, as authorized by the Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy.
b. Attendant features are authorized provided they are directly related to the mining facility, and include access road construction, parking lots, offices, maintenance shops, garages, and stormwater management facilities.
c. Both direct impacts (e.g., footprints of all fill areas, road crossings, sediment ponds, and stormwater management facilities; mining through state waters; stockpile of overburden, and excavation) and indirect impacts (e.g., diversion of surface water and reach of state waters affected by sediment pond pool and sediment transport) shall be considered when granting coverage under this general permit.
D. Coverage under VWP general permit does not relieve the permittee of the responsibility to comply with any other applicable federal, state, or local statute, ordinance, or regulation.
E. Coverage under a nationwide or regional permit promulgated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), and for which the board has issued § 401 certification in accordance with 9VAC25-210-130 H as of August 2, 2016, shall constitute coverage under this VWP general permit unless (i) a state program general permit (SPGP) is required and granted for the activity or impact; or (ii) coverage under a VWP general permit is not allowed pursuant to subdivision D 2 of § 62.1-44.15:21 of the State Water Control Law.
F. Coverage under a permit issued by the Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy under the Virginia Coal Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act, Chapter 19 (§ 45.1-226 et seq.) of Title 45.1 of the Code of Virginia, where such permit authorizes activities that may be permitted by this chapter and contains a mitigation plan for the impacts from the mining activities, shall also constitute coverage under this VWP general permit.
G. When the board determines on a case-by-case basis that concerns for water quality and the aquatic environment so indicate, the board may require a VWP individual permit in accordance with 9VAC25-210-130 B rather than granting coverage under this VWP general permit.
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 17, Issue 21, eff. October 1, 2001; amended, Virginia Register Volume 21, Issue 8, eff. January 26, 2005; Volume 22, Issue 21, eff. August 1, 2006; Volume 32, Issue 21, eff. August 2, 2016; Volume 35, Issue 4, eff. November 14, 2018.
9VAC25-690-35. Administrative continuance.
Beginning on August 2, 2016, in any case where an existing permittee has submitted a timely and complete notification or application for coverage under the next consecutive VWP general permit in accordance with 9VAC25-690-50 and 9VAC25-690-60 and the board, through no fault of the permittee, does not issue the next consecutive VWP general permit with an effective date on or before the expiration date of the expiring VWP general permit, the conditions of that expiring VWP general permit and any requirements of coverage granted under it shall continue in force until the effective date of the next consecutive VWP general permit.
9VAC25-690-40. Exceptions to coverage.
C. This VWP general permit cannot be used for an activity in a phased development that would cause the aggregate total loss of nontidal wetlands or open water in the subdivision to exceed two acres or to exceed 1,500 linear feet of nontidal stream bed.
5. The pouring of wet or uncured concrete in state waters, unless the area is contained within a cofferdam and the work is performed in the dry or unless approved by the Department of Environmental Quality.
9. Dredging of shellfish areas, submerged aquatic vegetation beds, or other highly productive areas.
11. The construction of new ski areas.
12. Any activity in surface water that will impact federal or state listed threatened or endangered species or designated critical habitat, or result in a taking of threatened or endangered species in accordance with the following:
13. Any activity in wetlands composed of 10% or more, singularly or in combination, based upon either basal area or percent areal cover in the area of impact, in a vegetative stratum: Atlantic white cedar (Chamaecyparis thyoides), bald cypress (Taxodium distichum), water tupelo (Nyssa aquatica), or overcup oak (Quercus lyrata).
14. Any activity in wetlands underlain by histosols.
15. Any activity in tidal waters.
16. Impacts to state waters for the construction of any natural gas transmission pipeline that is greater than 36 inches inside diameter pursuant to a certificate of public convenience and necessity under § 7c of the federal Natural Gas Act (15 USC § 717f(c)).
9VAC25-690-60. Application.
A. The applicant shall file a complete application in accordance with 9VAC25-690-50 and this section for coverage under this VWP general permit for impacts to surface waters from development and certain mining activities.
B. A complete application for VWP general permit coverage, at a minimum, consists of the following information, if applicable to the project:
1. The applicant's legal name, mailing address, telephone number, and if applicable, electronic mail address and fax number.
2. If different from the applicant, legal name, mailing address, telephone number, and if applicable, electronic mail address and fax number of property owner.
3. If applicable, the authorized agent's name, mailing address, telephone number, and if applicable, fax number and electronic mail address.
4. The existing VWP general permit tracking number, if applicable.
5. Project name and proposed project schedule.
6. The following information for the project site location, and any related permittee-responsible compensatory mitigation site:
a. The physical street address, nearest street, or nearest route number; city or county; zip code; and if applicable, parcel number of the site or sites.
b. Name of the impacted water body or water bodies, or receiving waters, as applicable, at the site or sites.
c. The latitude and longitude to the nearest second at the center of the site or sites.
d. The fourth order subbasin, as defined by the hydrologic unit boundaries of the National Watershed Boundary Dataset, for the site or sites.
e. A detailed map depicting the location of the site or sites, including the project boundary and all existing preservation areas on the site or sites. The map (e.g., a U.S. Geologic Survey topographic quadrangle map) should be of sufficient detail to easily locate the site or sites for inspection.
7. A narrative description of the project, including project purpose and need.
8. Plan-view drawing or drawings of the project site sufficient to assess the project, including at a minimum the following:
a. North arrow, graphic scale, and existing and proposed topographic or bathymetric contours.
b. Limits of proposed impacts to surface waters.
c. Location of all existing and proposed structures.
d. All delineated wetlands and all jurisdictional surface waters on the site, including the Cowardin classification (i.e., emergent, scrub-shrub, or forested) for those surface waters and waterway name, if designated; ebb and flood or direction of flow; and ordinary high water mark in nontidal areas.
e. The limits of Chesapeake Bay Resource Protection Areas (RPAs) as field-verified by the applicant, and if available, the limits as approved by the locality in which the project site is located, unless the proposed use is exempt from the Chesapeake Bay Preservation Area Designation and Management Regulations (9VAC25-830).
f. The limits of any areas that are under a deed restriction, conservation easement, restrictive covenant, or other land use protective instrument (i.e., protected areas).
9. Cross-sectional and profile drawing or drawings. Cross-sectional drawing or drawings of each proposed impact area shall include at a minimum a graphic scale, existing structures, existing and proposed elevations, limits of surface water areas, ebb and flood or direction of flow (if applicable), ordinary high water mark in nontidal areas, impact limits, and location of all existing and proposed structures. Profile drawing or drawings with this information may be required on a case-by-case basis to demonstrate minimization of impacts. Any application that proposes piping or culverting stream flows shall provide a longitudinal profile of the pipe or culvert position and stream bed thalweg, or shall provide spot elevations of the stream thalweg at the beginning and end of the pipe or culvert, extending to a minimum of 10 feet beyond the limits of proposed impact.
10. Materials assessment. Upon request by the board, the applicant shall provide evidence or certification that the material is free from toxic contaminants prior to disposal or that the dredging activity will not cause or contribute to a violation of water quality standards during dredging. The applicant may be required to conduct grain size and composition analyses, tests for specific parameters or chemical constituents, or elutriate tests on the dredge material.
11. A narrative description of all impacts proposed to surface waters, including the type of activity to be conducted in surface waters and any physical alteration to surface waters. Surface water impacts shall be identified as follows:
a. Wetland impacts identified according to their Cowardin classification (i.e., emergent, scrub-shrub, or forested); and for each classification, the individual impacts quantified in square feet to the nearest whole number, cumulatively summed in square feet, and then the sum converted to acres and rounded to two decimal places using commonly accepted arithmetic principles of rounding.
b. Individual stream impacts (i) quantified by length in linear feet to the nearest whole number and by average width in feet to the nearest whole number; (ii) quantified in square feet to the nearest whole number; and (iii) when compensatory mitigation is required, the impacts identified according to the assessed type using the Unified Stream Methodology.
c. Open water impacts identified according to their Cowardin classification, and for each type, the individual impacts quantified in square feet to the nearest whole number, cumulatively summed in square feet, and then the sum converted to acres and rounded to two decimal places using commonly accepted arithmetic principles of rounding.
d. A copy of the approved jurisdictional determination when available, or when unavailable, (i) the preliminary jurisdictional determination from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), or DEQ or (ii) other correspondence from the USACE, NRCS, or DEQ indicating approval of the boundary of applicable jurisdictional surface waters, including wetlands data sheets if applicable.
e. A delineation map that (i) depicts the geographic area or areas of all surface water boundaries delineated in accordance with 9VAC25-210-45 and confirmed in accordance with the jurisdictional determination process; (ii) identifies such areas in accordance with subdivisions 11 a, 11 b, and 11 c of this subsection; and (iii) quantifies and identifies any other surface waters according to their Cowardin classification (i.e., emergent, scrub-shrub, or forested) or similar terminology.
12. An alternatives analysis for the proposed project detailing the specific on-site measures taken during project design and development to first avoid and then minimize impacts to surface waters to the maximum extent practicable in accordance with the Guidelines for Specification of Disposal Sites for Dredged or Fill Material, 40 CFR Part 230. Avoidance and minimization includes, but is not limited to, the specific on-site measures taken to reduce the size, scope, configuration, or density of the proposed project, including review of alternative sites where required for the project, which would avoid or result in less adverse impact to surface waters, and documentation demonstrating the reason the applicant determined less damaging alternatives are not practicable. The analysis shall demonstrate to the satisfaction of the board that avoidance and minimization opportunities have been identified and measures have been applied to the proposed activity such that the proposed activity in terms of impacts to state waters and fish and wildlife resources is the least environmentally damaging practicable alternative.
13. A compensatory mitigation plan to achieve no net loss of wetland acreage and functions or stream functions and water quality benefits.
a. If permittee-responsible compensation is proposed for wetland impacts, a conceptual wetland compensatory mitigation plan must be submitted in order for an application to be deemed complete and shall include at a minimum (i) the goals and objectives in terms of replacement of wetland acreage and functions; (ii) a detailed location map including latitude and longitude to the nearest second and the fourth order subbasin, as defined by the hydrologic unit boundaries of the National Watershed Boundary Dataset, at the center of the site; (iii) a description of the surrounding land use; (iv) a hydrologic analysis including a draft water budget for nontidal areas based on expected monthly inputs and outputs that will project water level elevations for a typical year, a dry year, and a wet year; (v) groundwater elevation data, if available, or the proposed location of groundwater monitoring wells to collect these data; (vi) wetland delineation confirmation, data sheets, and maps for existing surface water areas on the proposed site or sites; (vii) a conceptual grading plan; (viii) a conceptual planting scheme including suggested plant species and zonation of each vegetation type proposed; (ix) a description of existing soils including general information on both topsoil and subsoil conditions, permeability, and the need for soil amendments; (x) a draft design of any water control structures; (xi) inclusion of buffer areas; (xii) a description of any structures and features necessary for the success of the site; (xiii) the schedule for compensatory mitigation site construction; and (xiv) measures for the control of undesirable species.
b. If permittee-responsible compensation is proposed for stream impacts, a conceptual stream compensatory mitigation plan must be submitted in order for an application to be deemed complete and shall include at a minimum (i) the goals and objectives in terms of water quality benefits and replacement of stream functions; (ii) a detailed location map including the latitude and longitude to the nearest second and the fourth order subbasin, as defined by the hydrologic unit boundaries of the National Watershed Boundary Dataset, at the center of the site; (iii) a description of the surrounding land use; (iv) the proposed stream segment restoration locations including plan view and cross-sectional drawings; (v) the stream deficiencies that need to be addressed; (vi) data obtained from a DEQ-approved, stream impact assessment methodology such as the Unified Stream Methodology; (vii) the proposed restoration measures to be employed including channel measurements, proposed design flows, types of instream structures, and conceptual planting scheme; (viii) reference stream data, if available; (ix) inclusion of buffer areas; (x) schedule for restoration activities; and (xi) measures for the control of undesirable species.
c. For any permittee-responsible compensatory mitigation, the conceptual compensatory mitigation plan shall also include a draft of the intended protective mechanism or mechanisms, in accordance with 9VAC25-210-116 B 2, such as, but not limited to, a conservation easement held by a third party in accordance with the Virginia Conservation Easement Act (§ 10.1-1009 et seq. of the Code of Virginia) or the Virginia Open-Space Land Act (§ 10.1-1700 et seq. of the Code of Virginia), a duly recorded declaration of restrictive covenants, or other protective instrument. The draft intended protective mechanism shall contain the information in subdivisions c (1), c (2), and c (3) of this subdivision 13 or in lieu thereof shall describe the intended protective mechanism or mechanisms that contains the information required below:
(1) A provision for access to the site;
(2) The following minimum restrictions: no ditching, land clearing, or discharge of dredge or fill material, and no activity in the area designated as compensatory mitigation area with the exception of maintenance; corrective action measures; or DEQ-approved activities described in the approved final compensatory mitigation plan or long-term management plan; and
(3) A long-term management plan that identifies a long-term steward and adequate financial assurances for long-term management in accordance with the current standard for mitigation banks and in-lieu fee program sites, except that financial assurances will not be necessary for permittee-responsible compensation provided by government agencies on government property. If approved by DEQ, permittee-responsible compensation on government property and long-term protection may be provided through federal facility management plans, integrated natural resources management plans, or other alternate management plans submitted by a government agency or public authority.
d. Any compensatory mitigation plan proposing the purchase of mitigation bank or in-lieu fee program credits shall include the number and type of credits proposed to be purchased and documentation from the approved bank or in-lieu fee program sponsor of the availability of credits at the time of application.
14. Permit application fee. The applicant will be notified by the board as to the appropriate fee for the project in accordance with 9VAC25-20.
15. A written description and a graphical depiction identifying all upland areas including buffers, wetlands, open water, other surface waters, and compensatory mitigation areas located within the proposed project boundary or permittee-responsible compensatory mitigation areas that are under a deed restriction, conservation easement, restrictive covenant, or other land use protective instrument (i.e., protected areas). Such description and a graphical depiction shall include the nature of the prohibited activities within the protected areas and the limits of Chesapeake Bay Resource Protection Areas (RPAs) as field-verified by the applicant, and if available, the limits as approved by the locality in which the project site is located, unless the proposed use is exempt from the Chesapeake Bay Preservation Area Designation and Management Regulations (9VAC25-830), as additional state or local requirements may apply if the project is located within an RPA.
16. Signature page that has been signed, dated, and certified by the applicant in accordance with 9VAC25-210-100. If the applicant is a business or other organization, the signature must be made by an individual with the authority to bind the business or organization, and the title of the signatory must be provided. The application signature page, either on the copy submitted to the Virginia Marine Resources Commission or to DEQ, must have an original signature. Electronic submittals containing the original signature page, such as that contained in a scanned document file, are acceptable.
2. Analysis shall be required when wetland impacts per each single and complete project total 1.01 acres or more and when any of the following applies:
a. The proposed compensatory mitigation consists of permittee-responsible compensation, including water quality enhancements as replacement for wetlands; or
D. Upon receipt of an application by the appropriate DEQ office, the board has 15 days to review the application and either determine the information requested in subsection B of this section is complete or inform the applicant that additional information is required to make the application complete. Coverage under this VWP general permit shall be approved or approved with conditions, or the application shall be denied, within 45 days of receipt of a complete application. If the board fails to act within 45 days on a complete application, coverage under this VWP permit general permit shall be deemed granted.
1. In evaluating the application, the board shall make an assessment of the impacts associated with the project in combination with other existing or proposed impacts. Application for coverage under this VWP general permit shall be denied if the cumulative impacts will cause or contribute to a significant impairment of state waters or fish and wildlife resources.
2. The board may place additional requirements on a project in order to grant coverage under this VWP general permit. However, the requirements must be consistent with this chapter.
E. Incomplete application. Where an application is not accepted as complete by the board within 15 days of receipt, the board shall require the submission of additional information from the applicant and may suspend processing of any application until such time as the applicant has supplied the requested information and the application is complete. Where the applicant becomes aware that he omitted one or more relevant facts from an application, or submitted incorrect information in an application or in any report to the board, the applicant shall immediately submit such facts or the correct information. A revised application with new information shall be deemed a new application for purposes of review but shall not require an additional permit application fee. An incomplete permit application may be administratively withdrawn from processing by the board for failure to provide the required information after 60 days from the date of the latest written information request made by the board. An applicant may request a suspension of application review by the board, but requesting a suspension shall not preclude the board from administratively withdrawing an incomplete application. Resubmittal of a permit application for the same or similar project, after such time that the original permit application was administratively withdrawn, shall require submittal of an additional permit application fee.
9VAC25-690-70. Compensation.
A. Compensatory mitigation may be required for permanent, nontidal surface water impacts as specified in 9VAC25-690-50 A. All temporary, nontidal surface water impacts shall be restored to preexisting conditions in accordance with 9VAC25-690-100.
B. Compensatory mitigation and any compensatory mitigation proposals shall be in accordance with this section and 9VAC25-210-116.
C. When required, compensatory mitigation for unavoidable, permanent wetland impacts shall be provided at the following minimum mitigation ratios:
1. Impacts to forested wetlands shall be mitigated at 2:1, as calculated on an area basis.
2. Impacts to scrub-shrub wetlands shall be mitigated at 1.5:1, as calculated on an area basis.
3. Impacts to emergent wetlands shall be mitigated at 1:1, as calculated on an area basis.
D. When required, compensatory mitigation for stream bed impacts shall be appropriate to replace lost functions and water quality benefits. One factor in determining the required compensation shall be an analysis of stream impacts utilizing a stream impact assessment methodology acceptable to the Department of Environmental Quality.
E. Compensation for permanent open water impacts, other than to streams, may be required at an in-kind or out-of-kind mitigation ratio of 1:1 or less, as calculated on an area basis, to offset impacts to state waters and fish and wildlife resources. Compensation shall not be required for permanent or temporary impacts to open waters identified as palustrine by the Cowardin classification method, but compensation may be required when such open waters are located in areas of karst topography in Virginia and are formed by the natural solution of limestone.
F. When conversion results in a permanent alteration of the functions of a wetland, compensatory mitigation for conversion impacts to wetlands shall be required at a 1:1 mitigation ratio, as calculated on an area basis. For example, the permanent conversion of a forested wetland to an emergent wetland is considered to be a permanent impact for the purposes of this chapter. Compensation for conversion of other types of surface waters may be required, as appropriate, to offset impacts to state waters and fish and wildlife resources.
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 17, Issue 21, eff. October 1, 2001; amended, Virginia Register Volume 21, Issue 8, eff. January 26, 2005; Volume 22, Issue 21, eff. August 1, 2006; Errata, 22:23 VA.R. 3424 July 24, 2006; amended, Virginia Register Volume 24, Issue 9, eff. February 6, 2008; Volume 32, Issue 21, eff. August 2, 2016.
9VAC25-690-95. (Repealed.)
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 22, Issue 21, eff. August 1, 2006; repealed, Virginia Register Volume 32, Issue 21, eff. August 2, 2016.
9VAC25-690-100. VWP general permit.
VWP GENERAL PERMIT NO. WP4 FOR IMPACTS FROM DEVELOPMENT AND CERTAIN MINING ACTIVITIES UNDER THE VIRGINIA WATER PROTECTION PERMIT AND THE VIRGINIA STATE WATER CONTROL LAW
Expiration date: August 1, 2026
In compliance with § 401 of the Clean Water Act, as amended (33 USC § 1341) and the State Water Control Law and regulations adopted pursuant thereto, the board has determined that there is a reasonable assurance that this VWP general permit, if complied with, will protect instream beneficial uses, will not violate applicable water quality standards, and will not cause or contribute to a significant impairment of state waters or fish and wildlife resources. In issuing this VWP general permit, the board has not taken into consideration the structural stability of any proposed activities.
The permanent or temporary impact of up to two acres of nontidal wetlands or open water and up to 1,500 linear feet of nontidal stream bed shall be subject to the provisions of the VWP general permit set forth herein; any requirements in coverage granted under this general permit; the Clean Water Act, as amended; and the State Water Control Law and regulations adopted pursuant to it.
Part I. Special Conditions.
1. The activities authorized by this chapter shall not cause more than the permanent or temporary impacts of up to two acres of nontidal wetlands or open water and up to 1,500 linear feet of nontidal stream bed. Additional permit requirements as stipulated by the board in the coverage letter, if any, shall be enforceable conditions of this permit.
2. Any changes to the authorized permanent impacts to surface waters shall require a notice of planned change in accordance with 9VAC25-690-80. An application or request for modification to coverage or another VWP permit application may be required.
3. Any changes to the authorized temporary impacts to surface waters shall require written notification to and approval from the Department of Environmental Quality in accordance with 9VAC25-690-80 prior to initiating the impacts and restoration to preexisting conditions in accordance with the conditions of this permit.
4. Modification to compensation requirements may be approved at the request of the permittee when a decrease in the amount of authorized surface waters impacts occurs, provided that the adjusted compensation meets the initial compensation goals.
B. Overall conditions.
1. The activities authorized by this VWP general permit shall be executed in a manner so as to minimize adverse impacts on instream beneficial uses as defined in § 62.1-10 (b) of the Code of Virginia.
2. No activity may substantially disrupt the movement of aquatic life indigenous to the water body, including those species which normally migrate through the area, unless the primary purpose of the activity is to impound water. Pipes and culverts placed in streams must be installed to maintain low flow conditions and shall be countersunk at both inlet and outlet ends of the pipe or culvert, unless otherwise specifically approved by the Department of Environmental Quality on a case-by-case basis, and as follows: The requirement to countersink does not apply to extensions or maintenance of existing pipes and culverts that are not countersunk, floodplain pipes and culverts being placed above ordinary high water, pipes and culverts being placed on bedrock, or pipes and culverts required to be placed on slopes 5.0% or greater. Bedrock encountered during construction must be identified and approved in advance of a design change where the countersunk condition cannot be met. Pipes and culverts 24 inches or less in diameter shall be countersunk three inches below the natural stream bed elevations, and pipes and culverts greater than 24 inches shall be countersunk at least six inches below the natural stream bed elevations. Hydraulic capacity shall be determined based on the reduced capacity due to the countersunk position. In all stream crossings appropriate measures shall be implemented to minimize any disruption of aquatic life movement.
3. Wet or uncured concrete shall be prohibited from entry into flowing surface waters, unless the area is contained within a cofferdam and the work is performed in the dry or unless otherwise approved by the Department of Environmental Quality. Excess or waste concrete shall not be disposed of in flowing surface waters or washed into flowing surface waters.
4. All fill material shall be clean and free of contaminants in toxic concentrations or amounts in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations.
5. Erosion and sedimentation controls shall be designed in accordance with the Virginia Erosion and Sediment Control Handbook, Third Edition, 1992, or for mining activities covered by this general permit, the standards issued by the Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy that are effective as those in the Virginia Erosion and Sediment Control Handbook, Third Edition, 1992. These controls shall be placed prior to clearing and grading and maintained in good working order to minimize impacts to state waters. These controls shall remain in place until the area is stabilized and shall then be removed.
6. Exposed slopes and streambanks shall be stabilized immediately upon completion of work in each permitted impact area. All denuded areas shall be properly stabilized in accordance with the Virginia Erosion and Sediment Control Handbook, Third Edition, 1992.
7. All construction, construction access (e.g., cofferdams, sheetpiling, and causeways) and demolition activities associated with the project shall be accomplished in a manner that minimizes construction or waste materials from entering surface waters to the maximum extent practicable, unless authorized by this VWP general permit.
8. No machinery may enter flowing waters, unless authorized by this VWP general permit or approved prior to entry by the Department of Environmental Quality.
9. Heavy equipment in temporarily-impacted wetland areas shall be placed on mats, geotextile fabric, or other suitable material to minimize soil disturbance to the maximum extent practicable. Equipment and materials shall be removed immediately upon completion of work.
10. All nonimpacted surface waters and compensatory mitigation areas within 50 feet of authorized activities and within the project or right-of-way limits shall be clearly flagged or marked for the life of the construction activity at that location to preclude unauthorized disturbances to these surface waters and compensatory mitigation areas during construction. The permittee shall notify contractors that no activities are to occur in these marked surface waters.
11. Temporary disturbances to surface waters during construction shall be avoided and minimized to the maximum extent practicable. All temporarily disturbed wetland areas shall be restored to preexisting conditions within 30 days of completing work at each respective temporary impact area, which shall include reestablishing preconstruction elevations and contours with topsoil from the impact area where practicable and planting or seeding with appropriate wetland vegetation according to cover type (i.e., emergent, scrub-shrub, or forested). The permittee shall take all appropriate measures to promote and maintain revegetation of temporarily disturbed wetland areas with wetland vegetation through the second year post-disturbance. All temporarily impacted streams and streambanks shall be restored to their preconstruction elevations and contours with topsoil from the impact area where practicable within 30 days following the construction at that stream segment. Streambanks shall be seeded or planted with the same vegetation cover type originally present, including any necessary supplemental erosion control grasses. Invasive species identified on the Department of Conservation and Recreation's Virginia Invasive Plant Species List shall not be used to the maximum extent practicable or without prior approval from the Department of Environmental Quality.
12. Materials (including fill, construction debris, and excavated and woody materials) temporarily stockpiled in wetlands shall be placed on mats or geotextile fabric, immediately stabilized to prevent entry into state waters, managed such that leachate does not enter state waters, and completely removed within 30 days following completion of that construction activity. Disturbed areas shall be returned to preconstruction elevations and contours with topsoil from the impact area where practicable; restored within 30 days following removal of the stockpile; and restored with the same vegetation cover type originally present, including any necessary supplemental erosion control grasses. Invasive species identified on the Department of Conservation and Recreation's Virginia Invasive Plant Species List shall not be used to the maximum extent practicable or without prior approval from the Department of Environmental Quality.
13. Continuous flow of perennial springs shall be maintained by the installation of spring boxes, french drains, or other similar structures.
14. The permittee shall employ measures to prevent spills of fuels or lubricants into state waters.
15. The permittee shall conduct activities in accordance with the time-of-year restrictions recommended by the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, the Virginia Marine Resources Commission, or other interested and affected agencies, as contained, when applicable, in Department of Environmental Quality VWP general permit coverage, and shall ensure that all contractors are aware of the time-of-year restrictions imposed.
16. Water quality standards shall not be violated as a result of the construction activities.
17. If stream channelization or relocation is required, all work in surface waters shall be done in the dry, unless otherwise authorized by the Department of Environmental Quality, and all flows shall be diverted around the channelization or relocation area until the new channel is stabilized. This work shall be accomplished by leaving a plug at the inlet and outlet ends of the new channel during excavation. Once the new channel has been stabilized, flow shall be routed into the new channel by first removing the downstream plug and then the upstream plug. The rerouted stream flow must be fully established before construction activities in the old stream channel can begin.
C. Road crossings.
1. Access roads and associated bridges, pipes, and culverts shall be constructed to minimize the adverse effects on surface waters to the maximum extent practicable. Access roads constructed above preconstruction elevations and contours in surface waters must be bridged, piped, or culverted to maintain surface flows.
2. Installation of road crossings shall occur in the dry via the implementation of cofferdams, sheetpiling, stream diversions, or similar structures.
D. Utility lines.
1. All utility line work in surface waters shall be performed in a manner that minimizes disturbance, and the area must be returned to its preconstruction elevations and contours with topsoil from the impact area where practicable and restored within 30 days of completing work in the area, unless otherwise authorized the Department of Environmental Quality. Restoration shall be the seeding of planting of the same vegetation cover type originally present, including any necessary supplemental erosion control grasses. Invasive specifies identified on the Department of Conservation and Recreation's Virginia Invasive Plant Species List shall not be used to the maximum extent practicable or without prior approval from the Department of Environmental Quality.
2. Material resulting from trench excavation may be temporarily sidecast into wetlands not to exceed a total of 90 days, provided the material is not placed in a manner such that it is dispersed by currents or other forces.
3. The trench for a utility line cannot be constructed in a manner that drains wetlands (e.g., backfilling with extensive gravel layers creating a french drain effect.). For example, utility lines may be backfilled with clay blocks to ensure that the trench does not drain surface waters through which the utility line is installed.
E. Stream modification and stream bank protection.
1. Riprap bank stabilization shall be of an appropriate size and design in accordance with the Virginia Erosion and Sediment Control Handbook, Third Edition, 1992.
2. Riprap apron for all outfalls shall be designed in accordance with the Virginia Erosion and Sediment Control Handbook, Third Edition, 1992.
3. For stream bank protection activities, the structure and backfill shall be placed as close to the stream bank as practicable. No material shall be placed in excess of the minimum necessary for erosion protection.
4. All stream bank protection structures shall be located to eliminate or minimize impacts to vegetated wetlands to the maximum extent practicable.
5. Asphalt and materials containing asphalt or other toxic substances shall not be used in the construction of submerged sills or breakwaters.
6. Redistribution of existing stream substrate for the purpose of erosion control is prohibited.
7. No material removed from the stream bottom shall be disposed of in surface waters, unless otherwise authorized by this VWP general permit.
F. Dredging.
1. Dredging depths shall be determined and authorized according to the proposed use and controlling depths outside the area to be dredged.
2. Dredging shall be accomplished in a manner that minimizes disturbance of the bottom and minimizes turbidity levels in the water column.
3. If evidence of impaired water quality, such as a fish kill, is observed during the dredging, dredging operations shall cease, and the Department of Environmental Quality shall be notified immediately.
4. Barges used for the transportation of dredge material shall be filled in such a manner to prevent the overflow of dredged materials.
5. Double handling of dredged material in state waters shall not be permitted.
6. For navigation channels the following shall apply:
a. A buffer of four times the depth of the dredge cut shall be maintained between the bottom edge of the design channel and the channelward limit of wetlands, or a buffer of 15 feet shall be maintained from the dredged cut and the channelward edge of wetlands, whichever is greater. This landward limit of buffer shall be flagged and inspected prior to construction.
b. Side slope cuts of the dredging area shall not exceed a two-horizontal-to-one-vertical slope to prevent slumping of material into the dredged area.
7. A dredged material management plan for the designated upland disposal site shall be submitted and approved 30 days prior to initial dredging activity.
8. Pipeline outfalls and spillways shall be located at opposite ends of the dewatering area to allow for maximum retention and settling time. Filter fabric shall be used to line the dewatering area and to cover the outfall pipe to further reduce sedimentation to state waters.
9. The dredge material dewatering area shall be of adequate size to contain the dredge material and to allow for adequate dewatering and settling out of sediment prior to discharge back into state waters.
10. The dredge material dewatering area shall utilize an earthen berm or straw bales covered with filter fabric along the edge of the area to contain the dredged material, filter bags, or other similar filtering practices, any of which shall be properly stabilized prior to placing the dredged material within the containment area.
11. Overtopping of the dredge material containment berms with dredge materials shall be strictly prohibited.
G. Stormwater management facilities.
1. Stormwater management facilities shall be installed in accordance with best management practices and watershed protection techniques (e.g., vegetated buffers, siting considerations to minimize adverse effects to aquatic resources, bioengineering methods incorporated into the facility design to benefit water quality and minimize adverse effects to aquatic resources) that provide for long-term aquatic resources protection and enhancement, to the maximum extent practicable.
2. Compensation for unavoidable impacts shall not be allowed within maintenance areas of stormwater management facilities.
3. Maintenance activities within stormwater management facilities shall not require additional permit coverage or compensation provided that the maintenance activities do not exceed the original contours of the facility, as approved and constructed, and is accomplished in designated maintenance areas as indicated in the facility maintenance or design plan or when unavailable, an alternative plan approved by the Department of Environmental Quality.
Part II. Construction and Compensation Requirements, Monitoring, and Reporting.
A. Minimum compensation requirements.
1. The permittee shall provide any required compensation for impacts in accordance with the conditions in this VWP general permit, the coverage letter, and the chapter promulgating the general permit. For all compensation that requires a protective mechanism, including preservation of surface waters or buffers, the permittee shall record the approved protective mechanism in the chain of title to the property, or an equivalent instrument for government-owned lands, and proof of recordation shall be submitted to the Department of Environmental Quality prior to commencing impacts in surface waters.
2. Compensation options that may be considered under this VWP general permit shall meet the criteria in 9VAC25-210-116 and 9VAC25-690-70.
3. The permittee-responsible compensation site or sites depicted in the conceptual compensation plan submitted with the application shall constitute the compensation site. A site change may require a modification to coverage.
4. For compensation involving the purchase of mitigation bank credits or the purchase of in-lieu fee program credits, the permittee shall not initiate work in permitted impact areas until documentation of the mitigation bank credit purchase or of the in-lieu fee program credit purchase has been submitted to and received by the Department of Environmental Quality.
5. The final compensation plan shall be submitted to and approved by the board prior to a construction activity in permitted impact areas. The board shall review and provide written comments on the final plan within 30 days of receipt or it shall be deemed approved. The final plan as approved by the board shall be an enforceable requirement of any coverage under this VWP general permit. Deviations from the approved final plan shall be submitted and approved in advance by the board.
a. The final permittee-responsible wetlands compensation plan shall include:
(1) The complete information on all components of the conceptual compensation plan.
(2) A summary of the type and acreage of existing wetland impacts anticipated during the construction of the compensation site and the proposed compensation for these impacts; a site access plan; a monitoring plan, including proposed success criteria, monitoring goals, and the location of photo-monitoring stations, monitoring wells, vegetation sampling points, and reference wetlands or streams, if available; an abatement and control plan for undesirable plant species; an erosion and sedimentation control plan; a construction schedule; and the final protective mechanism for the compensation site or sites, including all surface waters and buffer areas within its boundaries.
(3) The approved protective mechanism. The protective mechanism shall be recorded in the chain of title to the property, or an equivalent instrument for government-owned lands, and proof of recordation shall be submitted to the Department of Environmental Quality prior to commencing impacts in surface waters.
b. The final permittee-responsible stream compensation plan shall include:
(2) An evaluation, discussion, and plan drawing or drawings of existing conditions on the proposed compensation stream, including the identification of functional and physical deficiencies for which the measures are proposed, and summary of geomorphologic measurements (e.g., stream width, entrenchment ratio, width-depth ratio, sinuosity, slope, substrate, etc.); a site access plan; a monitoring plan, including a monitoring and reporting schedule, monitoring design and methodologies for success, proposed success criteria, location of photo-monitoring stations, vegetation sampling points, survey points, bank pins, scour chains, and reference streams; an abatement and control plan for undesirable plant species; an erosion and sedimentation control plan, if appropriate; a construction schedule; a plan-view drawing depicting the pattern and all compensation measures being employed; a profile drawing; cross-sectional drawing or drawings of the proposed compensation stream; and the final protective mechanism for the protection of the compensation site or sites, including all surface waters and buffer areas within its boundaries.
6. The following criteria shall apply to permittee-responsible wetland or stream compensation:
a. The vegetation used shall be native species common to the area, shall be suitable for growth in local wetland or riparian conditions, and shall be from areas within the same or adjacent U.S. Department of Agriculture Plant Hardiness Zone or Natural Resources Conservation Service Land Resource Region as that of the project site. Planting of woody plants shall occur when vegetation is normally dormant, unless otherwise approved in the final wetlands or stream compensation plan or plans.
b. All work in permitted impact areas shall cease if compensation site construction has not commenced within 180 days of commencement of project construction, unless otherwise authorized by the board.
c. The Department of Environmental Quality shall be notified in writing prior to the initiation of construction activities at the compensation site.
d. Point sources of stormwater runoff shall be prohibited from entering a wetland compensation site prior to treatment by appropriate best management practices. Appropriate best management practices may include sediment traps, grassed waterways, vegetated filter strips, debris screens, oil and grease separators, or forebays.
e. The success of the compensation shall be based on meeting the success criteria established in the approved final compensation plan.
f. If the wetland or stream compensation area fails to meet the specified success criteria in a particular monitoring year, other than the final monitoring year, the reasons for this failure shall be determined, and a corrective action plan shall be submitted to the Department of Environmental Quality for approval with or before that year's monitoring report. The corrective action plan shall contain at minimum the proposed actions, a schedule for those actions, and a monitoring plan, and shall be implemented by the permittee in accordance with the approved schedule. Should significant changes be necessary to ensure success, the required monitoring cycle shall begin again, with monitoring year one being the year that the changes are complete, as confirmed by the Department of Environmental Quality. If the wetland or stream compensation area fails to meet the specified success criteria by the final monitoring year or if the wetland or stream compensation area has not met the stated restoration goals, reasons for this failure shall be determined and a corrective action plan, including proposed actions, a schedule, and a monitoring plan, shall be submitted with the final year monitoring report for Department of Environmental Quality approval. Corrective action shall be implemented by the permittee in accordance with the approved schedule. Annual monitoring shall be required to continue until two sequential, annual reports indicate that all criteria have been successfully satisfied and the site has met the overall restoration goals (e.g., that corrective actions were successful).
g. The surveyed wetland boundary for the wetlands compensation site shall be based on the results of the hydrology, soils, and vegetation monitoring data and shall be shown on the site plan. Calculation of total wetland acreage shall be based on that boundary at the end of the monitoring cycle. Data shall be submitted by December 31 of the final monitoring year.
h. Herbicides or algicides shall not be used in or immediately adjacent to the wetlands or stream compensation site or sites without prior authorization by the board. All vegetation removal shall be done by manual means, unless authorized by the Department of Environmental Quality in advance.
B. Impact site construction monitoring.
1. Construction activities authorized by this permit that are within impact areas shall be monitored and documented. The monitoring shall consist of:
a. Preconstruction photographs taken at each impact area prior to initiation of activities within impact areas. Photographs shall remain on the project site and depict the impact area and the nonimpacted surface waters immediately adjacent to and downgradient of each impact area. Each photograph shall be labeled to include the following information: permit number, impact area number, date and time of the photograph, name of the person taking the photograph, photograph orientation, and photograph subject description.
b. Site inspections shall be conducted by the permittee or the permittee's qualified designee once every calendar month during activities within impact areas. Monthly inspections shall be conducted in the following areas: all authorized permanent and temporary impact areas; all avoided surface waters, including wetlands, stream channels, and open water; surface water areas within 50 feet of any land disturbing activity and within the project or right-of-way limits; and all on-site permanent preservation areas required under this permit. Observations shall be recorded on the inspection form provided by the Department of Environmental Quality. The form shall be completed in its entirety for each monthly inspection and shall be kept on site and made available for review by the Department of Environmental Quality staff upon request during normal business hours. Inspections are not required during periods of no activity within impact areas.
2. Monitoring of water quality parameters shall be conducted during permanent relocation of perennial streams through new channels in the manner noted below. The permittee shall report violations of water quality standards to the Department of Environmental Quality in accordance with the procedures in 9VAC25-690-100 Part II E. Corrective measures and additional monitoring may be required if water quality standards are not met. Reporting shall not be required if water quality standards are not violated.
a. A sampling station shall be located upstream and immediately downstream of the relocated channel.
b. Temperature, pH, and dissolved oxygen (D.O.) measurements shall be taken every 30 minutes for at least two hours at each station prior to opening the new channels and immediately before opening new channels.
c. Temperature, pH, and D.O. readings shall be taken after opening the channels and every 30 minutes for at least three hours at each station.
C. Permittee-responsible wetland compensation site monitoring.
1. An as-built ground survey, or an aerial survey provided by a firm specializing in aerial surveys, shall be conducted for the entire compensation site or sites including invert elevations for all water elevation control structures and spot elevations throughout the site or sites. Aerial surveys shall include the variation from actual ground conditions, such as +/- 0.2 feet. Either type of survey shall be certified by a licensed surveyor or by a registered professional engineer to conform to the design plans. The survey shall be submitted within 60 days of completing compensation site construction. Changes or deviations in the as-built survey or aerial survey shall be shown on the survey and explained in writing.
2. Photographs shall be taken at the compensation site or sites from the permanent markers identified in the final compensation plan, and established to ensure that the same locations and view directions at the site or sites are monitored in each monitoring period. These photographs shall be taken after the initial planting and at a time specified in the final compensation plan during every monitoring year.
3. Compensation site monitoring shall begin on day one of the first complete growing season (monitoring year 1) after wetland compensation site construction activities, including planting, have been completed. Monitoring shall be required for monitoring years 1, 2, 3, and 5, unless otherwise approved by the Department of Environmental Quality. In all cases, if all success criteria have not been met in the final monitoring year, then monitoring shall be required for each consecutive year until two annual sequential reports indicate that all criteria have been successfully satisfied.
4. The establishment of wetland hydrology shall be measured during the growing season, with the location and number of monitoring wells, and frequency of monitoring for each site, set forth in the final monitoring plan. Hydrology monitoring well data shall be accompanied by precipitation data, including rainfall amounts either from on site or from the closest weather station. Once the wetland hydrology success criteria have been satisfied for a particular monitoring year, monitoring may be discontinued for the remainder of that monitoring year following Department of Environmental Quality approval. After a period of three monitoring years, the permittee may request that hydrology monitoring be discontinued, providing that adequate hydrology has been established and maintained. Hydrology monitoring shall not be discontinued without written approval from the Department of Environmental Quality.
5. The presence of hydric soils or soils under hydric conditions shall be evaluated in accordance with the final compensation plan.
6. The establishment of wetland vegetation shall be in accordance with the final compensation plan. Monitoring shall take place in August, September, or October during the growing season of each monitoring year, unless otherwise authorized in the monitoring plan.
7. The presence of undesirable plant species shall be documented.
8. All wetland compensation monitoring reports shall be submitted in accordance with 9VAC25-690-100 Part II E 6.
D. Permittee-responsible stream compensation and monitoring.
1. Riparian buffer restoration activities shall be detailed in the final compensation plan and shall include, as appropriate, the planting of a variety of native species currently growing in the site area, including appropriate seed mixtures and woody species that are bare root, balled, or burlapped. A minimum buffer width of 50 feet, measured from the top of the stream bank at bankfull elevation landward on both sides of the stream, shall be required where practical.
2. The installation of root wads, vanes, and other instream structures, shaping of the stream banks, and channel relocation shall be completed in the dry whenever practicable.
3. Livestock access to the stream and designated riparian buffer shall be limited to the greatest extent practicable.
4. Stream channel restoration activities shall be conducted in the dry or during low flow conditions. When site conditions prohibit access from the streambank or upon prior authorization from the Department of Environmental Quality, heavy equipment may be authorized for use within the stream channel.
5. Photographs shall be taken at the compensation site from the vicinity of the permanent photo-monitoring stations identified in the final compensation plan. The photograph orientation shall remain constant during all monitoring events. At a minimum, photographs shall be taken from the center of the stream, facing downstream, with a sufficient number of photographs to view the entire length of the restoration site. Photographs shall document the completed restoration conditions. Photographs shall be taken prior to site activities, during instream and riparian compensation construction activities, within one week of completion of activities, and during at least one day of each monitoring year to depict restored conditions.
6. An as-built ground survey, or an aerial survey provided by a firm specializing in aerial surveys, shall be conducted for the entire compensation site or sites. Aerial surveys shall include the variation from actual ground conditions, such as +/- 0.2 feet. The survey shall be certified by the licensed surveyor or by a registered, professional engineer to conform to the design plans. The survey shall be submitted within 60 days of completing compensation site construction. Changes or deviations from the final compensation plans in the as-built survey or aerial survey shall be shown on the survey and explained in writing.
7. Compensation site monitoring shall begin on day one of the first complete growing season (monitoring year 1) after stream compensation site construction activities, including planting, have been completed. Monitoring shall be required for monitoring years 1 and 2, unless otherwise approved by the Department of Environmental Quality. In all cases, if all success criteria have not been met in the final monitoring year, then monitoring shall be required for each consecutive year until two annual sequential reports indicate that all criteria have been successfully satisfied.
8. All stream compensation site monitoring reports shall be submitted by in accordance with 9VAC25-690-100 Part II E 6.
1. Written communications required by this VWP general permit shall be submitted to the appropriate Department of Environmental Quality office. The VWP general permit tracking number shall be included on all correspondence.
2. The Department of Environmental Quality shall be notified in writing prior to the start of construction activities at the first permitted impact area.
3. A construction status update form provided by the Department of Environmental Quality shall be completed and submitted to the Department of Environmental Quality twice per year for the duration of coverage under a VWP general permit. Forms completed in June shall be submitted by or on July 10, and forms completed in December shall be submitted by or on January 10. The form shall include reference to the VWP permit tracking number and one of the following statements for each authorized surface water impact location:
a. Construction activities have not yet started;
b. Construction activities have started;
c. Construction activities have started but are currently inactive; or
d. Construction activities are complete.
4. The Department of Environmental Quality shall be notified in writing within 30 days following the completion of all activities in all authorized impact areas.
5. The Department of Environmental Quality shall be notified in writing prior to the initiation of activities at the permittee-responsible compensation site. The notification shall include a projected schedule of activities and construction completion.
6. All permittee-responsible compensation site monitoring reports shall be submitted annually by December 31, with the exception of the last year, in which case the report shall be submitted at least 60 days prior to the expiration of the general permit, unless otherwise approved by the Department of Environmental Quality.
a. All wetland compensation site monitoring reports shall include, as applicable, the following:
(1) General description of the site including a site location map identifying photo-monitoring stations, vegetative and soil monitoring stations, monitoring wells, and wetland zones.
(2) Summary of activities completed during the monitoring year, including alterations or maintenance conducted at the site.
(3) Description of monitoring methods.
(4) Analysis of all hydrology information, including monitoring well data, precipitation data, and gauging data from streams or other open water areas, as set forth in the final compensation plan.
(5) Evaluation of hydric soils or soils under hydric conditions, as appropriate.
(6) Analysis of all vegetative community information, including woody and herbaceous species, both planted and volunteers, as set forth in the final compensation plan.
(7) Photographs labeled with the permit number, the name of the compensation site, the photo-monitoring station number, the photograph orientation, the date and time of the photograph, the name of the person taking the photograph, and a brief description of the photograph subject. This information shall be provided as a separate attachment to each photograph, if necessary. Photographs taken after the initial planting shall be included in the first monitoring report after planting is complete.
(8) Discussion of wildlife or signs of wildlife observed at the compensation site.
(9) Comparison of site conditions from the previous monitoring year and reference site.
(10) Discussion of corrective measures or maintenance activities to control undesirable species, to repair damaged water control devices, or to replace damaged planted vegetation.
(11) Corrective action plan that includes proposed actions, a schedule, and monitoring plan.
b. All stream compensation site monitoring reports shall include, as applicable, the following:
(1) General description of the site including a site location map identifying photo-monitoring stations and monitoring stations.
(4) Evaluation and discussion of the monitoring results in relation to the success criteria and overall goals of compensation.
(5) Photographs shall be labeled with the permit number, the name of the compensation site, the photo-monitoring station number, the photograph orientation, the date and time of the photograph, the name of the person taking the photograph, and a brief description of the photograph subject. Photographs taken prior to compensation site construction activities, during instream and riparian restoration activities, and within one week of completion of activities shall be included in the first monitoring report.
(6) Discussion of alterations, maintenance, or major storm events resulting in significant change in stream profile or cross section, and corrective actions conducted at the stream compensation site.
(7) Documentation of undesirable plant species and summary of abatement and control measures.
(8) Summary of wildlife or signs of wildlife observed at the compensation site.
(9) Comparison of site conditions from the previous monitoring year and reference site, and as-built survey, if applicable.
(10) Corrective action plan that includes proposed actions, a schedule and monitoring plan.
(11) Additional submittals that were approved by the Department of Environmental Quality in the final compensation plan.
7. The permittee shall notify the Department of Environmental Quality in writing when unusual or potentially complex conditions are encountered which require debris removal or involve potentially toxic substance. Measures to remove the obstruction, material, or toxic substance or to change the location of a structure are prohibited until approved by the Department of Environmental Quality.
8. The permittee shall report fish kills or spills of oil or fuel immediately upon discovery. If spills or fish kills occur between the hours of 8:15 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, the appropriate Department of Environmental Quality regional office shall be notified; otherwise, the Department of Emergency Management shall be notified at 1-800-468-8892.
9. Violations of state water quality standards shall be reported to the appropriate Department of Environmental Quality office no later than the end of the business day following discovery.
10. The permittee shall notify the Department of Environmental Quality no later than the end of the third business day following the discovery of additional impacts to surface waters including wetlands, stream channels, and open water that are not authorized by the Department of Environmental Quality or to any required preservation areas. The notification shall include photographs, estimated acreage or linear footage of impacts, and a description of the impacts.
11. Submittals required by this VWP general permit shall contain the following signed certification statement:
"I certify under penalty of law that this document and all attachments were prepared under my direction or supervision in accordance with a system designed to assure that qualified personnel properly gather and evaluate the information submitted. Based on my inquiry of the person or persons who manage the system, or those persons directly responsible for gathering the information, the information submitted is, to the best of my knowledge and belief, true, accurate, and complete. I am aware that there are significant penalties for submitting false information, including the possibility of fine and imprisonment for knowing violation."
Part III. Conditions Applicable to All VWP General Permits.
A. Duty to comply. The permittee shall comply with all conditions, limitations, and other requirements of the VWP general permit; any requirements in coverage granted under this VWP general permit; the Clean Water Act, as amended; and the State Water Control Law and regulations adopted pursuant to it. Any VWP general permit violation or noncompliance is a violation of the Clean Water Act and State Water Control Law and is grounds for (i) enforcement action, (ii) VWP general permit coverage termination for cause, (iii) VWP general permit coverage revocation, (iv) denial of application for coverage, or (v) denial of an application for a modification to VWP general permit coverage. Nothing in this VWP general permit shall be construed to relieve the permittee of the duty to comply with all applicable federal and state statutes, regulations, and toxic standards and prohibitions.
B. Duty to mitigate. The permittee shall take all reasonable steps to minimize or prevent impacts in violation of the VWP general permit which may have a reasonable likelihood of adversely affecting human health or the environment.
C. Reopener. This VWP general permit may be reopened to modify its conditions when the circumstances on which the previous VWP general permit was based have materially and substantially changed, or special studies conducted by the board or the permittee show material and substantial change since the time the VWP general permit was issued and thereby constitute cause for revoking and reissuing the VWP general permit.
D. Compliance with state and federal law. Compliance with this VWP general permit constitutes compliance with the VWP permit requirements of the State Water Control Law. Nothing in this VWP general permit shall be construed to preclude the institution of any legal action under or relieve the permittee from any responsibilities, liabilities, or other penalties established pursuant to any other state law or regulation or under the authority preserved by § 510 of the Clean Water Act.
E. Property rights. The issuance of this VWP general permit does not convey property rights in either real or personal property or any exclusive privileges, nor does it authorize injury to private property, any invasion of personal property rights, or any infringement of federal, state, or local laws or regulations.
F. Severability. The provisions of this VWP general permit are severable.
G. Inspection and entry. Upon presentation of credential, the permittee shall allow the board or any duly authorized agent of the board, at reasonable times and under reasonable circumstances, to enter upon the permittee's property, public or private, and have access to inspect and copy any records that must be kept as part of the VWP general permit conditions; to inspect any facilities, operations, or practices (including monitoring and control equipment) regulated or required under the VWP general permit; and to sample or monitor any substance, parameter, or activity for the purpose of assuring compliance with the conditions of the VWP general permit or as otherwise authorized by law. For the purpose of this section, the time for inspection shall be deemed reasonable during regular business hours. Nothing contained herein shall make an inspection time unreasonable during an emergency.
H. Transferability of VWP general permit coverage. VWP general permit coverage may be transferred to another permittee when all of the criteria listed in this subsection are met. On the date of the VWP general permit coverage transfer, the transferred VWP general permit coverage shall be as fully effective as if it had been granted directly to the new permittee.
1. The current permittee notifies the board of the proposed transfer of the general permit coverage and provides a written agreement between the current and new permittees containing a specific date of transfer of VWP general permit responsibility, coverage, and liability to the new permittee, or that the current permittee will retain such responsibility, coverage, or liability, including liability for compliance with the requirements of enforcement activities related to the authorized activity.
2. The board does not within 15 days notify the current and new permittees of its intent to modify or revoke and reissue the VWP general permit.
I. Notice of planned change. VWP general permit coverage may be modified subsequent to issuance in accordance with 9VAC25-690-80.
J. VWP general permit coverage termination for cause. VWP general permit coverage is subject to termination for cause by the board after public notice and opportunity for a hearing pursuant to § 62.1-44.15:02 of the Code of Virginia. Reasons for termination for cause are as follows:
1. Noncompliance by the permittee with any provision of this chapter, any condition of the VWP general permit, or any requirement in general permit coverage;
2. The permittee's failure in the application or during the process of granting VWP general permit coverage to disclose fully all relevant facts or the permittee's misrepresentation of any relevant facts at any time;
3. The permittee's violation of a special or judicial order;
4. A determination by the board that the authorized activity endangers human health or the environment and can be regulated to acceptable levels by a modification to VWP general permit coverage or a termination;
5. A change in any condition that requires either a temporary or permanent reduction or elimination of any activity controlled by the VWP general permit; or
6. A determination that the authorized activity has ceased and that the compensation for unavoidable adverse impacts has been successfully completed.
K. The board may terminate VWP general permit coverage without cause when the permittee is no longer a legal entity due to death or dissolution or when a company is no longer authorized to conduct business in the Commonwealth. The termination shall be effective 30 days after notice of the proposed termination is sent to the last known address of the permittee or registered agent, unless the permittee objects within that time. If the permittee does object during that period, the board shall follow the applicable procedures for termination under §§ 62.1-44.15:02 and 62.1-44.15:25 of the Code of Virginia.
L. VWP general permit coverage termination by consent. The permittee shall submit a request for termination by consent within 30 days of completing or canceling all authorized activities requiring notification under 9VAC25-690-50 A and all compensatory mitigation requirements. When submitted for project completion, the request for termination by consent shall constitute a notice of project completion in accordance with 9VAC25-210-130 F. The director may accept this termination of coverage on behalf of the board. The permittee shall submit the following information:
1. Name, mailing address, and telephone number;
M. Civil and criminal liability. Nothing in this VWP general permit shall be construed to relieve the permittee from civil and criminal penalties for noncompliance.
N. Oil and hazardous substance liability. Nothing in this VWP general permit shall be construed to preclude the institution of legal action or relieve the permittee from any responsibilities, liabilities, or penalties to which the permittee is or may be subject under § 311 of the Clean Water Act or §§ 62.1-44.34:14 through 62.1-44.34:23 of the State Water Control Law.
O. Duty to cease or confine activity. It shall not be a defense for a permittee in an enforcement action that it would have been necessary to halt or reduce the activity for which VWP general permit coverage has been granted in order to maintain compliance with the conditions of the VWP general permit or coverage.
P. Duty to provide information.
1. The permittee shall furnish to the board any information that the board may request to determine whether cause exists for modifying, revoking, or terminating VWP permit coverage or to determine compliance with the VWP general permit or general permit coverage. The permittee shall also furnish to the board, upon request, copies of records required to be kept by the permittee.
2. Plans, maps, conceptual reports, and other relevant information shall be submitted as required by the board prior to commencing construction.
Q. Monitoring and records requirements.
1. Monitoring of parameters, other than pollutants, shall be conducted according to approved analytical methods as specified in the VWP general permit. Analysis of pollutants will be conducted according to 40 CFR Part 136 (2000), Guidelines Establishing Test Procedures for the Analysis of Pollutants.
3. The permittee shall retain records of all monitoring information, including all calibration and maintenance records and all original strip chart or electronic recordings for continuous monitoring instrumentation, copies of all reports required by the VWP general permit, and records of all data used to complete the application for coverage under the VWP general permit, for a period of at least three years from the date of general permit expiration. This period may be extended by request of the board at any time.
4. Records of monitoring information shall include, as appropriate:
R. Unauthorized discharge of pollutants. Except in compliance with this VWP general permit, it shall be unlawful for the permittee to:
1. Discharge into state waters sewage, industrial wastes, other wastes, or any noxious or deleterious substances;
2. Excavate in a wetland;
3. Otherwise alter the physical, chemical, or biological properties of state waters and make them detrimental to the public health, to animal or aquatic life, or to the uses of such waters for domestic or industrial consumption, for recreation, or for other uses; or
4. On and after October 1, 2001, conduct the following activities in a wetland:
a. New activities to cause draining that significantly alters or degrades existing wetland acreage or functions;
b. Filling or dumping;
c. Permanent flooding or impounding; or
d. New activities that cause significant alteration or degradation of existing wetland acreage or functions.
S. Duty to reapply. Any permittee desiring to continue a previously authorized activity after the expiration date of the VWP general permit shall comply with the provisions in 9VAC25-690-27.
Standard Joint Permit Application for Projects in Waters and Wetlands of the Commonwealth of Virginia (rev. 9/2018)
Documents Incorporated by Reference (9VAC25-690)
Virginia Stormwater Management Handbook, First Edition, 1999, Department of Conservation and Recreation