Source: http://register.dls.virginia.gov/details.aspx?id=3994
Timestamp: 2019-07-20 18:27:30
Document Index: 18379316

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 62', '§ 9', '§ 2', '§ 15', '§ 15', 'art 136', '§ 62', '§ 62', '§ 62', '§ 62', '§ 62', '§ 2']

Vol. 30 Iss. 5 (Final Regulation) 9VAC25-610, Ground Water Withdrawal Regulations November 04, 2013
Title of Regulation: 9VAC25-610. Ground Water Withdrawal Regulations (amending 9VAC25-610-10 through 9VAC25-610-170, 9VAC25-610-190, 9VAC25-610-220, 9VAC25-610-240 through 9VAC25-610-350, 9VAC25-610-370, 9VAC25-610-380, 9VAC25-610-390; adding 9VAC25-610-85, 9VAC25-610-92, 9VAC25-610-94, 9VAC25-610-96, 9VAC25-610-98, 9VAC25-610-102, 9VAC25-610-104, 9VAC25-610-106, 9VAC25-610-108; repealing 9VAC25-610-400).
The regulations are amended to be more consistent with administrative and application processing practices currently used in other water permit program regulations. The application requirements for different types of permits and situations are separated into different regulatory sections to provide more clarity concerning the requirements for complete applications. New sections are added to address surface water and groundwater conjunctive use permits and supplemental drought relief permits. The water conservation and management plan section is revised to specify the conservation measures and requirements that must be met depending on the use of the groundwater. The regulations also now identify information to be provided to ensure that the need for the groundwater is documented and that alternatives to using groundwater are investigated and considered. A section is added allowing the agency to estimate an area of impact for mitigation of a small withdrawal based on available modeled information instead of requiring geotechnical investigations to occur. The regulations are also revised to be consistent with current agency guidance concerning the 80% drawdown criteria evaluation. Additional permit conditions are specified in the regulations that will be applicable to all permits, which will clarify the requirements that groundwater withdrawers must meet. Clarifying changes, based on public comments during the public comment period, have been made to the regulation since the proposed stage.
GROUND WATER GROUNDWATER WITHDRAWAL REGULATIONS
"Adverse impact" means reductions in ground water groundwater levels or changes in ground water groundwater quality that limit the ability of any existing ground water groundwater user lawfully withdrawing or authorized to withdraw ground water groundwater at the time of permit or special exception issuance to continue to withdraw the quantity and quality of ground water groundwater required by the existing use. Existing groundwater users include all those persons who have been granted a ground water groundwater withdrawal permit subject to this chapter and all other persons who are excluded from permit requirements by 9VAC25-610-50.
"Applicant" means a person filing an application to initiate or enlarge a ground water groundwater withdrawal in a ground water groundwater management area.
"Beneficial use" includes, but is not limited to domestic (including public water supply), agricultural, commercial, and industrial uses.
"Consumptive use" means the withdrawal of ground water groundwater, without recycle of said waters to their source of origin.
"Geophysical investigation" means any hydrogeologic evaluation to define the hydrogeologic framework of an area or determine the hydrogeologic properties of any aquifer or confining unit to the extent that withdrawals associated with such investigations do not result in unmitigated adverse impacts to existing ground water groundwater users. Geophysical investigations include, but are not limited to, pump tests and aquifer tests.
"Ground water" "Groundwater" means any water, except capillary moisture, beneath the land surface in the zone of saturation or beneath the bed of any stream, lake, reservoir or other body of surface water wholly or partially within the boundaries of this Commonwealth, whatever the subsurface geologic structure in which such water stands, flows, percolates or otherwise occurs.
[ "Historic prepumping water levels" means ground water groundwater levels in aquifers prior to the initiation of any ground water groundwater withdrawals. For the purpose of this chapter, in the Eastern Virginia and Eastern Shore Ground Water Groundwater Management Areas, historic prepumping water levels are defined as water levels present in aquifers prior to 1890. ]
"Human consumption" means the use of water [ for to support human survival and health, including ] drinking, bathing, showering, cooking, dishwashing, and maintaining [ oral ] hygiene.
"Human consumptive use" means the withdrawal of ground water for private residential domestic use and that portion of ground water withdrawals in a public water supply system that support residential domestic uses and domestic uses at commercial and industrial establishments.
"Mitigate" means to take actions necessary to assure that all existing ground water groundwater users at the time of issuance of a permit or special exception who experience adverse impacts continue to have access to the amount and quality of ground water groundwater needed for existing uses.
"Permit" means a ground water groundwater withdrawal permit issued by the board under the Ground Water Management Act of 1992 permitting the withdrawal of a specified quantity of ground water groundwater under specified conditions in a ground water groundwater management area.
"Permittee" means a person who currently has an effective ground water groundwater withdrawal permit issued by the board under the Ground Water Act of 1992.
"Public hearing" means a fact finding proceeding held to afford interested persons an opportunity to submit factual data, views and comments to the board pursuant to the board's Procedural Rule No. 1. § 62.1-44.15:02 of the Code of Virginia.
"Salt water intrusion" means the encroachment of saline waters in any aquifer that create adverse impacts to existing ground water groundwater users or is counter to the public interest.
"Special exception" means a document issued by the board for withdrawal of ground water groundwater in unusual situations where requiring the user to obtain a ground water groundwater withdrawal permit would be contrary to the purpose of the Ground Water Management Act of 1992. Special exceptions allow the withdrawal of a specified quantity of ground water groundwater under specified conditions in a ground water groundwater management area.
"Surface water and ground water groundwater conjunctive use system" means an integrated water supply system wherein surface water is the primary source and ground water groundwater is a supplemental source that is used to augment the surface water source when the surface water source is not able to produce the amount of water necessary to support the annual water demands of the system.
"Well" means any artificial opening or artificially altered natural opening, however made, by which ground water groundwater is sought or through which ground water groundwater flows under natural pressure or is intended to be withdrawn.
The Groundwater Ground Water Management Act of 1992 recognizes and declares that the right to reasonable control of all ground water groundwater resources within the Commonwealth belongs to the public and that in order to conserve, protect and beneficially utilize the ground water groundwater resource and to ensure the public welfare, safety and health, provisions for management and control of ground water groundwater resources are essential. This chapter delineates the procedures and requirements to be followed when establishing Groundwater Management Areas and the issuance of Groundwater Withdrawal Permits by the board pursuant to the Groundwater Ground Water Management Act of 1992.
9VAC25-610-40. Prohibitions and requirements for ground water groundwater withdrawals.
A. No person shall withdraw, attempt to withdraw, or allow the withdrawal of ground water groundwater within a ground water groundwater management area, except as authorized pursuant to a ground water groundwater withdrawal permit, or as excluded in 9VAC25-610-50.
B. No permit or special exception shall be issued for more ground water groundwater than can be applied to the proposed beneficial use.
The following do not require a ground water groundwater withdrawal permit:
3. Withdrawals associated with a state-approved ground water groundwater remediation that do not exceed 60 months in duration;
4. Withdrawals for use by a ground water groundwater source heat pump where the discharge is reinjected into the aquifer from which it was withdrawn;
5. Withdrawals from ponds recharged by ground water groundwater without mechanical assistance;
7. Withdrawals coincident with exploration for and extraction of coal or activities associated with coal mining regulated by the Department of Mines, Minerals, and Energy;
8. Withdrawals coincident with the exploration for or production of oil, gas or other minerals other than coal, unless such withdrawal adversely impacts aquifer quantity or quality or other ground water groundwater users within a ground water groundwater management area;
9. Withdrawals in any area not declared to be a ground water groundwater management area;
10. Withdrawal of ground water groundwater authorized pursuant to a special exception issued by the board; and
11. Withdrawal of ground water groundwater discharged from free flowing springs where the natural flow of the spring has not been increased by any method.
A. Compliance with a ground water groundwater withdrawal permit constitutes compliance with the permit requirements of the Groundwater Ground Water Management Act of 1992.
Declaration of [ Ground Water Groundwater ] Management Areas
9VAC25-610-70. Criteria for consideration of a ground water groundwater management area.
The board upon its own motion, or in its discretion, upon receipt of a petition by any county, city or town within the area in question, may initiate a ground water groundwater management area proceeding, whenever in its judgment there is reason to believe that any one of the four following conditions exist:
1. Ground water Groundwater levels in the area are declining or are expected to decline excessively;
2. The wells of two or more ground water groundwater users within the area are interfering or may be reasonably expected to interfere substantially with one another;
3. The available ground water groundwater supply has been or may be overdrawn; or
4. The ground water groundwater in the area has been or may become polluted.
9VAC25-610-80. Declaration of ground water groundwater management areas.
A. If the board finds that any of the conditions listed in 9VAC25-610-70 exist, and further determines that the public welfare, safety and health require that regulatory efforts be initiated, the board shall declare the area in question a ground water groundwater management area, by regulation.
B. Such regulations shall be promulgated in accordance with the agency's Public Participation Guidelines (9VAC25-10-10 et seq.) (9VAC25-11) and the Administrative Process Act (§ 9-6.14:1 et seq. of the Code of Virginia) (§ 2.2-4000 et seq. of the Code of Virginia).
C. The regulation shall define the boundaries of the ground water groundwater management area, and identify the aquifers to be included in the ground water groundwater management area. Any number of aquifers that either wholly or partially overlie one another may be included within the same ground water groundwater management area.
D. After adoption the board shall mail [ by postal or electronic delivery ] a copy of the regulation to the mayor or chairman of the governing body of each county, city or town within which any part of the ground water groundwater management area lies.
A. Persons withdrawing ground water groundwater or who have rights to withdraw ground water groundwater prior to July 1, 1992, in the Eastern Virginia or Eastern Shore Ground Water Groundwater Management Areas and not excluded from requirements of this chapter by 9VAC25-610-50 shall apply for a permit.
1. Any person who was issued a certificate of ground water groundwater right or a permit to withdraw ground water groundwater prior to July 1, 1991, and who was withdrawing ground water groundwater pursuant to said permit or certificate on July 1, 1992, shall file an application on or before December 31, 1992, to continue said withdrawal. The applicant shall demonstrate the claimed prior withdrawals through withdrawal reports required by the existing certificate or permit or by reports required by Water Withdrawal Reporting Regulations (9VAC25-200-10 et seq.).
2. Any person who was issued a certificate of ground water groundwater right or a permit to withdraw ground water groundwater prior to July 1, 1991, and who had not initiated the withdrawal prior to July 1, 1992, may initiate a withdrawal on or after July 1, 1992, pursuant to the terms and conditions of the certificate or permit and shall file an application for a ground water groundwater withdrawal permit on or before December 31, 1995, to continue said withdrawal. The applicant shall demonstrate the claimed prior withdrawals through withdrawal reports required by the existing certificate or permit or by reports required by Water Withdrawal Reporting Regulations (9VAC25-200-10 et seq.).
3. Any person who was issued a permit to withdraw ground water groundwater on or after July 1, 1991, and prior to July 1, 1992, shall not be required to apply for a ground water groundwater withdrawal permit until the expiration of the permit to withdraw ground water groundwater or 10 years from the date of issuance of the permit to withdraw ground water, groundwater whichever occurs first. Such persons shall reapply for a ground water groundwater withdrawal permit as described in subsection D of this section 9VAC25-610-96.
4. Any person withdrawing ground water groundwater for agricultural or livestock watering purposes on or before July 1, 1992, shall file an application for a ground water groundwater withdrawal permit on or before December 31, 1993. The applicant shall demonstrate the claimed prior withdrawals by voluntary withdrawal reports required by Water Withdrawal Reporting Regulations (9VAC25-200-10 et seq.) when such reports have been filed with the board. When such reports are not available, estimates of withdrawal will be accepted that are based on the area irrigated, depth of irrigation, and annual number of irrigations; pumping capacity and annual pumping time; annual energy consumption for pumps, energy consumption per hour, and pumping capacity; number and type of livestock watered annually; number and type of livestock where water is used for cooling purposes; or other methods approved by the board.
5. Any political subdivision, or authority serving a political subdivision, holding a certificate of ground water groundwater right or a permit to withdraw ground water groundwater issued prior to July 1, 1992, for the operation of a public water supply well for the purpose of providing supplemental water during drought conditions, shall file an application on or before December 31, 1992. Any political subdivision, or authority serving a political subdivision, shall submit, as part of the application, a water conservation and management plan as described in 9VAC25-610-100 B.
6. Any person who is required to apply in subdivision 1, 2, or 5 of this subsection section and who uses the certificated or permitted withdrawal to operate a public water supply system shall provide a copy of the waterworks operation permit, or equivalent, with the required application for a ground water groundwater withdrawal permit.
7. Any person described in subdivision 1, 2, 3, or 5 of this subsection section who files a complete application by the date required may continue to withdraw ground water groundwater pursuant to the existing certificate or permit until such time as the board takes action on the outstanding application for a ground water groundwater withdrawal permit.
8. Any person described in subdivision 4 of this subsection section who files a complete application by the date required may continue his existing withdrawal until such time as the board takes action on the outstanding application for a ground water groundwater withdrawal permit.
9. Any person described in subdivision 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 of this subsection section who files an incomplete application by the date required may continue to withdraw ground water groundwater as described in subdivisions 7 and 8 of this subsection section provided that all information required to complete the application is provided to the board within 60 days of the board's notice to the applicant of deficiencies. Should such person not provide the board the required information within 60 days, he shall cease withdrawals until he provides any additional information to the board and the board concurs that the application is complete.
10. A complete application for those persons described in subdivision 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 of this subsection section shall contain:
a. A ground water withdrawal permit application completed in its entirety. Application forms shall be submitted in a format specified by the board. Such application forms are available from the Department of Environmental Quality;
b. Well construction documentation for all wells associated with the application;
c. Locations of all wells associated with the application shown on United States Geological Survey 7-1/2 minute topographic maps or copies of such maps;
d. Withdrawal reports required by the existing certificate or permit, reports required by Water Withdrawal Reporting Regulations (9VAC25-200-10 et seq.), or estimates of withdrawals as described in subdivision 4 of this subsection to support any claimed prior withdrawal; and
e. A copy of the Virginia Department of Health waterworks operation permit, or equivalent, where applicable.
f. Persons described in subdivision 5 of this subsection shall submit a water conservation and management plan as described in 9VAC25-610-100.
g. The application shall have an original signature as described in 9VAC25-610-150.
(4) The depth of pump intake.
g. Information on surface water and groundwater conjunctive use systems as described in 9VAC25-610-104 if applicable.
11. 12. Any person described in subdivision 1, 2, 3, or 5 of this subsection section who fails to file an application by the date required creates the presumption that all claims to ground water groundwater withdrawal based on historic use have been abandoned. Should any such person wish to rebut the presumption that claims to ground water groundwater withdrawal based on historic use have been abandoned, he shall have filed an application with a letter of explanation to the board by November 21, 1993. Any such person failing to rebut the presumption that claims to ground water groundwater withdrawal based on historic use have been abandoned who wishes to withdraw ground water groundwater shall apply for a new withdrawal as described in subsection C of this section 9VAC25-610-94.
12. 13. Any person described in subdivision 4 of this subsection section who fails to file an application by the date required creates the presumption that all claims to ground water groundwater withdrawal based on historic use have been abandoned. Should any such person wish to rebut the presumption that claims to ground water groundwater withdrawal based on historic use have been abandoned, he may do so by filing an application with a letter of explanation to the board within 60 days of the original required date or within 60 days of January 1, 1999, whichever is later. Any such person failing to rebut the presumption that claims to ground water groundwater withdrawal based on historic use have been abandoned who wishes to withdraw ground water groundwater shall apply for a new withdrawal as described in subsection C of this section 9VAC25-610-94.
B. Persons withdrawing ground water when a ground water management area is declared or expanded after July 1, 1992, and not excluded from requirements of this chapter by 9VAC25-610-50 shall apply for a permit.
1. Any person withdrawing ground water in an area that is declared to be a ground water management area after July 1, 1992, shall file an application for a ground water within six months of the effective date of the regulation creating or expanding the ground water management area. The applicant shall demonstrate the claimed prior withdrawals through withdrawal reports required by Water Withdrawal Reporting Regulations (9VAC25-200-10 et seq.). In the case of agricultural ground water withdrawals not required to report by Water Withdrawal Reporting Regulations, estimates of withdrawal will be accepted that are based on the area irrigated, depth of irrigation, and annual number of irrigations; pumping capacity and annual pumping time; annual energy consumption for pumps, energy consumption per hour, and pumping capacity; number and type of livestock watered annually; number and type of livestock where water is used for cooling purposes; or other methods approved by the board.
2. Any person withdrawing ground water who uses the withdrawal to operate a public water supply system shall provide a copy of the waterworks operation permit, or equivalent, with the required application for a ground water withdrawal permit.
3. Any person who is required to apply for a ground water withdrawal permit and files a complete application within six months after the effective date of the regulation creating or expanding a ground water management area may continue their withdrawal until such time as the board takes action on the outstanding application for a ground water withdrawal permit.
4. Any person who is required to apply for a ground water withdrawal permit and files an incomplete application within six months after the effective date of the regulation creating or expanding a ground water management area may continue to withdraw ground water as described in subdivision 3 of this subsection provided that all the information required to complete the application is provided to the board within 60 days of the board's notice to the applicant of deficiencies. Should such person not provide the board the required information within 60 days, he shall cease withdrawals until he provides any additional information to the board and the board concurs that the application is complete.
5. A complete application for those persons described in subdivision 1 of this subsection shall contain:
d. Withdrawal reports required by Water Withdrawal Reporting Regulations (9VAC25-200-10 et seq.) or estimates of withdrawals as described in subdivision 1 of this subsection to support any claimed prior withdrawal;
e. A copy of the Virginia Department of Health waterworks operation permit, where applicable; and
f. The application shall have an original signature as described in 9VAC25-610-150.
6. Any person who fails to file an application within six months after the effective date creating or expanding a ground water management area creates the presumption that all claims to ground water withdrawal based on historic use have been abandoned. Should any such person wish to rebut the presumption that claims to ground water withdrawal based on historic use have been abandoned, they may do so by filing an application with a letter of explanation to the board within eight months after the date creating or expanding the ground water management area. Any such person failing to rebut the presumption that claims to ground water withdrawal based on historic use have been abandoned who wishes to withdraw ground water shall apply for a new withdrawal as described in subsection C of this section.
C. Persons wishing to initiate a new withdrawal or expand an existing withdrawal in any ground water management area and not excluded from requirements of this chapter by 9VAC25-610-50 shall apply for a permit.
1. A ground water withdrawal permit application shall be completed and submitted to the board and a ground water withdrawal permit issued by the board prior to the initiation of any withdrawal not specifically excluded in 9VAC25-610-50.
2. A complete ground water withdrawal permit application for a new or expanded withdrawal, at a minimum, shall contain the following:
a. A ground water withdrawal permit application completed in its entirety with all maps, attachments, and addenda that may be required;
b. The application shall include notification from the local governing body of the county, city or town in which the withdrawal is to occur that the location and operation of the withdrawing facility is in compliance with all ordinances adopted pursuant to Chapter 22 (§ 15.2-2200 et seq.) of Title 15.2 of the Code of Virginia. If the governing body of any county, city or town fails to respond within 45 days following receipt of a written request by certified mail, return receipt requested, by an applicant for certification that the location and operation of the proposed facility is consistent with all ordinances adopted pursuant to Chapter 22 (§ 15.2-2200 et seq.) of Title 15.2 of the Code of Virginia, the location and operation of the proposed facility shall be deemed to comply with the provisions of such ordinances for the purposes of this chapter;
c. The application shall have an original signature as described in 9VAC25-610-150;
d. The application shall include locations of all wells associated with the application shown on United States Geological Survey 7-1/2 minute topographic maps or copies of such maps and a detailed location map of each existing and proposed well. The detailed location map shall be of sufficient detail such that all wells may be easily located for site inspection;
e. A completed well construction report for all existing wells associated with the application. Well construction report forms will be in a format specified by the board and are available from the Department of Environmental Quality;
f. An evaluation of the lowest quality water needed for the intended beneficial use;
g. An evaluation of sources of water supply, other than ground water, including sources of reclaimed water; and
h. A water conservation and management plan as described in 9VAC25-610-100.
3. In addition to requirements contained in subdivision 2 of this subsection, the board may require any or all of the following information prior to considering an application complete.
a. A plan to mitigate potential adverse impacts due to the proposed withdrawal on existing ground water users.
b. The installation of monitoring wells and the collection and analysis of drill cuttings, continuous cores, geophysical logs, water quality samples or other hydrogeologic information necessary to characterize the aquifer system present at the proposed withdrawal site.
c. The completion of pump tests or aquifer tests to determine aquifer characteristics at the proposed withdrawal site.
d. Other information that the board believes is necessary to evaluate the application.
D. Duty to reapply.
1. Any permittee with an effective permit shall submit a new permit application at least 270 days before the expiration date of an effective permit unless permission for a later date has been granted by the board.
2. Permittees who have effective permits shall submit a new application 270 days prior to any proposed modification to their activity which will:
a. Result in an increase of withdrawals above permitted limits; and
b. Violate or lead to the violation of the terms and conditions of the permit.
3. The applicant shall provide all information described in subdivisions C 1 and 2 of this section and may be required to provide any information described in subdivision C 3 of this section for any reapplication.
E. Where the board considers an application incomplete under the requirements of this section, the board may require the submission of additional information after an application has been filed, and may suspend processing of any application until such time as the applicant has supplied missing or deficient information and the board considers the application complete. Further, where the applicant becomes aware that he omitted one or more relevant facts from a permit application, or submitted incorrect information in a permit application or in any report to the board, he shall immediately submit such facts or the correct information.
F. When an application does not accurately describe an existing or proposed ground water withdrawal system, the board may require the applicant to amend the existing application, submit a new application, or submit new applications before the application will be processed.
G. All persons required by this chapter to apply for ground water withdrawal permits shall submit application forms in a format specified by the board. Such application forms are available from the Department of Environmental Quality.
H. No ground water withdrawal permit application shall be considered complete until a permit fee is submitted as required by regulations in Fees for Permits and Certificates (9VAC25-20-10 et seq.).
h. Withdrawal reports required by Water Withdrawal Reporting Regulations (9VAC25-200), other documentation demonstrating historical water use approved by the board to support claimed prior withdrawals if [ water ] Water Withdrawal Reporting information is unavailable or estimates of withdrawals as described in subdivision 1 of this section to support any claimed prior withdrawal; and
A. Any application to initiate a new withdrawal or expand an existing withdrawal in any ground water groundwater management area or the reapplication at the end of a permit cycle for all permits shall require a water conservation and management plan before the application or reapplication is considered complete. The board shall review all water conservation and management plans and assure that such plans contain all elements required in subsection B of this section. The approved plan shall become an enforceable part of the approved permit.
B. A water conservation and management plan shall include:
1. Requirements for the use of water saving plumbing and processes including, where appropriate, the use of water saving fixtures in new and renovated plumbing as provided in the Uniform Statewide Building Code;
2. A water loss reduction program;
3. A water use education program;
4. An evaluation of potential water reuse options; and
5. Requirements for mandatory water use reductions during water shortage emergencies declared by the local governing body or director including, where appropriate, ordinances prohibiting the waste of water generally and requirements providing for mandatory water use restrictions, with penalties, during water shortage emergencies.
C. The board shall review all water conservation and management plans and assure that such plans contain all elements required in 9VAC25-610-100 B. The board shall approve all plans that:
1. Contain requirements that water saving fixtures be used in all new and renovated plumbing as provided in the Uniform Statewide Building Code;
2. Contain requirements for making technological, procedural, or programmatic improvements to the applicant's facilities and processes to decrease water consumption. These requirements shall assure that the most efficient use is made of ground water;
3. Contain requirements for an audit of the total amount of ground water used in the applicant's distribution system and operational processes during the first two years of the permit cycle. Subsequent implementation of a leak detection and repair program will be required within one year of the completion of the audit, when such a program is technologically feasible;
4. Contain requirements for the education of water users and employees controlling water consuming processes to assure that water conservation principles are well known by the users of the resource;
5. Contain an evaluation of potential water reuse options and assurances that water will be reused in all instances where reuse is feasible;
6. Contain requirements for mandatory water use restrictions during water shortage emergencies that prohibit all nonessential uses such as lawn watering, car washing, and similar nonessential residential, industrial and commercial uses for the duration of the water shortage emergency; and
7. Contain penalties for failure to comply with mandatory water use restrictions.
a. [ Requirements for the Where practicable, the plan should require ] use of water-saving equipment and processes for all water [ uses users ] including [ , ] technological, procedural, or programmatic improvements to the facilities and processes to decrease the amount of water withdrawn or to decrease water demand. [ These requirements shall assure that the most practicable use is made of groundwater. If these options are not implemented in the plan, information The goal of these requirements is to assure the most efficient use of groundwater. Information ] on the water-saving alternatives examined and the water savings associated with the alternatives shall be provided. Water conservation and management plans shall discuss high volume water consumption by users on the system and where conservation measures have previously been implemented and shall be applied. Also, where appropriate, the use of water-saving fixtures in new and renovated plumbing as provided in the Uniform Statewide Building Code (13VAC5-63) shall be identified in the plan;
a. [ Requirements for the Where applicable, the plan should require ] use of water-saving equipment and processes for all water [ uses users ] including [ , ] technological, procedural, or programmatic improvements to the facilities and processes to decrease the amount of water withdrawn or to decrease water demand. [ These requirements shall assure that the most practicable use is made of groundwater. If these options are not implemented in the plan, information The goal of these requirements is to assure the most efficient use of groundwater. Information ] on the water-saving alternatives examined and the water savings associated with the alternatives shall be provided. Also, where appropriate, the use of water-saving fixtures in new and renovated plumbing as provided in the Uniform Statewide Building Code (13VAC5-63) shall be identified in the plan;
6. A permit shall specify the screened intervals of wells authorized for use by the permit;
14. Groundwater withdrawal permits issued under this chapter shall have an effective and expiration date that will determine the life of the permit. Groundwater withdrawal permits shall be effective for a fixed term not to exceed 10 years. Permit duration of less than the maximum period of time may be recommended in areas where hydrologic conditions are changing or are not adequately known. The term of any permit shall not be extended by modification beyond the maximum duration. Extension of permits for the same activity beyond the maximum duration specified in the original permit will require reapplication and issuance of a new permit.
6. The board conducts a technical evaluation of the [ stabilized ] effects of the proposed withdrawal with the stabilized cumulative effects of all existing lawful withdrawals to identify if the withdrawal will lower water levels in any confined aquifer below a point that represents 80% of the distance between the [ historical prepumping water levels in the aquifer land surface ] and the top of the aquifer.
C. The area of impact, whether estimated or identified through an evaluation of a geophysical [ evaluation investigation ], shall be included in the permit's mitigation plan if a plan is required by 9VAC25-610-110 D 3 g.
9VAC25-610-110. Criteria for issuance of permits Evaluation criteria for permit applications.
A. The board shall not issue any permit for more ground water groundwater than will be applied to the proposed beneficial use.
B. The board shall issue ground water groundwater withdrawal permits to persons withdrawing ground water groundwater or who have rights to withdraw ground water groundwater prior to July 1, 1992, in the Eastern Virginia or Eastern Shore Ground Water Groundwater Management [ Areas Area ] and not excluded from requirements of this chapter by 9VAC25-610-50 based on the following criteria:
1. The board shall issue a ground water groundwater withdrawal permit for persons meeting the criteria of subdivision 1 of 9VAC25-610-90 A 1 for the total amount of ground water groundwater withdrawn in any consecutive 12-month period between July 1, 1987, and June 30, 1992; however, with respect to a political subdivision, an authority serving a political subdivision or a community waterworks regulated by the Department of Health, the board shall issue a ground water groundwater withdrawal permit for the total amount of water withdrawn in any consecutive 12-month period between July 1, 1980, and June 30, 1992.
2. The board shall issue a ground water groundwater withdrawal permit for persons meeting the criteria of subdivision 2 of 9VAC25-610-90 A 2, for the total amount of ground water groundwater withdrawn and applied to a beneficial use in any consecutive 12-month period between July 1, 1992, and June 30, 1995.
3. The board shall issue a ground water groundwater withdrawal permit for persons meeting the criteria of subdivision 4 of 9VAC25-610-90 A 4 for the total amount of ground water groundwater withdrawn in any consecutive 12-month period between July 1, 1983, and June 30, 1993. The board shall evaluate all estimates of ground water groundwater withdrawal based on projected water demands for crops and livestock as published by the Virginia Cooperative Extension Service, the United States Natural Resources Conservation Service, or other similar references and make a determination whether they are reasonable. In all cases only reasonable estimates will be used to document a permit limit.
4. The board shall issue a ground water groundwater withdrawal permit for persons meeting the criteria of subdivision 5 of 9VAC25-610-90 A 5 for the amount of ground water groundwater withdrawal needed to annually meet human consumption needs as proven in the water conservation and management plan approved by the board. The board shall include conditions in such permits that require the implementation of mandatory use restrictions before such withdrawals can be exercised.
5. When requested by persons described in subdivisions 1, 2, and 4 of 9VAC25-610-90 A 1, 2 and 4, the board shall may issue ground water groundwater withdrawal permits that include withdrawal amounts in excess of those which an applicant can support based on historic usage. These additional amounts shall be based on documentation of water savings achieved through water conservation measures. The applicant shall demonstrate withdrawals prior to implementation of water conservation measures, type of water conservation measure implemented, and withdrawals after implementation of water conservation measures. The applicant shall provide evidence of withdrawal amounts through metered withdrawals and estimated amounts shall not be accepted to claim additional withdrawal amounts due to water conservation. Decreases in withdrawal amounts due to production declines, climatic conditions, population declines, or similar events shall not be used as a basis to claim additional withdrawal amounts based on water conservation.
C. The board shall issue ground water groundwater withdrawal permits to persons withdrawing ground water groundwater when a ground water groundwater management area is declared or expanded after July 1, 1992, and not excluded from requirements of this chapter by 9VAC25-610-50 based on the following criteria:
1. The board shall issue a ground water groundwater withdrawal permit to nonagricultural users for the total amount of ground water groundwater withdrawn in any consecutive 12-month period during the five years preceding the effective date of the regulation creating or expanding the ground water groundwater management area.
2. The board shall issue a ground water groundwater withdrawal permit to agricultural users for the total amount of ground water groundwater withdrawn in any consecutive 12-month period during the 10 years preceding the effective date of the regulation creating or expanding the ground water groundwater management area. The board shall evaluate all estimates of ground water groundwater withdrawal based on projected water demands for crops and livestock as published by the Virginia Cooperative Extension Service, the United States Natural Resources Conservation Service, or other similar references and make a determination whether they are reasonable. In all cases only reasonable estimates will be used to document a permit limit.
3. When requested by the applicant the board shall may issue ground water groundwater withdrawal permits that include withdrawal amounts in excess of those which an applicant can support based on historic usage. These additional amounts shall be based on documentation of water savings achieved through water conservation measures. The applicant shall demonstrate withdrawals prior to implementation of water conservation measures, type of water conservation measure implemented, and withdrawals after implementation of water conservation measures. The applicant shall provide evidence of withdrawal amounts through metered withdrawals and estimated amounts shall not be accepted to claim additional withdrawal amounts due to water conservation. Decreases in withdrawal amounts due to production declines, climatic conditions, population declines, or similar events shall not be used as a basis to claim additional withdrawal amounts based on water conservation.
D. The board shall issue ground water groundwater withdrawal permits to persons wishing to initiate a new withdrawal or, expand an existing withdrawal, or reapply for a current withdrawal in any ground water groundwater management area who have submitted complete applications and are not excluded from requirements of this chapter by 9VAC25-610-50 based on the following criteria:
1. The applicant shall provide all information required in 9VAC25-610-90 C 2 subdivision 2 of 9VAC25-610-94 prior to the board's determination that an application is complete. The board may require the applicant to provide any information contained in 9VAC25-610-90 C 3 subdivision 3 of 9VAC25-610-94 prior to considering an application complete based on the anticipated impact of the proposed withdrawal on existing ground water groundwater users or the ground water groundwater resource.
2. The board shall perform a technical evaluation to determine the areas of any aquifers that will experience at least one foot of water level declines due to the proposed withdrawal and may evaluate the potential for the proposed withdrawal to cause salt water intrusion into any portions of any aquifers or the movement of waters of lower quality to areas where such movement would result in adverse impacts on existing ground water groundwater users or the ground water groundwater resource. Prior to public notice of a draft permit developed in accordance with the findings of the technical evaluation and at the request of the applicant, the results of the technical evaluation, including all assumptions and input, will be provided to the applicant for review.
3. The board shall issue a ground water groundwater withdrawal permit when it is demonstrated, by a complete application and the board's technical evaluation, to the board's satisfaction that the maximum safe supply of ground water groundwater will be preserved and protected for all other beneficial uses and that the applicant's proposed withdrawal will have no significant unmitigated impact on existing ground water groundwater users or the ground-water groundwater resource. In order to assure that the applicant's proposed withdrawal complies with the above stated requirements, the demonstration shall include, but not be limited to, compliance with the following criteria:
a. The applicant demonstrates that no other sources of water supply, including reclaimed water, are [ viable practicable ].
b. The applicant demonstrates that the ground water groundwater withdrawal will originate from the aquifer that contains the lowest quality water that will support the proposed beneficial use.
c. The applicant demonstrates that no pumps or water intake devices are placed below lower than the top of the uppermost confined aquifer that a well utilizes as a ground water groundwater source or below lower than the bottom of an unconfined aquifer that a well utilizes as a ground water groundwater source in order to prevent dewatering of a confined aquifer, loss of inelastic storage, or damage to the aquifer from compaction.
d. The applicant demonstrates that the amount of ground water groundwater withdrawal requested is the smallest amount of withdrawal necessary to support the proposed beneficial use and that the amount is representative of the amount necessary to support similar beneficial uses when adequate conservation measures are employed.
e. The applicant provides a water conservation and management plan as described in 9VAC25-610-100 and implements the plan as an enforceable condition of the ground water groundwater withdrawal permit.
g. The board's technical evaluation demonstrates that the area of impact of the proposed withdrawal will remain on property owned by the applicant or that there are no existing ground water groundwater withdrawers within the area of impact of the proposed withdrawal.
In cases where the area of impact does not remain on the property owned by the applicant or existing ground water groundwater withdrawers will be included in the area of impact, the applicant shall provide and implement a plan to mitigate all adverse impacts on existing ground water groundwater users. Approvable mitigation plans shall, at a minimum, contain the following features and implementation of the mitigation plan shall be included as enforceable permit conditions:
h. The board's technical evaluation demonstrates that the stabilized effects from the proposed withdrawal in combination with the stabilized combined effects of all existing lawful withdrawals will not lower water levels, in any confined aquifer that the withdrawal impacts, below a point that represents 80% of the distance between the [ historical prepumping water levels in the aquifer land surface ] and the top of the aquifer. Compliance with the 80% drawdown criterion will be determined at the points that are halfway between the proposed withdrawal site and the predicted one-foot drawdown contour based on the predicted stabilized effects of the proposed withdrawal. [ Compliance with the 80% drawdown criteria will be determined at the points where the predicted one-foot drawdown contour is predicted for the proposed withdrawal. ]
i. The board's technical evaluation demonstrates that the proposed ground water groundwater withdrawal will not result in salt water intrusion or the movement of waters of lower quality to areas where such movement would result in adverse impacts on existing ground water groundwater users or the ground water groundwater resource. This provision shall not exclude the withdrawal of brackish water so long as provided that the proposed withdrawal will not result in unmitigated adverse impacts.
4. The board [ may shall ] also take the following factors into consideration when evaluating a ground water groundwater withdrawal permit application or special conditions associated with a ground water groundwater withdrawal permit:
b. [ The public benefit provided by the proposed withdrawal; ]
[ c. ] The proposed use of innovative approaches such as aquifer storage and recovery systems, surface water and ground water groundwater conjunctive use systems, multiple well systems that blend withdrawals from aquifers that contain different quality ground water groundwater in order to produce potable water, and desalinization of brackish ground water groundwater;
[ d. Prior public investment in existing facilities for withdrawal, transmission, and treatment of groundwater; ]
[ c. e. ] Climatic cycles;
[ d. f. ] Economic cycles;
[ e. g. ] The unique requirements of nuclear power stations;
[ f. h. ] Population and water demand projections during the term of the proposed permit;
[ g. i. ] The status of land use and other necessary approvals; and
[ h. j. ] Other factors that the board deems appropriate.
E. When proposed uses of ground water groundwater are in conflict or available supplies of ground water groundwater are not sufficient to support all those who desire to use them, the board shall prioritize the evaluation of applications in the following manner:
1. Applications for human consumptive use consumption shall be given the highest priority;
2. Should there be conflicts between applications for human consumptive uses consumption, applications will be evaluated in order based on the date that said applications were considered complete; and
3. Applications for all uses, other than human consumption, will be evaluated following the evaluation of proposed human consumptive uses consumption in order based on the date that said applications were considered complete.
F. Criteria for reissuance review of permits reapplications for groundwater withdrawal permit.
1. The board shall consider all criteria for reissuance of a ground water withdrawal permit described in subsection D of this section prior to reissuing a groundwater withdrawal permit. Existing permitted withdrawal amounts shall not be the sole basis for determination of the appropriate withdrawal amounts when a permit is reissued.
2. The board shall reissue a permit to any public water supply user for an annual amount no less than the amount equal to that portion of the permitted withdrawal that was used by said system to support human consumptive uses consumption during 12 consecutive months of the previous term of the permit.
The board shall evaluate all applications for ground water groundwater withdrawals for public water supplies as described in 9VAC25-610-110. The board shall make a preliminary decision on the application and prepare a draft ground water groundwater withdrawal permit and forward the draft permit to the Virginia Department of Health. The board shall not issue a final ground water groundwater withdrawal permit until such time as the Virginia Department of Health issues a waterworks operation permit, or equivalent. The board shall establish withdrawal limits for such permits as described in 9VAC25-610-140 A 3 and 4 and 5. Under the Virginia Department of Health's Waterworks Regulation any proposed use of reclaimed, reused, or recycled water contained in a ground water groundwater withdrawal application to support a public water supply is required to be approved by the Virginia Department of Health.
A. Duty to comply. The permittee shall comply with all conditions of the permit. Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to relieve the ground water groundwater withdrawal permit holder of the duty to comply with all applicable federal and state statutes and regulations prohibitions. At a minimum, a person must obtain a well construction permit or a well site approval letter from the Virginia Department of Health prior to the construction of any well for any withdrawal authorized by [ DEQ the Department of Environmental Quality ]. Any permit noncompliance is a violation of the Act and is a violation of the law, and is grounds for enforcement action, permit termination, revocation, amendment, modification, or denial of a permit renewal application.
1. Avoid all adverse impacts to lawful ground water groundwater users which could result from the withdrawal; and
D. Inspection and entry. Upon presentation of credentials, the permittee shall allow the board or any duly authorized agent of the board or department may, at reasonable times and under reasonable circumstances:, to conduct actions listed in this section. 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.
1. Enter Entry upon any permittee's property, public or private, and have access to, inspect and copy any records that must be kept as part of the permit conditions;
E. Duty to provide information. The permittee shall furnish to the board, within a reasonable time, any information which that the board may request to determine whether cause exists for amending modifying or revoking, reissuing, or terminating the permit, or to determine compliance with the permit. The permittee shall also furnish to the board, upon request, copies of records required to be kept by the permittee.
1. Monitoring of parameters, other than pollutants, shall be conducted according to approved analytical methods as specified in the permit. Analysis of pollutants will be conducted according to 40 CFR Part 136 (2000), Guidelines Establishing Test Procedures for the Analysis of Pollutants.
1. A permit may be amended modified or revoked as set forth in Part VI [ (9VAC25-610-170 (9VAC25-610-290 ] et seq.) of this chapter.
2. If a permittee files a request for permit amendment modification or revocation, or files a notification of planned changes, or anticipated noncompliance, the permit terms and conditions shall remain effective until the request is acted upon by the board makes a final case decision. This provision shall not be used to extend the expiration date of the effective permit.
3. Permits may be amended modified or revoked upon the request of the permittee, or upon board initiative, to reflect the requirements of any changes in the statutes or regulations.
2. 3. A permit shall contain the designation of the aquifers to be utilized;
3. 4. A permit shall contain conditions limiting the withdrawal amount of a single well or a group of wells that comprise a withdrawal system to a quantity specified by the board. A permit shall contain a maximum annual withdrawal and a maximum monthly groundwater withdrawal limit;
4. 5. A ground water groundwater withdrawal permit for a public water supply shall contain a condition allowing daily withdrawals at a level consistent with the requirements and conditions contained in the waterworks operation permit, or equivalent, issued by the Virginia Department of Health. This requirement shall not limit the authority of the board to reduce or eliminate ground water groundwater withdrawals by public water suppliers if necessary to protect human health or the environment;
5. 6. The permittee shall not place a pump permit shall state that no pumps or water intake device devices are to be placed lower than the top of the uppermost confined aquifer that a well utilizes as a ground water groundwater source or lower than the bottom of an unconfined aquifer that a well utilizes as a ground water groundwater source; in order to prevent dewatering of a confined aquifer, loss of inelastic storage, or damage to the aquifer from compaction.
6. 7. All permits shall specify monitoring requirements as conditions of the permit.
a. Permitted users who are issued ground water groundwater withdrawal permits based on 9VAC25-610-110 B 3 and C 2 shall install either in-line totalizing flow meters or hour meters that record the hours of operation of withdrawal pumps on each permitted well prior to beginning the permitted use. Flow meters shall produce volume determinations within plus or minus 10% of actual flows. Hour meters shall produce run times within plus or minus 10% of actual run times. Hour meter readings will be multiplied by the maximum capacity of the withdrawal pump to determine withdrawal amounts. A defective meter or other device must be repaired or replaced within 30 days. A defective meter is not grounds for not reporting withdrawals. During any period when a meter is defective, generally accepted engineering methods shall be used to estimate withdrawals and the period during which the meter was defective must be clearly identified in ground water groundwater withdrawal reports. An alternative method for determining flow may be approved by the board on a case-by-case basis.
b. Permitted users who are issued ground water groundwater withdrawal permits based on any section of this chapter not included in subdivision 6 a 7 a of this subsection shall install in-line totalizing flow meters to read gallons, cubic feet or cubic meters on each permitted well prior to beginning the permitted use. Such meters shall produce volume determinations within plus or minus 10% of actual flows. A defective meter or other device must be repaired or replaced within 30 days. A defective meter is not grounds for not reporting withdrawals. During any period when a meter is defective, generally accepted engineering methods shall be used to estimate withdrawals and the period during which the meter was defective must be clearly identified in ground water groundwater withdrawal reports. An alternative method for determining flow may be approved by the board on a case-by-case basis.
7. 9. All permits shall include requirements to report the amount of water withdrawn from each permitted well and well system on forms provided by the board with a frequency dependent on the nature and effect of the withdrawal, but in no case less than once per year.
8. 10. Ground water Groundwater withdrawal permits issued under this chapter shall have an effective and expiration date which will determine the life of the permit. Ground water Groundwater withdrawal permits [ shall be ] shall be effective for a fixed term not to exceed 10 years. Permit duration of less than the maximum period of time may be recommended in areas where hydrologic conditions are changing or are not adequately known. The term of any permit shall not be extended by amendment modification beyond the maximum duration. Extension of permits for the same activity beyond the maximum duration specified in the original permit will require reapplication and issuance of a new permit.
9. 11. Each permit shall have a condition allowing the reopening of the permit for the purpose of amending modifying the conditions of the permit to meet new regulatory standards duly adopted by the board. Cause for reopening permits include but is not limited to a determination that the circumstances under which the previous 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 permit was issued and thereby constitute cause for permit amendment or revocation.
10. 12. Each well that is included in a ground water groundwater withdrawal permit shall have affixed to the well casing, in a prominent place, a permanent well identification plate that records the Department of Environmental Quality well identification number, the ground water groundwater withdrawal permit number, the total depth of the well and the screened intervals in the well, at a minimum. Such well identification plates shall be in a format specified by the board and are available from the Department of Environmental Quality.
1. A withdrawal limit may be placed on all or some one or more of the wells which that constitute a withdrawal system;
a. Pumping arrangements to reduce ground water groundwater withdrawal in areas of concentrated pumping;
b. Location of wells to eliminate or reduce ground water groundwater withdrawals near saltwater-freshwater interfaces;
d. Selective curtailment, reduction or cessation of ground water groundwater withdrawals to protect the public welfare, safety, or health or to protect the resource;
f. Construction and use of observation or monitoring wells, drilled into aquifers between areas of ground water withdrawal (or proposed areas of ground water withdrawal) and sources of lower quality water including saltwater;
g. Prohibiting Well construction techniques that prohibit the hydraulic connection of aquifers that contain different quality waters, such as gravel packing, that could result in deterioration of water quality in an aquifer; and
h. Such other necessary control or abatement techniques as are technically feasible practicable to protect and beneficially utilize the groundwater resource.
5. A permit may contain conditions limiting water level declines in pumping wells and observation wells; and
Any application, report, or certification shall be signed as follows:
a. For a corporation: by a responsible corporate official. For purposes of this section, a responsible corporate official means (i) a president, secretary, treasurer, or vice president of the corporation in charge of a principal business function, or any other person who performs similar policy or decision-making functions for the corporation, or (ii) the manager of one or more manufacturing, production, or operating facilities employing more than 250 persons or having gross annual sales or expenditures exceeding $25,000,000 (in second-quarter 1980 dollars), if authority to sign documents has been assigned or delegated to the manager in accordance with corporate procedures.
b. For a municipality, state, federal or other public agency by either a principal executive officer or ranking elected official. (A principal executive officer of a federal, municipal, or state agency includes the chief executive officer of the agency or head executive officer having responsibility for the overall operation of a principal geographic unit of the agency).
c. For a partnership or sole proprietorship, by a general partner or proprietor respectively.
d. Any application for a permit under this regulation must bear the signatures of the responsible party and any agent acting on the responsible party's behalf.
2. B. Reports. All reports required by permits and other information requested by the board shall be signed by:
a. One of the persons described in subdivision 1 a, b or c of this section 1. The permittee; or
b. 2. A duly authorized representative of that person. A person is a duly authorized representative only if:
(1) a. The authorization is made in writing to the board by a person described in subdivision 1 a, b, or c subsection A of this section; and
(2) b. The authorization specifies either an individual or a position having responsibility for the overall operation of the regulated withdrawal facility system or activity, such as the position of plant manager, superintendent, or position of equivalent responsibility. A duly authorized representative may thus be either a named individual or any individual occupying a named position.
(3) If an authorization is no longer accurate because a different individual or position has responsibility for the overall operation of the facility, a new authorization must be submitted to the board prior to or together with any separate information, or applications to be signed by an authorized representative.
3. C. Certification of application and reports. Any person signing a document under subdivision 1 or 2 subsection A or B of this section shall make the following certification: 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 violations.
A. Upon receipt of a complete application for a new or expanded withdrawal or a complete application to amend modify an existing withdrawal, the board shall make a tentative decision to issue or deny the application permit. If a tentative decision is to issue the permit then a draft permit shall be prepared in advance of public notice. The following tentative determinations shall be incorporated into a draft permit:
B. If the tentative decision is to deny the application permit, the board shall do so in accordance with 9VAC25-610-340.
A. Any person who wishes to initiate a ground water groundwater withdrawal in any ground water groundwater management area and is not exempted from the provisions of this chapter by 9VAC25-610-50 may apply for a special exception in unusual cases where requiring the proposed user to obtain a ground water groundwater withdrawal permit would be contrary to the purpose of the Groundwater Ground Water Management Act of 1992.
B. A special exception application shall be completed and submitted to the board and a special exception issued by the board prior to the initiation of any withdrawal not specifically excluded in 9VAC25-610-50 of this chapter. Special exception application forms shall be in a format specified by the board and are available from the Department of Environmental Quality.
C. Due to the unique nature of applications for special exceptions the board shall determine the completeness of an application on a case-by-case basis. The board may require any information required in 9VAC25-610-90 C 2 or 3 9VAC25-610-90, 9VAC25-610-92, or 9VAC25-610-94, prior to considering an application for a special exception complete.
D. Where the board considers finds an application incomplete, the board may shall require the submission of additional information after an application has been filed, and may suspend processing of any application until such time as the applicant has supplied missing or deficient information and the board considers finds the application complete. An incomplete permit application for a special exception may be suspended from processing 180 days from the date that the applicant received notification that the application is deficient. Further, where the applicant becomes aware that he omitted one or more relevant facts from a special exception application, or submitted incorrect information in a special exception application or in any report to the board, he shall immediately submit such facts or the correct information.
A. The board shall issue special exceptions only in unusual situations where the applicant demonstrates to the board's satisfaction that requiring the applicant to obtain a ground water groundwater withdrawal permit would be contrary to the intended purposes of the Groundwater Ground Water Management Act of 1992.
The board may issue special exceptions which include any requirement for permits as described in 9VAC25-610-140. Special exceptions shall not be renewed, except in the case of special exceptions that have been issued to allow ground water groundwater withdrawals associated with state-approved ground water groundwater remediation activities. In the case of reissuance of a special exception for a state-approved ground water groundwater remediation activity, the board may require the holder of the special exception to submit any information required in 9VAC25-610-90 C 2 or 3 9VAC25-610-90, 9VAC25-610-92, and 9VAC25-610-94, and may require compliance with any criteria described in 9VAC25-610-110. In the case where any other activity that is being supported by the specially excepted withdrawal will require that the withdrawal extend beyond the term of the existing special exception, the ground water groundwater user shall apply for a permit to withdraw ground water groundwater.
A. Upon receipt of a complete application, the board shall make a tentative decision to issue or deny the application special exception. If a tentative decision is to issue the special exception then a draft special exception shall be prepared in advance of public notice. The following tentative determinations shall be incorporated into a draft special exception:
B. If the tentative decision is to deny the application special exception, the board shall return the application to the applicant. The applicant may then apply for a ground water groundwater withdrawal permit for the proposed withdrawal in accordance with Part III (9VAC25-610-85 et seq.) of this chapter.
A. Every draft permit described in 9VAC25-610-160 A and draft special exception shall be given public notice in a form prescribed by the board and, paid for by the owner applicant, by publication once in a newspaper of general circulation in the area affected by the withdrawal.
B. Notice of each draft permit described in 9VAC25-610-160 A and draft special exception will be mailed by the board to each local governing body within the ground water groundwater management area within which the proposed withdrawal will occur on or before the date of public notice.
C. The board shall allow a period of at least 30 days following the date of the public notice for interested persons to submit written comments on the tentative decision and to request an informal a public hearing.
2. Brief description of the beneficial use that the ground water groundwater withdrawal will support;
4. The amount of ground water groundwater withdrawal requested expressed as an average gallonage per day;
E. Public notice shall not be required for submission or approval of plans and specifications or conceptual engineering reports not required to be submitted as part of the application or for draft permits for existing ground water groundwater withdrawals when such draft permits are based solely on historic withdrawals.
All information pertaining to permit and special exception application and processing shall be available to the public groundwater permit processing or in reference to any activity requiring a groundwater permit under this chapter shall be available to the public unless the applicant has made a showing that the information is protected by the applicant as a trade secret covered by § 62.1-44.21 of the Code of Virginia. All information claimed confidential must be identified as such at the time of submission to the board.
A. All written comments submitted during the 30-day comment period described in 9VAC25-610-250 C shall be retained by the board and considered during the board's final decision on the permit or special exception.
B. A. The director shall consider all written comments and requests for an informal a public hearing received during the comment period, and shall make a determination on the necessity of an informal a public hearing in accordance with 9VAC25-230-50 § 62.1-44.15:02 of the Code of Virginia. All proceedings, informal public hearings, and decisions from them it will be in accordance with Procedural Rule No. 1 § 62.1-44.15:02 of the Code of Virginia.
C. Should the director, in accordance with Procedural Rule No. 1, determine to dispense with the informal hearing, he may grant the permit or special exception, or, at his discretion, transmit the application or request, together with all written comments thereon and relevant staff documents and staff recommendations, if any, to the board for its decision.
D. B. Any owner applicant or permittee aggrieved by any an action of the board or director taken without a formal hearing or inaction of the board or director may request in writing a formal hearing pursuant to Procedural Rule No. 1 § 62.1-44.25 of the Code of Virginia.
A. Public notice of any informal public hearing held pursuant to 9VAC25-610-270 shall be circulated as follows:
2. Notice of the informal public hearing shall be sent to all persons and government agencies which received a copy of the public notice of the draft permit or special exception and to those persons requesting an informal a public hearing or having commented in response to the public notice in accordance with § 62.1-44.15:02 of the Code of Virginia.
B. Notice shall be effected pursuant to subdivisions A 1 and A 2 of this section, upon mailing, at least 30 days in advance of the informal hearing. The cost of public notice shall be paid by the applicant.
C. The content of the public notice of any informal public hearing held pursuant to 9VAC25-610-270 shall include at least the following:
1. Name and address of each person whose application will be considered at the informal public hearing, the amount of ground water groundwater withdrawal requested expressed as an average gallonage per day, and a brief description of the beneficial use that will be supported by the proposed ground water groundwater withdrawal.
3. A brief reference to the public notice issued for the permit or special exception application and draft permit or special exception, including identification number and date of issuance unless the public notice includes the informal public hearing notice.
4. Information regarding the time and location for the informal public hearing.
5. The purpose of the informal public hearing.
6. A concise statement of the relevant issues raised by the persons requesting the informal public hearing.
7. Contact person and the address mailing address, email address, phone number, and name of the Department of Environmental Quality office at which interested persons may obtain further information or request a copy of the draft permit or special exception.
8. A brief reference to the rules and procedures to be followed at the informal public hearing.
D. Public notice of any formal hearing held pursuant to 9VAC25-610-270 D [ C B ] shall be in accordance with Procedural Rule No.1 (9VAC25-230).
Permit and Special Exception Amendment Modification, Revocation and Denial
9VAC25-610-290. Rules for amendment modification and revocation.
Permits and special exceptions shall be amended modified or revoked only as authorized by this part of this chapter as follows:
1. A permit or special exception may be amended modified in whole or in part, or revoked;
2. Permit or special exception amendments modifications shall not be used to extend the term of a permit or special exception; and
3. Amendment Modification or revocation may be initiated by the board, on at the request of the permittee, or other person at the board's discretion under applicable laws or the provisions of this chapter.
3. The violation of any regulation or order of the board, or any order of a court, pertaining to ground water groundwater withdrawal;
4. A determination that the withdrawal authorized by the permit or special exception endangers human health or the environment and can not be regulated to acceptable levels by permit or special exception amendment modification;
5. A material change in the basis on which the permit or special exception was issued that requires either a temporary or permanent reduction, application of special conditions or elimination of any ground water groundwater withdrawal controlled by the permit or special exception.
B. After public notice and opportunity for a formal hearing pursuant to 9VAC25-230-100 a permit or special exception can may be revoked when any of the developments described in 9VAC25-610-310 occur and the holder of the permit or special exception agrees to or requests the revocation.
9VAC25-610-310. Causes for amendment modification.
A. A permit or special exception may, at the board's discretion, be amended modified for any cause as described in 9VAC25-610-300.
B. A permit or special exception may be amended modified when any of the following developments occur:
1. When new information becomes available about the ground water groundwater withdrawal covered by the permit or special exception, or the impact of the withdrawal, which was not available at permit or or special exception issuance and would have justified the application of different conditions at the time of issuance;
2. When ground water groundwater withdrawal reports submitted by the permittee indicate that the permittee is using less than 60% of the permitted withdrawal amount for a five-year period;
A. Transfer by amendment modification. Except as provided for under automatic transfer in subsection B of this section, a permit or special exception shall be transferred only if the permit has been amended modified to reflect the transfer.
2. The notice to the board includes a notarized written agreement between the existing permittee and proposed new owner permittee containing a specific date of transfer of permit or special exception responsibility, coverage and liability between them to the new permittee, or that the existing permittee will retain such responsibility, coverage, or liability, including liability for compliance with the requirements of any enforcement activities related to the permitted activity; and
3. The board does not within the 30-day time period notify the existing owner permittee and the proposed owner permittee of its intent to amend modify, revoke, or reissue the permit or special exception.; and
9VAC25-610-330. Minor amendment modification.
A. Upon request of the holder of a permit or special exception, or upon board initiative with the consent of the holder of a permit or special exception, minor amendments modifications may be made in the permit or special exception without following the public involvement procedures.
B. For ground water groundwater withdrawal permits and special exceptions, minor amendments modifications may only:
4. Replace an existing well so long as provided that the replacement well is screened in the same aquifer or aquifers as the existing well, the replacement well is in the same location as near vicinity of the existing well, the ground water groundwater withdrawal does not increase, and the area of impact does not increase;
5. Add additional wells so long as the additional wells are screened in the same aquifer or aquifers as the existing well, additional wells are in the same location as near vicinity of the existing well, the total ground water groundwater withdrawal does not increase, and the area of impact does not increase;
6. Combine the withdrawals governed by multiple permits into one permit when the systems that were governed by the multiple permits are physically connected, as long as the interconnection will not result in additional ground water groundwater withdrawal and the area of impact will not increase;
7. Change an interim compliance date in a schedule of compliance to no more than 120 days from the original compliance date and provided it will not interfere with the final compliance date; and
8. Allow for a change in ownership or operational control when the board determines that no other change in the permit or special exception is necessary, provided that a written agreement containing a specific date for transfer of permit or special exception responsibility, coverage and liability from the current to the new owner has been submitted to the board.; and
1. The cumulative stabilized impact of the proposed withdrawal in combination with all existing lawful withdrawals will lower water levels in a confined aquifer below a point that represents 80% of the distance between the [ historical prepumping water levels in the aquifer land surface ] and the top of the aquifer;
2. The groundwater withdrawal amount requested in the permit application exceeds the amount that can be applied to the proposed beneficial use; [ and ]
3. Available supplies of groundwater are insufficient for all who desire to use them and the preference is being given to use for human consumption [ ; and. ]
[ 4. Failure to implement a water conservation and management plan associated with a previously permitted withdrawal. ]
A. B. The applicant shall be notified by letter of the department's director's preliminary decision to recommend to the board denial of tentatively deny the permit or special exception requested.
B. C. The department shall provide sufficient information to the applicant regarding the rationale for denial, such that the applicant may, at his option, modify the application in order to achieve a favorable recommendation; withdraw his application; or proceed with the processing on the original application.
C. D. Should the applicant withdraw his application, no permit or special exception will be issued.
D. E. Should the applicant elect to proceed with the original project as originally proposed, the staff shall make its recommendation of denial to the director for determination of the need for public notice as provided for in Part V of this chapter director shall advise the applicant of his right to an informal fact finding in accordance with § 2.2-4019 of the Administrative Process Act to consider the denial.
The board may enforce the provisions of this chapter utilizing all applicable procedures under the Groundwater Ground Water Management Act of 1992 or any other section of the Code of Virginia that may be applicable.
2. Equip the well with valves that will completely stop the flow of ground water groundwater when it is not being applied to a beneficial use.
The board may require any person withdrawing ground water groundwater for any purpose anywhere in the Commonwealth, whether or not declared to be a ground water groundwater management area, to furnish to the board such information that may be necessary to carry out the provisions of the Groundwater Ground Water Management Act of 1992. Ground water Groundwater withdrawals that occur in conjunction with activities related to the exploration and production of oil, gas, coal, or other minerals regulated by the Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy are exempt from any information reporting requirements.
Upon presentation of credentials the board, or any duly authorized agent, shall have the power to enter, at reasonable times and under reasonable circumstances, any establishment or upon any property, public or private, located anywhere in the Commonwealth for the purposes of obtaining information, conducting surveys or inspections, or inspecting wells and springs to ensure compliance with any permits, standards, policies, rules, regulations, rulings and special orders which the board or department may adopt, issue or establish to carry out the provisions of the Groundwater Ground Water Management Act of 1992 and this chapter.
9VAC25-610-400. Evaluation of regulation. (Repealed.)
Within three years after January 1, 1999, the department shall perform an analysis of this chapter and provide the board with a report on the results. The analysis shall include (i) the purpose and need for the chapter, (ii) alternatives which would achieve the stated purpose of this chapter in a less burdensome and less intrusive manner, (iii) an assessment of the effectiveness of this chapter, (iv) the results of a review of current state and federal statutory and regulatory requirements, and (v) the results of a review as to whether this chapter is clearly written and easily understandable by affected entities.
Water Division Permit Application Fee.
Application for a Ground Water Withdrawal Permit (with instructions) (rev. 6/99).
Ground Water Withdrawal Permit Change of Ownership Agreement Form (eff. 6/99).
Revocation Agreement Form (eff. 6/99).
Water Well Completion Report, Form GW2, (rev. 6/99).
Permit to Withdraw Ground Water (eff. 6/99).
Public Notice Authorization Form - Authorization for Public Notice Billing to Ground Water Withdrawal Permit Applicant (eff. 6/99).
Preapplication Meeting Application for a Ground Water Withdrawal Permit (eff. 6/99).
Local and Areawide Planning Requirements (eff. 5/99).
Quarterly Groundwater Withdrawal Report.
Water Division Permit Application Fee (rev. 9/12)
Application Instructions for Completing a Groundwater Withdrawal Permit Application [ (undated) (rev. 11/13) ]
Groundwater Withdrawal Permit - Change of Ownership Agreement Form [ (undated) (rev. 11/13) ]
Uncontested Termination Agreement [ (undated) (rev. 11/13) ]
Water Well Completion Report, Form GW2 [ (undated) (eff. 7/07) ]
Public Notice Authorization Form - Authorization for Public Notice Billing to Groundwater Withdrawal Permit Applicant [ (undated) (rev. 11/13) ]
Quarterly Groundwater Withdrawal Report [ (rev. 11/13) ]
Mitigation Plan [ (rev. 11/13) ]
VA.R. Doc. No. R09-1781; Filed October 11, 2013, 9:51 a.m.