PUBLIC NOTICE Environmental Permit Town of Big Stone Gap

PUBLIC NOTICE

Environmental Permit

PURPOSE OF NOTICE: To seek public comment on a draft permit from the Department of Environmental Quality that will allow a water withdrawal from the South Fork Powell River in Wise County in southwest, Virginia.

PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD: For 30 days, starting from the day after the notice is in the newspaper: March 10, 2023, to April 10, 2023.

PERMIT NAME: Town of Big Stone Gap Water Treatment Plant, Virginia Water Protection Permit No.19-1095 that may be issued by DEQ pursuant to applicable water laws and regulations.

APPLICANT NAME, ADDRESS AND PERMIT NUMBER: Town of Big Stone Gap; 505 E. 5th Street South, Big Stone Gap, VA, 24219; VWPP No. 19-1095.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The Town of Big Stone Gap has applied for issuance of a surface water withdrawal permit for the Big Stone Gap Water Treatment Plant for the continuance of the town's surface water withdrawal system to serve as a public water supply. The permit will allow the applicant to withdraw no more than 4 million gallons of water per day from the South Fork Powell River. The intake and water treatment plant are approximately 3.4 miles downstream/southwest of Big Cherry Dam and Big Cherry Reservoir. The activity proposed in the permit will affect the South Fork Powell River in the Clinch (Tennessee) Watershed. A watershed is the land area drained by a river and its incoming streams. DEQ's preliminary decision is to issue the permit.

HOW TO COMMENT AND/OR REQUEST A PUBLIC HEARING: DEQ accepts comments and requests for public hearing by e-mail or postal mail. All comments and requests must be in writing and be received by DEQ during the comment period. Submittals must include the names, mailing addresses and telephone numbers of the commenter/requester and of all persons represented by the commenter/requester. A request for public hearing must also include: 1) The reason why a public hearing is requested. 2) A brief, informal statement regarding the nature and extent of the interest of the requester or of those represented by the requestor, including how and to what extent such interest would be directly and adversely affected by the permit. 3) Specific references, where possible, to terms and conditions of the permit with suggested revisions. A public hearing may be held, including another comment period, if public response is significant, based on individual requests for a public hearing, and there are substantial, disputed issues relevant to the permit.

CONTACT FOR PUBLIC COMMENTS, DOCUMENT REQUESTS AND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Allison Major; Department of Environmental Quality, Central Office, P.O. Box 1105, Richmond, VA 23218; Phone: 804-698-4087; E-mail:

Allison.Major@

deq.virginia.gov;

Fax: 804-698-4178. The public may review the draft permit and application at the DEQ office named above by appointment or may request copies of the documents from the contact person listed.

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