PUBLIC NOTICE - ENVIRONMENTAL PERMIT, Town of Appalachia, VA

PUBLIC NOTICE

ENVIRONMENTAL PERMIT

PURPOSE OF NOTICE: To seek public comment on a draft permit from the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) that would allow the continued operation of an existing surface water withdrawal intake in the Powell River in Wise County, Virginia

PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD: April 19, 2024 to May 20, 2024

PERMIT NAME: Virginia Water Protection Permit issued by DEQ pursuant to applicable water laws and regulations.

APPLICANT NAME, ADDRESS AND PERMIT NUMBER: Town of Appalachia, Attn: Fred Luntsford; P.O. Box 112, Appalachia, VA 24216; VWPP Permit No. 23-2243

PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The Town of Appalachia has applied for a reissuance of a permit for the Powell River Intake. The intake is located on the Powell River immediately downstream of the junction of the Powell River and Ben's Branch in Appalachia, VA 24216. The proposed activity is to allow for the continued operation of the emergency raw water intake located on the Powell River, utilized to supplement the Ben's Branch Reservoir during emergency drought situations. The withdrawals from the Powell River and the Ben's Branch Reservoir are used for the purposes of a public water supply for the Town of Appalachia. No new construction or impacts to wetlands and streams are proposed. The proposed activity would affect the Powell River in the Clinch-Powell watershed. A watershed is the land area drained by a river and its incoming streams. DEQ's tentative decision is to issue the permit.

HOW TO COMMENT AND/OR REQUEST A PUBLIC HEARING: DEQ accepts written comments and requests for public hearing by hand-delivery, 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 or email addresses 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: Kathy Dobbie; VA Dept. of Environmental Quality, Central Office, P.O. Box 1105, Richmond, VA 23218; Phone: 804-659-1727; Email:

Kathryne.dobbie@deq.virginia.gov.

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 above.

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