A Peep Into the Future of PEEP | |
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DEQ staff are consistently working to improve the Permitting Enhancement Evaluation Platform (PEEP) user experience as we add several more permit programs into our public schedule tracking system. Close to 100 DEQ staff are currently involved in this initiative to improve the experiences of permit applicants as well as affected stakeholders by making our permit processes more streamlined and transparent. The improved results are already measurable and phenomenal!
There are now Media, Program, and Permit Type filters to assist users in finding specific permits or decision actions. In addition, a Reset Filter button has been added to easily clear all selected filters and facilitate new searches. Additional improvements will be made to PEEP as DEQ continually incorporates user feedback.
The Virginia Water Protection Permit Program and Wetland and Stream Mitigation banking are currently available on PEEP – tracking more than 300 pending DEQ permit actions.
Mitigation Banking was able to join the PEEP family of programs because of the personal engagement of Jeanne Richardson at the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and her enthusiasm for developing a schedule that was incorporated into a Memorandum of Agreement and integrated into PEEP. Thank you to Jeanne and the Norfolk District USACE for their continued partnership!
Air Permits and Nutrient Banking are just around the corner, with permit tracking available on PEEP in June. Additional DEQ programs will be available in the following months:
- July: Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System, Renewable Energy, Stormwater Plan Review, Surface Water Withdrawal, Virginia Pollution Abatement, Virginia Pollutant Discharge Elimination System
- 3rd and 4th Quarter 2023: Groundwater Permitting and Land Protection
DEQ is also evaluating the addition of the Enforcement Program for 2024.
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Director Mike Rolband is impressed by how hard DEQ staff are working to prioritize real-time data tracking and bring transparency to DEQ's approval processes. Staff's continued efforts to implement PEEP and bring transformative change to permitting and regulatory decision-making processes are making huge improvements for the people, environment, and economy of Virginia.
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Stormwater Construction General Permits Automation – Upcoming Training for Stormwater Management Authorities | |
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In follow-up to the April 17 DEQ News concerning the automation of Stormwater Construction General Permits, DEQ is providing online training for VSMP users on the new automated process on June 21 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The goal of this effort is very simple – to eliminate the delay between stormwater plan review approval and receipt of a Stormwater Construction General Permit from DEQ by automating the payment and permitting receipt process. DEQ is targeting the transition to the automated process for July. Local VSMP authorities will continue to use the Stormwater Construction General Permit System to input information concerning new developments and obtain CGP coverage.
The system will facilitate the automation process with:
- Built-in data validations to help ensure the accuracy of information submitted.
- Project-location screening to determine the applicability of water quality and resource-specific qualifications, such as if the project will occur within a TMDL watershed.
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VSMP partners will be able to access and modify submitted permit applications to obtain modified coverage letters, or initiate new CGP coverage, as warranted.
VSMP users can click here to register for the online training.
Please direct any questions about automation to Trisha Beasley (703-583-3940) or Zack Robinson (804-774-9278).
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Register now for Virginia Brownfields Conference | |
Join DEQ and Virginia Energy at the 2023 Virginia Brownfields Conference June 13-15 in Danville. An incredible cast of speakers will highlight brownfield redevelopment resources, local success stories, mobile workshops, and innovative economic development solutions taking place across the Commonwealth. | |
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Virginia Environmental Excellence Program
Workshop & Sustainability Partner Applications
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The Virginia Environmental Excellence Program (VEEP) is hosting a free one-day workshop on May 25 in Richmond about developing and maintaining a successful Environment Management System and pollution prevention program. The keynote speaker, Dr. Doug McKenzie-Mohr, will be presenting on behavior change. Register here to attend.
Applications are also open to become a VEEP Sustainability Partner until May 31. The VEEP Sustainability Partner track is designed to encourage organizations across Virginia to make environmental and sustainability part of their culture through leadership, innovation, and continual improvement. Organizations must demonstrate this commitment through measurable and verifiable conservation efforts, leading to direct and indirect improvements in energy usage, water usage, waste generation, and other environmental benefits. The application and instructions are available on DEQ's website.
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Virginia Clean Water Revolving Loan Fund, Hampton Roads Sanitation District, & Virginia Resources Authority
Win EPA Award
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The Virginia Clean Water Revolving Loan Fund, the Hampton Roads Sanitation District (HRSD), and Virginia Resources Authority were awarded the 2022 George F. Ames Performance and Innovation in the SRF Creating Environmental Success (PISCES) award for Excellence in Innovative Financing. PISCES awards are granted by the EPA, and only one award per category is granted the title of Exceptional.
HRSD's programmatic loan uses $100 million to pay for 48 projects across 18 localities to provide system repairs that reduce sanitary sewer overflows. More information on the PISCES award can be found on EPA's website.
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Annual Surveys for Water Quality Improvement Fund and Stormwater Local Assistance Fund | |
DEQ is conducting an annual assessment of needs for the Water Quality Improvement Fund and the Stormwater Local Assistance Fund for inclusion in the Chesapeake Bay and Virginia Waters Clean-Up Plan and Report. Previous surveys can be found on DEQ's website. Local governments interested in completing the surveys should email cwfap@deq.virginia.gov for more information. The surveys will close May 25. | |
Mattaponi Tribe Reclaims 866 Acres with CZM Grant Funding | |
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The Virginia Coastal Zone Management Program (CZM) is contracting with the Upper Mattaponi Indian Tribe to reclaim 866 acres of their ancestral lands along the Mattaponi River, a tributary to the York River in King William County. The $3 million grant to acquire the land is being awarded by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
The property has a diverse mix of habitat such as wetlands, streams, native grasslands, and hardwood forest, including over 11,000 feet of waterfront. The Tribe will develop a long-term plan for stewardship of the property including habitat restoration, economic development, and community use and access. This plan includes the revegetation of a mining area with native plants and restoration of streams on the property. The Tribe is also exploring the creation of a fish and mussel hatchery to restore culturally significant species and promote its local economy.
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CZM Awarded $2.3 Million for Eastern Shore
Marine Restoration Efforts
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NOAA awarded CZM $2.3 million to further Eastern Shore marine restoration efforts and provide critical habitat for wildlife such as fish, bay scallops, and crabs. These funds will enable CZM and its grantee, the Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS), to plant 60 acres of eelgrass and release more than six million bay scallops on the seaside of Virginia's Eastern Shore. CZM, VIMS, and others have been working together on these restoration efforts since 2001.
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Foxhound Solar Earns Certification for
Pollinator Smart Program
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Solar energy facilities designed to support bees, butterflies, and birds are taking hold in Virginia through the innovative voluntary Pollinator-Smart program. Launched in 2019 by DEQ and the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, the program provides tools for designing, building, and monitoring solar installations to provide habitat for native pollinators. This lessens stormwater impacts and improves the visual appeal of the projects.
Foxhound Solar, developed by Longroad Energy, recently earned certification for its proposed 83-megawatt solar installation on 600 acres in Halifax County. Foxhound plans to plant native grasses, such as Southeastern wildrye, and wildflowers such as native Oxeye sunflower in areas surrounding the solar arrays. It is the second solar facility to be certified Pollinator-Smart in Virginia.
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Public Participation Opportunities | |
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Visit the DEQ website for comment opportunities on pending enforcement orders and permit actions. The following regulatory actions are available for public comment:
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Periodic Review of Small Renewable Wind Energy Projects Permit by Rule (9VAC15-40) - comment period closes May 29.
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Periodic Review of Underground Storage Tanks: Technical Standards and Corrective Action Requirements (9VAC25-580) - comment period closes May 29.
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Periodic Review of Petroleum Underground Storage Tank Financial Responsibility Requirements (9VAC25-590) - comment period closes May 29.
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Are you committed to protecting human health and the environment? Apply for a job at DEQ. Some open positions currently open are:
- Virginia Coastal Zone Management Program Manager (Richmond; closes May 23)
- VWP Permit Writer/Inspector (Glen Allen); closes May 26
- Environmental Impact Review Coordinator (Richmond; closes May 30)
- Enforcement Coordinator and Adjudication (Richmond)
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