The Virginia State Water Control Board (SWCB) announced this week that it will hold town meetings in December to consider the applications for water quality certification for the Atlantic Coast Pipeline and the Mountain Valley Pipeline. The consideration is part of the process required under Section 401 of the federal Clean Water Act. The meetings are scheduled for:
- Mountain Valley Pipeline. 9:30 a.m., Wednesday, December 6, 2017, and Thursday, December 7, 2017. Location: Trinity Family Life Center, 3601 Dill Road, Richmond, VA
- Atlantic Coast Pipeline. 9:30 a.m., Monday, December 11, 2017, and Tuesday, December 12, 2017. Location: Trinity Family Life Center, 3601 Dill Road, Richmond, VA
On the first day of each meeting, those who made oral or written comments during the public comment period will have an opportunity to sign up to speak to the board under the board’s policy for public participation. The official agenda containing more details will be available in early November.
The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) will present a summary of the public comments it received and will make its recommendations to the board on the proposed additional conditions at each meeting. DEQ issued in July an initial recommendation that both the ACP and MVP be certified. The SWCB may approve, deny or amend the recommendations.
Further analysis of the 401 issue in Virginia, West Virginia and North Carolina will be provided in subsequent editions of ABRA Update.