DEQ designates parts of Prince George County as MS4; staff to seek waiver by July deadline

Prince George County staff informed the Board of Supervisors on March 11 that the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality designated portions of the county as a municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4), a regulatory status that can trigger expanded stormwater program responsibilities.

Mr. Holcomb said the designation is based on Census-defined urban areas and noted the county received the designation letter on Jan. 28. DEQ requires jurisdictions so designated to either register for a discharge permit or apply for a waiver; the county has 180 days to respond. Holcomb said staff met with DEQ and intends to submit a waiver application by the July 25 deadline identified in the meeting.

Staff explained DEQ’s review focuses on developed/urbanized areas and any publicly owned properties that could be used to treat stormwater before it reaches streams. The presentation listed impacted neighborhoods near Fort Gregg-Adams and the City of Hopewell and said Fort Gregg-Adams already operates under an MS4 permit, which staff expects to cite favorably in any waiver application.

Holcomb noted potential implications if the county must operate an MS4 program, including taking on additional stormwater-review, inspection and enforcement responsibilities now handled by DEQ; staff said they would research options and consider whether to seek waivers or comply with the permit program. The board did not vote on policy at the meeting; staff described the next steps as researching property ownership, stormwater controls and preparing a waiver application if appropriate.

The county will provide further analysis to the board and pursue the waiver or registration steps required by DEQ within the statutory timeframe.