Votes at a glance: minutes approved (one abstention); board approves water-protection, stormwater and other regulatory amendments
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Summary
At the April 7 meeting the board approved minutes (one abstention), authorized DEQ to promulgate fast-track VWP amendments, and approved fast-track amendments to stormwater fee timing; motions carried on each item.
The State Water Control Board recorded several procedural and rulemaking votes on April 7.
Minutes: The board moved and seconded a motion to accept minutes from the previous meeting. One member stated they abstained because they were not present for the prior meeting.
Virginia Water Protection (VWP) fast-track amendments: DEQ staff recommended authorizing the department to promulgate amendments to the Virginia Water Protection permit regulation to update cross-references and public-notice language after changes to water-supply planning rules. The board authorized DEQ to use the fast-track process and to set an effective date after the public-comment period; the motion carried.
Erosion and stormwater management fees: DEQ proposed fast-track amendments to require that 100% of construction general-permit application fees be paid at application submittal and to reorganize and clarify application, modification and maintenance fee subsections for CGP and MS4 permits. The board authorized DEQ to promulgate the amendments via the fast-track process; the motion carried.
Why it matters: These procedural and noncontroversial technical changes affect implementation timelines and administrative processes for permit applicants and for DEQ staff handling permit intake and public notice. The stormwater fee change shifts the payment timing for applicants and clarifies fee language across programs.
Next steps: DEQ will publish rulemaking notices, accept public comment where required, and proceed with implementation following the applicable fast-track administrative timelines.
