RICHMOND
Links to site-specific Erosion & Sediment Control (ESC) and Stormwater Management (SWM) plans for the proposed Atlantic Coast and Mountain Valley pipelines are now available on the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality’s website for public review. To view them, visit the DEQ’s new webpage: http://www.deq.virginia.gov/Programs/Water/StormwaterManagement/ErosionandSedimentControl/NaturalGasPipelineErosionandSedimentControlandPostConstructionStormwaterManagement.aspx

These plans will address every foot of land disturbance related to pipeline construction, including access road and construction staging areas. The agency is reviewing these plans to ensure they meet the design requirements contained in Virginia’s ESC and SWM regulations.

Virginia state law and regulations establish that land disturbance associated with pipeline construction activities must comply with ESC and SWM requirements to protect surface water quality during and after construction completion. State law further mandates that natural gas pipeline utilities meet the requirements for ESC and SWM under a DEQ-approved Annual Standards and Specifications program. This information is also posted on the DEQ webpage.

Under the required Annual Standards and Specifications program, utilities are not required to submit site specific ESC and SWM plans to DEQ for approval. However, as an additional measure to ensure protection of state waters, DEQ has required ACP and MVP projects to submit their site specific ESC and SWM plans to DEQ for review and approval.

State law does not provide for a formal public comment on ESC and SWM plans. Also, ESC and SWM plans are not included in the draft additional 401 water quality certifications or the associated public comment period on the draft certifications. However, DEQ will consider input on the technical and engineering requirements of the ESC and SWM plans. The public input period closes for the ACP and MVP plans on October 13. Input should reference the plan spread number, plan sheet identification, and specific details as they relate to the proposed ESC and SWM practices. DEQ will consider technical and engineering input during its review of the Site Specific Plans.

Email input related to MVP to MountainValleyPipeline@deq.virginia.gov or to AtlanticCoastPipeline@deq.virginia.gov for comments related to ACP.