Public Notice-Environmental Permit

Public Notice-Environmental Permit Public Notice – Environmental Permit Purpose of notice: To seek public comment on a draft permit from the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) that would allow a surface water withdrawal from the Appomattox River and construction of associated infrastructure in the City of Hopewell, Virginia. Public comment period: December 26, 2025, to January 26, 2025. Permit name: Virginia Water Protection Permit issued by DEQ pursuant to applicable water laws and regulations. applicant Name, address and permit number: Virginia American Water Company (VAW); 2223 Duke Street, Alexandria, VA, 22314; VWPP No. 23-0449. Project description: The Virginia American Water Company has applied for a permit for the Low Service Pumping Station No. 3 and Intake Project. The Project is located at 915 Riverside Avenue, along the Appomattox River, approximately one mile upstream from the confluence with the James River in the City of Hopewell, Virginia. The proposed Project includes the construction and operation of a new surface water withdrawal intake and pumping station to allow withdrawals from the Appomattox River for an existing water supply system. The withdrawal will be used as a public water supply for the City of Hopewell and surrounding areas in Prince George County. Once the new facilities are in operation, old and outdated facilities will be demolished. The proposed activity would affect 0.602 acres of surface waters, consisting of 0.341 acres of permanent impacts and 0.261 acres of temporary impacts. Permanent impacts are to 0.189 acre of palustrine forested (PFO) wetland, 0.015 acre of palustrine emergent (PEM) wetland, and 0.137 acre (292 linear feet) of stream channel. Temporary impacts are to 0.056 acre of PFO wetland, 0.023 acre of PEM wetland, and 0.182 (238 linear feet) acre of stream channel. The Project includes the dredging of approximately 4,037 cubic yards of material for construction of the new intake structure in the Appomattox River. The proposed activity would affect the Appomattox River in the James watershed. To compensate for the surface waters affected, the applicant will purchase 0.393 wetland mitigation credit(s). DEQ's tentative decision is to issue the permit. HOW TO COMMENT AND/OR REQUEST A PUBLIC HEARING: DEQ accepts written comments and requests for public hearing by hand-delivery, e-mail, or postal mail. All comments and requests must be in writing and be received by DEQ during the comment period. Submittals must include the names, mailing addresses or email addresses of the commenter/requester and of all persons represented by the commenter/requester. A request for public hearing must also include: 1) The reason why a public hearing is requested. 2) A brief, informal statement regarding the nature and extent of the interest of the requester or of those represented by the requestor, including how and to what extent such interest would be directly and adversely affected by the permit. 3) Specific references, where possible, to terms and conditions of the permit with suggested revisions. A public hearing may be held, including another comment period, if public response is significant based on individual requests for a public hearing, and there are substantial, disputed issues relevant to the permit. Contact for public comments, document requests and additional information: Kathy Dobbie; Blue Ridge Regional Office, 901 Russel Drive, Salem, Virginia 24153; Phone: 804-659-1727; E-mail: Kathryne.dobbie@deq.virginia.gov. The public may review the draft permit and application at the DEQ office named above by appointment or may request copies of the documents from the contact person listed above. December 26 2025 LPTR0428366