Virginia Environmental Regulatory Developments (November 2013)

BY: LYNNE C. RHODE

STATE AIR POLLUTION CONTROL BOARD

A.     Proposed Regulations

1.       9VAC5-130. Regulation for Open Burning (Rev. E12) (amending 9VAC5-130-10 through 9VAC5-130-50, 9VAC5-130-100; repealing 9VAC5-130-60).

Statutory Authority: § 10.1-1308 of the Code of Virginia; §§ 110, 111, 123, 129, 171, 172, and 182 of the federal Clean Air Act; 40 CFR Parts 51 and 60.

Summary: The proposed amendments (i) specify that open burning prohibitions and restrictions and permissible open burning provisions apply only in volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions control areas; (ii) delete the reference to "urban areas" from the permissible burning provisions for VOC emissions control areas; (iii) add special provisions to address the specific burning needs of the Virginia Department of Transportation; and (iv) add clarifying language and eliminate obsolete language.

STATE WATER CONTROL BOARD

A.     Proposed Regulations

1.       9VAC25-192. Virginia Pollution Abatement (VPA) General Permit Regulation for Animal Feeding Operations (amending 9VAC25-192-10, 9VAC25-192-20, 9VAC25-192-50, 9VAC25-192-60, 9VAC25-192-70; adding 9VAC25-192-25, 9VAC25-192-80, 9VAC25-192-90).

Statutory Authority: § 62.1-44.15 of the Code of Virginia.

Summary: The State Water Control Board is reissuing the general permit regulation for animal feeding operations with a 10-year permit term that expires on November 15, 2024. The regulation governs the pollutant management activities of animal wastes at animal feeding operations not covered by a Virginia Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit and having 300 or more animal units utilizing a liquid manure collection and storage system. These animal feeding operations may operate and maintain treatment works for waste storage, treatment, or recycling and may perform land application of manure, wastewater, compost, or sludges.

The proposed amendments include options to (i) transfer animal waste off the farm as long as specific requirements are followed by the permittee and the end-users of the animal waste and (ii) manage imported waste materials as long as specific requirements are followed by the permittee.