The Virginia Water Protection (VWP) Permit Program Manual Supplemental Guidance Memorandum GM24-2005 is now effective without change from the version posted to the Virginia Register for public comment on Nov. 18, 2024. As noted previously, this memo serves to replace Guidance Memorandum GM19-2003, saving 172 pages of text and supporting the Commonwealth’s government transparency efforts. While it informs the manual’s instructions, this guidance is a separate source of program information and background. It also does not address processes and activities unique to surface water withdrawals (9VAC25-210 Part V). Instead, the new guidance will document program-related decisions that have been made on various topics over time and assist staff and the public with better understanding of VWP permit program processes. This guidance memorandum and the VWP Permit and Compliance Manual will be updated on an as-needed basis. 

Recognition of DEQ’s Permitting Enhancement and Evaluation Platform (PEEP) continues to grow. The Environmental Policy Innovation Center has called PEEP a “gold star example” for its dramatic success and growth to cover 12 DEQ permitting programs. This success has resulted in a reported 70% improvement in permit processing times.

As of Jan. 7, the latest version of the Virginia Unified Risk Assessment Model (VURAM) is available for download from DEQ's VRP website. This latest version includes updates to EPA Regional Screening Levels, Criteria for Surface Water, new EPA screening guidance for lead and compounds in residential soils, and more.

Have you been collecting water quality data in your part of Virginia? DEQ is accepting your data to be used in the 2026 305(b)/303(d) Water Quality Assessment Integrated Report (IR) until March 3.

DEQ is intending to award $1.5 million in federal funds for seven watershed cleanup projects. These projects address “nonpoint source pollution” to help achieve water quality goals, including improving the quality of the Chesapeake Bay. Have comments about these proposed awards? DEQ is accepting your comments until Jan. 17.

As we kick off the new year, DEQ is embarking on renovations to our website, but we need your help! Please take a moment to provide your feedback on the kinds of information and tools you use on our website by completing this short survey.

Through this initiative, we will make the DEQ website serve you better, and your feedback will help us meet the mark. Additional information on this important initiative is available on our webpage. You can also sign up for email updates.

DEQ is currently developing Virginia's 2025 Comprehensive Climate Action Plan (CCAP) and wants to hear from you! Throughout January and February 2025, the DEQ CCAP team will be hosting six in-person community listening sessions across the Commonwealth to solicit feedback on plan development. Please visit the Climate Pollution Reduction Grant (CPRG) Calendar to learn more about the upcoming meeting dates at DEQ’s regional offices. Though attending in-person provides the opportunity for direct engagement, DEQ is also providing a virtual option to listen in and ask questions. For more information on this plan and how to get involved, visit the CPRG webpage or email the DEQ CPRG team at CPRG@DEQ.Virginia.Gov.

On Dec. 10, 2024, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) announced the proposed listing of the monarch butterfly as a threatened species afforded the protections provided by the Federal Endangered Species Act. USFWS is taking public comment on the proposed rulemaking through March 12. While it is too early to say for sure what, if any, effect the listing will have to regulated activities in Virginia, DEQ encourages the public to participate in the two virtual public events and ask specific questions regarding how the proposed listing may affect project planning and project implementation in Virginia.

Congratulations to Trisha Beasley, DEQ's recently promoted Director of Operations, for graduating from the Governor's Commonwealth Leadership Academy, developed by the VCU Performance Management Group in collaboration with the Secretary of Administration and Virginia Department of Human Resources Management. The Governor's Cabinet selected state executive participants who have demonstrated a commitment to developing their leadership strengths and becoming change agents for Virginia's future. The purpose of this leadership program is to equip new and long-term agency leaders with knowledge and resources to develop and maintain a high-performing workforce.