Please see the following notes from our neighborhood’s PYMIG liaison, Steve Crime, regarding an upcoming meeting of the State Water Control Board.
“State Water Control Board Meeting on the draft environmental permit for the new Potomac Yard Metrorail Station
The State Water Control Board (SWCB) will meet at 10am on September 6, 2019, at the DoubleTree by Hilton Richmond Airport, 445 International Center Drive, Sandston, VA. The SWCB will decide the fate of several draft environmental permits, including the permit required to build the new Potomac Yard Metrorail Station. The Metrorail Station permit discussion will lead off the agenda.
Background. The VA Department of Environmental Quality (VDEQ) is the executive agent for the SWCB to gather information and make recommendations on draft environmental permit applications. The VDEQ established a comment period from June 13 to July 31, 2019, for the public to submit written comments on the draft environmental permit application for the Potomac Yard Metrorail Station. Additionally, a hearing to make oral comments, chaired by a member of the SWCB, was held at the Durant Center in Alexandria on July 16, 2019. A total of 76 written and oral comments were received during the comment period; 45 commenters supported the project, and 31 were opposed. Based on the written and oral comments, the VDEQ will recommend modifications to the draft environmental permit application to address areas of concern. The meeting agenda, which contains a detailed explanation of the modifications, can be found at https://townhall.virginia.gov/L/Viewmeeting.cfm?meetingid=29728
Presentation. As the permit applicant, the City is allowed 5-15 minutes to make a presentation on the amended draft environmental permit. Immediately after the City presentation, the SWCB will open the floor for public comments. Please note: Only those individuals who previously submitted either written or oral comments will be allowed to speak. The procedure to make public comments at an SWCB Meeting can be found at https://www.deq.virginia.gov/Portals/0/DEQ/LawsAndRegulations/CitizenBoards/WaterBoard/WaterPublicCommentPolicyAtBoardMeetings.pdf “