WVDEP Accepting Comments on Proposed Stream Crossing Permit Changes

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (August 8, 2018) – The West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection (WVDEP) is accepting public comments on proposed modifications to the West Virginia 401 Water Quality Certification for U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Nationwide Permits, one of which is being proposed to assure that the conditions of the permit do not prevent a company from using more environmentally protective methods.

Under WVDEP’s proposed modifications to Special Condition C of the USACE Nationwide 12 Permit, a condition would be added to clarify that environmentally protective methods of stream crossings that take longer than 72 hours would be permitted. Another proposed condition would be added to allow a construction project to use a stream crossing method that is more environmentally protective than the current conditions allow. An additional modification is being made to clarify the need for mitigation for permanent stream impacts that total more than 300 feet.

The proposed permit modifications can be viewed here on the WVDEP website:
https://dep.wv.gov/WWE/Programs/Pages/401Certification.aspx.

Comments can be submitted via email at WQSComments@wv.gov or by mail to:

401 Water Quality Certification Program
ATTN: Nancy Dickson
601 57th Street SE
Charleston, WV 25304-2345

The deadline to submit comments is Sept. 17, 2018.