Virginia Administrative Code
Title 9 - ENVIRONMENT
Agency 25 - STATE WATER CONTROL BOARD
Chapter 875 - VIRGINIA EROSION AND STORMWATER MANAGEMENT REGULATION
Part VI - Standards and Specifications Program
Section 9VAC25-875-830 - Standards and specifications for state agencies, federal entities, and other specified entities

Universal Citation: 9 VA Admin Code 25-875-830

Current through Register Vol. 41, No. 3, September 23, 2024

A. The program requirements in Part V (9VAC25-875-470 et seq.) shall be implemented by a state agency or federal entity, and other specified entities with department-approved standards and specifications.

B. As an alternative to submitting soil erosion control and stormwater management plans for its land-disturbing activities, the Virginia Department of Transportation shall and any other state agency or federal entity may submit standards and specifications for its conduct of land-disturbing activities for department approval. Approved standards and specifications shall be consistent with the VESMA. The department shall have 60 days after receipt in which to act on any standards and specifications submitted or resubmitted to the department for approval.

C. As an alternative to submitting soil erosion control and stormwater management plans, electric, natural gas, and telephone utility companies; interstate and intrastate natural gas pipeline companies; railroad companies; and authorities created pursuant to § 15.2-5102 of the Code of Virginia may submit standards and specifications for department approval that describe how land-disturbing activities shall be conducted. Such standards and specifications may be submitted for the following types of projects:

1. Construction, installation, or maintenance of electric transmission and distribution lines, oil or gas transmission and distribution pipelines, communication utility lines, and water and sewer lines; and

2. Construction of the tracks, rights-of-way, bridges, communication facilities, and other related structures and facilities of a railroad company.

The department shall have 60 days after receipt in which to act on any standards and specifications submitted or resubmitted to it for approval. A linear project not included in subdivision 1 or 2 of this subsection, or for which the owner chooses not to submit standards and specifications, shall comply with the requirements of the VESMP or the VESCP and VSMP, as appropriate, in any locality within which the project is located.

D. As an alternative to submitting soil erosion control and stormwater management plans, any person engaging in more than one jurisdiction in the creation and operation of a wetland mitigation or stream restoration bank that has been approved and is operated in accordance with applicable federal and state guidance, laws, or regulations for the establishment, use, and operation of a wetlands mitigation or stream restoration bank, pursuant to a mitigation banking instrument signed by the department, the Virginia Marine Resources Commission, or the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, may submit standards and specifications for department approval that describe how land-disturbing activities shall be conducted. The department shall have 60 days after receipt in which to act on standards and specifications submitted to it or resubmitted to it for approval.

E. All standards and specifications submitted to the department shall be periodically updated according to a schedule to be established by the department and shall be consistent with the requirements of the VESMA. Approval of standards and specifications by the department does not relieve the owner or operator of the duty to comply with any other applicable local ordinances or regulations. Standards and specifications shall include:

1. Technical criteria to meet the requirements of the VESMA and regulations developed under it;

2. Provisions for the long-term responsibility and maintenance of any stormwater management control devices and other techniques specified to manage the quantity and quality of runoff;

3. Provisions for administration of the standards and specifications program, project-specific plan design, plan review and plan approval, and construction inspection and compliance;

4. Provisions for ensuring that personnel and contractors assisting the owner in carrying out the land-disturbing activity obtain training or qualifications for soil erosion control and stormwater management as set forth in Part IV (9VAC25-875-380 et seq.) of this chapter;

5. Provisions for ensuring that personnel implementing approved standards and specifications pursuant to this section obtain certifications or qualifications comparable to those required for VESMP personnel pursuant to subsection C of § 62.1-44.15:30 of the Code of Virginia;

6. Implementation of a project tracking system that ensures notification to the department of all land-disturbing activities covered under the VESMA; and

7. Requirements for documenting onsite changes as they occur to ensure compliance with the requirements of the VESMA.

F. The department shall perform random site inspections or inspections in response to a complaint to ensure compliance with the VESMA and this chapter.

G. The department shall assess an administrative charge to cover the costs of services rendered associated with its responsibilities pursuant to this section, including standards and specifications review and approval, project inspections, and compliance. The department may take enforcement actions in accordance with the VESMA and related regulations.

Statutory Authority: § 62.1-44.15:28 of the Code of Virginia; Chapters 68 and 758 of the 2016 Acts of Assembly.

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Virginia may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.

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