{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/45.2-1029.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/45.2-1029.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/45.2-1029.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/45.2-1029.html"}],"law_id":65795,"edition_id":1,"section_id":65795,"structure_id":16261,"section_number":"45.2-1029","catch_line":" National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permits","history":"1979, c. 290, \u00a7 45.1-254; 1986, c. 615; 2008, c. 275; 2011, cc. 252, 290; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 387.","full_text":"A\n\nFor the purpose of this section:\n\t\t\t&#8220;Board&#8221; means the State Water Control Board.\n\t\t\t&#8220;Industrial wastes&#8221; means the same as that term is defined in &#xA7; 62.1-44.3.\n\t\t\t&#8220;NPDES&#8221; means the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System.\n\t\t\t&#8220;Other wastes&#8221; means the same as that term is defined in &#xA7; 62.1-44.3.\n\t\t\t&#8220;Sewage&#8221; means the same as that term is defined in &#xA7; 62.1-44.3.B\n\nThe authority to issue, amend, revoke, and enforce National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permits under the State Water Control Law (&#xA7; 62.1-44.2 et seq.) for the discharge of sewage, industrial wastes, and other wastes from coal surface mining operations, to the extent delegated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and required under the federal Clean Water Act, P.L. 92-500, as amended, is vested solely in the Director, notwithstanding any provision of law contained in Title 62.1, except as provided in this section. For the purpose of enforcement under this section, the provisions of &#xA7;&#xA7; 62.1-44.31 and 62.1-44.32 shall apply to permits, orders, and regulations issued by the Director in accordance with this section.C\n\nThe Director shall transmit to the State Water Control Board a copy of each application for an NPDES permit received by the Director and provide written notice to the Board of every action related to the consideration of such permit application.D\n\nPrior to the issuance or reissuance of a permit, each applicant shall submit an application on a form approved by the Director and a fee of $300 for each discharge outfall point under such permit. If an application is approved, the permittee shall, on the anniversary of the permit approval for each year of the permit term, submit $300 for each discharge outfall point under such permit. Each permit shall remain valid for five years. All fees provided for under this section shall be in addition to any other fees levied pursuant to this chapter.E\n\nNo NPDES permit shall be issued if, within 30 days of the date of the transmittal of the complete application and the proposed NPDES permit, the Board objects in writing to the issuance of such permit. Whenever the Board objects to the issuance of such permit under this section, such written objection shall contain a statement of the reasons for such objection and the effluent limitations and conditions that such permit would include if it were issued by the Board.F\n\nAn applicant who is aggrieved by an objection made under subsection E has the right to a hearing before the Board pursuant to &#xA7; 62.1-44.25. If the Board withdraws in writing its objection to the issuance of a certificate, the Director may issue the permit. Any applicant aggrieved by a final decision of the Board made pursuant to this subsection has the right to judicial review in accordance with the provisions of the Administrative Process Act (&#xA7; 2.2-4000 et seq.).G\n\nWhenever, on the basis of any information available to it, the Board finds that any person is in violation of any condition or limitation contained in a NPDES permit issued by the Director, it shall notify the person allegedly in violation and the Director. If after the thirtieth day following notification by the Board, the Director has not commenced appropriate enforcement action, the Board may take appropriate enforcement action pursuant to &#xA7;&#xA7; 62.1-44.15, 62.1-44.23, and 62.1-44.32.H\n\nThe Director shall adopt regulations deemed necessary for the issuance, administration, monitoring, and enforcement of NPDES permits for coal surface mining operations.I\n\nThe Director, by examining the available and relevant data, shall determine whether a discharge could cause or contribute to an instream excursion above the narrative or numeric criteria of a water quality standard.J\n\nIf a total maximum daily load (TMDL) has been established by the Board for the receiving water body, then there shall be consideration of the TMDL in the reasonable potential determination as to whether a discharge could cause or contribute to an instream excursion above the narrative or numeric criteria of a water quality standard. If the receiving water body does not have a TMDL established, the Director may consider biological monitoring, chemical monitoring, and whole effluent toxicity testing to determine whether a discharge could cause or contribute to an instream excursion above the narrative or numeric criteria of a water quality standard. The Director may require whole effluent toxicity testing if he determines that the discharge adversely affects the biological condition of the receiving water body.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":239141,"text":"For the purpose of this section:\n\t\t\t&#8220;Board&#8221; means the State Water Control Board.\n\t\t\t&#8220;Industrial wastes&#8221; means the same as that term is defined in &#xA7; 62.1-44.3.\n\t\t\t&#8220;NPDES&#8221; means the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System.\n\t\t\t&#8220;Other wastes&#8221; means the same as that term is defined in &#xA7; 62.1-44.3.\n\t\t\t&#8220;Sewage&#8221; means the same as that term is defined in &#xA7; 62.1-44.3.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":239142,"text":"The authority to issue, amend, revoke, and enforce National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permits under the State Water Control Law (&#xA7; 62.1-44.2 et seq.) for the discharge of sewage, industrial wastes, and other wastes from coal surface mining operations, to the extent delegated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and required under the federal Clean Water Act, P.L. 92-500, as amended, is vested solely in the Director, notwithstanding any provision of law contained in Title 62.1, except as provided in this section. For the purpose of enforcement under this section, the provisions of &#xA7;&#xA7; 62.1-44.31 and 62.1-44.32 shall apply to permits, orders, and regulations issued by the Director in accordance with this section.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"C"},"2":{"id":239143,"text":"The Director shall transmit to the State Water Control Board a copy of each application for an NPDES permit received by the Director and provide written notice to the Board of every action related to the consideration of such permit application.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"D"},"3":{"id":239144,"text":"Prior to the issuance or reissuance of a permit, each applicant shall submit an application on a form approved by the Director and a fee of $300 for each discharge outfall point under such permit. If an application is approved, the permittee shall, on the anniversary of the permit approval for each year of the permit term, submit $300 for each discharge outfall point under such permit. Each permit shall remain valid for five years. All fees provided for under this section shall be in addition to any other fees levied pursuant to this chapter.","type":"section","prefixes":["D"],"prefix":"D","entire_prefix":"D","prefix_anchor":"D","level":1,"prior_prefix":"C","next_prefix":"E"},"4":{"id":239145,"text":"No NPDES permit shall be issued if, within 30 days of the date of the transmittal of the complete application and the proposed NPDES permit, the Board objects in writing to the issuance of such permit. Whenever the Board objects to the issuance of such permit under this section, such written objection shall contain a statement of the reasons for such objection and the effluent limitations and conditions that such permit would include if it were issued by the Board.","type":"section","prefixes":["E"],"prefix":"E","entire_prefix":"E","prefix_anchor":"E","level":1,"prior_prefix":"D","next_prefix":"F"},"5":{"id":239146,"text":"An applicant who is aggrieved by an objection made under subsection E has the right to a hearing before the Board pursuant to &#xA7; 62.1-44.25. If the Board withdraws in writing its objection to the issuance of a certificate, the Director may issue the permit. Any applicant aggrieved by a final decision of the Board made pursuant to this subsection has the right to judicial review in accordance with the provisions of the Administrative Process Act (&#xA7; 2.2-4000 et seq.).","type":"section","prefixes":["F"],"prefix":"F","entire_prefix":"F","prefix_anchor":"F","level":1,"prior_prefix":"E","next_prefix":"G"},"6":{"id":239147,"text":"Whenever, on the basis of any information available to it, the Board finds that any person is in violation of any condition or limitation contained in a NPDES permit issued by the Director, it shall notify the person allegedly in violation and the Director. If after the thirtieth day following notification by the Board, the Director has not commenced appropriate enforcement action, the Board may take appropriate enforcement action pursuant to &#xA7;&#xA7; 62.1-44.15, 62.1-44.23, and 62.1-44.32.","type":"section","prefixes":["G"],"prefix":"G","entire_prefix":"G","prefix_anchor":"G","level":1,"prior_prefix":"F","next_prefix":"H"},"7":{"id":239148,"text":"The Director shall adopt regulations deemed necessary for the issuance, administration, monitoring, and enforcement of NPDES permits for coal surface mining operations.","type":"section","prefixes":["H"],"prefix":"H","entire_prefix":"H","prefix_anchor":"H","level":1,"prior_prefix":"G","next_prefix":"I"},"8":{"id":239149,"text":"The Director, by examining the available and relevant data, shall determine whether a discharge could cause or contribute to an instream excursion above the narrative or numeric criteria of a water quality standard.","type":"section","prefixes":["I"],"prefix":"I","entire_prefix":"I","prefix_anchor":"I","level":1,"prior_prefix":"H","next_prefix":"J"},"9":{"id":239150,"text":"If a total maximum daily load (TMDL) has been established by the Board for the receiving water body, then there shall be consideration of the TMDL in the reasonable potential determination as to whether a discharge could cause or contribute to an instream excursion above the narrative or numeric criteria of a water quality standard. If the receiving water body does not have a TMDL established, the Director may consider biological monitoring, chemical monitoring, and whole effluent toxicity testing to determine whether a discharge could cause or contribute to an instream excursion above the narrative or numeric criteria of a water quality standard. The Director may require whole effluent toxicity testing if he determines that the discharge adversely affects the biological condition of the receiving water body.","type":"section","prefixes":["J"],"prefix":"J","entire_prefix":"J","prefix_anchor":"J","level":1,"prior_prefix":"I"}},"ancestry":[{"id":16261,"edition_id":1,"name":"National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Permit; Replacement of Water Supply","identifier":"3","label":"article","depth":5,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13540,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 04:11:32","date_modified":"2026-06-26 04:11:32","permalink":{"id":223819,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":16261,"identifier":"3","token":"45.2\/II\/C\/10\/3","url":"\/45.2\/II\/C\/10\/3\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":13540,"edition_id":1,"name":"Virginia Coal Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1979","identifier":"10","label":"chapter","depth":4,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13539,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:45:10","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:45:10","permalink":{"id":223697,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13540,"identifier":"10","token":"45.2\/II\/C\/10","url":"\/45.2\/II\/C\/10\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":13539,"edition_id":1,"name":"Surface Coal Mines","identifier":"C","label":"part","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12985,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:45:10","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:45:10","permalink":{"id":223695,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13539,"identifier":"C","token":"45.2\/II\/C","url":"\/45.2\/II\/C\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12985,"edition_id":1,"name":"Coal Mining","identifier":"II","label":"subtitle","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12713,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:06","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:06","permalink":{"id":222647,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12985,"identifier":"II","token":"45.2\/II","url":"\/45.2\/II\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12713,"edition_id":1,"name":"Mines, Minerals, and Energy","identifier":"45.2","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:49","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:49","permalink":{"id":222539,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12713,"identifier":"45.2","token":"45.2","url":"\/45.2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":65795,"structure_id":16261,"section_number":"45.2-1029","catch_line":" National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permits","url":"\/45.2-1029\/","token":"45.2\/II\/C\/10\/3\/45.2-1029","metadata":false},{"id":79896,"structure_id":16261,"section_number":"45.2-1030","catch_line":" Replacement of water supply","url":"\/45.2-1030\/","token":"45.2\/II\/C\/10\/3\/45.2-1030","metadata":false}],"next_section":{"id":79896,"structure_id":16261,"section_number":"45.2-1030","catch_line":" Replacement of water supply","url":"\/45.2-1030\/","token":"45.2\/II\/C\/10\/3\/45.2-1030","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/45.2-1029\/","history_text":"<p>This law was first created in 1979. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 290 of that year\u2019s edition of \u201cActs of Assembly,\u201d the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year. Unfortunately, the 1979 \u201cActs\u201d aren\u2019t available online. It has been modified 3 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 1986, chapter 615; in 2008, chapter <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?081+ful+CHAP0275\">275<\/a>; in 2011, chapters <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?111+ful+CHAP0252\">252<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?111+ful+CHAP0290\">290<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":66688,"section_number":"45.2-1000","catch_line":" Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/45.2-1000\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":86911,"section_number":"2.2-4000","catch_line":"Short title; purpose","order_by":null,"url":"\/2.2-4000\/"},{"id":56006,"section_number":"62.1-44.15","catch_line":"Powers and duties; civil penalties","order_by":null,"url":"\/62.1-44.15\/"},{"id":54640,"section_number":"62.1-44.2","catch_line":"Short title; purpose","order_by":null,"url":"\/62.1-44.2\/"},{"id":77684,"section_number":"62.1-44.23","catch_line":"Enforcement by injunction, etc","order_by":null,"url":"\/62.1-44.23\/"},{"id":71038,"section_number":"62.1-44.25","catch_line":"Right to hearing","order_by":null,"url":"\/62.1-44.25\/"},{"id":61187,"section_number":"62.1-44.3","catch_line":"Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/62.1-44.3\/"},{"id":57966,"section_number":"62.1-44.31","catch_line":"Violation of order or certificate or failure to cooperate with Board","order_by":null,"url":"\/62.1-44.31\/"},{"id":69253,"section_number":"62.1-44.32","catch_line":"Penalties","order_by":null,"url":"\/62.1-44.32\/"}],"permalink":{"id":223821,"object_type":"law","relational_id":65795,"identifier":"45.2-1029","token":"45.2\/II\/C\/10\/3\/45.2-1029","url":"\/45.2-1029\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/45.2-1029\/","token":"45.2\/II\/C\/10\/3\/45.2-1029","dublin_core":{"Title":" National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permits","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 45.2-1029","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"A\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">A.<\/span> For the purpose of this section:\n\t\t\t&#8220;<span class=\"dictionary\">Board<\/span>&#8221; means the State Water Control <span class=\"dictionary\">Board<\/span>.\n\t\t\t&#8220;<span class=\"dictionary\">Industrial wastes<\/span>&#8221; means the same as that term is defined in &#xA7; <a class=\"law\" title=\"Definitions\" href=\"\/62.1-44.3\/\">62.1-44.3<\/a>.\n\t\t\t&#8220;<span class=\"dictionary\">NPDES<\/span>&#8221; means the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System.\n\t\t\t&#8220;<span class=\"dictionary\">Other wastes<\/span>&#8221; means the same as that term is defined in &#xA7; <a class=\"law\" title=\"Definitions\" href=\"\/62.1-44.3\/\">62.1-44.3<\/a>.\n\t\t\t&#8220;<span class=\"dictionary\">Sewage<\/span>&#8221; means the same as that term is defined in &#xA7; <a class=\"law\" title=\"Definitions\" href=\"\/62.1-44.3\/\">62.1-44.3<\/a>. <a id=\"paragraph-239141\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/45.2-1029\/#A\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"B\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">B.<\/span> The authority to <span class=\"dictionary\">issue<\/span>, <span class=\"dictionary\">amend<\/span>, revoke, and enforce National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System <span class=\"dictionary\">permits<\/span> under the State Water Control <span class=\"dictionary\">Law<\/span> (&#xA7; <a class=\"law\" title=\"Short title; purpose\" href=\"\/62.1-44.2\/\">62.1-44.2<\/a> et seq.) for the discharge of <span class=\"dictionary\">sewage<\/span>, <span class=\"dictionary\">industrial wastes<\/span>, and <span class=\"dictionary\">other wastes<\/span> from coal surface mining operations, to the extent delegated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and required under the federal Clean Water Act, P.L. 92-500, as amended, is vested solely in the <span class=\"dictionary\">Director<\/span>, notwithstanding any provision of <span class=\"dictionary\">law<\/span> contained in Title 62.1, except as provided in this section. For the purpose of enforcement under this section, the provisions of &#xA7;&#xA7; <a class=\"law\" title=\"Violation of order or certificate or failure to cooperate with Board\" href=\"\/62.1-44.31\/\">62.1-44.31<\/a> and <a class=\"law\" title=\"Penalties\" href=\"\/62.1-44.32\/\">62.1-44.32<\/a> shall apply to <span class=\"dictionary\">permits<\/span>, <span class=\"dictionary\">orders<\/span>, and regulations issued by the <span class=\"dictionary\">Director<\/span> in accordance with this section. <a id=\"paragraph-239142\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/45.2-1029\/#B\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"C\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">C.<\/span> The <span class=\"dictionary\">Director<\/span> shall transmit to the State Water Control <span class=\"dictionary\">Board<\/span> a copy of each application for an <span class=\"dictionary\">NPDES<\/span> <span class=\"dictionary\">permit<\/span> received by the <span class=\"dictionary\">Director<\/span> and provide written notice to the <span class=\"dictionary\">Board<\/span> of every action related to the consideration of such <span class=\"dictionary\">permit<\/span> application. <a id=\"paragraph-239143\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/45.2-1029\/#C\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"D\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">D.<\/span> Prior to the issuance or reissuance of a <span class=\"dictionary\">permit<\/span>, each applicant shall submit an application on a form approved by the <span class=\"dictionary\">Director<\/span> and a fee of $300 for each discharge outfall point under such <span class=\"dictionary\">permit<\/span>. If an application is approved, the <span class=\"dictionary\">permittee<\/span> shall, on the anniversary of the <span class=\"dictionary\">permit<\/span> approval for each year of the <span class=\"dictionary\">permit<\/span> term, submit $300 for each discharge outfall point under such <span class=\"dictionary\">permit<\/span>. Each <span class=\"dictionary\">permit<\/span> shall remain valid for five years. All fees provided for under this section shall be in addition to any other fees levied pursuant to this chapter. <a id=\"paragraph-239144\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/45.2-1029\/#D\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"E\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">E.<\/span> No <span class=\"dictionary\">NPDES<\/span> <span class=\"dictionary\">permit<\/span> shall be issued if, within 30 days of the date of the transmittal of the complete application and the proposed <span class=\"dictionary\">NPDES<\/span> <span class=\"dictionary\">permit<\/span>, the <span class=\"dictionary\">Board<\/span> <span class=\"dictionary\">objects<\/span> in writing to the issuance of such <span class=\"dictionary\">permit<\/span>. Whenever the <span class=\"dictionary\">Board<\/span> <span class=\"dictionary\">objects<\/span> to the issuance of such <span class=\"dictionary\">permit<\/span> under this section, such written objection shall contain a statement of the reasons for such objection and the effluent limitations and conditions that such <span class=\"dictionary\">permit<\/span> would include if it were issued by the <span class=\"dictionary\">Board<\/span>. <a id=\"paragraph-239145\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/45.2-1029\/#E\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"F\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">F.<\/span> An applicant who is aggrieved by an objection made under subsection E has the right to a <span class=\"dictionary\">hearing<\/span> before the <span class=\"dictionary\">Board<\/span> pursuant to &#xA7; <a class=\"law\" title=\"Right to hearing\" href=\"\/62.1-44.25\/\">62.1-44.25<\/a>. If the <span class=\"dictionary\">Board<\/span> withdraws in writing its objection to the issuance of a certificate, the <span class=\"dictionary\">Director<\/span> may <span class=\"dictionary\">issue<\/span> the <span class=\"dictionary\">permit<\/span>. Any applicant aggrieved by a final decision of the <span class=\"dictionary\">Board<\/span> made pursuant to this subsection has the right to judicial review in accordance with the provisions of the Administrative Process Act (&#xA7; <a class=\"law\" title=\"Short title; purpose\" href=\"\/2.2-4000\/\">2.2-4000<\/a> et seq.). <a id=\"paragraph-239146\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/45.2-1029\/#F\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"G\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">G.<\/span> Whenever, on the basis of any information available to it, the <span class=\"dictionary\">Board<\/span> finds that any <span class=\"dictionary\">person<\/span> is in violation of any condition or limitation contained in a <span class=\"dictionary\">NPDES<\/span> <span class=\"dictionary\">permit<\/span> issued by the <span class=\"dictionary\">Director<\/span>, it shall notify the <span class=\"dictionary\">person<\/span> allegedly in violation and the <span class=\"dictionary\">Director<\/span>. If after the thirtieth day following notification by the <span class=\"dictionary\">Board<\/span>, the <span class=\"dictionary\">Director<\/span> has not commenced appropriate enforcement action, the <span class=\"dictionary\">Board<\/span> may take appropriate enforcement action pursuant to &#xA7;&#xA7; <a class=\"law\" title=\"Powers and duties; civil penalties\" href=\"\/62.1-44.15\/\">62.1-44.15<\/a>, <a class=\"law\" title=\"Enforcement by injunction, etc\" href=\"\/62.1-44.23\/\">62.1-44.23<\/a>, and <a class=\"law\" title=\"Penalties\" href=\"\/62.1-44.32\/\">62.1-44.32<\/a>. <a id=\"paragraph-239147\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/45.2-1029\/#G\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"H\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">H.<\/span> The <span class=\"dictionary\">Director<\/span> shall adopt regulations deemed necessary for the issuance, administration, monitoring, and enforcement of <span class=\"dictionary\">NPDES<\/span> <span class=\"dictionary\">permits<\/span> for coal surface mining operations. <a id=\"paragraph-239148\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/45.2-1029\/#H\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"I\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">I.<\/span> The <span class=\"dictionary\">Director<\/span>, by examining the available and relevant data, shall determine whether a discharge could cause or contribute to an instream excursion above the narrative or numeric criteria of a water quality standard. <a id=\"paragraph-239149\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/45.2-1029\/#I\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"J\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">J.<\/span> If a total maximum daily load (TMDL) has been established by the <span class=\"dictionary\">Board<\/span> for the receiving water body, then there shall be consideration of the TMDL in the reasonable potential determination as to whether a discharge could cause or contribute to an instream excursion above the narrative or numeric criteria of a water quality standard. If the receiving water body does not have a TMDL established, the <span class=\"dictionary\">Director<\/span> may consider biological monitoring, chemical monitoring, and whole effluent toxicity testing to determine whether a discharge could cause or contribute to an instream excursion above the narrative or numeric criteria of a water quality standard. The <span class=\"dictionary\">Director<\/span> may require whole effluent toxicity testing if he determines that the discharge adversely affects the biological condition of the receiving water body. <a id=\"paragraph-239150\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/45.2-1029\/#J\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":"                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\n NATIONAL POLLUTANT DISCHARGE ELIMINATION SYSTEM PERMITS (\u00a7 45.2-1029)\n\nA. For the purpose of this section:\n\t\t\t&#8220;Board&#8221; means the State Water Control Board.\n\t\t\t&#8220;Industrial wastes&#8221; means the same as that term is defined in\n&#xA7; 62.1-44.3.\n\t\t\t&#8220;NPDES&#8221; means the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination\nSystem.\n\t\t\t&#8220;Other wastes&#8221; means the same as that term is defined in &#xA7;\n62.1-44.3.\n\t\t\t&#8220;Sewage&#8221; means the same as that term is defined in &#xA7;\n62.1-44.3.\n\nB. The authority to issue, amend, revoke, and enforce National Pollutant\nDischarge Elimination System permits under the State Water Control Law (&#xA7;\n62.1-44.2 et seq.) for the discharge of sewage, industrial wastes, and other\nwastes from coal surface mining operations, to the extent delegated by the U.S.\nEnvironmental Protection Agency and required under the federal Clean Water Act,\nP.L. 92-500, as amended, is vested solely in the Director, notwithstanding any\nprovision of law contained in Title 62.1, except as provided in this section.\nFor the purpose of enforcement under this section, the provisions of\n&#xA7;&#xA7; 62.1-44.31 and 62.1-44.32 shall apply to permits, orders, and\nregulations issued by the Director in accordance with this section.\n\nC. The Director shall transmit to the State Water Control Board a copy of each\napplication for an NPDES permit received by the Director and provide written\nnotice to the Board of every action related to the consideration of such permit\napplication.\n\nD. Prior to the issuance or reissuance of a permit, each applicant shall submit\nan application on a form approved by the Director and a fee of $300 for each\ndischarge outfall point under such permit. If an application is approved, the\npermittee shall, on the anniversary of the permit approval for each year of the\npermit term, submit $300 for each discharge outfall point under such permit.\nEach permit shall remain valid for five years. All fees provided for under this\nsection shall be in addition to any other fees levied pursuant to this chapter.\n\nE. No NPDES permit shall be issued if, within 30 days of the date of the\ntransmittal of the complete application and the proposed NPDES permit, the Board\nobjects in writing to the issuance of such permit. Whenever the Board objects to\nthe issuance of such permit under this section, such written objection shall\ncontain a statement of the reasons for such objection and the effluent\nlimitations and conditions that such permit would include if it were issued by\nthe Board.\n\nF. An applicant who is aggrieved by an objection made under subsection E has the\nright to a hearing before the Board pursuant to &#xA7; 62.1-44.25. If the Board\nwithdraws in writing its objection to the issuance of a certificate, the\nDirector may issue the permit. Any applicant aggrieved by a final decision of\nthe Board made pursuant to this subsection has the right to judicial review in\naccordance with the provisions of the Administrative Process Act (&#xA7;\n2.2-4000 et seq.).\n\nG. Whenever, on the basis of any information available to it, the Board finds\nthat any person is in violation of any condition or limitation contained in a\nNPDES permit issued by the Director, it shall notify the person allegedly in\nviolation and the Director. If after the thirtieth day following notification by\nthe Board, the Director has not commenced appropriate enforcement action, the\nBoard may take appropriate enforcement action pursuant to &#xA7;&#xA7;\n62.1-44.15, 62.1-44.23, and 62.1-44.32.\n\nH. The Director shall adopt regulations deemed necessary for the issuance,\nadministration, monitoring, and enforcement of NPDES permits for coal surface\nmining operations.\n\nI. The Director, by examining the available and relevant data, shall determine\nwhether a discharge could cause or contribute to an instream excursion above the\nnarrative or numeric criteria of a water quality standard.\n\nJ. If a total maximum daily load (TMDL) has been established by the Board for\nthe receiving water body, then there shall be consideration of the TMDL in the\nreasonable potential determination as to whether a discharge could cause or\ncontribute to an instream excursion above the narrative or numeric criteria of a\nwater quality standard. If the receiving water body does not have a TMDL\nestablished, the Director may consider biological monitoring, chemical\nmonitoring, and whole effluent toxicity testing to determine whether a discharge\ncould cause or contribute to an instream excursion above the narrative or\nnumeric criteria of a water quality standard. The Director may require whole\neffluent toxicity testing if he determines that the discharge adversely affects\nthe biological condition of the receiving water body.\n\nHISTORY: 1979, c. 290, \u00a7 45.1-254; 1986, c. 615; 2008, c. 275; 2011, cc. 252,\n290; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 387.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}