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<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>78170</law_id><section_number>33.2-258</section_number><catch_line>Environmental permits for highway projects; timely review</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2025/" slug="2025" current="TRUE" last_updated="">2025</edition><structure><unit label="title" level="1" order_by="1" identifier="33.2">Highways and Other Surface Transportation Systems</unit><unit label="subtitle" level="2" order_by="1" identifier="I">General Provisions and Transportation Entities</unit><unit label="chapter" level="3" order_by="1" identifier="2">Transportation Entities</unit><unit label="article" level="4" order_by="1" identifier="4">Department of Transportation</unit></structure><text>
						<section><p>Notwithstanding any other provision of state <span class="dictionary">law</span> or regulation, any state agency, <span class="dictionary">board</span>, or commission that <span class="dictionary">issues</span> a permit required for a <span class="dictionary">highway construction</span> project pursuant to Title 10.1, 28.2, 29.1, or 62.1 shall within 15 days of receipt of an individual permit application review the application for completeness and either accept the application or request additional specific information from the <span class="dictionary">Department</span>. Unless a shorter period is provided by <span class="dictionary">law</span>, regulation, or agreement, the state agency, <span class="dictionary">board</span>, or commission shall within 120 days of receipt of a complete application <span class="dictionary">issue</span> the permit, <span class="dictionary">issue</span> the permit with conditions, deny the permit, or decide whether a public meeting or <span class="dictionary">hearing</span> is required by <span class="dictionary">law</span>. If a public meeting or <span class="dictionary">hearing</span> is held, it shall be held within 45 days of the decision to conduct such a proceeding, and a final decision as to the permit shall be made within 90 days of completion of the public meeting or <span class="dictionary">hearing</span>. For coverage under general permits issued pursuant to Title 10.1, 28.2, 29.1, or 62.1, the state agency, <span class="dictionary">board</span>, or commission that <span class="dictionary">issues</span> such permits shall within 10 business days of receipt of an application from the <span class="dictionary">Department</span> for a <span class="dictionary">highway construction</span> project review the application for completeness and either accept the application or request additional specific information from the <span class="dictionary">Department</span>. Coverage under the general permit shall be approved, approved with conditions, or denied within 30 business days of receipt of a complete application.</p></section></text><history>2005, c. 781, &#xA7; 33.1-19.1; 2007, c. 896; 2014, c. 805.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
