The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) provides everyone with access to public records upon request. 

You can find a lot of useful and available information on our website. At the top of every page is our search tool that can be used to scan the site for information. In addition, if you're looking for specific program information, use the agency's online staff directory.

If the information you're looking for can't be found on DEQ's website, submit a FOIA request. Requests can be submitted through the VA Department of Environmental Quality NextRequest Portal: https://vadeq.nextrequest.com/.

Pursuant to section 2.2-3704 of the Code of Virginia, DEQ assesses charges for its actual cost incurred in accessing, duplicating, supplying, or searching for requested records. DEQ does not assess charges for a FOIA request that can be processed in less than 30 minutes. The agency assesses charges for costs at the following rates:

Non-management staff time: $53.29 per hour

Management staff time: $78.10 per hour

Printing and photo copies: $0.10 per page

Tangible records production costs (i.e., print shops, shipping, placing records on a CD rom): actual cost

Which Department Do I Select in the NextRequest Portal?

In the NextRequest Portal, Department designates the applicable DEQ Regional Office. Please submit your request to the Department/Regional Office that oversees the facility. Statewide requests should be sent to Central Office.

  • Select Blue Ridge Regional Office if the facility is within the following counties or cities:
    • Counties: Alleghany, Amherst, Appomattox, Bedford, Botetourt, Campbell, Charlotte, Craig, Floyd, Franklin, Giles, Halifax, Henry, Montgomery, Patrick, Pittsylvania, Pulaski, and Roanoke
    • Cities: Bedford, Clifton Forge, Danville, Covington, Lynchburg, Martinsville, Radford, Roanoke and Salem

  • Select Northern Regional Office if the facility is within the following counties or cities:
    • Counties: Arlington, Caroline, Culpeper, Fairfax, Fauquier, King George, Loudoun, Louisa, Madison, Orange, Prince William, Rappahannock, Spotsylvania, and Stafford
    • Cities: Alexandria, Fairfax, Falls Church, Fredericksburg, Manassas and Manassas Park

  • Select Piedmont Regional Office if the facility is within the following counties or cities:
    • Counties: Amelia, Brunswick, Buckingham, Charles City, Chesterfield, Cumberland, Dinwiddie, Essex, Gloucester, Goochland, Greensville, Hanover, Henrico, King and Queen, King William, Lancaster, Lunenburg, Mathews, Mecklenburg, Middlesex, New Kent, Northumberland, Nottoway, Powhatan, Prince Edward, Prince George, Richmond, Surry, Sussex, and Westmoreland
    • Cities: Colonial Heights, Emporia, Hopewell, Petersburg, and Richmond

  • Select Southwest Regional Office if the facility is within the following counties or cities:
    • Counties: Bland, Buchanan, Carroll, Dickenson, Grayson, Lee, Russell, Scott, Smyth, Tazewell, Washington, Wise, and Wythe
    • Cities: Bristol, Galax and Norton

  • Select Tidewater Regional Office if the facility is within the following counties or cities:
    • Counties: Accomack, Isle of Wight, James City, Northampton, Southampton and York
    • Cities: Chesapeake, Franklin, Hampton, Newport News, Norfolk, Poquoson, Portsmouth, Suffolk, Virginia Beach, and Williamsburg

  • Select Valley Regional Office if the facility is within the following counties or cities:
    • Counties: Albemarle, Augusta, Bath, Clarke, Fluvanna, Frederick, Greene, Highland, Nelson, Page, Rockbridge, Rockingham, Shenandoah, and Warren
    • Cities: Buena Vista, Charlottesville, Harrisonburg, Lexington, Staunton, Waynesboro, and Winchester

For Commonwealth-wide records, please select Central Office.