The following programs are required by law to provide public notices as part of the process of issuing, reissuing, amending, or terminating particular permits or programs:

• Virginia Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (VPDES) including pretreatment programs
• Virginia Pollution Abatement (VPA) including land application of biosolids
• Virginia Water Protection (VWP) including permits for wetlands and streams and surface water withdrawal or impoundment

Public notices are posted according to their permit/program type. Actions proposed in these notices are tentative, as DEQ considers comments from the public prior to making any final determinations. More information can be found below.

How to comment on draft permits and/or request a public hearing 

Unless otherwise noted, DEQ accepts comments from the public and requests for public hearing on draft permits by hand-delivery, e-mail, or postal mail. All comments and requests must be in writing and be received by DEQ during the comment period. DEQ must receive hand-delivery and postal mail by close of business and email and comments by 11:59 p.m. on the last day of the comment period.

Submittal of comments must include the names, mailing addresses and telephone numbers of the commenter/requester and of all persons represented by the commenter/requester.

A public hearing for may be requested for draft permits that are tentatively determined to be issued or approved to be re-issued. Requests should include:

1. The reason why a public hearing is requested. 
2. A brief, informal statement regarding the nature and extent of the interest of the requester or of those represented by the requestor, including how and to what extent such interest would be directly and adversely affected by the permit.
3. Specific references, where possible, to terms and conditions of the permit with suggested revisions. 

A public hearing may be held, including another comment period, if public response is significant, based on individual requests for a public hearing, and there are substantial, disputed issues relevant to the permit.