Plans may be submitted under Streamlined review when the four (4) conditions listed in GM22-2011 are met, including the Plan Submission Checklist as the Cover Sheet to the plan set and certification from an active Dual Combined Administrator. 

Once the Application is submitted, a DEQ Plan Reviewer will be assigned to the project. All plans submitted are reviewed for administrative completeness (9VAC25-875-510), and the assigned reviewer will provide a notification to the Applicant within 15 days of plan receipt.  

Expedited review is available for a voluntary fee of $30,000 for sites or areas within common plans of development or sale with land-disturbance acreage equal to or greater than 100 acres. Please be aware that for any individual or firm electing to pay the voluntary fee, the SWM plan review timeframe should not exceed 45 days, excluding any applicant’s time in responding to questions.  

The voluntary fee of $30,000 should be submitted to ConstructionGP@deq.virginia.gov via wire transfer or check. Checks can only be processed within 24 hours of receipt from the date of the check. It is imperative that the applicant notify DEQ prior to sending a check or DEQ may be required to return the check, resulting in delays for initiating expedited review.  

Expedited review cannot begin until a complete application is provided, and the fee is paid. Plans are assigned to Plan Reviewers across the Commonwealth and may or may not be located in the subject Project Region. The initial submission and each resubmission for expedited review will be placed at the top of the plan reviewer’s queue until the 45-day timeframe ends or the SWM Plan is approved. 

Expedited review and streamlined review cannot be combined due to conflicting regulatory review timeframes.      

SWM Waiver requests may be submitted to DEQ for review and approval for linear projects or portions of linear projects where DEQ is the VSMP Authority. Projects that are authorized under an approved S&S Program should submit S&S Waiver request Applications to StandardsandSpecs@Deq.virginia.gov. 

The SWM Waiver request submission should include applicable documents listed in the Plan Package Applications Checklist. Please complete and submit the Exemptions, Exceptions, Waivers and Variances Checklist.  

Variance, Exemption and/or Exception requests may be submitted for projects or portions of projects where DEQ is the VESCP/VSMP Authority. Please note that each of these terms apply to specific statutes within the Code of Virginia and should not be used interchangeably, links to appropriate statutes are included below for reference in this subsection. In addition to this Checklist, please complete and submit the Alternative Submission Checklist.  

ESC Exemption (§ 62.1-44.15:55). Definitions: Land Disturbing Activity); ESC Variance (9VAC25-875-170); SWM Exemption (§ 62.1-44.15:34.); SWM Exception (9VAC25-875-170). 

DEQ provides ESC recommendations to Virginia Erosion and Sediment Control Program (VESCP) Authorities at the request of a locality where DEQ is the VSMP authority for Utility Scale Solar Projects exceeding 5 Megawatts in size.  

VESCP Authorities requesting DEQ ESC Plan Review must directly submit a request to PlanReview@deq.virginia.gov prior to submission of each ESC Plan Set for each project.   

Within five days of receipt of the ESC Plan Set, the VESCP Authority must forward the plans to DEQ for review. DEQ only accepts Solar ESC Plans for review from the VESCP Authority.