Contacts, Comments, and Links
Contacts
The best source for information about the Virginia Water Protection Permit process, or specific project questions, is one of DEQ's Regional Offices (VWP Permit Program staff) in the geographic area of your interest or project. See also the VWP Permit Program Staff List.
You may also contact Dave Davis, Director of the Office of Wetlands and Water Protection, for general questions regarding the administration and management of the Virginia Water Protection Permit Program (804-698-4105).
Michelle Henicheck may also be reached for questions on wetland/stream mitigation and mitigation banking (804-698-4007).
Bettina Rayfield (804-698-4204) may be reached for information on stream restoration and assessments.
Scott Kudlas with DEQ's Office of Surface and Ground Water Supply Planning may be reached for questions on the technical aspects and permitting requirements of surface water withdrawal projects, such as instream flow, reservoirs, and water supply planning requirements (804-698-4456).
Questions may also be submitted using the "Wetlands_Info" email link at the top of this page. Please be sure to include a topic in the subject line. For example, if you are inquiring about permit applicaiton fees, try using Fees in the subject line of your email. Your email will be routed to the most appropriate staff member at either the DEQ Central Office or one of the DEQ Regional Offices. Please be aware that information requests may be subject to Freedom of Information Act policies.
Comments
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Links & Information
The following links are provided as a courtesy to the public. With the exception of official DEQ guidance documents and State regulations, the Department of Environmental Quality and the Virginia Water Protection Permit Program do not endorse any particular organization, methodology, or products that you may find at these sources.
Water Guidance & Policy
- 2006 VWP Permit Manual Sections 1 through 4 (October 27, 2006) and Guidance Memorandum 06-2015 NEW
- DEQ Guidance Memorandums cover many regulatory topics related to DEQ water permit programs
Wetlands & Permit Data
- National Wetlands Inventory Maps developed and maintained by the United State Geologic Survey.
- Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS) Wetlands Data Viewer, based on National Wetland Inventory Maps.
- Recent Wetland Trends in Southeastern Virginia, December 2005
- VWP permit applications received and processed
Wetland & Stream Restoration
- Information and resources for wetland restoration and other initiatives
- EPA's National Management Measures to Protect and Restore Wetlands and Riparian Areas for the Abatement of Nonpoint Source Pollution
- National Association of Counties’ water program can help counties improve water quality and water resource management.
- The Association of State Wetland Managers, Inc. Question and Answer Guides are designed primarily for local government, land trusts and members of the public wanting information pertaining to key wetland topics.
Soils
- USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Web Soil Survey application
Threatened and Endangered Species & Other Rare Resources
- DGIF Virginia Fish and Wildlife Information Service (VaFWIS) http://vafwis.org/WIS/ASP/default.asp
- DCR Natural Heritage Program http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/dnh/
- VDACS Regulatory Services http://www.vdacs.virginia.gov/plant&pest/endangered.html
- § 29.1-564 and § 29.1-566, and § 62.1-44.2 et seq., of the Code of Virginia
- US Fish and Wildlife Service http://www.fws.gov/endangered/
- US Environmental Protection Agency Endangered Species Act http://www.epa.gov/region5/defs/html/esa.htm
- Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, Division of Natural Heritage, The Natural Communities of Virginia (Second Approximation, Version 2.1)
Streams
- Development and Analysis of Regional Curves for Streams in the Non-Urban Valley and Ridge Physiographic Province, Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia (Prepared in cooperation with West Virginia Department of Transportation, Division of Highways; U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service; and Canaan Valley Institute; By Jefferson N. Keaton, Terence Messinger, and Edward J. Doheny)
- The Virginia Stream Restoration & Stabilization BMP Guide
Watersheds
- Summary of Comments December 2003 Low Impact Development Workshop
- Watershed Assessment of River Stability & Sediment Supply
- The Center for Watershed Protection's Wetlands Web Site
Professional Organizations & Citizen Groups
- The Association of State Wetland Managers
- Virginia Association of Wetland Professional
- Society of Wetland Scientists
- State Certification Regulations for Wetland Delineator
Other
- Public Guide to Wetlands Permitting in Virginia. (NOTE: THIS DOCUMENT WAS CREATED WITH GRANT FUNDS DURING 2003, AND NO FUNDS EXIST AT THIS TIME TO UPDATE THE DOCUMENT. THE POLICIES AND PRACTICES NOTED IN THIS GUIDE MAY HAVE CHANGED. USE AT YOUR OWN RISK.)
- Regulatory Branch of the Norfolk District of the U.S. Artmy Corps of Engineers
- Virginia Marine Resources Division of Habitat Management permit information