Public comment policies

At the joint meeting of the State Air Pollution Control, State Water Control and Virginia Waste Management Boards in August 2003, the boards decided to change their policy for public comment at board meetings. Based on those discussions, the policy has been revised and is now ready for use. The boards believe these revisions enhance their ability to consider public comment at their meetings.

The major changes from the existing policy for the State Water Control Board are:

1. Members of the public now have an opportunity to address the board on regulatory actions when the board is considering final action, if they participated during the public comment period on the proposal. The public has up to three minutes to address the summary of the public comment provided to the board by the staff. This has not been allowed in the past.
2. The time limit for persons who participated during any prior proceeding to address the board on a case decision (permit or consent order actions) has been increased to up to three minutes.
3. Provisions to allow the pooling of minutes have been added.
4. Provisions addressing how to submit new information also have been added, including a provision that the board's decision will be based on the DEQ-developed official file and discussions at the board meeting.
5. Provisions for allowing for comment on emergency regulations have been included.
6. The provision for an applicant/owner to address the board on a pending case decision has been modified to limit the time to up to five minutes unless the applicant/owner objects to the conditions of the pending case decision. In that case, the applicant/owner will be allowed up to 15 minutes to present his entire statement.

Public comment policy at State Water Control Board meetings (PDF)

The major changes from the existing policy for the State Air Pollution Control Board are:

1. Members of the public now have an opportunity to address the board on regulatory actions when the board is considering final action, if they participated during the public comment period on the proposal. The public has up to three minutes to address the summary of the public comment provided to the board by the staff. This has not been allowed in the past.
2. Provisions to allow the pooling of minutes have been included.
3. Provisions addressing how to submit new information also have been added, including a provision that the board's decision will be based on the DEQ-developed official file and discussions at the board meeting.
4. Provisions for allowing for comment on emergency regulations have been included.

Public comment policy at State Air Pollution Control Board meetings (PDF)

The major changes from the existing policy for the Virginia Waste Management Board are:

1. Members of the public now have an opportunity to address the board on regulatory actions when the board is considering final action, if they participated during the public comment period on the proposal. The public has up to three minutes to address the summary of the public comment provided to the board by the staff. This has not been allowed in the past.
2. Provisions to allow the pooling of minutes have been included.
3. Provisions addressing how to submit new information also have been added, including a provision that the board's decision will be based on the DEQ-developed official file and discussions at the board meeting.

Public comment policy at Virginia Waste Management Board meetings (PDF)