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State Environmental Impact Reviews

Note:  Effective July 1,  2007 Virginia Code § 10.1-1188 A. has been amended to include the following:

For the purposes of this chapter, branch of state government shall apply to any county, city or town of the Commonwealth only in connection with highway construction, reconstruction, or improvement projects affecting highways or roads undertaken by the county, city, or town.

Click here Virginia Code § 10.1-1188 for the full text of this section of the code.  The effect of this amendment on the EIR review process is under discussion by the Secetary of Natural Resources and the Secretary of Transportation.

 

Procedure Manual: Environmental Impact Reviews of Major State Facilities

INTRODUCTION

  1. Program Goals
  2. Responsibilities of Proponent Agencies
  3. Responsibilities of Reviewing Agencies
DEFINITIONS
  • Acquisition for Construction
  • Construction
  • Director
  • Environment
  • Environmental Assessment (EA)
  • Environmental Impact Report (EIR)
  • Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)
  • Major State Project
  • Proponent Agency
  • Virginia Outdoors Plan
  • Direct Impacts
  • Indirect Impacts
  • Cumulative Impacts
PURPOSE
  1. The purposes of environmental impact reports
  2. The purpose of environmental impact review
APPLICABILITY
  1. Who is required to submit an environmental impact report?
  2. Which projects require an environmental impact report?
  3. Which projects do not require environmental impact reports?
  4. Can the requirement to prepare an Environmental Impact Review be waived?
  5. Can a federal environmental impact assessment or statement fulfill the requirement for a State Environmental Impact Report?
  6. What if a project changes?
WHEN TO PREPARE AND SUBMIT AN ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT?
  1. Environmental Impact Reports must be submitted in a timely manner
  2. DEQ must review an Environmental Impact Report and make a statement to the Governor within
    60 days
  3. Environmental Impact Reports may be submitted for review at any time during the calendar year
  4. Environmental Impact Report preparation and review should be an integral part of the project planning
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT REVIEW PROCESS AND REQUIREMENTS
  1. The Timetable for Review
  2. Summary of the Coordinated Environmental Impact Review Process
CONTENT OF AN ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT
  1. The Environmental Impact Report must include five subjects specified by §10.1-1188
  2. Guidelines for Organization of the Environmental Impact Review document
    • Project Identification and Description
    • Affected Environment
    • Impacts of the Project
    • Alternatives
    • Mitigation (measures to minimize environmental impacts)
    • Pollution Prevention
    • Water Conservation
    • Energy Conservation
    • Irreversible Environmental Changes
  3. Guidelines for Preparing Two Part Environmental Impact Reviews
    • Part 1: Information for site selection or site acquisition
    • Part 2: Information for design and construction
APPENDIX 1
  1. Form 1 - Worksheet for determining if an Environmental Impact Report is required.
  2. Form 2 - Notice of intent to submit an Environmental Impact Report for review.
APPENDIX 2
  1. Review Responsibilities of the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality.
APPENDIX 3
  1. Major State and Federal Permits.
  2. Agencies Frequently Involved in Reviewing Environmental Impact Reports.
  3. Department of Environmental Quality Regional Offices
APPENDIX 4
  1. Schematic Representation of the State EIR Review Process.
  2. Schematic Representation of the State Review Process for Airport Projects Subject to Virginia Department of Aviation License/Permit Requirements.
  3. Schematic Representation of the State Review Process for Federal Projects subject to National Environmental Policy Act Requirements.
APPENDIX 5
  1. Checklist for Forest and Farmlands Protection
  2. Considerations for Evaluating Impacts on Farm and Forest Lands

 APPENDIX 6

  1. Guidance for EIR Proponent Agencies Concerning Architectural and Archeological Resources

APPENDIX 7

  1. Guidance on Necessary Information in Chesapeake Bay Preservation Areas

APPENDIX 8

  1. Virginia Coastal Resources Management Program Enforceable and Advisory Policies

APPENDIX 9

  1. Local Environmental Review for Highway Projects

Printer Friendly Version: Environmental Impact Review Procedure Manual (PDF)

**The Environmental Impact Review Procedure Manual was prepared and distributed according to the requirements of Code of Virginia §10.1-1191, which directs the Department of Environmental Quality to develop procedures governing the preparation and evaluation of required environmental impact reports for state projects.