PURPOSE OF NOTICE: To seek public comment on a draft permit from the Department of Environmental

Quality (Department) that will allow a surface water withdrawal from the Roanoke River in Salem, Virginia.

PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD: For 30 days, starting from the day after the notice is in the newspaper:

June 30, 2023 to July 31, 2023. PERMIT NAME: Virginia Water Protection Permit issued by the

Department, pursuant to applicable water laws and regulations. APPLICANT NAME, ADDRESS AND

PERMIT NUMBER: Salem Water Department, Attn: Larado Robinson; P.O. Box 869, Salem, VA, 24153;

VWPP No. 15-0069. PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The Salem Water  Department has applied for the reissuance of a permit for the City of Salem Water Treatment Plant and Intake, located at 1300 Tidewater

Street, Salem, VA, 24153. The permit will allow the applicant to withdraw up to 8 million gallons per day

from the Roanoke River, to serve as a public water supply. No construction activities or wetland impacts

are proposed. The activity proposed in the permit will affect the Roanoke River in the Roanoke watershed. A watershed is the land area drained by a river and its incoming streams. The Department’s preliminary decision is to issue the permit. HOW TO COMMENT AND/OR REQUEST A PUBLIC

HEARING: The Department accepts comments and requests for public hearing by e-mail, fax, or postal

mail. All comments and requests must be in writing and be received by the Department during the

comment period. Submittals must include the names, mailing addresses, and telephone numbers of the

commenter/requester and of all persons represented by the commenter/requester. A request for public hearing must also 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.

CONTACT FOR PUBLIC COMMENTS, DOCUMENT REQUESTS, AND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Kathy Dobbie; VA Dept. of Environmental Quality, Central Office, P.O. Box 1105, Richmond, VA 23218;

Phone: 804-659-1727; E-mail: Kathryne.dobbie@deq.virginia.gov; Fax: 804-698-4178. The public may review the draft permit and application at the Department office named above by appointment or may request copies of the documents from the contact person listed above.