Purpose of notice: To seek public comment on a draft permit from the Department of Environmental Quality for the withdrawal of groundwater in Franklin, Virginia.

Public comment period: April 28, 2017 to May 28, 2017

Permit name: Groundwater Withdrawal Permit issued by DEQ, under the authority of the State Water Control Board

Applicant name, address and permit number: City of Franklin; P.O. Box 179, Franklin, Virginia 23851; GW0042901

Name and location of water withdrawal: City of Franklin Public Water System; P.O. Box 179, Franklin, Virginia 23851;

Project description: The City of Franklin has applied for a reissuance of a permit to withdraw groundwater in Franklin, Virginia. The permit would allow the applicant to withdraw an average of 1.6 million gallons per day, which represents a 44% reduction from the previously permitted limits. The groundwater withdrawal will support municipal public supply. The proposed withdrawal will utilize the Potomac aquifer at a depth between 355 feet to 714 feet below the land surface at the withdrawal site. An aquifer is a body of rock or layer of sediment in the ground in which groundwater is stored and transported. DEQ has made a tentative decision to issue the permit.

AFFECTED AREA: The radial distance from the wells to where computer modeling predicts the aquifer may experience one foot of drawdown due to the withdrawal is illustrated on a map that can be viewed at http://www.deq.virginia.gov/Programs/Water/WaterSupplyWaterQuantity/WaterWithdrawalPermittingandCompliance/CurrentPublicNotices/DraftWaterWithdrawalPermits.aspx

How to comment AND OR REQUEST A PUBLIC HEARING: DEQ 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 DEQ 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. DEQ may hold a public hearing, including another comment period, if public response is significant and there are substantial, disputed issues relevant to the proposed permit. Contact for public comments, document requests and additional information: Ryan Green; Department of Environmental Quality – Central Office, P.O. Box 1105, Richmond, Virginia, 23218; Phone: 804-698-4258; E-mail: ryan.green@deq.virginia.gov ADDRESS; The public may review the draft permit and application at the DEQ office named above by appointment.