Public comments are being accepted by the Watershed Management Division for the issues listed below.
Comments must be received by 4:30 p.m. on the date in which comments are due.
Notice of Document Availability for Public Comment
Jay Peak Resort 2020 Water Quality Remediation Plan Update
The Watershed Management Division is making available for public comment the Jay Peak Resort 2020 Water Quality Remediation Plan Update. A Water Quality Remediation Plan (WQRP) has been developed to address water quality impairments to streams near Jay Peak Resort. The WQRP sets forth actions to be taken to improve water quality as well as a monitoring plan to track improvements. The goal of the WQRP is to return the impaired streams to compliance with the Vermont Water Quality Standards. The purpose of this update is to identify any new proposed development activities as well as sediment reduction measures and other best management practices that are required if stream segments in question did not meet interim or attainment biocriteria targets during the previous year’s monitoring.
In accordance with the Division’s Procedure for Water Quality Remediation Plans, a comment period has been established to receive written comment on the above amendment. After the close of the comment period, the Division will consider all public comments and will prepare and post a written response to comments. The deadline for comment submittal is December 8, 2020.
A public meeting may be requested by any member of the public during the comment period.
Written comments or requests can be addressed to:
VTDEC Watershed Management Division
ATTN: Tim Clear
One National Life Dr., Main 3
Montpelier, VT 05620
or as an email/attachment sent to Tim Clear (tim.clear@vermont.gov).
2020 State Priority Waters Lists, Part D Addendum
Action
The Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation (VTDEC) is proposing an action to its Priority List of Waters, Part D. Impaired Waters with Completed Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs). This action is an addendum to the previously developed and EPA approved 2020 List of Priority Waters. This action proposes to delist the below water segment (as it appears on the Part D List) because the VTDEC now considers it in compliance with the Vermont Water Quality Standards (VTWQS) regarding the pollutant E. coli.
| Waterbody Id | Code | Waterbody Name | Impaired Use(s) | Pollutant | Problem | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VT08-09 | 02 | Winooski River – Cabot Village | CR (contact recreation) |
ESCHERICHIA COLI (E. COLI) | Residential direct discharges &/or failed septic systems | EPA approved TMDL March 8, 2001 |
The deadline for submitting comments regarding this proposed action is November 4, 2020.
History
The Winooski River in the vicinity of Cabot was originally listed as impaired for E. coli in the mid-1990s. The cause for the listing was the discovery of six illicit discharges of residential wastewater and twelve instances of failing septic systems following a sanitary survey conducted by VTDEC in 1992-1993.
A Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) was prepared and approved by EPA Region 1 in 2001 as required by the federal Clean Water Act. Since the cause of the E. coli impairment was readily known, the TMDL called for a complete removal of the illicit discharges that would bring the water back into compliance with the VTWQS.
Extensive wastewater management planning was conducted by the Town of Cabot throughout the 1990s to develop a comprehensive wastewater solution for the Town and to eliminate the illicit discharges. Ultimately, a microfiltration treatment system with an ultraviolet light disinfection system were endorsed by the Cabot Selectboard and the VTDEC, and the Town applied for a wastewater discharge permit. In January 2000, the VTDEC determined the basis of final design was acceptable, and the discharge permit application was deemed complete. In April 2000, a discharge permit was issued by VTDEC for the operation of the wastewater treatment facility, upon its completion.
In December 2001, a letter from the Town of Cabot confirmed that the wastewater treatment facility upgrades, including the collection system and connections for the previously illicit discharges and failing septic systems, were complete and operational.
Status
Recent instream monitoring conducted through the LaRosa Partnership Program indicates this segment of the Winooski River continues to remain in compliance with the VTWQS. In both 2017 and 2018, E. coli monitoring data collected at a site immediately downstream of the illicit discharges and below the Village of Cabot indicates the geometric mean for this river section over the entire season was below 126 organisms/100 ml, the VTWQS for E. coli.
Written comments can be addressed to:
VTDEC Watershed Management Division
ATTN: Tim Clear
One National Life Dr., Davis 3
Montpelier, VT 05620
or email as an attached Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF sent to Tim Clear (tim.clear@vermont.gov).
Documents
| Deadline for Comment Submittal | Basin or Study Subject | Documents |
|---|---|---|
| December 8, 2020 | Jay Peak Resort 2020 Water Quality Remediation Plan Update | |
| November 4,2020 | 2020 State Priority Waters Lists, Part D Addendum |
Timely comments will be considered in the formulation of a final decision. Paper copies are available for a fee. During this notice period, a person may request a public informational meeting regarding any draft decision. Any meeting request must state the person’s interest and the reasons why a meeting is warranted. Such a meeting will be held if there is sufficient interest. Be certain your name and mailing address are included in the e-mail message.
Alternatively, you may submit comments via US Mail to:
Public Comment
Monitoring and Assessment Program
Watershed Management Division
1 National Life Drive, Davis 3
Montpelier, VT 05620-3522
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