News Release Contact: Jake Glance, Communications Director Email: Jacob.P.Glance@wv.gov FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE WVDEP Accepting Comments on Proposed Stream Crossing Permit Changes Proposed changes allow for more environmentally protective stream crossing methods CHARLESTON, W.Va. (August 8, 2018) – The West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection (WVDEP) is accepting public comments on proposed modifications to the West Virginia 401 Water Quality Certification for U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Nationwide Permits, one of which is being proposed to assure that the conditions of the permit do not prevent a company from using more environmentally protective methods. Under WVDEP’s proposed modifications to Special Condition C of the USACE Nationwide 12 Permit, a condition would be added to clarify that environmentally protective methods of stream crossings that take longer than 72 hours would be permitted. Another proposed condition would be added to allow a construction project to use a stream crossing method that is more environmentally protective than the current conditions allow. An additional modification is being made to clarify the need for mitigation for permanent stream impacts that total more than 300 feet. The proposed permit modifications can be viewed here on the WVDEP website: https://dep.wv.gov/WWE/Programs/Pages/401Certification.aspx. Comments can be submitted via email at WQSComments@wv.gov or by mail to: 401 Water Quality Certification Program ATTN: Nancy Dickson 601 57th Street SE Charleston, WV 25304-2345 For more WVDEP news and information, go to www.dep.wv.gov. Also, connect with the agency on all social media platforms. Follow @DEPWV on Twitter, Like us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/depwv/, and find us on YouTube by searching “Environment Matters.” ###