Section 180. Water supply; outfall; prevention of entry and escapement

A. A striped bass or hybrid striped bass aquaculture facility may consist of one or more ponds, artificial impoundments, closed recirculating systems or a combination of the above.

B. No pond or impoundment used for striped bass or hybrid striped bass aquaculture may be constructed or situated on a natural water course that originates beyond the boundaries of private land upon which the pond or impoundment is located.

C. There shall be no direct and unscreened discharge from any facility to any natural watercourse. Except as provided in subsection D of this section, outfall from any pond or impoundment shall be processed according to one of the following systems:

1. The outfall shall pass over a dry ground percolation system in which ground absorption of the water is sufficient to prevent the formation of a watercourse which is capable of reaching any natural watercourse. The outfall shall pass through a screened filter box prior to entering the percolation area.

2. The outfall shall pass through a chlorination process and retention pond for dechlorination. The outfall shall pass through a filter box prior to entering the chlorination system.

3. Such facilities must also comply with regulations of the State Water Control Board.

D. If the outfall from an aquaculture facility does not conform to the systems described in subdivision C 1 or C 2 of this section, then all of the following conditions shall be required:

1. The aquaculture of striped bass or hybrid striped bass shall be restricted to the use of cage culture. Such cages shall be constructed of a vinyl coated wire or high density polyethylene mesh material sufficient in size to retain the fish, and all cages must be securely anchored to prevent capsizing. Covers shall be required on all cages.

2. The outfall from the pond or impoundment shall pass through a screened filter box. Such filter box shall be constructed of a mesh material sufficient in size to retain the fish and shall be maintained free of debris and in workable condition at all times.

3. The outfall from the screened filter box shall pass into a containment basin lined and filled with quarry rock or other suitable material to prevent the escapement of the fish from the basin.

E. Those facilities utilizing embankment ponds shall maintain sufficient freeboard above the spillway to prevent overflow.

Historical Notes

Derived from Volume 13, Issue 08, eff. December 6, 1996.

Statutory Authority

§ 28.2-201 of the Code of Virginia.