Section 1. Definitions

The words and terms used in this chapter shall have the meanings defined in the Virginia Stormwater Management Act (Article 2.3 (§ 62.1-44.15:24 et seq.) of Chapter 3.1 of Title 62.1 of the Code of Virginia), this chapter, and 9VAC25-870 unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, except as otherwise specified in this section. Terms not defined in the Act, this chapter, or 9VAC25-870 shall have the meaning attributed to them in the federal Clean Water Act (33 USC § 1251 et seq.) (CWA). For the purposes of this chapter:

"Business day" means Monday through Friday excluding state holidays.

"Commencement of land disturbance" means the initial disturbance of soils associated with clearing, grading, or excavating activities or other construction activities (e.g., stockpiling of fill material).

"Construction site" means the land where any land-disturbing activity is physically located or conducted, including any adjacent land used or preserved in connection with the land-disturbing activity.

"Final stabilization" means that one of the following situations has occurred:

1. All soil disturbing activities at the site have been completed and a permanent vegetative cover has been established on denuded areas not otherwise permanently stabilized. Permanent vegetation shall not be considered established until a ground cover is achieved that is uniform (e.g., evenly distributed), mature enough to survive, and will inhibit erosion.

2. For individual lots in residential construction, final stabilization can occur by either:

a. The homebuilder completing final stabilization as specified in subdivision 1 of this definition; or

b. The homebuilder establishing temporary soil stabilization, including perimeter controls for an individual lot prior to occupation of the home by the homeowner, and informing the homeowner of the need for, and benefits of, final stabilization.

3. For construction projects on land used for agricultural purposes, final stabilization may be accomplished by returning the disturbed land to its preconstruction agricultural use. Areas disturbed that were not previously used for agricultural activities, such as buffer strips immediately adjacent to surface waters, and areas that are not being returned to their preconstruction agricultural use must meet the final stabilization criteria specified in subdivision 1 or 2 of this definition.

"Immediately" means as soon as practicable, but no later than the end of the next business day, following the day when the land-disturbing activities have temporarily or permanently ceased. In the context of this general permit, "immediately" is used to define the deadline for initiating stabilization measures.

"Impaired waters" means surface waters identified as impaired on the 2012 § 305(b)/303(d) Water Quality Assessment Integrated Report.

"Infeasible" means not technologically possible or not economically practicable and achievable in light of best industry practices.

"Initiation of stabilization activities" means:

1. Prepping the soil for vegetative or nonvegetative stabilization;

2. Applying mulch or other nonvegetative product to the exposed area;

3. Seeding or planting the exposed area;

4. Starting any of the above activities on a portion of the area to be stabilized, but not on the entire area; or

5. Finalizing arrangements to have the stabilization product fully installed in compliance with the applicable deadline for completing stabilization.

This list is not exhaustive.

"Measurable storm event" means a rainfall event producing 0.25 inches of rain or greater over 24 hours.

"Stabilized" means land that has been treated to withstand normal exposure to natural forces without incurring erosion damage.

Historical Notes

Former 4VAC50-60-1100 derived from Volume 21, Issue 03, eff. January 29, 2005; amended, Virginia Register Volume 25, Issue 16, eff. May 13, 2009; Volume 29, Issue 04, eff. November 21, 2012; amended and renumbered, Virginia Register Volume 30, Issue 02, eff. October 23, 2013; amended, Virginia Register Volume 30, Issue 13, eff. July 1, 2014.

Statutory Authority

§ 62.1-44.15:25 of the Code of Virginia.