RICHMOND — The public will get another chance to sound off on Virginia’s hotly debated plan to strengthen storm-water regulations.
The rules are being formed to reduce pollution that runs off subdivisions, shopping centers and other new developments long after they are built.
Russ Baxter, acting director of the state Department of Conservation and Recreation, said Wednesday that the rules had been put on hold temporarily to allow another comment period.
Baxter spoke during a joint meeting of the General Assembly’s House and Senate Natural-Resources committees.
The Virginia Soil and Water Conservation Board decided to hold the extra comment period after receiving 25 requests from builders asking for a chance to press their views further.
The board and the conservation department have been developing the rules during the past four years.
Among other things, the rules include tougher controls on the amount and velocity of water than can run off a site in a storm.
The board adopted the rules Dec. 9 but could revise them after receiving the new comments.
Environmentalists support the rules as a way to help clean streams. Some builders, however, say the rules would increase the costs of construction.
The new comment period will begin Feb. 15 and last 30 days. It will be the third comment period since June.
The rules are scheduled to take effect July 1, but proposals in the legislature would push that date back a year or more.
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