Part IV. Compliance and Enforcement
9VAC25-900-140. Inspections and information to be furnished.
A. The owner of the nutrient credit-generating entity project shall allow the director or an authorized representative, including an authorized contractor acting as a representative of the department, upon presentation of credentials, to:
1. Enter the management area including the premises where the nutrient credit-generating entity project is located and where records are kept in accordance with this chapter or the nutrient credit certification. Records to be retained include the approved implementation plan, operations and maintenance plan, and, if required, confirmation of financial assurance documents.
2. Have access to and copy, at reasonable times, any records that must be kept under the conditions of this chapter, the approved plans listed in subdivision A 1 of this section, or as otherwise required by the nutrient credit certification. The owner will make available any records requested by the department that detail nutrient credit-generating entity project operations, status, records of transactions, or other actions that demonstrate the status of credits and operations of the nutrient credit-generating entity project including records required to be kept under any implementation plan, operations and maintenance plan, or financial assurance documents;
3. Inspect at reasonable times any entities projects, equipment, practices, or operations regulated or required under the provisions of this chapter, the approved plans listed in subdivision A 1 of this section, or as otherwise required by the nutrient credit certification; and
4. Sample or monitor at reasonable times, for the purposes of assuring compliance with the provisions of this chapter, the nutrient credit certification, or as otherwise authorized by state law or regulation.
B. For purposes of this section, the time for inspection shall be deemed reasonable during regular business hours. Nothing in this section shall make an inspection unreasonable during an emergency when applicable.
C. The owner of the nutrient credit-generating entity project shall furnish to the department, within a reasonable time, any information that the department may request to determine (i) whether cause exists for suspension of nutrient credit exchange, modifying, revoking and recertifying, or terminating nutrient credit certification or (ii) compliance with the provisions of this chapter or the implementation plan, operations and maintenance plan, or financial assurance approved under this chapter. The department may require the owner of the nutrient credit-generating entity project to furnish, upon request, such plans, specifications, and other pertinent information as may be necessary to determine the effect of the operation of the nutrient credit-generating entity project on the quality of state waters, or such other information as may be necessary to accomplish the purposes of the law. The owner of the nutrient credit-generating entity project shall also furnish to the department, upon request, copies of records required to be kept under the provisions of this chapter or the nutrient credit certification including the approved implementation plan, operations and maintenance plan, or proof of financial assurance records.
Statutory Authority
§ 62.1-44.19:20 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 36, Issue 23, eff. September 1, 2020.
9VAC25-900-150. Recordkeeping and reporting.
A. The owner of the nutrient credit-generating project shall maintain all records relevant to the management, operations, and maintenance of the nutrient credit-generating project, including copies of all reports required by this chapter, the nutrient credit certification or the implementation plan, operations and maintenance plan, or financial assurance approved under this chapter. Records of all data used to complete the application for certification of nutrient credits shall be kept. All records shall be maintained for at least five years following the final exchange of any credits. This period of retention shall be extended automatically during the course of any unresolved litigation regarding the regulated activity or regarding control standards applicable to the owner of the nutrient credit-generating project, or as requested by the department.
B. All applications, reports, or information submitted to the department shall be signed and certified as required by 9VAC25-900-130.
C. Reporting requirements.
1. The owner of the nutrient credit-generating project shall give advance notice to the department as soon as possible of any planned physical alterations or additions to the project when the alteration or addition could change the amount of nutrient reductions generated.
2. The owner of the nutrient credit-generating project shall give advance notice to the department of any planned changes in the project that may result in noncompliance with the Act, this chapter, or the nutrient credit certification.
3. Reports of compliance or noncompliance with or any progress reports on achieving conditions specified in the nutrient credit certification shall be submitted no later than 14 days following each schedule date.
4. Where the owner of the nutrient credit-generating project becomes aware that incorrect information has been submitted in an application for nutrient credit certification or in any report to the department, the owner shall promptly submit the corrected information.
5. Each owner shall submit an annual report on the status of the nutrient credit-generating project operations including credit-generating practices, confirmation of the continued implementation and maintenance of practices required to establish baseline in accordance with 9VAC25-900-100, statement of financial assurances, and an up-to-date credit ledger detailing credits available for exchange, credits exchanged, and associated purchaser information. This report shall contain recent photographs of any structural BMPs implemented to achieve baseline or for nutrient credit generation. The report shall cover the period from July 1 through June 30 of each year and be submitted annually by August 15 unless an alternative reporting period and submittal date are provided for in the nutrient credit certification.
6. In addition to the annual report detailed in subdivision 5 of this subsection, nutrient credit-generating projects utilizing wetland or stream restoration shall conduct post-construction monitoring and submit monitoring reports, according to the monitoring plan approved as part of the implementation plan pursuant to 9VAC25-900-120.
7. Exchange of credits shall be recorded on the registry. The exchange of credits by the owner of the nutrient credit-generating project shall be reported to the department within 14 calendar days of the date of the exchange. This report shall include:
a. The identification for the credits exchanged;
b. The name of and contact information for the buyer;
c. The name of the seller;
d. The amount of credits exchanged; and
e. If applicable, the name of the facility and the associated permit number that shall use the purchased credits.
Statutory Authority
§ 62.1-44.19:20 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 36, Issue 23, eff. September 1, 2020; amended, Virginia Register Volume 38, Issue 26, eff. September 14, 2022.
9VAC25-900-160. Enforcement and penalties.
The department may enforce the provisions of this chapter utilizing all applicable procedures under the State Water Control Law.
Statutory Authority
§ 62.1-44.19:20 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 36, Issue 23, eff. September 1, 2020; amended, Virginia Register Volume 38, Issue 26, eff. September 14, 2022.
9VAC25-900-170. Suspension of credit exchange.
A. If the department tentatively decides to suspend the ability of an owner of a nutrient credit-generating project to exchange credits, the department shall issue a notice of its tentative decision to the owner. If the department determines that suspension is appropriate, it will also remove the ability for the owner to show credits for exchange on the registry. The ability to exchange credits shall remain suspended until such time as the owner brings the nutrient credit-generating project into compliance with this chapter and the nutrient credit certification to the department's satisfaction.
B. The following are causes for the department to suspend the exchange of credits:
1. Noncompliance by the owner of the nutrient credit-generating project with any condition of the nutrient credit certification or any plans approved under or required by the nutrient credit certification or this chapter;
2. Failure of the owner of the nutrient credit-generating project to disclose fully all relevant material facts or, the misrepresentation of any relevant material facts in applying for certification of nutrient credits or in any other report or document required under the law, this chapter, the nutrient credit certification, or any plans approved or required under the nutrient credit certification;
3. A change in any condition that results in a temporary or permanent elimination of the best management practices approved as part of the nutrient credit certification; or
4. There exists a material change in the basis on which the nutrient credit certification was issued that requires either a temporary or permanent elimination of activities controlled by the nutrient credit certification necessary to protect human health or the environment; however, credit quantities established using the best available scientific and technical information at the time of certification may not be reduced.
Statutory Authority
§ 62.1-44.19:20 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 36, Issue 23, eff. September 1, 2020.
9VAC25-900-180. Nutrient credit certification transfer, modification, revocation and reissuance, or termination.
A. Nutrient credit certifications may be modified, revoked and reissued, or terminated either at the request of the party holding the certification or upon the department's initiative for cause. The filing of a request by the holder of the nutrient credit certification for a modification, revocation and reissuance, or termination of a certification, or a notification of planned changes or anticipated noncompliance with regulatory requirements does not stay any condition of a nutrient credit certification.
B. If the department decides that a request for modification, revocation and reissuance, or termination is not justified, it shall send the requester a brief response giving a reason for the decision.
C. If the department tentatively decides to modify or revoke and reissue a nutrient credit certification, it may request the submission of a new application.
D. If the department tentatively decides to terminate a nutrient credit certification and the owner of the nutrient credit-generating project objects, the department shall issue a notice of intent to terminate and shall contemporaneously notify any known buyers of the project's nutrient credits of its intent to terminate.
E. A certification of nutrient credits may be modified, revoked and reissued, or terminated for cause.
1. Causes for modification. The following are causes for modification, revocation, and reissuance of a certification of nutrient credits:
a. There are material and substantial alterations or additions to the nutrient credit-generating project that occurred after certification of nutrient credits and that justify the application of conditions that are different or absent in the existing nutrient credit certification.
b. The department has received new technical information that would have justified the application of different conditions at the time of issuance; however, credit quantities established using the best available scientific and technical information at the time of certification may not be reduced.
c. The department determines good cause exists for modification of milestones within the nutrient credit certification.
d. To correct technical mistakes, such as errors in calculation, or mistaken interpretations of law made in determining nutrient credit certification conditions.
e. The department has received notification of a proposed transfer of ownership of the nutrient credit-generating project.
2. Causes for termination. The following are causes for terminating a nutrient credit certification during its term or for denying an application for certification of nutrient credits after notice and opportunity for an informal fact finding proceeding in accordance with § 2.2-4019 of the Administrative Process Act:
a. The owner of the nutrient credit-generating project has violated any regulation or order of the board or department, any provision of the law, or any order of a court, where such violation results in a release of harmful substances into the environment or poses a substantial threat of release of harmful substances into the environment or presents a hazard to human health or the violation is representative of a pattern of serious or repeated violations that, in the opinion of the department, demonstrates the owner's disregard for or inability to comply with applicable laws, regulations, or requirements;
b. Noncompliance by the owner of the nutrient credit-generating project with any condition of the nutrient credit certification or any plans approved under or required by the nutrient credit certification or this chapter;
c. Failure of the owner of the nutrient credit-generating project to disclose fully all relevant material facts or the misrepresentation of any relevant material facts in applying for a certification of nutrient credits or in any other report or document required under the law, this chapter, the nutrient credit certification, or any plans approved or required under the nutrient credit certification;
d. A determination that the credit-generating activity endangers human health or the environment and can only be regulated to acceptable levels by modification or termination of the nutrient credit certification;
e. A change in any condition that results in a permanent elimination of any of the best management practices approved as part of the nutrient credit certification; or
f. There exists a material change in the basis on which the nutrient credit certification was issued that requires either a temporary or a permanent elimination of activities controlled by the nutrient credit certification necessary to protect human health or the environment; however, credit quantities established using the best available scientific and technical information at the time of certification may not be reduced.
g. Failure of the owner of the nutrient credit-generating project to operate and maintain the required baseline practices throughout the management area.
F. Except as provided in subsection G of this section, a nutrient credit certification may be transferred to a new owner or operator only if the certification has been modified or revoked and reissued to identify the new owner or operator and incorporate such other requirements as may be necessary under the Act and this chapter.
G. As an alternative to transfers under subsection F of this section, any certification of nutrient credits may be automatically transferred if:
1. The current holder of the certification of nutrient credits notifies the department at least 30 days in advance of the proposed transfer date in subdivision 2 of this subsection;
2. The notice includes a written agreement between the existing and new owners containing a specific date for transfer of responsibility, coverage, and liability for the nutrient credit-generating project between them; and
3. If the department does not notify the existing holder of the certification of nutrient credits and the proposed holder of its intent to modify or revoke and reissue the nutrient credit certification within the 30 days of receipt of the holder's notification of transfer, the transfer is effective on the date specified in the agreement mentioned in subdivision 2 of this subsection.
Statutory Authority
§ 62.1-44.19:20 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 36, Issue 23, eff. September 1, 2020.