The regulations only establish the framework for establishing industry sector-specific permitting regulations. In the absence of sector-specific plans, the framework does not require affected sectors to apply for permits. Virginia’s Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) will now initiate, with input from sector-specific stakeholder workgroups, the development of sector-specific plans. DWR has not announced a timetable on the development of the sector-specific plans.
VTCA has been engaged with DWR since early 2020 representing the road construction and non-mineral mining industry and anticipates being part of DWR’s development of the sector-specific plans once a timetable is announced.
The regulations were published in the Virginia Register on August 16. Additionally, the regulatory code is available online.
DWR has published an article “Groundbreaking Regulations Pass to Protect Virginia’s Migratory Bird” providing a brief overview and history behind the regulatory development.