PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE Publication Date: February 11, 2016 Expiration Date: March 12, 2016 TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: State Water Quality Certification, as required by Section 401 of the Clean Water Act, has been requested of the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection (WVDEP) for: Coalfields Expressway – Mullens Connector Project West Virginia Division of Highways 1334 Smith Street Charleston, WV 25301 SCOPE OF CERTIFICATION: Pursuant to Section 401 of the Federal Clean Water Act, the State may, either certify, certify with conditions, deny or waive certification that the proposed activity will comply with Sections 301, 302, 303, 306 and 307 of the Federal Clean Water Act and other appropriate requirements of State law. When issuing certification, the WVDEP may consider the proposed activity’s impact on water resources, fish and wildlife, recreation, critical habitats, wetlands and other natural resources under its jurisdiction. Procedural and interpretive regulations governing the scope of the Department’s certification, public comment, hearings and appeals are in Title 47, Series 5A. DESCRIPTION OF THE ACTIVITY: Construction of a new four-lane section of the Coalfields Expressway to improve existing road conditions and safety, as well as supporting local and regional economic development efforts. The proposed project will permanently impact a total of 0.368 acres of wetlands and a total of 6,623 linear feet on 10 streams. PROJECT LOCATION: Wyoming County near Mullens between WV Route 54 and Wyoming County Route 12/1. A location map is included with this notice. INFORMATION AVAILABLE: The Water Quality Certification application is available for inspection between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, at the following location: West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection Division of Water and Waste Management 401 Certification Program 601 57th Street SE Charleston, West Virginia 25304 COMMENTS: Comments and information relating to Section 401 Water Quality Certification for this activity are hereby solicited. Such information on the activity’s impact will be considered if postmarked prior to the expiration date of this notice. The need for a public hearing will be determined based on an evaluation of specific request for such hearing. All comments and information should be mailed to: West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection Division of Water and Waste Management 401 Certification Program 601 57th Street SE Charleston, West Virginia 25304 Comments and information postmarked later than the expiration date may not be considered. 2-11-THU-1-RH; LG 4061