Environmental Impact Reports
What is an Environmental Impact Report?
According to the Code of Virginia, an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) is required for all proposed state construction projects costing $500,000 or more. The report serves to identify and evaluate the potential environmental effects of the proposed project. When the DEQ receives an EIR submission, it asks for comments on the project from applicable government agencies. The comment period allows the agencies to air any concerns they may have concerning the potential impacts of the project.
Even temporary buildings, such as this one behind MR-4, require an EIR.
In the case of the University of Virginia, the reviewing agencies web sites include:
- Albemarle County
- Chesapeake Bay Local Assistance Department
- The City of Charlottesville
- The Department of Conservation and Recreation
- The Department of Environmental Quality
- The Department of Health
- The Department of Historic Resources
- The Department of Mines, Minerals, and Energy
- The Department of Transportation
- Thomas Jefferson Planning District Commission
- Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
After reviewing the agencies concerns, the DEQ submits the comments along with its own comments to the Secretary of Administration, who represents the Governor. The Secretary then approves, approves with recommendations, or rejects the project according to the DEQ's comments and recommendations. The Secretary's approval is required before any construction on the project can begin.
The projects requiring an EIR include:
- Construction of a new facility
- Expansion or addition to an existing facility
- Replacing an exisiting utility with one of a larger size or with a new alignment
- Acquisitions including gifts, leases, or land purchases for state facility construction
- Temporary buildings
- New roads, sidewalks, lighting, or other outside improvements
An EIR is not required for:
- Repairing or replacing damaged or inoperable equipment. This includes, but is not limited to elevators, furnaces, plumbing fixtures, and HVAC equipment.
- Repairing or replacing plant components such as masonry, ceilings, floor, floor coverings, roofs, sidewalks, parking lots, exterior lighting, boilers, or air conditioners.
- Repairing or replacing existing utility systems including electrical, water and sewer, or heating systems.
- Correcting a deficiency in property or plant that is required to conform with building and safety codes.
- Land acquisitions that the University does not build anything on.
- Property acquisitions where there is no proposed structural alteration to existing buildings or major land disturbing activities.
Click here to go to the Code of Virginia.
If you have any questions regarding Environmental Impact Reports, requirements, or the EIR website, please contact Jeff Sitler at js2zf@virginia.edu, 982-4901, or Jess Wenger at jsw6d@virginia.edu, 982-5540.
