
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: MONDAY, October 9, 1995                   TAG: 9510090096
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C-3   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: RICHMOND                                LENGTH: Medium

MORE POLLUTION FEARED IF VA. SIMPLIFIES RULES

A plan to simplify water regulations has come under attack by environmentalists who say it's too lax on businesses that pollute the state's waters.

Gov. George Allen's administration wants to replace two regulations that govern discharge into state waters with one set of guidelines formulated by the state Department of Environmental Quality.

``We are not backsliding in our regulatory protection of the environment at all,'' said Richard W. Ayers, the department's technical services administrator.

But environmentalists fear protection against pollution will be weakened by the proposals. The dispute widens the gulf between Allen, who wants to cut bureaucratic rules, and environmentalists, who say clean water and air are being put at risk by the Republican administration's policies.

At least part of the proposed revision, a move to change the pollution-permit program, began under Allen's Democratic predecessor, former Gov. Douglas Wilder, Ayers said.

Ayers said he is under no pressure from the Allen administration to weaken the pollution rules.

One rule the administration wants to repeal regulates discharges of toxic substances such as lead, mercury and copper, and potential cancer-causing chemicals such as dioxin.

Under the existing regulation, companies that discharge toxic chemicals must make detailed cleanup plans and eventually - sometimes over a period of years - eliminate the discharge.

The other regulation governs a program under which factories, sewage plants, small businesses and even some homes get permits to discharge pollution into rivers. The permits are good for five years, and about 400 come up for renewal each year.

In place of the two regulations, DEQ proposes one that would govern pollution permits, toxic releases, storm water discharge and the placing of sewage sludge on farm fields.

Patricia A. Jackson, director of the James River Association, said one of her main concerns involves the way state officials would work with industry to reduce pollution.

Now, state environmental officials abide by strict regulations adopted after public hearings. Under the new program, staff members would rely on guidance documents - in effect, advice from DEQ management on how to determine if a company needs to reduce its pollution.

Environmentalists also criticize parts of the proposed regulations they say allow the department's director to approve discharge permits. Environmentalists say that power should remain with the State Water Control Board, a panel set up to represent the public.

DEQ officials say the new rules simply would reflect power that the water board delegated to the director years ago.

The new regulation must be approved by the federal Environmental Protection Agency. The water board probably will consider the regulations in March.

by CNB