2060 Public notice of draft NPDES general permit for wet weather overflow discharges from combined sewer systems
Public Notice of Draft NPDES General Permit for Wet Weather Overflow Discharges from Combined Sewer Systems [43 Pa.B. 6606]
[Saturday, November 2, 2013]The Department of Environmental Protection (Department) is announcing the availability of a draft National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) General Permit for Wet Weather Overflow Discharges from Combined Sewer Systems (PAG-06). To access the draft General Permit and related documents visit www.elibrary.dep.state.pa.us and select ''Permit and Authorization Packages,'' ''Point and Non-Point Source Management,'' National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System—NPDES,'' ''General Permits'' and ''PAG-06 (Draft).''
The PAG-06 General Permit is intended to provide NPDES permit coverage to satellite combined sewer systems with wet weather combined sewer overflow (CSO) discharges to waters of this Commonwealth. The Department extended the existing PAG-06 to September 5, 2014, and published notice of the extension at 43 Pa.B. 4422 (August 3, 2013). The Department is proposing to reissue a final PAG-06 General Permit on or before September 5, 2014.
The draft PAG-06 General Permit includes the following proposed significant changes in comparison to the existing PAG-06 General Permit:
• Following initial coverage under this General Permit, provided the permittee provides the Annual CSO Report (a certification required by Part C III C.4 of the general permit), a separate, subsequent Notice of Intent (NOI) for renewal of coverage is not required. Coverage is automatically extended for the duration of the final renewed, reissued or amended General Permit, unless the Department notifies the permittee in writing that submission of a separate, subsequent NOI is required. This determination was based on the expected nature of CSO discharges, the level of control or capture and treatment required and expected performance of best management practices through implementation of the Nine Minimum Controls and Long Term Control Plans. The determination was also based on the expected volume of the discharges and the potential for toxic or conventional pollutants in the discharges.
• The permit language has been updated to conform to 25 Pa. Code Chapter 92a (relating to National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permitting, monitoring and compliance).
• Permittees with PAG-06 General Permit coverage must submit inspection results to the Department electronically if required by the Department in writing.
• A copy of the Annual CSO Status Report must be sent to the Department's Central Office with an annual installment payment of the NOI fee by March 31 each year.
The proposed NOI fee for coverage under this General Permit is $100 per year that the combined sewer system is in operation. The NOI fee is to be paid in installments; $100 must be included with the NOI and $100 must be included with the Annual CSO Status Report for each year of continuing permit coverage. The Department anticipates that once coverage under the General Permit is authorized, coverage will continue without the need to submit a separate, subsequent NOI for renewal of coverage as long as the PAG-06 General Permit is renewed, unless the Department specifically requires the submission of a separate, subsequent NOI in writing. The permittee must agree and certify that the permittee has read and continues to be eligible for coverage under the most recent PAG-06 and that it will comply with any conditions and modifications to those conditions. This certification, which will be included as a part of the Annual CSO Status Report Form, represents the permittee's subsequent NOI for continued coverage under any subsequently renewed PAG-06.
Written Comments: The Department is seeking comments on the draft PAG-06 General Permit, Document No. 3800-PM-BPNPSM0076a-f for a period of 30 days. Interested persons may submit written comments on these documents by December 2, 2013. Comments submitted by facsimile will not be accepted. The Department will accept comments submitted by e-mail. A return name and address must be included in each e-mail transmission. Written comments should be submitted to Dharmendra Kumar, Department of Environmental Protection, Bureau of Point and Non-Point Source Management, Rachel Carson State Office Building, 11th Floor, P. O. Box 8774, Harrisburg, PA 17105-8774, dkumar@pa.gov. Written comments submitted during the 30-day comment period will be retained by the Department and considered in making a final determination. The Department will provide an opportunity for any interested person or group of persons, any affected state, any affected interstate agency, the United States Environmental Protection Agency or any interested agency, to request or petition for a public hearing with respect to the proposed General Permit. The request or petition for public hearing, which must be filed within the 30-day period allowed for filing of written comments, must indicate the interest of the party filing the request and the reasons why a hearing is warranted. A hearing will be held if there is significant public interest.
Contact: Questions regarding the draft PAG-06 General Permit should be directed to Dharmendra Kumar at (717) 787-2288 or the previously listed e-mail address.
E. CHRISTOPHER ABRUZZO,
Acting Secretary[Pa.B. Doc. No. 13-2060. Filed for public inspection November 1, 2013, 9:00 a.m.]
