2401 Extension of general permits for the beneficial use of sewage sludge by land application (PAG-7, PAG-8 and PAG-9)

Extension of General Permits for the Beneficial Use of Sewage Sludge by Land Application (PAG-7, PAG-8 and PAG-9)

[33 Pa.B. 6282]

   In accordance with the provisions of the Federal Clean Water Act, The Clean Streams Law (35 P. S. §§ 691.1--691.1001), sections 1905-A, 1917-A and 1920-A of The Administrative Code of 1929 (71 P. S. §§ 510-5, 510-17 and 510-20), the Solid Waste Management Act (35 P. S. §§ 6018.101--6018.1003) and the Municipal Waste Planning, Recycling and Waste Reduction Act (53 P. S. §§ 4000.101--4000.1904), the Department of Environmental Protection (Department), by this notice, issues a 6-month time extension of its current three general permits, PAG-7, PAG-8 and PAG-9, for the beneficial use of sewage sludge by land application.

   The current general permits are scheduled to expire December 23, 2003. The proposed extension will extend the current general permits, in their entirety, until June 23, 2004. The extension will be effective on December 24, 2003, and shall expire at 12 a.m. on June 23, 2004. On or before December 23, 2003, the Department will redate the permits as Amendment No. 4. No other changes will be made to the permits under Amendment No. 4.

   The Department has also, and separately, proposed to revise the general permits. The proposals were published for public comment at 33 Pa.B. 5477 and 5478 (November 1, 2003), with the comment period ending December 1, 2003. The proposed changes focus on enhancing the existing enforcement tools, providing incentives to produce higher quality products and clarifying regulatory requirements. When finalized, the revised general permits will replace the existing extended general permits in their entirety and a notice will be published in the Pennsylvania Bulletin. Extension of the existing general permits keeps these general permits under this notice in effect while the Department completes the revision process.

   The extended permits documents package will continue to be available from the Department's Regional and Central Offices until it is replaced or updated.

   The extended permits document package is available by contacting the Bureau of Water Supply and Wastewater Management, P. O. Box 8467, Harrisburg, PA 17105-8467, [phone], [e-mail].

   Persons with a disability who wish to review the extended permits document package may use the AT&T Relay Service, [phone] (TDD users) or [phone] (voice users) to discuss how the Department may accommodate their needs.

KATHLEEN A. MCGINTY,   
Secretary

[Pa.B. Doc. No. 03-2401. Filed for public inspection December 19, 2003, 9:00 a.m.]