519 Public notice of the draft NPDES general permit for discharges from hydrostatic testing of tanks and pipelines (PAG-10)
Public Notice of the Draft NPDES General Permit for Discharges from Hydrostatic Testing of Tanks and Pipelines (PAG-10) [45 Pa.B. 1454]
[Saturday, March 21, 2015]The Department of Environmental Protection (Department) is announcing the availability of a draft National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) General Permit for Discharges from Hydrostatic Testing of Tanks and Pipelines (PAG-10). The draft General Permit and related documents are available on the Department's eLibrary at www.elibrary.dep.state.pa.us (Select ''Permit and Authorization Packages,'' then ''Point and Non-Point Source Management,'' then ''National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System—NPDES,'' then ''General Permits,'' then ''PAG-10 (Draft)'').
PAG-10 is intended to provide NPDES permit coverage to those who wish to conduct hydrostatic testing and discharge the water used for this testing to waters of the Commonwealth that are not considered high quality or exceptional value. The existing PAG-10 currently in effect has been administratively extended and will expire on December 20, 2015. The Department is proposing to reissue a final PAG-10 on or before that date.
The draft PAG-10 includes the following proposed significant changes in comparison to the existing PAG-10:
• When covered by the PAG-10, a permittee would not need to submit a Notice of Intent (NOI) for renewal of coverage unless requested by the Department. This determination was based on the expected short-term nature of hydrostatic test water discharges, the expected volume of the discharges and the low potential for toxic or conventional pollutants in the discharges.
• A new requirement for an annual report to be submitted by March 1, 2015, the annual report will serve as notice to the Department as to whether the permittee wishes to continue operating under the PAG-10 or wishes termination of permit coverage.
• The permit language has been updated to conform to 25 Pa. Code Chapter 92a (relating to National Pollutant Dischage Elimination System Permitting, Monitoring and Compliance).
• Clarification has been introduced that PAG-10 may be used for hydrostatic test water discharges from any tank or pipeline, regardless of the proposed or existing contents.
• The Department proposes to reduce monitoring frequency from 2/discharge to 1/discharge for a number of parameters.
• Effluent limits for polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) would be removed due to the Department's finding that PCBs would not normally be expected in these discharges. The parameter ''Total Volume Discharged'' would be added for reporting purposes. Average monthly effluent limitations would be introduced for total suspended solids, oil and grease and total residual chlorine. In addition, PAG-10 would require that the permittee monitor and report concentrations of other parameters not identified in the General Permit and report results in an annual report, if deemed appropriate by the Department.
• The existing ''Amendment of NOI'' form that is used to notify the Department at least 15 days in advance of changes to the location of hydrostatic test water discharges has been modified and renamed to the 15-Day Notification Form. In addition, the Department is proposing to remove the requirement that a copy of the notice be sent to the Fish and Boat Commission.
• Permittees with PAG-10 coverage would need to submit monitoring results to the Department electronically if required by the Department in writing.
The proposed NOI fee for coverage under PAG-10 is $500 per each year the permittee operates under the General Permit. The NOI fee will be paid in installments, with the initial fee of $500 submitted with the NOI for permit coverage and an installment of $500 to be submitted with the annual report, if the permittee does not wish to terminate permit coverage. The Department anticipates that after coverage under PAG-10 is authorized, coverage will continue without the need to submit an NOI for renewal of coverage as long as the PAG-10 General Permit is renewed, unless the Department specifically requires the submission of an NOI in writing.
The Department is seeking comments on the draft PAG-10 General Permit (3800-PM-BPNPSM0173) and accompanying documents for a period of 30 days. Interested persons may submit written comments by April 20, 2015. Comments submitted by facsimile will not be accepted. Comments, including comments submitted by e-mail, must include the originator's name and address. Written comments should be submitted to Andrew Gaul, PE, 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, agaul@pa.gov. 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 PAG-10 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.
Questions regarding the draft PAG-10 General Permit for Hydrostatic Testing of Tanks and Pipelines should be directed to Andrew Gaul, (717) 787-0129, agaul@pa.gov.
JOHN QUIGLEY,
Acting Secretary[Pa.B. Doc. No. 15-519. Filed for public inspection March 20, 2015, 9:00 a.m.]
