1321 Modifications and consolidations of residual waste general permits WMGR119, WMGR121 and WMGR123?

Modifications and Consolidation of Residual Waste General Permits WMGR119, WMGR121 and WMGR123

[41 Pa.B. 4256]
[Saturday, August 6, 2011]

Permit Modification Proposed under the Solid Waste Management Act (35 P. S. §§ 6018.101— 6018.1003); the Municipal Waste Planning, Recycling and Waste Reduction Act (53 P. S. §§ 4000.101—4000.1904); and Residual Waste Regulations for a General Permit to Operate Residual Waste Processing Facilities and the Beneficial Use of Residual Waste other than Coal Ash

Central Office: Division of Municipal and Residual Waste, Rachel Carson State Office Building, 14th Floor, 400 Market Street, Harrisburg, PA 17105-8472.

 General Permit Numbers WMGR119, WMGR121 and WMGR123. These general permits authorize the processing of drilling fluids, flowback and produced water generated during the development and operation of oil and gas wells, including wells producing gas from unconventional formations such as the Marcellus Shale. The resultant processed water is authorized for beneficial use as makeup water for further hydraulic fracturing and extraction of natural gas from unconventional geologic formations.

 The proposed modifications would consolidate the three general permits into a single general permit, WMGR123, and authorize the processing and transfer of oil and gas wastewater and beneficial use of dewasted oil and gas wastewater, and set minimum sampling and treatment concentrations for storage, including in tanks and open impoundments, prior to beneficial use.

 The Department of Environmental Protection (Department) is soliciting public comment on proposed modifications to the consolidated WMGR123. Revisions to Section A clarify the beneficial use authorization for processed oil and gas wastewater and add definitions for the terms ''dewaste'' and ''oil and gas wastewater.'' New operating conditions have been developed to allow storage of processed water in tanks and impoundments constructed specifically to hold water prior to use for fracturing a well. Sections D and E have been amended to increase recordkeeping and reporting requirements. Appendix A, which lists concentration limits for specific constituents, has also been added. Minor editorial changes, including consistent use of terminology, have also been made throughout the general permit.

 The proposed permit modifications are available on the Department's web site at www.depweb.state.pa.us under the Public Participation Center, select ''Proposals Currently Open for Comment.'' Comments concerning the application should be directed to Scott E. Walters, Chief, General Permits/Beneficial Use Section, Division of Municipal and Residual Waste, Bureau of Waste Management, P. O. Box 8472, Harrisburg, PA 17105-8472, 717-787-7381. TDD users may contact the Department through the Pennsylvania AT&T Relay Service, [phone]. Public comments must be submitted within 30 days of this notice and may recommend revisions to, and approval or denial of the application.

 Persons with questions concerning the general permit modifications may contact Scott E. Walters at [e-mail] or at the telephone number listed previously. TDD users may contact the Department through the Pennsylvania AT&T Relay Service, [phone].

MICHAEL L. KRANCER, 
Secretary

[Pa.B. Doc. No. 11-1321. Filed for public inspection August 5, 2011, 9:00 a.m.]