Traditional DEP Programs. Newer DEP Programs. Connecticut s Aquifer Protection Area Program. CT Aquifer Protection History

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1 Department of Environmental Protection Bureau of Water Protection and Land Reuse Traditional DEP Programs Working together to protect, maintain & restore Connecticut s water resources Newer DEP Programs Connecticut s Aquifer Protection Area Program HISTORY & PURPOSE KEY ELEMENTS PROGRAM RESPONSIBILITIES NEW REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS CURRENT STATUS & FUTURE ACTIONS P & Z COORDINATION CT Aquifer Protection History Any geologic formation (rock or sediment) that can yield a usable amount of water Groundwater quality standards and classes adopted 1980s- Legislative task forces studied special high yield aquifer protection needs (mapping & management) Planning & Zoning Statutes require consideration of public drinking water supply aquifers (CGS 8-2, 8-23) Fed. SDWA Amend, state wellhead protection programs required Aquifer Protection Area Act passed (CGS 22a-354) Protection of high yield wellfields 1991 Mapping regulations 2004 State Land Use Control Regulations Other actions

2 CT s Most Significant Aquifers Aquifer Protection Area Program Key Elements Stratified Drift Aquifers Glacial sand & gravel deposits in major river valleys Highest yielding aquifers (groundwater reservoirs) Good quality Importance Significant existing public drinking water source Primary future public drinking water source A limited natural resource Vulnerability Shallow, unconfined and highly porous Non point pollution threats from local land use 1. Map critical aquifer areas High yield aquifers/well fields serve pop. of Establish Aquifer Protection Areas 3. Establish uniform minimum statewide controls 4. Establish municipal APA agencies 5. Shared responsibility Shared Program Responsibilities CT State DEP Responsibilities State DEP Water Companies Municipalities Overall program administration Development of mapping & land use regulations Approval of mapping & local regulations Oversee municipal APA agencies Directly regulate major facilities and state facilities Water Company Responsibilities Conduct mapping Stratified drift wells serving 1000 or > people Critical wellhead recharge areas Preliminary (Level B) and final/regulatory(level A) Large water companies assist towns Site plan review Risk assessment Spill procedures Municipal Responsibilities Designate a local Aquifer Protection Agency Existing commission Inventory land uses within APA Delineate the Aquifer Protection Area Boundary On Zoning Map Adopt Local Regulations Consistent with State Regulations DEP Model Municipal Regulations

3 Appointed Aquifer Protection Agencies Planning and Zoning Inland Wetlands Conservation Environmental Protection Board Water Pollution Control Authority Unappointed Statewide APA Information Currently 124 aquifer areas ~2-3% of state land area 78 towns ~ 12 significant urban/urban growth areas 1,500 potentially regulated facilities regulated facilities range from ~0 to 200 in towns ~200 facilities to be directly regulated by DEP POTENTIALLY REGULATED FACILITIES APA BOUNDARY APA Land Use Regulations Regulated Activity 28 Categories (waste disposal, industrial, commercial uses) Land Use Regulatory Scheme 28 Regulated (high risk) activities New Activities Prohibited Existing activities must Register (DEP or Municipality) Exemption (by DEP) Exceptions (will not be regulated) Comply with BMPs Can expand Can add new regulated activity subject to permit

4 Regulated Land Use Types Waste disposal/handling facilities Underground Storage Tanks Wholesale chemical/petroleum storage Industrial processing Commercial services Exceptions Certain uses allowed if connected to public sewer out right (residential, agricultural uses) conditional Best Mang. Practices- Standards They are structural & operational standards Apply to outside areas & inside buildings 4 Basic BMPs 1. Wastewater disposal 2. Hazardous material storage 3. Material Management 4. Stormwater Management Key Points Municipal Aquifer Protection Area Regulations New separate and distinct regulations New authority granted by CGS 22a-354 Pollution control + a land use component Not Zoning Applies to existing and new land uses 28 minimum regulated activities DEP Model Municipal Regs DEP Approval required Model Municipal Regulations 1. Authority & Definitions 2. Delineation of Areas 3. Prohibited and Regulated Activities 4. State Regulated Activity 5. Exemptions 6. Registration & Permit Procedures 7. Registration & Permit Requirements 8. BMP Standards 9. Enforcement 10. Other provisions amendments, fees, severance, appeals APA Mapping Status (10/08) APA Town Status (10/08)

5 Coordination With P&Z Activity Plan of Conservation & Development Zoning overall specific APA Permit Applications procedures/timeframes consistent with P&Z can t conduct activity until all P&Z approvals Land Acquisition & Conservation Plans Municipal Infrastructure Improvement Plans Referrals of Land Use Development Proposals DEP Future Actions Mapping future areas Identified future wells, potential future aquifers, and other smaller wells Strategic Monitoring Regulations (pilot) Agriculture Regulations (draft) Guidelines for land acquisition around well fields (DEP & DOT) Transportation related activity Groundwater education and incentive program Future Aquifer Areas DEP s s Web Site Department of Environmental Protection Bureau of Water Protection and Land Reuse - BMPs- Structural & Operational Standards