Water Management Task Force Status Summary CBIA EPC

Transcription

1 DEEP Programs Wastewater Permits Surface Water General Permit - Preliminary Stormwater Permits DEEP is working on a surface water general permit for discharges to surface waters and groundwater. This GP will be similar to DEEP s Misc. Wastewater General Permit for sanitary sewer discharges. On October 20th, DEEP noticed proposed extension on the deadline for four general permits that cover discharges to surface waters and groundwater. Comments were due November 20, MS4 General Permit Tentative Determination to renew the General Permit with changes was issued on July 7, The current general permit to be extended to January 8, Public Hearing to be held on December 17, Written comments due by January 9, 2015 Q:\\Water Programs Status Report January 2015.docx Page 1 of 8

2 Water Quality Standards Draft State of Connecticut Integrated Water Quality Report available for review. Stream Flow Regulations Final report of the Triennial Review of Connecticut Water Quality Standards submitted to EPA on July 8, Public comment period ended August 29, Stream flow classifications for State under development. Finalized Eastern Connecticut. Regulatory changes to the WQS have been identified and will be pursued during 2014 and Summary of Triennial Report Findings (Plan Forward) is available on DEEP website: Document available for review at: Final stream flow classifications for the following basins: Southeast Coastal Pawcatuck Thames Major River Classifications and response to public comments posted on DEEP website. The maps are available on-line at: Q:\\Water Programs Status Report January 2015.docx Page 2 of 8

3 CT State Water Plan Effort Inland Water Resources Non-Point Source Managemen t Plan Coastal Programs Looking to develop a comprehensive water strategy for the State with a goal of recommending potential legislation. EPA approved Plan September 29, 2014 New Legislative Workgroup with three sub-committees. Well represented by industry, business, and environmental nonprofits still time to participate The Plan is a framework for the activities for the next five years of DEEP s Nonpoint Source Program funded under EPA Section 319 of the Clean Water Act. DEEP also submits an annual work plan and receives a grant each year from EPA. An approved five year Program Plan is required for DEEP to be eligible for annual 319 funding. Q:\\Water Programs Status Report January 2015.docx Page 3 of 8

4 Five Proposed Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) in East Lyme, Waterford, Old Saybrook and Old Lyme Army Corps Permit TMDL documents are proposed for 23 estuary segments in these municipalities. Comment period closed August 30, Could have an impact on industrial activities in these watersheds with regard to bacteria monitoring. Q:\\Water Programs Status Report January 2015.docx Page 4 of 8

5 General Permit 23 Massachusetts GPs issued The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New England District, has issued General Permits for Massachusetts (GPs for MA). The previous Massachusetts GP (MA GP) expired on January 20, The 23 GPs for Massachusetts issued yesterday continue the expedited review process for activities in Corps jurisdiction under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act, Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899, and Section 103 of the Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act. You can view the Public Notice at: You can view the GPs for MA at: px EPA Programs CWA 316b Rule (Cooling Water Intake) Phase II rule published. DEEP is working to get information to issue permits for 4 facilities in early Other facilities with intakes will follow after that. For more information, please contact Mr. Greg Penta at (978) or gregory.r.penta@usace.army.mil Christine Gleason is permit engineer for all the affected permits. They are (with one exception) being done in order of oldest to most recently renewed permit. Q:\\Water Programs Status Report January 2015.docx Page 5 of 8

6 Sufficiently Sensitive Test Methods for NPDES Permit Applications & Reporting Contaminan t Candidate List 4 Finalize August 19, Effective September 18, 2014 Draft published. Comments due by April 6, 2015 The rulemaking clarifies that NPDES applicants and permittees must use EPA-approved analytical methods capable of detecting and measuring pollutants at or below applicable water quality criteria or permit limits. This final rule is based on CWA requirements and clarifies existing EPA regulations. The amendments in this rulemaking affect only chemical-specific methods; they do not apply to Whole Effluent Toxicity methods or their use. States have up to one year (until September 18, 2015) to revise their NPDES regulations if needed or up to two years if statutory changes are required. The Contaminant Candidate List (CCL) is a list of contaminants that are currently not subject to any proposed or promulgated national primary drinking water regulations, but are known or anticipated to occur in public water systems. Contaminants listed on the CCL may require future regulation under the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA). The Draft CCL 4 includes 100 chemicals or chemical groups and 12 microbial contaminants. Q:\\Water Programs Status Report January 2015.docx Page 6 of 8

7 EPA Small Vessel General Permit The EPA published the svgp on September 10, 2014 to provide NPDES permit coverage for discharges from nonmilitary, nonrecreational vessels less than 79 feet (i.e., small vessels ) operating in a capacity as a means of transportation. All discharges incidental to the normal operation of these vessels are eligible for coverage under this permit beginning December 19, 2014 when the NPDES permit requirement for these discharges goes into effect. The svgp is designed to be an easily implemented permit with common sense best management practices that will reduce environmental pollution. Q:\\Water Programs Status Report January 2015.docx Page 7 of 8

8 US Army Corps of Engineers The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New England District has issued an update on the proposed New England General Permits (NE GPs) announcing that we have decided to discontinue the regional approach of the NE GP proposal and instead pursue general permits on a state-by-state basis. ACOE is first working to re-issue the Massachusetts General Permit prior to the expiration date in January 2015 and will then work on the other New England state General Permits. Q:\\Water Programs Status Report January 2015.docx Page 8 of 8