NPDES Streamlining - Proposed Rule
Background: In response to President Clinton's February 21, 1995 Reinventing Government directive, EPA proposed
revisions to NPDES requirements in 40 CFR Parts 122,
123, and 124 to eliminate redundant regulations, provide clarification,
and remove or streamline unnecessary procedures which do not provide
environmental benefits (Round II). Proposed revisions for Round
II, as published by EPA on December 11, 1996, include: 1) allowing
general permits to cover multiple categories of discharges, thus,
increasing the ability of general permits to cover currently unregulated
sources, and streamline reissuance procedures of general permits
where no changes in permit conditions are anticipated; 2) allowing
permit writers not to require permit limits for all effluent guideline
listed pollutants under certain circumstances; 3) removal of stormwater
group application requirements; 4) streamlining permit terminations
procedures; and, 5) revising Part 124 evidentiary hearing procedures.
Status: EPA plans to
publish a final rule in April 1998. Work
has begun on Round III streamlining and may include (1) additional
permit modifications that can be considered minor, and (2) changes
to requirements concerning EPA's review of State permits. Other
NPDES streamlining efforts are described in more detail in other
sections of this Update. CONTACT: Thomas Charlton, EPA 202/260-6960.
NPDES Permit Application Requirements for POTWs,
Form 2A and 2S - Proposed Rule
Background: On December
6, 1995, EPA published a proposed regulation which will amend
NPDES permit application requirements and application forms for
POTWs and will replace existing Standard Form A and Short Form
A to account for changes in the NPDES program since the forms
were issued in 1973. The proposal consolidates POTW application
requirements, including information regarding toxics monitoring,
whole effluent toxicity (WET) testing, pretreatment facility and
hazardous waste contributions, and combined sewer overflows (CSOs).
The most significant proposed revisions according to EPA, would
require toxic and WET monitoring by major and pretreatment POTWs.
The proposed rule allows waivers where information is already
available to the permitting authority.
Status: AMSA submitted
comments to EPA on March 28, 1996. EPA expects to publish a
final rule in March 1998. CONTACTS: Sam Hadeed, AMSA 202/833-4655,
or Robin Danesi, EPA 202/260-2991.
EPA's Permits Division hosted the first NPDES Permit Writers' Training Course in Honolulu, HI on January 12-16, 1998. The Workshop was the first in a series of five courses co-sponsored by the Department of the Navy. Other course locations planned for this year include: Jacksonville, FL; Portsmouth, NH; Austin, TX; and, Seattle, WA. For more information, contact Daniel Weese, EPA 202/260-6809.