Notice of Public Comment Period

WV Department of Environmental Protection
Division of Water and Waste Management
601 57th Street, S.E.
Charleston, WV 25304
Telephone: 304-926-0495
Public Notice No. DWWM: MA-2-20
Public Notice Date: September 21-25, 2020
NOTICE OF PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD
TWO PROPOSED GENERAL PERMITS TO REGULATE THE FOLLOWING ACTIVITIES:
(1) WVGS10000 LAND APPLICATION OF SEWAGE SLUDGE AND/OR DOMESTIC SEPTAGE
(2) WVGS20000 TRANSPORTERS AND/OR HAULERS DISPOSING SEWAGE SLUDGE AND/OR DOMESTIC SEPTAGE
The Department of Environmental Protection’s (DEP) Division of Water and Waste Management (DWWM) is proposing to reissue two General Permits to facilitate sludge management regulatory procedures for septic tank cleaners. DWWM plans to issue these general permits under the authority and mandate of the West Virginia Sewage Sludge Management Regulations (Title 33, Series 2).
The purpose of these permits is twofold:
First, DWWM wants to continue efficient, environmentally sound procedures for transportation and land application of sewage sludge and/or domestic septage.
Second, DWWM believes these general permits will be successful in streamlining the permitting process through issuing coverage to any owner who can demonstrate the ability to achieve compliance.
Any owner of: (1) a sewage or septage pumping operation who land applies sludge and/or domestic septage at land application sites for agricultural or land reclamation purposes; and/or (2) any owner of a sewage or septage pumping operation who transports sewage sludge and/or domestic septage to sewage treatment facilities; that can qualify under the terms and conditions of the proposed General Permit may apply.
However, despite General Permit eligibility, the DWWM Director can require any owner to apply for and obtain an individual permit. The Director can exercise this authority when it is determined that such a permit will better protect human health and the environment.
Sludge GPs PN
Date: September 21-25, 2020
Page Two
New individuals seeking coverage under these General Permits must complete and submit a permit registration application form. To allow for continued coverage during the reissuance process, the DWWM will extend permit coverage for six months to all individuals who currently are registered under these two (2) General Permits. These individuals will be required to submit a permit registration reissuance application for continued coverage beyond the extension date.
Those accepting General Permit coverage agree to comply with all permit terms and conditions. Permit provisions include, but are not limited to: monitoring and reporting requirements; tracking reports and record keeping; inspection and entry guidelines, siting restrictions and location standards. Also included in the General Permit are soil pH requirements, land use and sludge spreading requirements; diseasecausing agent reduction and pest control measures; and removal of other solid wastes and groundwater protection standards.
The draft permit and fact sheet may be inspected by appointment between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday at the Department of Environmental Protection, Public Information Office, 601 57th Street, S.E., Charleston, WV 25304. Copies of the document may be obtained at a nominal cost.
Any interested persons may submit written comments on the draft permit. Comments will be accepted until October 25, 2020. They should be addressed to:
Department of Environmental Protection
601 57th St., S.E.
Charleston, WV 25304
Attention: Melissa Atkins
(304) 926-0499, extension 43857
Fax: (304)926-0495
E-mail: [email protected]
All comments received within this period will be considered prior to acting on the Draft Permit. Correspondence should include the name, address, and telephone number of the writer and a concise statement of the nature of the issues being raised. The Director shall hold a public hearing whenever a finding is made, on the basis of requests, that there is a significant degree of public interest on issues relevant to the draft General Permit. Interested persons may contact Mylinda Maddox to obtain further information.
Times: September 23, 2020