95-29742. National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES); Preparation of Draft General Permit for the States of Maine, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire  

  • [Federal Register Volume 60, Number 234 (Wednesday, December 6, 1995)]
    [Notices]
    [Pages 62456-62466]
    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
    [FR Doc No: 95-29742]
    
    
    
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    ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
    [FRL-5340-4]
    
    
    National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES); 
    Preparation of Draft General Permit for the States of Maine, 
    Massachusetts, and New Hampshire
    
    AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency.
    
    ACTION: Notice; Preparation of Draft NPDES General Permits--MAG070000, 
    MEG070000, and NHG070000.
    
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    SUMMARY: The Regional Administrator of the six states of New England is 
    issuing Notice of a Draft National Pollutant Discharge Elimination 
    System (NPDES) General Permit for construction dewatering facilities in 
    certain waters of the States of Maine, Massachusetts, and New 
    Hampshire. This draft general NPDES Permit establishes notice of intent 
    (NOI) requirements, effluent limitations, standards, prohibitions and 
    management practices for the construction dewatering discharges.
        Owners and/or operators of facilities discharging effluent from 
    construction dewatering facilities will be required to submit to EPA, 
    Region I, a notice of intent (NOI) to be covered by the appropriate 
    general permit and will receive a written notification from EPA of 
    permit coverage and authorization to discharge under the general 
    permit.
        The draft permit is based on an administrative record available for 
    public review at Environmental Protection Agency, Region I, John F. 
    Kennedy Federal Building, CMA. Boston, Massachusetts 02203.
        The following FACT SHEET AND SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section sets 
    forth principal facts and the significant factual, legal, and policy 
    questions considered in the development of the draft permits.
    
    DATES: For comment period: Interested persons may submit comments on 
    the draft general permits as part of the administrative record to the 
    Regional Administrator of the six states of New England at the address 
    given in the proceeding SUMMARY section no later than 30 days after the 
    date of publication of the draft general permit in the Federal 
    Register.
        This general permit shall be effective when issued and will expire 
    five years from the effective date.
        For Further Information And Copies of Draft General NPDES Permit: 
    Additional information concerning the draft permit may be obtained 
    between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday 
    excluding holidays from: Suprokash Sarker, Office of Ecosystem 
    Protection Massachusetts State Program, Environmental Protection 
    Agency, J.F.Kennedy Federal Building. Boston, Massachusetts 02203, 
    Telephone (617) 565-3573.
    
    FACT SHEET AND SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION
    
    I. Introduction
    
        The Regional Administrator of the six states of New England is 
    issuing draft general permit for effluent discharges from construction 
    dewatering facilities to certain waters of the States of Maine, 
    Massachusetts, and New Hampshire. Appendix A contains the draft general 
    NPDES permit including Part II, Standard Conditions.
    
    II. Coverage of General Permits
    
        Section 301(a) of the Clean Water Act (the Act) provides that the 
    discharge of pollutants is unlawful except in accordance with a 
    National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit. 
    Although such permits to date have generally been issued to individual 
    discharges, EPA's regulations authorize the issuance of ``general 
    permits'' to categories of discharges. (See 40 CFR Sec. 122.28 48 FR 
    14146, April 1, l983). EPA may issue a single, general permit to a 
    category of point sources located within the same geographic area whose 
    permits warrant similar pollutant control measures.
        The Director of an NPDES permit program is authorized to issue a 
    general permit if there are a number of point sources operating in a 
    geographic area that:
    
        1. Involve the same or substantially similar types of operations;
        2. Discharge the same types of wastes;
        3. Require the same effluent limitations or operating conditions;
        4. Require the same or similar monitoring requirements; and
        5. In the opinion of the Regional Administrator, are more 
    appropriately controlled under a general permit than under individual 
    permits.
    
        Violations of a condition of a general permit constitutes a 
    violation of the Clean Water Act and subjects the discharger to the 
    penalties in Section 309 of the Act.
        Any owner or operator authorized by a general permit may be 
    excluded from coverage of a general permit by applying for an 
    individual permit. This request may be made by submitting a NPDES 
    permit application together with reasons supporting the request. The 
    Director may require any person authorized by a general permit to apply 
    for and obtain an individual permit. Any interested person may petition 
    the Director to take 
    
    [[Page 62457]]
    this action. However, individual permits will not be issued for sources 
    discharging effluent from construction dewatering facility covered by 
    this general permit unless it can be clearly demonstrated that 
    inclusion under the general permit is inappropriate.
        The Director may consider the issuance of individual permits when:
        1. The discharge is a significant contributor of pollution;
        2. The discharge is not in compliance with the terms and conditions 
    of the general permit;
        3. A change has occurred in the availability of demonstrated 
    technology or practices for the control or abatement of pollutants 
    applicable to the point source;
        4. Effluent limitations guidelines are subsequently promulgated for 
    the point sources covered by the general permit;
        5. A Water Quality Management plan containing requirements 
    applicable to such point sources is approved; or
        6. Circumstances have changed since the time of the request to be 
    covered so that the discharger is no longer appropriately controlled 
    under the general permit, or either a temporary or permanent reduction 
    or elimination of the authorized discharge is necessary;
        In accordance with 40 CFR 122.28(b)(3)(iv), the applicability of 
    the general permit is automatically terminated on the effective date of 
    the individual permit.
        Under this general permit, owners and operators of construction 
    dewatering sites in Massachusetts, Maine and New Hampshire may be 
    granted authorization to discharge groundwater and stormwater generated 
    wastewaters into waters of the respective States. Dewatering associated 
    with the construction of single family homes is not required to have a 
    permit. This permit does not authorize the discharge of stormwater 
    associated with construction sites which disturb greater than 5 acres 
    of land. These sites are required to have a separate NPDES permit for 
    stormwater discharges in accordance with 40 CFR 122.26s(b)(14)(x). 
    Authorization under the permit shall require prior submittal of certain 
    facility information. Upon receipt of all required information, the 
    permit issuing authority may allow or disallow coverage under the 
    general permit.
        The following list shows the criteria which will be used in 
    evaluating whether or not an individual permit may be required instead 
    of a general permit.
        1. Evaluation of wastewater samples for one whole effluent 
    toxicity-test or one priority pollutant scan if required by the States 
    and EPA.
        2. Preservation of high quality waters and fisheries;
        3. Facilities with an effluent discharge flow of over 100gpm
        4. Production of effluent at the facility other than groundwater, 
    seepage, and stormwater run-off.
        5. History of land use.
        The similarity of the discharges has prompted EPA to prepare this 
    draft general permit for public review and comment. When issued, this 
    permit will enable facilities to maintain compliance with the Act and 
    will extend environmental and regulatory controls to a large number of 
    discharges and reduce some permit backlog. The issuance of this general 
    permit for the geographic areas described below is warranted by this 
    similarity of (a) environmental conditions. (b) State regulatory 
    requirements applicable to the discharges and receiving waters, and (c) 
    technology employed.
    
    III. Conditions of the General NPDES Permit
    
    A. Geographic Areas
    
    Maine (Permit No. MEG070000)
        All of the discharges to be authorized by the general NPDES permit 
    for the State of Maine from dischargers are limited to Class B,C,SB and 
    SC waters of the State, except lakes. The drainage areas must be more 
    than 10 square miles.
    Massachusetts (Permit No. MAG070000)
        All of the discharges to be authorized by the general NPDES permit 
    for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts dischargers are limited to Class 
    B, and SB waters as designated in Massachusetts Water Quality 
    Standards, 314 CMR 4.00 et seq. Discharges into Class A water needs 
    review and approval by MADEP.
    New Hampshire (Permit No. NHG070000)
        All of the discharges to be authorized by the general NPDES permit 
    for the State of New Hampshire dischargers are into all waters of the 
    State of New Hampshire unless otherwise restricted by the State Water 
    Quality Standards, New Hampshire RSA 485-A:8. (or as revised).
    
    B. Notification by Permittees
    
        Operators of facilities whose discharge, or discharges, are 
    described in Section II and whose facilities are located in the 
    geographic areas described in Section III. A. above may submit to the 
    Regional Administrator, of New England, and each State, a notice of 
    intent to be covered by the appropriate general permit. This written 
    notification must include the owner's or operator's legal name and 
    address; the facility name and address; the type of facilities to be 
    covered, the number of discharge points including the anticipated 
    duration, volume, and rate of discharge for each outfall; a topographic 
    map (or other map if a topographic map is not available) indicating the 
    facility locations; a description of any wastewater treatment; storage 
    of petroleum and chemicals on site; history of land use of the site; 
    and the names of the receiving waters into which discharge will occur. 
    In addition one Whole Effluent Toxicity (WET) test result and/or one 
    priority pollutant scan of the water to be discharged may be required, 
    on a case by case bases by the States and/or EPA. The whole effluent 
    toxicity test will consist of one chronic and modified acute toxicity 
    screening test with one hundred percent sample. The Cerio-daphnia dubia 
    for fresh water and sea-urchin for marine water shall be used as test 
    organism. A copy of the test procedure and detailed protocol will be 
    provided by EPA. The results of the chronic biological test (C-NOEC) or 
    the priority pollutant scan will be forwarded to the State and EPA when 
    required.
        A determination is required as to whether or not the facility's 
    discharge will adversely affect a listed or proposed to be listed 
    endangered or threatened species or its critical habitat (see Part F).
        The facilities authorized to discharge under a final general permit 
    will receive written notification from EPA within 30 days with State 
    concurrence where necessary upon receipt of the complete application 
    including necessary sampling data. Failure to respond by the State or 
    EPA within this period, the permit will be automatically effective 
    after 30 days of the complete notification.
    
    C. Effluent Limitations
    
    1. Statutory Requirements
        The Clean Water Act (the Act) prohibits the discharge of pollutants 
    to waters of the United States without a National Pollutant Discharge 
    Elimination System (NPDES) permit unless such a discharge is otherwise 
    authorized by the Act. The NPDES Permit is the mechanism used to 
    implement technology and water quality based effluent limitations and 
    other requirements including monitoring and reporting. The NPDES permit 
    was developed in accordance with various 
    
    [[Page 62458]]
    statutory and regulatory authorities established pursuant to the Act. 
    The regulations governing the EPA NPDES Permit program are generally 
    found at 40 CFR parts 122, 124, 125 and 136.
        EPA is required to consider technology and water quality 
    requirements when developing permit limits. 40 CFR part 125 Subpart A 
    sets the criteria and standards that EPA must use to determine which 
    technology based requirements, requirements under Section 301(b) of the 
    Act and/or requirements established on a case-by-case basis under 
    section 402(a)(1) of the Act, should be included in the permit.
        The Clean Water Act requires that all discharges, at a minimum, 
    must meet effluent limitations based on the technological capability of 
    dischargers to control pollutants in their discharge. Section 
    301(b)(1)(A) of the Act requires the application of Best Practicable 
    Control Technology Currently Available (BPT) with the statutory 
    deadline for compliance being July 1, 1977, unless otherwise authorized 
    by the Act. Section 301(b)(2) of the Act requires the application of 
    Best Conventional Control Technology (BCT) for conventional pollutants, 
    and Best Available Technology Economically Achievable (BAT) for non-
    conventional and toxic pollutants. The compliance deadline for BCT and 
    BAT being March 31, 1980.
    2. Technology-Based Effluent Limitations
        EPA has not promulgated National Effluent Guidelines for 
    construction dewatering facilities. For a category where Guidelines 
    have been promulgated, the issuance of an individual permit for the 
    discharges would be more appropriate (See 40 CFR 122.28(b)(3)(i)(C)). 
    Therefore, as provided in Section 402(a)(1) of the Act, EPA has 
    determined to issue this general permit utilizing Best Professional 
    Judgement (BPT) to meet the above stated criteria for BAT/BCT described 
    in Section 304(b) of the Act. Accordingly monthly average and maximum 
    daily Total Suspended Solids (TSS) limitation are established based 
    upon best professional judgement pursuant to Section 402(a)(1) of the 
    CWA.
    3. Water Quality Based Effluent Limitations
        Under Section 301(b)(1)(C) of the Act, discharges are subject to 
    effluent limitations based on water quality standards and to the 
    conditions of State certification under Section 401 of the Act. 
    Receiving stream requirements are established according to numerical 
    and narrative standards adopted under state and/or federal law for each 
    stream use classification. The CWA requires that EPA obtain State 
    certification which states that all water quality standards will be 
    satisfied. Regulations governing State certification are set forth in 
    40 CFR 124.53 and 124.55.
        Section 101(a)(3) of the Act specifically prohibits the discharge 
    of toxic pollutants in toxic amounts. The States of Maine, 
    Massachusetts, and New Hampshire have similar narrative criteria in 
    their water quality regulations (See Maine Title 38, Article 4-A, 
    section 420 and section 464.4.A.(4); Massachusetts 314 CMR 4.05(5)(e); 
    and New Hampshire Part Env-Ws 432.02(c)(4) that prohibits such 
    discharges). The permit does not allow for the addition of materials or 
    chemicals in amounts which would produce a toxic effect to any aquatic 
    life.
        The effluent from the construction dewatering facilities may 
    contain toxic pollutants and oil and grease in the underground water 
    and stormwater run-off. Water Quality Standards and State certification 
    requirements applicable to these discharges have been reviewed by EPA.
    
    D. Antidegradation Provisions
    
        The conditions of the permit reflect the goal of the CWA and EPA to 
    achieve and maintain water quality standards. The environmental 
    regulations pertaining to the State Antidegradation Policies which 
    protect the State's surface waters from falling below State standards 
    for water quality are found in the following provisions: Maine Title 
    38, Article 4-A, Section 464.4.F.; Massachusetts Water Quality 
    Standards 314 CMR 4.04 Antidegradation Provisions; and New Hampshire 
    policy RSA 485-A;8, VI Part Env-Ws 437.01 and Env-Ws 437.02.
        Compliance with the antidegradation provisions of this general 
    permit for class B,C, SB, and SC for the State of Maine, Class B and SB 
    for Massachusetts and all waters of New Hampshire unless otherwise 
    restricted by the State Water Quality Standards, are expected to result 
    in insignificant effect to the receiving water. No further 
    antidegradation review will be required. For the State of Massachusetts 
    discharges in the Class A water needs antidegration review.
    
    E. Monitoring and Reporting Requirements
    
        Effluent limitations and monitoring requirements are included in 
    the general permit describing requirements to be imposed on facilities 
    to be covered.
        Facilities covered by the final general permits will be required to 
    prepare a Discharge Monitoring Report containing effluent data and 
    shall be kept on site in a secured place.
        The monitoring requirements have been established to yield data 
    representative of the discharge under authority of Section 308(a) of 
    the Act and 40 CFR 122.41(j), 122.44(i) and 122.48, and as certified by 
    the State.
    
    F. Endangered Species
    
        Discharges that may adversely affect a listed or proposed to be 
    listed endangered or threatened species or its critical habitat are not 
    authorized under this general permit without the written approval of 
    the Fish and Wildlife Service and/or the National Marine Fisheries 
    Service.
        The Fish and Wildlife Service has indicated that the dwarf wedge 
    mussel (Alsmidonta heterodon), a Federally listed endangered species, 
    occurs in a stretch of the Connecticut River from Lebanon, New 
    Hampshire to Weathersfield Bow, Vermont, in the Ashuelot River in 
    Keene, New Hampshire and historically from a number of rivers in 
    Massachusetts, Any facility whose discharge may adversely effect the 
    mussel or any other threatened or endangered species or its habitat is 
    required to contact the Fish and Wildlife Service at the following 
    address in order to make a formal determination: United States 
    Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service, 400 Ralph Pill 
    Marketplace, 22 Bridge Street, Concord, New Hampshire 03301-4901.
        The National Marine Fisheries Service has indicated that the 
    endangered shortnose sturgeon (Acipenser breviirostrum) inhabits 
    certain sections of the Penobscot, Kennebec and Androscoggin Rivers in 
    Maine, and the Merrimack and Connecticut Rivers in Massachusetts. Any 
    facility whose discharge may adversely effect the sturgeon, or any 
    other threatened or endangered species or its habitat, is required to 
    contact the national Marine Fisheries Service at the following address: 
    United States Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
    Administration, National Marine Fisheries Service, Habitat and 
    Protected Resources Division, One Blackburn Drive, Gloucester, 
    Massachusetts 01903-2298.
    
    G. Other Requirements
    
        The remaining conditions of the permit are based on the NPDES 
    regulations 40 CFR Parts 122 through 125 and consist primarily of 
    
    [[Page 62459]]
    management requirements common to all permits.
    
    IV. State Certification
    
        Section 401 of the CWA provides that no Federal license or permit, 
    including NPDES permits, to conduct any activity that may result in any 
    discharge into navigable waters shall be granted until the State in 
    which the discharge originates certifies that the discharge will comply 
    with the applicable provisions of sections 301, 302, 303, 306, and 307 
    of the CWA. The section 401 certification is under process for all 
    States. In addition the State of Massachusetts and EPA jointly issue 
    the final permit.
    
    V. Administrative Aspects
    
    A. Request To Be Covered
    
        A facility is not covered by any of these general permits until it 
    meets the following requirements. First, it must send a notice of 
    intent to EPA and the appropriate State indicating it meets the 
    requirements of the permit and wants to be covered. And second, it must 
    be notified in writing by EPA that it is covered by this general 
    permit.
        Any facility operating under any effective individual NPDES permit 
    may request that the individual permit be revoked and that coverage 
    under the general permit granted, as outlined in 40 CFR 
    122.28(b)(3)(v). If EPA grants coverage under the general permit, EPA 
    will so notify the facility and revoke the individual permit.
        Facilities with expired individual permits that have been 
    administratively continued in accordance with Sec. 122.6, may apply for 
    coverage under this general permit. When coverage is granted, the 
    expired individual permit automatically will cease being in effect.
    
    B. The Coastal Zone Management Act
    
        The Coastal Zone Management Act (CZMA), 16 U.S.C. 1451 et seq., and 
    its implementing regulations [15 CFR Part 930] requires that any 
    federally licensed activity affecting the coastal zone with an approved 
    Coastal Zone Management Program (CZMP) be determined to be consistent 
    with the CZMP. EPA, New England Region, has determined that these 
    general NPDES permits are consistent with the CZMP. EPA has sent copies 
    of the draft general NPDES permits to the Massachusetts, Maine, and New 
    Hampshire coastal zone agencies for a determination that they are 
    consistent with their respective State policies.
    
    C. The Endangered Species Act
    
        EPA, New England Region, has concluded that the discharges to be 
    covered by the general NPDES permits will not affect or jeopardize the 
    continued existence of any endangered or threatened species or 
    adversely affect its critical habitat. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife 
    Service and the National Marine Fisheries Service have been forwarded 
    copies of the draft general NPDES permits for concurrence.
    
    D. Environmental Impact Statement Requirements
    
        The general permits do not authorize the construction of any water 
    resources project or the impoundment of any water body or have any 
    effect on historical property, and are not major Federal activities 
    needing preparation of any Environmental Impact Statement. Therefore, 
    the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, 16 U.S.C. 1273 et seq., the National 
    Historic Preservation Act of 1966, 16 U.S.C 470 et seq., the Fish and 
    Wildlife Coordination Act, 16 U.S.C. 661 et seq., and the National 
    Environmental Policy Act, 33 U.S.C. 4321 et seq., do not apply to the 
    issuance of this general NPDES permit.
    
    E. This Permit Does Not Constitute Authorization Under 33 U.S.C. 1344 
    (Section 404 of the Clean Water Act) of any Stream Dredging or Filling 
    Operation.
    
    VI. Other Legal Requirements
    
    A. Economic Impact (Executive Order 12291)
    
        EPA has reviewed the effect of Executive Order 12291 on this draft 
    general permit and has determined that it is not a major rule under 
    that order. This regulation was submitted previously to the Office of 
    Management and Budget for review as required by Executive Order 12291. 
    The Office of Management and Budget has exempted this action from the 
    review requirements of Executive Order 12291 pursuant to Section 8(b) 
    of that Order.
    
    B. Paperwork Reduction Act
    
        EPA has reviewed the requirements imposed on regulated facilities 
    by these draft general NPDES permits under the Paperwork Reduction Act 
    of 1980, 44 U.S.C. 3501 et. seq. The information collection 
    requirements of these draft permits have already been approved by the 
    Office of Management and Budget under submissions made for the NPDES 
    permit program under the provisions of the Clean Water Act. No comments 
    from the Office of Management and Budget or the public were received on 
    the information collection requirements in these permits.
    
    C. The Regulatory Flexibility Act
    
        After review of the facts presented in the notice printed above, I 
    hereby certify, pursuant to the provisions of 5 U.S.C. 605(b), that 
    this permit does not have a significant impact on a substantial number 
    of small entities. Moreover, the draft permit will reduce a significant 
    administrative burden on regulated sources.
    
        Dated: November 22, 1995.
    John P. DeVillars,
    Regional Administrator.
    
    Appendix A--Draft General Permit Under the National Pollutant Discharge 
    Elimination System (NPDES)
    
        Note: The Following general NPDES permit is a combination of 
    three permits for purposes of this Federal Register notice in order 
    to eliminate duplication of material common to all permits for the 
    individual states.
    
        1. Massachusetts, Maine and New Hampshire General Permit.
        In compliance with the provisions of the Federal Clean Water Act, 
    as amended, (33 U.S.C. 1251 et seq. the ``CWA'') operators of 
    facilities may discharge groundwater and stormwater from construction 
    dewatering facilities into waters of the respective states in 
    accordance with effluent limitations, monitoring requirements and other 
    conditions set forth herein. This permit does not authorize to 
    discharge stormwater associated with Industrial activities from 
    construction sites which disturb greater than 5 acres of land [40 CFR 
    122.26(b)(14)(x)].
        This permit shall become effective when issued.
        This permit and the authorization to discharge expire at midnight, 
    five years from the effective date of the Federal Register Publication.
        This permit consists of Part I below including effluent 
    limitations, monitoring requirements etc. and Part II General 
    Requirements.
        Operators of facilities within the general permit area who fail to 
    notify the Director of their intent to be covered by this general 
    permit and receive no written notification of permit coverage or those 
    who are denied by the Director are not authorized under this general 
    permit to discharge from those facilities to the receiving waters.
        Signed this ______ day of ______ David A. Fierra Director, Office 
    of Ecosystem Protection, Environmental Protection Agency, Region I, 
    Boston, Massachusetts.
        Andrew Gottlieb, Director, Office of Watershed Management, 
    Department of Environmental Protection, 
    
    [[Page 62460]]
    Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Boston, MA.
    
    Part I
    
    A. Effluent Limitations and Monitoring Requirements
        1. During the period beginning effective date and lasting through 
    expiration, the permittee is authorized to discharge from each outfall 
    effluent from construction dewatering facilities to the receiving 
    waters of the respective States.
        a. Such discharges shall be limited and monitored by the permittee 
    as specified below:
    
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                               Discharge limitations          Monitoring requirements measurement\2\
         Effluent characteristic     -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                        Average monthly      Maximum daily         Frequency          Sample type   
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Flow (MGD)......................  Report............  ..................  1/week............  Instantaneous or  
                                                                                                   continuous.      
    TSS (mg/l)......................  50................  100...............  1/week............  Grab.             
    Oil and Grease (mg/l)\1\........  See note A.1.h....  ..................  1/week............  Grab.             
    pH\1\...........................  See Note A 1.g....  ..................  1/week............  Grab.             
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    \1\Requirement for the State Certification.                                                                     
    \2\Samples shall be taken only when discharging.                                                                
    
        b. Massachusetts and Maine.
        The discharge shall not cause objectionable discoloration of the 
    receiving waters.
    New Hampshire
        The discharge shall not cause any discoloration of Class A 
    receiving waters or any visible and objectionable discoloration of 
    Class B receiving waters.
        C. There shall be no discharge of floating solids or visible foam. 
    The discharge shall be adequately treated to insure that the effluent 
    remains free from pollutants in concentrations or combinations that 
    settle to form harmful deposits, float as foam, debris, scum or other 
    visible pollutants. In addition for the State of New Hampshire the 
    discharge shall not cause the naturally occurring turbidity in Class A 
    receiving waters to change or cause the naturally occurring turbity in 
    Class B waters to be increased by more than 10 NTU.
        d. The effluent limitations are based on the state water quality 
    standard and are certified by the states.
        e. Samples taken in compliance with the monitoring requirements 
    specified above shall be taken at the point of discharge.
        f. All discharges as designated in Section II of Supplementary 
    Information shall pass through settling basins or interceptor 
    structures or other approved treatment system and meet the effluent 
    limitations in Part I.A.1.a. prior to discharge to waters of the 
    states.
        g. pH.
    Massachusetts
        The pH of the effluent shall not be less than nor greater than the 
    range given for the receiving water classifications, unless these 
    values are exceeded due to natural causes. The following table 
    specifies ranges for Massachusetts:
    
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
                            Classification                            Range 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
    B.............................................................   6.5-8.3
    SB............................................................   6.5-8.5
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
    Maine
        The pH range in both freshwater and saltwater is 6.0 to 8.5 su. 
    unless establishes on a case-by-case basis (By State Policy).
    New Hampshire
        The pH of the effluent shall not be less than 6.5 standard units 
    (su) nor greater than 8.0 su at any time unless these values are 
    exceeded due to natural causes.
        h. Sampling for oil and grease should only be required if a 
    periodic inspection of the discharge indicates the presence of a 
    visible sheen.
        i. A discharge structure shall be constructed if necessary to 
    protect the erosion of the bank of the water body.
    B. Monitoring and Reporting
    Maine, Massachusetts and New Hampshire
        Monitoring results obtained during the previous month shall be 
    summarized on separate Discharge Monitoring Report Form(s) and shall be 
    kept on-site in a secured place. The reports should be readily 
    available for review at any time during the working hours by the EPA 
    and State Officials.
        The following are the EPA and state addresses for any notification 
    and communication.
        a. Planning and Administrative Unit, Office of Environmental 
    Stewardship, Environmental Protection Agency, Post Office Box 8127, 
    Boston, MA 02114.
        b. Massachusetts Division of Water Pollution Control
        (1) The Regional offices:
    
    Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, Massachusetts 
    Division of Water Pollution Control, Western Regional Office, 436 
    Dwight St., Suite 402 Springfield, MA 01101.
    Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, Massachusetts 
    Division of Water.
    Pollution Control, Southeastern Regional Office, 20 Riverside Drive 
    Lakeville, MA 02346.
    Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection Massachusetts 
    Division of Water Pollution Control, Northeastern Regional Office, 10 
    Commerce Way, Woburn, MA 01801.
    Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, Massachusetts 
    Division of Water Pollution Control, Central Regional Office, 75 Grove 
    Street, Worcester, Massachusetts 01605.
        (2) Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, Office of 
    Watershed Management, 40 Institute Road, North Grafton, MA 01536.
        c. Maine Department of Environmental Protection.
        State of Maine Department of Environmental Protection, Operation 
    and Maintenance Division, State House, Station 17. Augusta, ME 04333.
        d. New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services.
        New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services, Water Supply 
    and Pollution Control Division, Permits and Compliance Section; P.O. 
    Box 95, Concord, New Hampshire 03302-0095.
    C. Additional General Permit Conditions
    1. Notification Requirements
        a. Written notification of commencement of operations including the 
    legal names and addresses of the owners and operator and the locations, 
    number and type of facilities and/or operations covered shall be 
    submitted. 
    
    [[Page 62461]]
    
        (1) For existing discharges within 180 days after the effective 
    date of this permit, by operators whose facilities and/or operations 
    are discharging into the general permit area on the effective date of 
    the permit; or
        (2) For new or substantially increased discharges 30 days prior to 
    commencement of the discharge by operators whose facilities and/or 
    operations commence discharge subsequent to the effective date of this 
    permit.
        b. Operators of facilities and/or operations within the general 
    permits area who fail to notify the Director of their intent to be 
    covered by this general permit and do not obtain written authorization 
    of coverage are not authorized under this general permit to discharge 
    from those facilities into the named receiving waters.
    2. Termination of Operations
        Operators of facilities and/or operators authorized under this 
    permit shall notify the Director upon the termination of discharges. 
    The notice must contain the name, mailing address, and location of the 
    facility for which the notification is submitted, the NPDES permit 
    number for the water treatment facility discharge identified by the 
    notice, and an indication of whether the operator of the discharge has 
    changed. The notice must be signed in accordance with the signatory 
    requirements of 40 CFR Sec. 122.22.
    3. Renotification
        Upon reissuance of a new general permit, the permittee is required 
    to notify the Director of the intent to be covered by the new general 
    permit.
    4. When the Director May Require Application for an Individual NPDES 
    Permit
        a. The Director may require any person authorized by this permit to 
    apply for and obtain an individual NPDES permit. Any interested person 
    may petition the Director to take such action. Instances where an 
    individual permit may be required include the following:
        (1) The discharge(s) is a significant contributor of pollution:
        (2) The discharger is not in compliance with the conditions of this 
    permit;
        (3) A change has occurred in the availability of the demonstrated 
    technology of practices for the control or abatement of pollutants 
    applicable to the point source;
        (4) Effluent limitation guidelines are promulgated for point 
    sources covered by this permit;
        (5) A Water Quality Management Plan containing requirements 
    applicable to such point source is approved; or
        (6) The point source(s) covered by this permit no longer:
        (a) Involves the same volume or substantially similar types of 
    operations;
        (b) Discharges the same type of wastes;
        (c) Requires the same effluent limitations or operating conditions;
        (d) Requires the same or similar monitoring and
        (e) In the opinion of the Director is more appropriately controlled 
    under a general permit than under an individual NPDES permit.
        b. The Director may require an individual permit only if the 
    permittee authorized by the general permit has been notified in writing 
    that an individual permit is required, and has been given a brief 
    explanation of the reasons for this decision.
        5. When an Individual NPDES Permit is issued to an operator 
    otherwise subject to this general permit, the applicability of this 
    permit to that owner or operator is automatically terminated on the 
    effective date of the individual permit.
    
    Part II, Standard Conditions
    
    Section A. General Requirements
    1. Duty to Comply
        The permittee must comply with all conditions of this permit. Any 
    permit noncompliance constitutes a violation of the Clean Water Act and 
    is grounds for enforcement action; for permit termination, revocation 
    and reissuance, or modification; or for denial of a permit renewal 
    application.
        a. The permittee shall comply with effluent standards or 
    prohibitions established under Section 307(a) of the CWA for toxic 
    pollutants and with standards for sewage sludge use or disposal 
    established under Section 405 (d) of the CWA within the time provided 
    in the regulations that establish these standards or prohibitions, even 
    if the permit has not yet been modified to incorporate the requirement.
        b. The CWA provides that any person who violates Sections 301, 302, 
    306, 307, 308, 318, or 405 of the CWA or any permit condition or 
    limitation implementing any of such sections in a permit issued under 
    Section 402, or any requirement imposed in a pretreatment program 
    approved under Sections 402(a)(3) or 402(b)(8) of the CWA is subject to 
    a civil penalty not to exceed $25,000 per day for each violation. Any 
    person who negligently violates such requirements is subject to a fine 
    of not less than $2,500 nor more than $25,000 per day of violation, or 
    by imprisonment for not more than 1 year, or both. Any person who 
    knowingly violates such requirements is subject to a fine of not less 
    than $5,000 nor more than $50,000 per day of violation, or by 
    imprisonment for not more than 3 years, or both. Note: See 40 CFR 
    Sec. 122.41(a)(2) for additional enforcement criteria.
        c. Any person may be assessed an administrative penalty by the 
    Administrator for violating Sections 301, 302, 306, 307, 308, 318, or 
    405 of the CWA, or any permit condition or limitation implementing any 
    of such sections in a permit issued under Section 402 of the CWA. 
    Administrative penalties for Class I violations are not to exceed 
    $10,000 per violation, with the maximum amount of any Class I penalty 
    assessed not to exceed $25,000. Penalties for Class II violations are 
    not to exceed $10,000 per day for each day during which the violation 
    continues, with the maximum amount of any Class II penalty not to 
    exceed $125,000.
    2. Permit Actions
        This permit may be modified, revoked and reissued, or terminated 
    for cause. The filing of a request by the permittee for a permit 
    modification, revocation and reissuance, or termination, or a 
    notification of planned changes or anticipated noncompliance does not 
    stay any permit condition.
    3. Duty to Provide Information
        The permittee shall furnish to the Regional Administrator, within a 
    reasonable time, any information which the Regional Administrator may 
    request to determine whether cause exists for modifying, revoking and 
    reissuing, or terminating this permit, or to determine compliance with 
    this permit. The permittee shall also furnish to the Regional 
    Administrator, upon request, copies of records required to be kept by 
    this permit.
    4. Reopener Clause
        The Regional Administrator reserves the right to make appropriate 
    revisions to this permit in order to establish any appropriate effluent 
    limitations, schedules of compliance, or other provisions which may be 
    authorized under the CWA in order to bring all discharges into 
    compliance with the CWA.
    5. Oil and Hazardous Substance Liability
        Nothing in this permit shall be construed to preclude the 
    institution of any legal action or relieve the permittee from any 
    responsibilities, liabilities, or 
    
    [[Page 62462]]
    penalties to which the permittee is or may be subject under Section 311 
    of the CWA, or Section 106 of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, 
    Compensation and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA).
    6. Property Rights
        The issuance of this permit does not convey any property rights of 
    any sort, nor any exclusive privileges.
    7. Confidentiality of Information
        a. In accordance with 40 CFR Part 2, any information submitted to 
    EPA pursuant to these regulations may be claimed as confidential by the 
    submitter. Any such claim must be asserted at the time of submission in 
    the manner prescribed on the application form or instructions or, in 
    the case of other submissions, by stamping the words ``confidential 
    business information'' on each page containing such information. If no 
    claim is made at the time of submission, EPA may make the information 
    available to the public without further notice. If a claim is asserted, 
    the information will be treated in accordance with the procedures in 40 
    CFR Part 2 (Public Information).
        b. Claims of confidentiality for the following information will be 
    denied:
        (i) The name and address of any permit applicant or permittee;
        (ii) Permit applications, permits, and effluent data as defined in 
    40 CFR Sec. 2.302(a)(2).
        c. Information required by NPDES application forms provided by the 
    Regional Administrator under Sec. 122.21 may not be claimed 
    confidential. This includes information submitted on the forms 
    themselves and any attachments used to supply information required by 
    the forms.
    8. Duty to Reapply
        If the permittee wishes to continue an activity regulated by this 
    permit after its expiration date, the permittee must apply for and 
    obtain a new permit. The permittee shall submit a new application at 
    least l80 days before the expiration date of the existing permit, 
    unless permission for a later date has been granted by the Regional 
    Administrator. (The Regional Administrator shall not grant permission 
    for applications to be submitted later than the expiration date of the 
    existing permit.)
    9. State Authorities
        Nothing in Part 122, 123, or 124 precludes more stringent State 
    regulation of any activity covered by these regulations, whether or not 
    under an approved State program.
    10. Other Laws
        The issuance of a permit does not authorize any injury to persons 
    or property or invasion of other private rights, nor does it relieve 
    the permittee of its obligation to comply with any other applicable 
    Federal, State, and local laws and regulations.
    Section B. Operation and Maintenance of Pollution Controls
    1. Proper Operation and Maintenance
        The permittee shall at all times properly operate and maintain all 
    facilities and systems of treatment and control (and related 
    appurtenances) which are installed or used by the permittee to achieve 
    compliance with the conditions of this permit and with the requirements 
    of storm water pollution prevention plans. Proper operation and 
    maintenance also includes adequate laboratory controls and appropriate 
    quality assurance procedures. This provision requires the operation of 
    back-up or auxiliary facilities or similar systems only when the 
    operation is necessary to achieve compliance with the conditions of the 
    permit.
    2. Need to Halt or Reduce Not a Defense
        It shall not be a defense for a permittee in an enforcement action 
    that it would have been necessary to halt or reduce the permitted 
    activity in order to maintain compliance with the conditions of this 
    permit.
    3. Duty to Mitigate
        The permittee shall take all reasonable steps to minimize or 
    prevent any discharge or sludge use or disposal in violation of this 
    permit which has a reasonable likelihood of adversely affecting human 
    health or the environment.
    4. Bypass
        a. Definitions.
        (1) ``Bypass'' means the intentional diversion of waste streams 
    from any portion of a treatment facility.
        (2) ``Severe property damage'' means substantial physical damage to 
    property, damage to the treatment facilities which causes them to 
    become inoperable, or substantial and permanent loss of natural 
    resources which can reasonably be expected to occur in the absence of a 
    bypass. Severe property damage does not mean economic loss caused by 
    delays in production.
        b. Bypass not exceeding limitations. The permittee may allow any 
    bypass to occur which does not cause effluent limitations to be 
    exceeded, but only if it also is for essential maintenance to assure 
    efficient operation. These bypasses are not subject to the provisions 
    of Paragraphs B.4.c and 4.d of this section.
        c. Notice.
        (1) Anticipated bypass.
        If the permittee knows in advance of the need for a bypass, it 
    shall submit prior notice, if possible at least ten days before the 
    date of the bypass.
        (2) Unanticipated bypass.
        The permittee shall submit notice of an unanticipated bypass as 
    required in Paragraph D.1.e (24-hour notice).
        d. Prohibition of bypass.
        (1) Bypass is prohibited, and the Regional Administrator may take 
    enforcement action against a permittee for bypass, unless:
        (a) Bypass was unavoidable to prevent loss of life, personal 
    injury, or severe property damage;
        (b) There were no feasible alternatives to the bypass, such as the 
    use of auxiliary treatment facilities, retention of untreated wastes, 
    or maintenance during normal periods of equipment downtime. This 
    condition is not satisfied if adequate back-up equipment should have 
    been installed in the exercise of reasonable engineering judgment to 
    prevent a bypass which occurred during normal periods of equipment 
    downtime or preventive maintenance; and
        (c)(i) The permittee submitted notices as required under Paragraph 
    4.c of this section.
        (ii) The Regional Administrator may approve an anticipated bypass, 
    after considering its adverse effects, if the Regional Administrator 
    determines that it will meet the three conditions listed above in 
    Paragraph 4.d of this section.
    5. Upset
        a. Definition. ``Upset'' means an exceptional incident in which 
    there is unintentional and temporary non-compliance with technology-
    based permit effluent limitations because of factors beyond the 
    reasonable control of the permittee. An upset does not include 
    noncompliance to the extent caused by operational error, improperly 
    designed treatment facilities, inadequate treatment facilities, lack of 
    preventive maintenance, or careless or improper operation.
        b. Effect of an upset. An upset constitutes an affirmative defense 
    to an action brought for noncompliance with such technology-based 
    permit effluent limitations if the requirements of Paragraph B.5.c of 
    this section are met. No determination made during administrative 
    review of claims that noncompliance was caused by upset, and before an 
    action for noncompliance, 
    
    [[Page 62463]]
    is final administrative action subject to judicial review.
        c. Conditions necessary for a demonstration of upset. A permittee 
    who wishes to establish the affirmative defense of upset shall 
    demonstrate, through properly signed, contemporaneous operating logs, 
    or other relevant evidence that:
        (1) An upset occurred and that the permittee can identify the 
    cause(s) of the upset;
        (2) The permitted facility was at the time being properly operated;
        (3) The permittee submitted notice of the upset as required in 
    Paragraphs D.1.a and 1.e (24-hour notice); and
        (4) The permittee complied with any remedial measures required 
    under B.3. above.
        d. Burden of proof. In any enforcement proceeding the permittee 
    seeking to establish the occurrence of an upset has the burden of 
    proof.
    Section C. Monitoring and Records
    1. Monitoring and Records
        a. Samples and measurements taken for the purpose of monitoring 
    shall be representative of the monitored activity.
        b. Except for records of monitoring information required by this 
    permit related to the permittee's sewage sludge use and disposal 
    activities, which shall be retained for a period of at least five years 
    (or longer as required by 40 CFR Part 503), the permittee shall retain 
    records of all monitoring information, including all calibration and 
    maintenance records and all original strip chart recordings for 
    continuous monitoring instrumentation, copies of all reports required 
    by this permit, and records of all data used to complete the 
    application for this permit, for a period of at least 3 years from the 
    date of the sample, measurement, report or application except for the 
    information concerning storm water discharges which must be retained 
    for a total of 6 years. This retention period may be extended by 
    request of the Regional Administrator at any time.
        c. Records of monitoring information shall include:
        (1) The date, exact place, and time of sampling or measurements;
        (2) The individual(s) who performed the sampling or measurements;
        (3) The date(s) analyses were performed;
        (4) The individual(s) who performed the analyses;
        (5) The analytical techniques or methods used; and
        (6) The results of such analyses.
        d. Monitoring results must be conducted according to test 
    procedures approved under 40 CFR Part 136 or, in the case of sludge use 
    or disposal, approved under 40 CFR Part 136 unless otherwise specified 
    in 40 CFR Part 503, unless other test procedures have been specified in 
    the permit.
        e. The Clean Water Act provides that any person who falsifies, 
    tampers with, or knowingly renders inaccurate any monitoring device or 
    method required to be maintained under this permit shall, upon 
    conviction, be punished by a fine of not more than $10,000, or by 
    imprisonment for not more than 2 years, or both. If a conviction of a 
    person is for a violation committed after a first conviction of such 
    person under this paragraph, punishment is a fine of not more than 
    $20,000 per day of violation, or by imprisonment of not more than 4 
    years, or both.
    2. Inspection and Entry
        The permittee shall allow the Regional Administrator, or an 
    authorized representative (including an authorized contractor acting as 
    a representative of the Administrator), upon presentation of 
    credentials and other documents as may be required by law, to:
        a. Enter upon the permittee's premises where a regulated facility 
    or activity is located or conducted, or where records must be kept 
    under the conditions of this permit;
        b. Have access to and copy, at reasonable times, any records that 
    must be kept under the conditions of this permit;
        c. Inspect at reasonable times any facilities, equipment (including 
    monitoring and control equipment), practices, or operations regulated 
    or required under this permit; and
        d. Sample or monitor at reasonable times, for the purposes of 
    assuring permit compliance or as otherwise authorized by the Clean 
    Water Act, any substances or parameters at any location.
    Section D. Reporting Requirements
    1. Reporting Requirements
        a. Planned changes. The permittee shall give notice to the Regional 
    Administrator as soon as possible of any planned physical alterations 
    or additions to the permitted facility. Notice is required only when:
        (1) The alteration or addition to a permitted facility may meet one 
    of the criteria for determining whether a facility is a new source in 
    40 CFR 122.29(b); or
        (2) The alteration or addition could significantly change the 
    nature or increase the quantity of pollutants discharged. This 
    notification applies to pollutants which are subject to the effluent 
    limitations in the permit, nor to the notification requirements under 
    40 CFR 122.42(a)(1).
        (3) The alteration or addition results in a significant change in 
    the permittee's sludge use or disposal practices, and such alteration, 
    addition or change may justify the application of permit conditions 
    different from or absent in the existing permit, including notification 
    of additional use or disposal sites not reported during the permit 
    application process or not reported pursuant to an approved land 
    application plan.
        b. Anticipated noncompliance. The permittee shall give advance 
    notice to the Regional Administrator of any planned changes in the 
    permitted facility or activity which may result in noncompliance with 
    permit requirements.
        c. Transfers. This permit is not transferable to any person except 
    after notice to the Regional Administrator. The Regional Administrator 
    may require modification or revocation and reissuance of the permit to 
    change the name of the permittee and incorporate such other 
    requirements as may be necessary under the Clean Water Act. (See 
    Sec. 122.61; in some cases, modification or revocation and reissuance 
    is mandatory.)
        d. Monitoring reports. Monitoring results shall be reported at the 
    intervals specified elsewhere in this permit.
        (1) Monitoring results must be reported on a Discharge Monitoring 
    Report (DMR) or forms provided or specified by the Regional 
    Administrator for reporting results of monitoring of sludge use or 
    disposal practices.
        (2) If the permittee monitors any pollutant more frequently than 
    required by the permit using test procedures approved under 40 CFR Part 
    136 or, in the case of sludge use or disposal, approved under 40 CFR 
    Part 136 unless otherwise specified in 40 CFR Part 503, or as specified 
    in the permit, the results of this monitoring shall be included in the 
    calculation and reporting of the data submitted in the DMR or sludge 
    reporting form specified by the Regional Administrator.
        (3) Calculations for all limitations which require averaging of 
    measurements shall utilize an arithmetic mean unless otherwise 
    specified by the Regional Administrator in the permit.
    e. Twenty-four hour reporting
        (1) The permittee shall report any noncompliance which may endanger 
    health or the environment. Any 
    
    [[Page 62464]]
    information shall be provided orally within 24 hours from the time the 
    permittee becomes aware of the circumstances.
        A written submission shall also be provided within 5 days of the 
    time the permittee becomes aware of the circumstances.
        The written submission shall contain a description of the 
    noncompliance and its cause; the period of noncompliance, including 
    exact dates and times, and if the noncompliance has not been corrected, 
    the anticipated time it is expected to continue; and steps taken or 
    planned to reduce, eliminate, and prevent reoccurrence of the 
    noncompliance.
        (2) The following shall be included as information which must be 
    reported within 24 hours under this paragraph.
        (a) Any unanticipated bypass which exceeds any effluent limitation 
    in the permit. (See Sec. 122.41(g))
        (b) Any upset which exceeds any effluent limitation in the permit.
        (c) Violation of a maximum daily discharge limitation for any of 
    the pollutants listed by the Regional Administrator in the permit to be 
    reported within 24 hours. (See Sec. 122.44(g))
        (3) The Regional Administrator may waive the written report on a 
    case-by-case basis for reports under Paragraph D.1.e if the oral report 
    has been received within 24 hours.
        f. Compliance Schedules. Reports of compliance or noncompliance 
    with, or any progress reports on, interim and final requirements 
    contained in any compliance schedule of this permit shall be submitted 
    no later than 14 days following each schedule date.
        g. Other noncompliance. The permittee shall report all instances of 
    noncompliance not reported under Paragraphs D.1.d, D.1.e and D.1.f of 
    this section, at the time monitoring reports are submitted. The reports 
    shall contain the information listed in Paragraph D.1.e of this 
    section.
        h. Other information. Where the permittee becomes aware that it 
    failed to submit any relevant facts in a permit application, or 
    submitted incorrect information in a permit application or in any 
    report to the Regional Administrator, it shall promptly submit such 
    facts or information.
    2. Signatory Requirement
        a. All applications, reports, or information submitted to the 
    Regional Administrator shall be signed and certified. (See Sec. 122.22)
        b. The CWA provides that any person who knowingly makes any false 
    statement, representation, or certification in any record or other 
    document submitted or required to be maintained under this permit, 
    including monitoring reports or reports of compliance or non-compliance 
    shall, upon conviction, be punished by a fine of not more than $10,000 
    per violation, or by imprisonment for not more than 6 months per 
    violation, or by both.
    3. Availability of Reports
        Except for data determined to be confidential under Paragraph A.8. 
    above, all reports prepared in accordance with the terms of this permit 
    shall be available for public inspection at the offices of the State 
    water pollution control agency and the Regional Administrator. As 
    required by the CWA, effluent data shall not be considered 
    confidential. Knowingly making any false statement on any such report 
    may result in the imposition of criminal penalties as provided for in 
    Section 309 of the CWA.
    Section E. Other Conditions
        1. Definitions for purposes of this permit are as follows:
        Administrator means the Administrator of the United States 
    Environmental Protection Agency, or an authorized representative.
        Applicable standards and limitations means all State, interstate, 
    and Federal standards and limitations to which a ``discharge'' or a 
    related activity is subject to, including water quality standards, 
    standards of performance, toxic effluent standards or prohibitions, 
    ``best management practices,'' and pretreatment standards under 
    sections 301, 302, 303, 304, 306, 307, 308, 403, and 405 of CWA.
        Application means the EPA standard national forms for applying for 
    a permit, including any additions, revisions or modifications to the 
    forms; or forms approved by EPA for use in ``approved States,'' 
    including any approved modifications or revisions.
        Average. The arithmetic mean of values taken at the frequency 
    required for each parameter over the specified period. For total and/or 
    fecal coliforms, the average shall be the geometric mean.
        Average monthly discharge limitation means the highest allowable 
    average of ``daily discharges'' over a calendar month, calculated as 
    the sum of all daily discharges measured during a calendar month 
    divided by the number of daily discharges measured during that month.
        Average weekly discharge limitation means the highest allowable 
    average of ``daily discharges'' over a calendar week, calculated as the 
    sum of all daily discharges measured during a calendar week divided by 
    the number of daily discharges measured during that week.
        Best Management Practices (BMPs) means schedules of activities, 
    prohibitions of practices, maintenance procedures, and other management 
    practices to prevent or reduce the pollution of ``waters of the United 
    States.'' BMPs also include treatment requirements, operating 
    procedures, and practices to control plant site runoff, spillage or 
    leaks, sludge or waste disposal, or drainage from raw material storage.
        Best Professional Judgement (BPJ) means a case-by-case 
    determination of Best Practicable Treatment (BPT), Best Available 
    Treatment (BAT) or other appropriate standard based on an evaluation of 
    the available technology to achieve a particular pollutant reduction.
        Composite Sample--A sample consisting of a minimum of eight grab 
    samples collected at equal intervals during a 24-hour period (or lesser 
    period as specified in the section on Monitoring and Reporting) and 
    combined proportional to flow, or a sample continuously collected 
    proportionally to flow over that same time period.
        Continuous Discharge means a ``discharge'' which occurs without 
    interruption throughout the operating hours of the facility except for 
    infrequent shutdowns for maintenance, process changes, or similar 
    activities.
        CWA or ``The Act'' means the Clean Water Act (formerly referred to 
    as the Federal Water Pollution Control Act or Federal Water Pollution 
    Control Act Amendments of 1972) Pub. L. 92-500, as amended by Pub. L. 
    95-217, Pub. L. 95-576, Pub. L. 96-483 and Pub. L. 97-117; 33 U.S.C. 
    Secs. 1251 et seq.
        Daily Discharge means the discharge of a pollutant measured during 
    a calendar day or any 24-hour period that reasonably represents the 
    calendar day for purposes of sampling. For pollutants with limitations 
    expressed in units of mass, the daily discharge is calculated as the 
    total mass of the pollutant discharged over the day. For pollutants 
    with limitations expressed in other units of measurements, the daily 
    discharge is calculated as the average measurement of the pollutant 
    over the day.
        Director means the person authorized to sign NPDES permits by EPA 
    and/or the State.
        Discharge Monitoring Report Form (DMR) means the EPA standard 
    national form, including any subsequent additions, revisions, or 
    modifications, for the reporting of self-monitoring results by 
    permittees. DMRs must be used by ``approved States'' as well as by 
    
    [[Page 62465]]
    EPA. EPA will supply DMRs to any approved State upon request. The EPA 
    national forms may be modified to substitute the State Agency name, 
    address, logo, and other similar information, as appropriate, in place 
    of EPA's.
        Discharge of a pollutant means:
        (a) Any addition of any ``pollutant'' or combination of pollutants 
    to ``waters of the United States'' from any ``point source,'' or
        (b) Any addition of any pollutant or combination of pollutants to 
    the waters of the ``contiguous zone'' or the ocean from any point 
    source other than a vessel or other floating craft which is being used 
    as a means of transportation.
        This definition includes additions of pollutants into waters of the 
    United States from: surface runoff which is collected or channelled by 
    man; discharges through pipes, sewers, or other conveyances owned by a 
    State, municipality, or other person which do not lead to a treatment 
    works; and discharges through pipes, sewers, or other conveyances 
    leading into privately owned treatment works.
        This term does not include an addition of pollutants by any 
    ``indirect discharger.''
        Effluent limitation means any restriction imposed by the Director 
    on quantities, discharge rates, and concentrations of ``pollutants'' 
    which are ``discharged'' from ``point sources'' into ``waters of the 
    United States,'' the waters of the ``contiguous zone,'' or the ocean.
        Effluent limitations guidelines means a regulation published by the 
    Administrator under Section 304(b) of CWA to adopt or revise ``effluent 
    limitations.''
        EPA means the United States ``Environmental Protection Agency.''
        Grab Sample--An individual sample collected in a period of less 
    than 15 minutes.
        Hazardous Substance means any substance designated under 40 CFR 
    Part 116 pursuant to Section 311 of CWA.
        Maximum daily discharge limitation means the highest allowable 
    ``daily discharge.''
        Municipality means a city, town, borough, county, parish, district, 
    association, or other public body created by of under State law and 
    having jurisdiction over disposal or sewage, industrial wastes, or 
    other wastes, or an Indian tribe or an authorized Indian tribe 
    organization, or a designated and approved management agency under 
    section 208 of CWA.
        National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System means the national 
    program for issuing, modifying, revoking and reissuing, terminating, 
    monitoring and enforcing permits, and imposing and enforcing 
    pretreatment requirements, under sections 307, 402, 318, and 405 of 
    CWA. The term includes an ``approved program.''
        New discharger means any building, structure, facility, or 
    installation:
        (a) From which there is or may be a ``discharge of pollutants'';
        (b) That did not commence the ``discharge of pollutants'' at a 
    particular ``site'' prior to August 13, 1979;
        (c) Which is not a ``new source''; and
        (d) Which has never received a finally effective NPDES permit for 
    discharges at that ``site''.
        This definition includes an ``indirect discharger'' which commences 
    discharging into ``waters of the United States'' after August 13, 1979.
        It also includes any existing mobile point source (other than an 
    offshore or coastal oil and gas exploratory drilling rig or a coastal 
    oil and gas developmental drilling rig) such as a seafood processing 
    rig, seafood processing vessel, or aggregate plant, that begins 
    discharging at a ``site'' for which it does not have a permit; and any 
    offshore or coastal mobile oil and gas exploratory drilling rig or 
    coastal mobile oil and gas developmental drilling rig that commences 
    the discharge of pollutants after August 13, 1979, at a ``site'' under 
    EPA's permitting jurisdiction for which it is not covered by an 
    individual or general permit and which is located in an area determined 
    by the Regional Administrator in the issuance of a final permit to be 
    an area of biological concern. In determining whether an area is an 
    area of biological concern, the Regional Administrator shall consider 
    the factors specified in 40 CFR 125.122.(a) (1) through (10).
        An offshore or coastal mobile exploratory drilling rig or coastal 
    mobile developmental drilling rig will be considered a ``new 
    discharger'' only for the duration of its discharge in an area of 
    biological concern.
        New source means any building, structure, facility, or installation 
    from which there is or may be a ``discharge of pollutants,'' the 
    construction of which commenced:
        (a) After promulgation of standards of performance under Section 
    306 of CWA which are applicable to such.
        (b) After proposal of standards of performance in accordance with 
    Section 306 of CWA which are applicable to such source, but only if the 
    standards are promulgated in accordance with Section 306 within 120 
    days of their proposal.
        NPDES means ``National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System.''
        Non-Contact Cooling Water is water used to reduce temperature which 
    does not come in direct contact with any raw material, intermediate 
    product, a waste product or finished product.
        Owner or operator means the owner or operator of any ``facility or 
    activity'' subject to regulation under the NPDES programs.
        Permit means an authorization, license, or equivalent control 
    document issued by EPA or an ``approved State.''
        Person means an individual, association, partnership, corporation, 
    municipality, State or Federal agency, or an agent or employee thereof.
        Point source means any discernible, confined, and discrete 
    conveyance, including but not limited to any pipe, ditch, channel, 
    tunnel, conduit, well, discrete fissure, container, rolling stock, 
    concentrated animal feeding operation, vessel, or other floating craft, 
    from which pollutants are or may be discharged. This term does not 
    include return flows from irrigated agriculture.
        Pollutant means dredged spoil, solid waste, incinerator residue, 
    filter backwash, sewage, garbage, sewage sludge, munitions, chemical 
    wastes, biological materials, radioactive materials (except those 
    regulated under the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended (42 U.S.C. 
    2011 et seq.)), heat, wrecked or discarded equipment, rock, sand, 
    cellar dirt and industrial, municipal, and agricultural waste 
    discharged into water. It does not mean:
        (a) Sewage from vessels; or
        (b) Water, gas, or other material which is injected into a well to 
    facilitate production of oil or gas, or water derived in association 
    with oil and gas production and disposed of in a well, if the well used 
    either to facilitate production or for disposal purposes is approved by 
    authority of the State in which the well is located, and if the State 
    determines that the injection or disposal will not result in the 
    degradation of ground or surface water resources.
        Primary industry category means any industry category listed in the 
    NRDC settlement agreement (Natural Resources Defense Council et al. v. 
    Train, 8 E.R.C. 2120 (D.D.C. 1976), modified 12 E.R.C. 1833 (D.D.C. 
    1979)); also listed in Appendix A of 40 CFR Part 122.
        Process wastewater means any water which, during manufacturing or 
    processing, comes into direct contact with or results from the 
    production or use of any raw material, intermediate product, finished 
    product, byproduct, or waste product. 
    
    [[Page 62466]]
    
        Regional Administrator means the Regional Administrator, EPA, 
    Region I, Boston, Massachusetts.
        State means any of the 3 States of Maine, Massachusetts and New 
    Hampshire.
        Secondary Industry Category means any industry category which is 
    not a ``primary industry category.''
        Toxic pollutant means any pollutant listed as toxic in Appendix D 
    of 40 CFR Part 122, under Section 307(a)(l) of CWA.
        Uncontaminated storm water is precipitation to which no pollutants 
    have been added and has not come into direct contact with any raw 
    material, intermediate product, waste product or finished product.
        Waters of the United States means:
        (a) All waters which are currently used, were used in the past, or 
    may be susceptible to use in interstate or foreign commerce, including 
    all waters which are subject to the ebb and flow of the tide;
        (b) All interstate waters, including interstate ``wetlands.''
        (c) All other waters such as intrastate lakes, rivers, streams 
    (including intermittent streams), mudflats, sandflats, ``wetlands,'' 
    sloughs, prairie potholes, wet meadows, playa lakes, or natural ponds 
    the use, degradation, or destruction of which would affect or could 
    affect interstate or foreign commerce including any such waters:
        (1) Which are or could be used by interstate or foreign travelers 
    for recreational or other purposes;
        (2) From which fish or shellfish are or could be taken and sold in 
    interstate or foreign commerce; or
        (3) Which are used or could be used for industrial purposes by 
    industries in interstate commerce;
        (d) All impoundments of waters otherwise defined as waters of the 
    United States under this definition;
        (e) Tributaries of waters identified in paragraphs (a)-(d) of this 
    definition;
        (f) The territorial sea; and
        (g) ``Wetlands'' adjacent to waters (other than waters that are 
    themselves wetlands) identified in paragraphs (a)-(f) of this 
    definition.
        Whole Effluent Toxicity (WET) means the aggregate toxic effect of 
    an effluent measured directly by a toxicity test.
        Wetlands means those areas that are inundated or saturated by 
    surface or ground water at a frequency and duration sufficient to 
    support, and that under normal circumstances do support, a prevalence 
    of vegetation typically adapted for life in saturated soil conditions. 
    Wetlands generally include swamps, marshes, bogs, and similar areas.
        2. Abbreviations when used in this permit are defined below:
    
    cu. M/day or M3/day--cubic meters per day
    mg/l--milligrams per liter
    g/l--micrograms per liter
    lbs/day--pounds per day
    kg/day--kilograms per day
    Temp.  deg.C--temperature in degrees Centigrade
    Temp.  deg.F--temperature in degrees Fahrenheit
    Turb.--turbidity measured by the Nephelometric Method (NTU)
    pH--a measure of the hydrogen ion concentration
    CFS--cubic feet per second
    MGD--million gallons per day
    Oil & Grease--Freon extractable material
    ml/l--milliliter(s) per liter
    Cl2 total residual chlorine.
    
    [FR Doc. 95-29742 Filed 12-5-95; 8:45 am]
    BILLING CODE 6560-50-P
    
    

Document Information

Published:
12/06/1995
Department:
Environmental Protection Agency
Entry Type:
Notice
Action:
Notice; Preparation of Draft NPDES General Permits--MAG070000, MEG070000, and NHG070000.
Document Number:
95-29742
Dates:
For comment period: Interested persons may submit comments on the draft general permits as part of the administrative record to the
Pages:
62456-62466 (11 pages)
Docket Numbers:
FRL-5340-4
PDF File:
95-29742.pdf