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PA Bulletin, Doc. No. 02-93

NOTICES

Public Notice of Proposed Revision to Pennsylvania General Permit for Beneficial Use of Exceptional Quality Biosolids by Land Application (PAG-7)

[32 Pa.B. 377]

   In accordance with the provisions of the Federal Clean Water Act, The Clean Streams Law (35 P. S. §§ 691.1--691.1001), sections 1905-A, 1917-A and 1920-A of The Administrative Code of 1929 (71 P. S. §§ 510-5, 510-17 and 510-20), the Solid Waste Management Act (35 P. S. §§ 6018.101--6018.1003) and the Municipal Waste Planning, Recycling and Waste Reduction Act (53 P. S. §§ 4000.101--4000.1904), the Department of Environmental Protection (Department) issues this general permit for use by eligible persons for the beneficial use of exceptional quality biosolids that will be sold, given away or otherwise distributed in a bag or other container or that will be land applied, who are required in 25 Pa. Code Chapters 91, 92 or 271, as applicable, to obtain a permit for the beneficial use of biosolids in this Commonwealth. The general permit shall only be valid for eligible persons that have submitted an administratively complete application, hereinafter referred to as Notice of Intent, to the Department on the prescribed form and have met all applicable technical requirements.

   The Department, by this notice, seeks public comments on the proposed revisions to PAG-7. The general permit being proposed for revision was last issued on May 24, 1997, and is scheduled to expire on May 23, 2002.

   The proposed revisions are necessary to clarify the general permit as it relates to biosolids and to clarify previous language. There is no change to the current permit application fee of $500.

   The following paragraph summarizes proposed revisions to the current permit documents:

   The general permit has been reorganized and made more concise. In many instances, repetitive regulatory language was replaced by the appropriate regulatory reference. A definition of exceptional quality biosolids has been proposed to be added and this term replaces the term ''any sewage sludge'' where appropriate. As an incentive for biosolids generators to produce exceptional quality products, proposed language was added to exclude exceptional quality biosolids from waste processing and transportation placard requirements. Appendices are proposed to be removed because the information is readily obtainable from the regulations or other resources.

   The permit documents package will continue to be available from the Department's Regional and Central Offices until it is replaced or updated.

   Copies of this notice are available from the Department's Bureau of Water Supply and Wastewater Management, P. O. Box 8467, Harrisburg, PA 17105-8467, (717) 783-3795 (e-mail address: trutroutma@state.pa.us) and on the Department's website at www.dep.state.pa.us directLINK ''participate''; scroll down to ''Proposals Open for Comment''; then choose ''Other Proposals.''

   This notice provides for a process and an opportunity for public comments and input on the proposed revisions. The Department invites public comments on the proposed revisions and other recommended changes that should be made to the general permit. Comments must be submitted within 30 days from the date of the publication of this notice in the Pennsylvania Bulletin. If there is significant public interest in the general permit, or if formally requested, the comment period may be extended at the discretion of the Department for an additional 15 day period. Only the comments received within the specified period will be considered in the formulation of the final general permit. Persons wishing to comment should include their name, address and telephone number and a concise comment statement to inform the Department of the exact basis of the comment and the relevant facts upon which it is based. A public meeting or hearing may be held if the Department considers the public interests and/or comments significant. Written comments should be submitted to the previous address. Comments will not be accepted by facsimile or voice mail. Comments will also be accepted by electronic mail and should be sent to jafrica@state.pa.us by the applicable deadline.

   Persons with a disability may use the AT&T Relay Service by calling (800) 654-5984 (TDD users) or (800) 654-5988 (voice users). Following the specified comment period, the Department will review the submitted comments, prepare a written comment and response document and prepare final documents package for this permit. An availability of the final permit documents will be announced in the Pennsylvania Bulletin.

DAVID E. HESS,   
Secretary

[Pa.B. Doc. No. 02-93. Filed for public inspection January 18, 2002, 9:00 a.m.]


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