NOTICES
DEPARTMENT OF
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
Availability of Final Erosion and Sediment Control General Permit-4 for Earth Disturbance Associated with Oil and Gas Exploration, Production, Processing or Treatment Operations or Transmission Facilities (ESCGP-4)
[54 Pa.B. 6341]
[Saturday, October 5, 2024]The Department of Environmental Protection (Department) by this notice is publishing as final the Erosion and Sediment Control General Permit-4 (ESCGP-4) for Earth Disturbance Associated with Oil and Gas Exploration, Production, Processing or Treatment Operations or Transmission Facilities. This general permit is issued under the authority of 25 Pa. Code § 102.5(m) (relating to permit requirements) as well as the Clean Streams Law (35 P.S. §§ 691.1—691.1001), 58 Pa.C.S. §§ 3201—3274 (relating to development) (2012 Oil and Gas Act) and sections 1905-A, 1917-A and 1920-A of The Administrative Code of 1929 (71 P.S. §§ 510-5, 510-17 and 510-20). This general permit will be effective October 5, 2024, and will expire on October 5, 2029. Notice will be published in the Pennsylvania Bulletin of every approval of coverage.
Oil and gas activities conducted in compliance with 25 Pa. Code Chapter 102 (relating to erosion and sediment control), including activities conducted under ESCGP-3, comply with water quality standards.
The Department solicited public comment on the proposed revisions to ESCGP-4 from June 29, 2024, through July 29, 2024. Eight commenters submitted approximately 83 comments. The Department prepared a Comment and Response Document and made appropriate changes to the ESCGP-4 based on those comments.
A copy of the final ESCGP-4 permit with related documents, including the Comment and Response Document, is available by contacting the Department of Environmental Protection, Office of Oil and Gas Management, Rachel Carson State Office Building, P.O. Box 8460, 15th Floor, Harrisburg, PA 17105-8460, (717) 772-2199. The general permit package can be accessed online through the Department's eLibrary web site at www.depgreenport. state.pa.us/elibrary/ (select ''Permit and Authorization Packages,'' then ''OIL AND GAS,'' then ''AUTHORIZATION OF COVERAGE UNDER THE EROSION AND SEDIMENT CONTROL GENERAL PERMIT FOR EARTH DISTURBANCE ASSOCIATED WITH OIL AND GAS EXPLORATION, PRODUCTION, PROCESSING, OR TREATMENT OPERATIONS OR TRANSMISSION FACILITIES (ESCGP-4) 8000 PM OOGM0003a.''
The Department will continue to accept applications for ESCGP-3 until October 11, 2024. Due to the expiration of ESCGP-3, the Department must act on all notices of intent submitted for coverage under ESCGP-3 by January 6, 2025. Projects that were authorized for coverage under ESCGP-3 prior to this date will have coverage administratively extended under the terms and conditions of ESCGP-3 for the remainder of the time period of the original coverage.
Questions about the final ESCGP-4 should be directed to Joseph Kelly, Chief, Division of Well Development and Surface Activities, (717) 772-2199 or josephkel@pa.gov.
JESSICA SHIRLEY,
Acting Secretary
[Pa.B. Doc. No. 24-1424. Filed for public inspection October 4, 2024, 9:00 a.m.]
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