[26 Pa.B. 1720]
[Continued from previous Web Page]
SPECIAL NOTICES
Proposed Submittals Requiring Registered Professional Geologists Seals Under the Pennsylvania Engineer, Land Surveyor and Geologist Registration Law
With the passage of the amendments to the Engineer, Land Surveyor and Geologists Registration Law, the Department of Environmental Protection is proposing to require that certain actions submitted as part of permit applications or reports be sealed by a Registered Professional Geologist. This registration must be made in accordance with the provisions of The Pennsylvania Engineer, Land Surveyor and Geologist Registration Law (63 P. S. §§ 148--158.2).
The licensing and registration of Professional Geologists has caused the Department to examine the entire range of geologic work products in an effort to determine which actions will require appropriate sealing. To accomplish this effort the Department convened an internal workgroup which analyzed the full range of actions that the Department currently reviews on a regular basis. This workgroup reviewed actions by programs within the following agencies:
Department of Environmental Protection:
Abandoned Mine Reclamation
Environmental Clean-Up
Flood Protection Projects
Dams, Waterways and Wetlands
Land and Water Conservation
Land Recycling and Waste Management
Mining and Reclamation
District Mining Offices
Oil & Gas Management
Radiation Protection
Water Quality Management
Water Supply and Community HealthThe workgroup met over a 1 1/2 year period to determine which submittals the Department would require to be sealed by a Registered Professional Geologist. These submittals are listed on the following tables, by program. During the course of this effort it was determined that all submittals to the Department will fall into one of four categories.
The categories are:
* A. Submittals or tasks which must be prepared by a Registered Professional Geologist.
* B. Submittals which do not need to be prepared by a Registered Professional Geologist.
* C. Submittals which could be prepared or submitted by either a Registered Professional Geologist or another licensed professional as defined in the registration law.
* D. Submittals which would require preparation and submittal by both a Registered Professional Geologist and Professional Engineer.
Categories A, B, C and D refer to the column headings on the accompanying tables.
Following the public comment period, which closes June 7, 1996, DEP permit application forms and other procedures and policies will be amended to require the use of Registered Professional Geologist seals.
Discussions on this proposed action will be held during the following meetings:
April 30 10:30 a.m. Northcentral Regional Office, Maurice Goddard Room, Williamsport, PA May 6 10 a.m. Northeast Regional Office, 2nd Floor Conference Room, Wilkes-Barre, PA May 8 10 a.m. Rachel Carson State Office Building, 2nd Fl Auditorium, Harrisburg, PA May 15 1 p.m. Southwest Regional Office, Monongahela Room, Pittsburgh, PA May 16 10 a.m. Northwest Regional Office, Conference Room A/B, Meadville, PA May 20 10 a.m. Southeast Regional Office, Hearing Room, Conshohocken, PA Written comments may be directed to Eric R. Conrad, Office of Field Operations, P. O. Box 2063, Harrisburg, PA 17105-2063 or e-mail at Conrad.Eric@a1.dep.state.pa.us.
It is anticipated that the list of submittals requiring a Registered Professional Geologist seal will change over time as agency expertise evolves and as the regulated community has an opportunity to comment.
Program Area: Bureau of Water Supply and Community Health
Topic A B C D All geologic well logs associated with public water supply permits including, test wells and test borings (incidental to permit) X3 The construction details for public water supply wells and back-up wells X The-step-drawdown pumping test data X X4 The 48-hour constant-rate pumping test data X X4 The sustained yield rating data X X4 Delineation maps and data of wellhead protection areas X X5 Wellhead protection management approaches X2 Vulnerability assessments X1 X Site location maps for public water supply wells X Geologic maps and data for water allocation permits X SWIP monitoring plans, sample results, data evaluations and SWIP Determination X1 X6 1 It requires advanced interpretation or professional opinion, then an RPG should be required.
2 The plans for WHP need not be conducted by an RPG or PE; in fact, the plan should probably be developed by an environmental planner.
3 Logs should be made at least under supervision of RPG and any reports (with interpretation) should be used by RPG.
4 Data can be gathered by (B), however, any interpretation or analysis should be conducted by RPG.
5 WHP and delineation standard will be fixed radius and, therefore, will not require RPG. Any advanced delineation requiring analysis and interpretation of hydrogeologic data should be signed by RPG.
6 SWIP designed so that data can be gathered by anyone; however, BWSCH has done interpretation. Any challenges should be submitted by RPG.
Program Area: Bureau of Water Quality Management
Topic A B C D Reports submitted on special groundwater studies which are contracted to outside agencies X Groundwater Monitoring Well Data Reports with interpretation X Groundwater Monitoring Well Data Reports with no interpretation X Preliminary hydrogeologic information required prior to Water Management Part II permit application submission for land application of sewage (ER-BWQ 188.A) or industrial wastewater (ER-BWQ 51.2) X Preliminary hydrogeologic information required for NPDES permit application for discharges of sewage (ER-BWQ 188.11) or industrial wastewater (ER-BWQ 288.10) to dry stream channels X Module 12--Spray Irrigation--of Form ER-BWQ 188.A X Module 5A--Supplemental Geology and Groundwater Information (ER-BWQ 189.5A1) X Program Area: Bureau of Water Quality Management
Topic A B C D Sewage Facilities Planning Module Component 2 (Site Evaluation for On-Lot Disposal of Sewage), Sections G (Preliminary Hydrogeology), H (Permeability Testing), and I (Detailed Hydrogeologic Study) X Sewage Facilities Planning Module Component 3.s (Small Flow Treatment Facilities) Section E (Disposal), Parts 2 and 3 (relating to dry-intermittent/nonperennial stream discharges and spray irrigation/land application discharges) X Geologic information required in base Official Sewage Facilities Plan required under Act 537 (as described in Chapter 71, Section 71.21 of the Department's regulations) X Hydrogeologic Environmental Site Assessments X Remedial Action Plans for Soil and/or Groundwater Contamination X WQM Permit Application for Sewage or Industrial Waste Spray Irrigation X NPDES Permit Application for Groundwater Treatment System with Stream Discharge X WQM Permit Application for Groundwater Treatment with Underground Reinjection X Groundwater Monitoring Well Data Reports with no interpretation X Groundwater Monitoring Well Data Reports with interpretation X WQM Permit Application for Large Volume On-lot and Community Sewage Systems X Program Area: Bureau of Land Recycling and Waste Management--Storage Tank Cleanups
Topic A B C D Closure Report--Site Assessment Activities Only X Site Characterization Report (Chapter 245.310(b), no groundwater impact) X Site Characterization Report (includes feasibility study) X Remedial Action Plan X Remedial Action Progress Reports X Remedial Action Completion Report X Program Area: Bureau of Land Recycling and Waste Management
Topic A B C D Municipal and Residual Waste Forms Geologic Information X Hydrogeologic Information X Initial Groundwater Analysis (Background) X Mineral Deposits--Phase 1 if no mining X Mineral Deposits--Phase 1 if mining present (potential for subsistence) X Alternate Water Supply X Water Quality Monitoring System X Exclusionary Area Criteria/Envt. Assessment X Groundwater Assessment Plan X Groundwater Abatement Plan X Groundwater Characterization Plans and Reports (pre-operational data on physical and chemical aquifer characterization). These requirements are covered by Sections 273.115 and 273.116 of the Municipal Waste Regulations and Sections 288.122 and 288.123 of the Department's Residual Waste Regulations X Groundwater Quality Monitoring Plan described in Sections 273.152 and 288.152 of the Municipal and Residual Waste Management Regulations respectively X Hazardous Waste Phase 1 Exclusionary Criteria 269.21 (water supply), 269.24 (oil and gas area) and [Sections 269.25 (carbonate)] X Phase 2 Criteria Sections 269.41 water supply, 269.42 (geology) and 269.44(a) mineral bearing areas X Phase 2 Criteria Section 269.49(b) subsidence risk X Hazard Waste Forms HW-3 Geologic Information X HW-4 Hydrogeologic Information X Groundwater Quality Assessment Program (Outline) (25.264.91) X Compliance Monitoring [25.264.99(a)(3)] Regs require certification by qualified Geo. or Geotech. Engineer X Corrective Action [25.264.100(a)] 264.100(A)(1) to (10) requires engineering feasibility analysis g.w. monitoring program and reports or effectiveness of program X Maps providing groundwater flow direction X Maps showing the extent of groundwater contaminant migration X Groundwater characterization/investigation studies X Investigations of potential groundwater contamination X Assessments of groundwater contamination X Abatement/remediation of groundwater contamination X Groundwater monitoring systems X Groundwater monitoring Sample data X Sampling and analysis plans for Groundwater monitoring X Comprehensive Investigation Reports (Related to any project) Closure Plan/Report, Geologic/Hydrologic and Detailed Phased Reports X Health and Safety Plan (Related to any project) X Project Work Plan (Related to any project) X Groundwater Characterization Investigations X Groundwater Remediation Feasibility Study Reports X Quality Assurance and Quality Control Plan (Related to any project) X Remedial Design/Groundwater Abatement Work Plan X Investigation Reports without geologic interpretation X Routine Data Submission without geologic interpretation X Basic Assessment Reports without geologic interpretation X Data Collection Submittals without geologic interpretation X Program Area: Environmental Cleanup Program (including Special Projects, Act 2, HSCP and Storage Tanks)
Topic A B C D Work plans proposing monitoring well locations, installation procedures, logging procedures and/or sampling protocols X Site Characterization Report X Baseline Remedial Investigation Report X Feasibility studies proposing groundwater remediation X Remedial action plans (design) for sites with contaminated groundwater X Cleanup Plans X Site Remediation Reports X Storage tank closure reports X Reports presenting groundwater sampling data from quarterly, semi-annual or annual monitoring programs X Quarterly progress reports documenting implementation of approved assessment and/or remediation programs X Final Reports documenting completion of a groundwater remedial action program X Extent of groundwater contamination studies X Risk Assessment Reports (Act 2) X Program Area: Environmental Cleanup Program
Topic A B C D Reports which specifically deal with groundwater sampling and analysis plans (SAMPs) and evaluation of groundwater sampling data. An example of this type of report is groundwater monitoring work plans X Reports specifically dealing with groundwater and/or geology characterization, including any geophysical, geostatistical and groundwater modeling. An example of this type of document is a hydrogeological/investigation report X Reports which contain or evaluate unconsolidated or consolidated boring/coring programs, construction details and logs for monitoring wells. Fracture trace analyses, if completed as a separate report X Stratigraphic columns, geologic cross-sections, groundwater contour maps, isopachs, geologic maps, fence diagrams should also require certification by an RPG; contained in a geologic report or as part of another report X Capture Zone analysis for a groundwater pump and treat system should be done by a RPG, whether this is submitted in a separate report or as part of a remedial design document X Designs of groundwater remediation systems, which would include the following: pump and treat, interceptor trenches, chemical treatment barriers, and the like X Remedial Investigation work plans or reports which contain groundwater characterization X Pump test data and interpretations X Geologic logs with interpretations X Monitoring well construction designs X As built well details X Lithologic Descriptions X Health and Safety Plans X Instrument Calibrations and Field applications X Extent of excavation X Feasibility studies involving geology X Aboveground Storage Tank siting requiring geologic data for structural stability X Program Area: Bureau of Abandoned Mine Reclamation
Topic A B C D Mine Fire Evaluation and Abatement (Multi Discipline) X Mine Drainage Control (Multi Discipline) X Hydrogeologic Evaluations (including groundwater) X Geological Interpretations as Part of Overall Site Evaluations or Studies X Watershed Studies--including impact of area geology (Multi Discipline) X Core Logging and Evaluations X AMD Abatement (may require Multi Discipline) X Subsidence Modeling or Evaluation (Multi Discipline) X Slope Stability Analysis X Reclamation of Surface Structures X Water Supply Impact or Replacement X Program Area: Bureau of Mining and Reclamation
Topic A B C D Bituminous Underground, Preparation Plant and Coal Refuse Disposal Applications Application (Mining/NPDES) X General Information X Ownership/Compliance Information X Areas Where Mining is Prohibited or Restricted X Property Interests/Right of Entry X Operation Plan X Geologic Information X Hydrology X Local Mining, Waste Disposal, Water, Sewage and Government Information X Surface Activity Site Maps--all maps need seal X Soil, Land Use/Vegetation/Prime Farmland Information X E&S Controls/Site Development Plans X1 Stream Variances/Relocations X2 Mine Openings--also need a P.E. X Impoundments and Liners X3 Air Pollution and Noise Control X Subsidence Control X Underground Mine Plan Maps X4 Reclamation Plan X5 Reclamation Cost Estimates X 1 Haul road designs must be certified by PE or RS
2 Certain stream encroachment plans must be certified by PE
3 Impoundments on coal refuse disposal areas and impoundments requiring Chapter 105 permits must be certified by PE. Other impoundments must be certified by PE, RS, or RS and RPG (in case of lined impoundment).
4 Subsidence control plan, maps must be certified by PE or RS
5 Plans for alternate post mining land use must be certified by PE
Program Area: Bureau of Mining and Reclamation
Topic A B C D Underground Disposal/Backstowing X In-situ Processing X Social and Economic Impact Justification X Anthracite Underground Phase I Slope Development X NPDES Discharge Information X Areas Where Mining is Restricted or Prohibited X Property Interests/Right of Entry X Ownership/Compliance Information X Interim Slope Development Plan X Interim Operations X Activities Within 100` of a Stream X1 Interim Reclamation Plan X Geology/Hydrology--Slope Development X Operations Plan X Erosion and Sedimentation Control Plan X Ponds and Impoundments X2 Coal Refuse Disposal X Geology and Hydrology X Prime Farmland X Reclamation Plan X3 Maps X 1 Stream encroachment plans must be certified by PE
2 Impoundments must be designed by PE
3 Plans for alternate post mining land use must be certified by PE
Program Area: Bureau of Mining and Reclamation
Topic A B C D Anthracite Preparation Plant General Information--Anthracite Preparation Plant X Ownership Information X Compliance Information X Property Interests/Right of Entry X Areas Where Mining is Restricted or Prohibited X Operations Plan X Land Use X Erosion and Sedimentation Control Plan/Sedimentation Ponds/Impoundments X1 Streams, Variances, Relocations X2 Geology X Hydrology X Reclamation Plan and Costs X Location Map X Operations Map X Liners X Reclamation Map X3 1 Impoundment designs must be certified by PE
2 Certain encroachment plans must be certified by PE
3 Plans for alternate post mining land use must be certified by PE
Program Area: Bureau of Mining and Reclamation
Topic A B C D Noncoal Surface Mine Permit Application Application X General Information X Ownership/Compliance Information X Property Interests/Right of Entry X Environmental Resources Map (factual documentation) X Geology Information X Hydrology X Operations Map X Operational Information (Plan) X Erosion and Sedimentation Controls X1 Impoundments/Treatment X2 Streams, Variances, Relocations X3 Blasting Plan X Air Pollution Control Plan X Land Use and Reclamation Map X Land Use/Vegetation Plan X Postmining Land Use X4 Topsoil/Subsoil X Revegetation X Social and Economic Impact Statement for High Quality Waters X 1 Haul roads must be certified by PE or RS
2 Impoundments requiring Chapter 105 permits must be certified by PE. Other impoundments must be certified by PE or RS
3 Certain stream encroachment plans must be certified by PE
4 Plans for alternate post mining land use must be certified by PE or RS
Program Area: Bureau of Mining and Reclamation
Topic A B C D Coal Surface Mine Permit Application Application X General Information X Ownership/Compliance Information X Areas Unsuitable for All or Certain Types of Mining X Property Interests/Rights of Entry X Environmental Resources Map X Geology Information X Hydrology X Operations Map X Operational Information X Coal Refuse Disposal X Erosion and Sedimentation Controls X1 Impoundment/Treatment X2 Streams X3 Excess Spoil X4 Blasting Plan X Air Pollution Control Plan X Land Use and Reclamation Map X Land Use/Vegetation/Prime Farmland X Postmining Land Use X5 Topsoil/Subsoil X Prime Farmland Reconstruction X 1 Haul roads must be certified by PE or RS
2 Impoundments requiring Chapter 105 permits must be certified by PE. Other impoundments must be certified by PE or RS
3 Certain stream encroachment plans must be certified by PE
4 Excess spoil handling plans must be certified by PE
5 Plans for reclaiming site to grades other than AOC must be certified by PE
Program Area: Bureau of Mining and Reclamation
Topic A B C D Sewage Sludge/Coal Ash for Land Reclamation X Revegetation X Social and Economic Impact Statement for High Quality Waters X Fly Ash/Bottom Ash Disposal X1 Remining X Bituminous Refuse Disposal Application X General Information X Ownership/Compliance Information X Areas Unsuitable for All or Certain Types of Mining X Property Interests/Right of Entry X Environmental Resource Maps X Geology Information X Hydrology X Soils/Prime Farmlands X Land Use/Vegetation X Design Plans X Stability X2 Erosion and Sedimentation X3 Streams, Variances, Relocations, Wetlands X4 Air Pollution Control X Topsoil/Subsoil X Treatment Facilities X5 1 Plans for fly ash/bottom ash disposal must be certified by PE
2 Stability analyses must be certified by PE
3 Haul road designs must be certified by PE or RS
4 Stream encroachment plans must be prepared by PE
5 Impoundment designs must be certified by PE
Program Area: Bureau of Mining and Reclamation
Topic A B C D Prime Farmland Reconstruction X Revegetation X1 Fly Ash/Bottom Ash Disposal X2 Other Geologic and Hydrologic Studies X Abatement Plans X 1 Plans for alternate post mining land use must be certified by PE
2 Plans for fly ash/bottom ash disposal must be certified by PE
Program Area: Bureau of Oil and Gas Management
Topic A B C D Groundwater clean-up reports X Enforcement water supply/Pre-Drilling survey (water supply and sampling) X Seasonal high groundwater level determinations (soil mottling) X Surveyor--permit plat and well locations for abandoned well locations for abandoned enforcement cases and distance restrictions X Section 7 waiver requests involving geological determinations X Submission of permit objections under Section 202 X Submission of notice of intent to plug X Submission of maps for underground gas storage reservoirs X Waivers of distance of oil or gas wells from wetlands, streams, bodies of water (E&S plans) X Request for alternate casing methods (equivalent or superior protection) X Request for alternate plugging methods (equivalent or superior protection) X Drilling permit applications (locational information by surveyor) X Applications for land farming of drill cuttings applications X Applications for disposal of fluids by land applications X Submission of E&S Plans X Submission of Control and Disposal plans for brine and cuttings X Studies to delineate areal extent of groundwater contamination X Portion of Part II CSL permit application dealing with groundwater flow direction and monitoring proposal X Groundwater monitoring well data reports with interpretation X Preliminary hydrogeologic information required for NPDES permit application for discharges to dry stream channels X Program Area: Bureau of Land and Water Conservation
Topic A B C D Activities related to Chapter 102 regulations X Program Area: Bureau of Flood Protection Projects and Bureau of Dams, Waterways and Wetlands
Topic A B C D The initial geological site investigation report including the ''Test Boring Results Drawing'' as required by DGS X A rock formation analysis where required for a dam design X Any report required during construction concerning unexpected geologic conditions at the project site X Coastal geology reports concerning bluff and beach erosion and subsequent transportation and deposition of sediment X Geologic borehole logs with interpretation X Geologic borehole logs with no interpretation X Laboratory report of soil analyses X Program Area: Bureau of Oil and Gas Management
Topic A B C D Groundwater clean-up reports X Enforcement water supply/Pre-Drilling survey (water supply and sampling) X Seasonal high groundwater level determinations (soil mottling) X Surveyor--permit plat and well locations for abandoned well locations for abandoned enforcement cases and distance restrictions X Section 7 waiver requests involving geological determinations X Submission of permit objections under Section 202 X Submission of notice of intent to plug X Submission of maps for underground gas storage reservoirs X Waivers of distance of oil or gas wells from wetlands, streams, bodies of water (E&S plans) X Request for alternate casing methods (equivalent of superior protection) X Request for alternate plugging methods (equivalent or superior protection) X Drilling permit applications (locational information by surveyor) X Applications for land farming of drill cuttings applications X Application for disposal of fluids by land applications X Submission of E&S Plans X Submission of Control and Disposal plans for brine and cuttings X Studies to delineate areal extent of groundwater contamination X Portion of Part II CSL permit application dealing with groundwater flow direction and monitoring proposal X Groundwater monitoring well data reports with interpretation X Preliminary hydrogeologic information required for NPDES permit application for discharges to dry stream channels X
[Pa.B. Doc. No. 96-590. Filed for public inspection April 12, 1996, 9:00 a.m.]
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