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PA Bulletin, Doc. No. 02-1828

NOTICES

Draft General Permits for Beneficial Use of Biosolids or Residential Septage by Land Application (PAG-7, PAG-8, PAG-9) Published for Additional Comment

[32 Pa.B. 5213]

   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 these general permits for use by eligible persons for the beneficial use of exceptional quality biosolids, biosolids or residential septage that will be land applied, who are required in 25 Pa. Code Chapters 91, 92 or 271 (relating to general provisions; National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permitting, monitoring and compliance; and municipal waste management--general provisions), as applicable, to obtain a permit for the beneficial use of biosolids in this Commonwealth.

   Notice of proposed revisions to PAG-7, PAG-8 and PAG-9 were originally published at 32 Pa.B. 376 and 377 (January 19, 2002), with a 30-day public comment period that closed on February 19, 2002. The Department then extended the public comment period until March 25, 2002. The Department has considered the comments received on the proposed revisions, prepared a draft comment/response document and made corresponding changes to the proposed revisions.

   The Department is concerned with public anxiety and odor complaints associated with the land application of biosolids. To address this concern, the Department is proposing a comprehensive approach to odor management, which includes the requirement for an odor control plan.

   The Department is proposing to further amend PAG-7, PAG-8 and PAG-9 to incorporate a requirement for the person who prepares biosolids (permittee) to develop and implement a Biosolids Odor Control Plan (Plan). The Department has also prepared a draft Plan guidance document that is available for review and comment. The Department proposes that persons applying for general permit coverage submit the Plan with the Notice of Intent and that current biosolids permittees submit their Plan within 90 days of the effective date of the revised general permits.

   At 32 Pa.B. 2039 (April 20, 2002), a notice was published extending the terms of the current general permits until December 23, 2002. The existing general permit document packages will continue to be available from the Department's regional and central offices until they are replaced or updated. Existing permit coverage will be valid until December 23, 2002, or until notice of the expiration of the current permit and notice of availability of the new PAG-7, PAG-8 and PAG-9 is published subsequent to this public comment period. The Plan guidance will be finalized at the same time.

   Copies of the new draft revised general permits, draft comment response document and draft Plan guidance 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 trutroutma@state.pa.us and on the Department's website at www.dep.state.pa.us. To access the document, type in directLINK ''participate''; scroll down to ''Proposals Open for Comment''; then choose ''Regulations and Other Proposals.''

   The Department invites public comments on the proposed revisions. Comments must be received by November 18, 2002. If there is significant public interest in the proposed revisions to the general permits, or if formally requested, the comment period may be extended at the discretion of the Department for an additional 15-day period. Only comments received within the specified period will be considered in the formulation of the final general permits. Persons wishing to comment should submit their name, address, telephone number and a concise comment and the relevant facts upon which it is based. A public meeting or hearing may be held if the Department considers the public interest and/or comments significant. Written comments should be submitted to the previous address. Comments will not be accepted by facsimile or on voice mail. Comments will also be accepted by e-mail to jafrica@state.pa.us by November 18, 2002.

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

DAVID E. HESS,   
Secretary

[Pa.B. Doc. No. 02-1828. Filed for public inspection October 18, 2002, 9:00 a.m.]


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