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PA Bulletin, Doc. No. 02-2104

NOTICES

Draft General Permits for Beneficial Use of Biosolids or Residential Septage by Land Application (PAG-7, PAG-8, PAG-9); Extension of Public Comment Period

[32 Pa.B. 5808]

   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 was originally published at 32 Pa.B. 367 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 the three general permits 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.

   Notice of republication of the PAG-7, PAG-8 and PAG-9 as draft for additional public comment was published at 32 Pa.B. 5213 (October 19, 2002) with a 30-day public comment period that closed on November 18, 2002. The Department, by this notice, extends the public comment period on the three draft general permits and the draft Plan guidance for an additional 30 days following publication of this notice in the Pennsylvania Bulletin (December 23, 2002).

   A notice was published at 32 Pa.B. 2039 (April 20, 2002) 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 Sup- ply 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.''

   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 and should be sent to jafrica@state.pa.us by December 23, 2002. Persons with a disability may use the AT&T Relay Service, (800) 654-5984 (TDD users) or (800) 654-5988 (voice users).

   Comments received from October 19, 2002, to December 23, 2002, will be considered in finalizing the general permits. Following the comment period, the Department will prepare a comment and response document and final general permits. Availability of the final permit documents will be announced in the Pennsylvania Bulletin.

DAVID E. HESS,   
Secretary

[Pa.B. Doc. No. 02-2104. Filed for public inspection November 22, 2002, 9:00 a.m.]


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