[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 179 (Thursday, September 16, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 55818-55821]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-20896]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-7813-8]


Proposed Modification of National Pollutant Discharge Elimination 
System (NPDES) General Permit for Storm Water Discharges From 
Construction Activities; Notice

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice of proposed general permit modification.

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SUMMARY: Today's action proposes modification of permit conditions 
specific to construction activities covered under EPA's National 
Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) General Permit for Storm 
Water Discharges From Construction Activities. The general permit is 
available for use where EPA is the NPDES permitting authority in EPA 
Regions 1-3 and 5-10. Coverage under the general permit authorizes the 
discharge of storm water from construction activities consistent with 
the terms of the permit. The proposed revisions clarify that permit 
noncompliance only applies to sites with permit coverage. In addition, 
this proposed modification includes correction of a typographical error 
in the permit and a corresponding error in the fact sheet.

DATES: Comments on today's proposed modifications must be received no 
later than October 18, 2004.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jack Faulk, (202) 564-0768; 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

A. How Can I Get Copies of the Proposed Permit Modification and Related 
Materials?

    1. Docket. EPA has established an official public docket for the 
Construction General Permit: Docket ID No. OW-2002-0055.
    The official public docket consists of the documents specifically 
referenced in the Construction General Permit, any public comments 
received, proposed modifications, and other information related to the 
permit. Although a part of the official docket, the public docket does 
not include Confidential Business Information (CBI) or other 
information whose disclosure is restricted by statute. The official 
public docket is the collection of materials that is available for 
public viewing at the Water Docket in the EPA Docket Center, (EPA/DC) 
EPA West, Room B135, 1301 Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC. The 
EPA Docket Center Public Reading Room is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 
p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays. The telephone 
number for the Public Reading Room is (202) 566-1744, and the telephone 
number for the Water Docket is (202) 566-2426.
    2. Electronic Access. You may access this Federal Register document 
electronically through the EPA Internet under the ``Federal Register'' 
listings at http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/.
    You may use EPA Dockets at http://www.epa.gov/edocket/ to submit or 
view public comments, access the index listing of the contents of the 
official public docket, and to access those documents in the public 
docket that are available electronically. Once in the system, select 
``search,'' then key in the docket identification number.
    Certain types of information will not be placed in the EPA Dockets. 
Information claimed as CBI, and other information whose disclosure is 
restricted by statute, which is not included in the official public 
docket, will not be available for public viewing in EPA's electronic 
public docket. EPA's policy is that copyrighted material will not be 
placed in EPA's electronic public docket but will be available only in 
printed, paper form in the official public docket. To the extent 
feasible, publicly available docket materials will be made available in 
EPA's electronic public docket. When a document is selected from the 
index list in EPA Dockets, the system will identify whether the 
document is available for viewing in EPA's electronic public docket. 
Although not all docket materials may be available electronically, you 
may still access any of the publicly available docket materials through 
the docket facility identified in section I.A. EPA intends to work 
towards providing electronic access to all of the publicly available 
docket materials through EPA's electronic public docket.
    For public commenters, it is important to note that EPA's policy is 
that public comments, whether submitted electronically or in paper, 
will be made available for public viewing in EPA's electronic public 
docket as EPA receives them and without change, unless the comment 
contains copyrighted material, CBI, or other information whose 
disclosure is restricted by statute. When EPA identifies a comment 
containing copyrighted material, EPA will provide a reference to that 
material in the version of the comment that is placed in EPA's 
electronic public docket. The entire printed comment, including the 
copyrighted material, will be available in the public docket.
    Public comments submitted on computer disks that are mailed or 
delivered to the docket will be transferred to EPA's electronic public 
docket. Public comments that are mailed or delivered in paper to the 
Docket will be scanned and placed in EPA's electronic public docket. 
Where practical, physical objects will be photographed, and the 
photograph will be placed in EPA's electronic public docket along with 
a brief description written by the docket staff.
    For additional information about EPA's electronic public docket, 
visit EPA Dockets online or see 67 FR 38102, May 31, 2002.

B. How and to Whom Do I Submit Comments?

    You may submit comments electronically, by mail, or through hand 
delivery/courier. To ensure proper receipt by EPA, identify the 
appropriate docket identification number in the subject line on the 
first page of your comment. Please ensure that your comments are 
submitted within the specified comment period. Comments received after 
the close of the comment period will be marked ``late.'' EPA is not

[[Page 55819]]

required to consider these late comments in formulating a final 
decision. If you wish to submit CBI or information that is otherwise 
protected by statute, please contact the person listed in FOR FURTHER 
INFORMATION CONTACT. Do not use EPA Dockets or e-mail to submit CBI or 
information protected by statute.
    1. Electronically. If you submit an electronic comment as described 
below, EPA recommends that you include your name, mailing address, and 
an e-mail address or other contact information in the body of your 
comment. Also include this contact information on the outside of any 
disk or CD ROM you submit, and in any cover letter accompanying the 
disk or CD ROM. This ensures that you can be identified as the 
submitter of the comment and allows EPA to contact you in case EPA 
cannot read your comment due to technical difficulties or needs further 
information on the substance of your comment. EPA's policy is that EPA 
will not edit your comment, and any identifying or contact information 
provided in the body of a comment will be included as part of the 
comment that is placed in the official public docket, and made 
available in EPA's electronic public docket. If EPA cannot read your 
comment due to technical difficulties and cannot contact you for 
clarification, EPA may not be able to consider your comment.
    i. EPA Dockets. Your use of EPA's electronic public docket to 
submit comments to EPA electronically is EPA's preferred method for 
receiving comments. Go directly to EPA Dockets at http://www.epa.gov/edocket, and follow the online instructions for submitting comments. To 
access EPA's electronic public docket from the EPA Internet Home Page, 
select ``Information Sources,'' ``Dockets,'' and ``EPA Dockets.'' Once 
in the system, select ``search,'' and then key in the appropriate 
Docket ID No. The system is an ``anonymous access'' system, which means 
EPA will not know your identity, e-mail address, or other contact 
information unless you provide it in the body of your comment.
    ii. E-mail. Comments may be sent by electronic mail (e-mail) to: 
[email protected], Attention Docket ID No. (please use appropriate 
Docket ID number). In contrast to EPA's electronic public docket, EPA's 
e-mail system is not an ``anonymous access'' system. If you send an e-
mail comment directly to the Docket without going through EPA's 
electronic public docket, EPA's e-mail system automatically captures 
your e-mail address. E-mail addresses that are automatically captured 
by EPA's e-mail system are included as part of the comment that is 
placed in the official public docket, and made available in EPA's 
electronic public docket.
    iii. Disk or CD ROM. You may submit comments on a disk or CD ROM 
that you mail to the mailing address identified in section I.B.2. These 
electronic submissions will be accepted in WordPerfect or ASCII file 
format. Avoid the use of special characters and any form of encryption.
    2. By Mail. Send four copies of your comments (disk or paper 
copies) to: Water Docket, Environmental Protection Agency, Mail code: 
4101T, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20460, 
Attention Docket ID No. (please use appropriate Docket ID number).
    3. By Hand Delivery or Courier. Deliver four sets of your comments 
to: EPA Docket Center, EPA West, Room B102, 1301 Constitution Avenue, 
NW., Washington, DC, Attention Docket ID No. (please use appropriate 
Docket ID number). Such deliveries are only accepted during the 
Docket's normal hours of operation as identified in section I.A.1.

C. What Should I Consider as I Prepare My Comments for EPA?

    You may find the following suggestions helpful for preparing your 
comments:
    1. Explain your views as clearly as possible.
    2. Describe any assumptions that you used.
    3. Provide any technical information and/or data you used that 
support your views.
    4. If you estimate potential burden or costs, explain how you 
arrived at your estimate.
    5. Provide specific examples to illustrate your concerns.
    6. Offer alternatives.
    7. Make sure to submit your comments by the comment period deadline 
identified.
    8. To ensure proper receipt by EPA, identify the appropriate docket 
identification number in the subject line on the first page of your 
response. It would also be helpful if you provided the name, date, and 
Federal Register citation related to your comments.

D. What Authority Does EPA Have To Take This Action?

    EPA issues NPDES permits under the authority of Clean Water Act 
(CWA) section 402, 33 U.S.C. 1342. The NPDES regulations, at 40 CFR 
124.5(a) specify that permits may be modified at the request of any 
interested person (including the permittee) or upon the Director's (in 
this instance, EPA's) initiative; however, permits may only be modified 
for reasons specified in 40 CFR 122.62. Correction of technical 
mistakes such as errors in calculation, or mistaken interpretations of 
law are among the acceptable reasons for permit modification. 40 CFR 
122.62(a)(15). The proposed permit and fact sheet modifications being 
proposed are consistent with this criterion.

E. Why Is This Information Being Published in the Federal Register?

    Where EPA decides to modify a permit under 40 CFR 122.62, a draft 
permit, incorporating the proposed changes, must be prepared and public 
noticed consistent with 40 CFR 124.10. During the public comment 
period, any interested person may submit written comments on the draft 
permit and may request a public hearing. Any request for public hearing 
shall be in writing and shall state the nature of the issues proposed 
to be raised in the hearing. All comments will be considered in making 
the final decision with responses documented in the administrative 
record and available to the public. This Federal Register notice 
soliciting comments is being published consistent with the 40 CFR 
124.10 requirements.

F. Which Permit Is Proposed for Modification?

    On July 1, 2003, EPA noticed in the Federal Register (68 FR 29087) 
issuance of the final NPDES General Permit for Storm Water Discharges 
Associated with Construction Activities (hereinafter called the 
``construction general permit'' or ``CGP'') for activities located in 
EPA Regions 1-3 and 5-10. (All references in this notice to the CGP 
also include the construction general permit issued in the State of 
Massachusetts on August 4, 2003. 68 FR 45817.) The CGP and accompanying 
fact sheet are available on EPA's Internet Web site at: http://www.epa.gov/npdes/cgp. Operators of both large (> 5 acres) and small 
(1-5 acres) construction sites may be eligible to obtain coverage under 
the CGP for allowable storm water and non-storm water discharges. The 
CGP is available only in those areas where EPA is the NPDES permitting 
authority. A number of parties filed suit in response to EPA's July 1, 
2003 issuance of the CGP. This proposed modification is, in part, the 
result of a settlement agreement with certain petitioners in that suit. 
To that end, the July 1, 2003 CGP is the permit for which modifications 
are being proposed herein.

[[Page 55820]]

G. What Permit Modifications Are Being Proposed?

    The following modifications are proposed:
    1. On page 7, in section 2.3.D of the CGP, Late Notifications, 
third sentence, strike the phrase ``or permit noncompliance'' so that 
section 2.3.D now reads: ``Late Notifications: Operators are not 
prohibited from submitting NOIs after initiating clearing, grading, 
excavation activities, or other construction activities. When a late 
NOI is submitted, authorization for discharges occurs consistent with 
Subpart 2.1. The Agency reserves the right to take enforcement action 
for any unpermitted discharges that occur between the commencement of 
construction and discharge authorization.''
    2. On page D-3 in Appendix D of the CGP, section D.3, second 
sentence, strike the phrase ``or permit noncompliance'' so that section 
D.3 of Appendix D now reads: ``Late Notifications: Operators are not 
prohibited from submitting waiver certifications after initiating 
clearing, grading, excavation activities, or other construction 
activities. The Agency reserves the right to take enforcement for any 
unpermitted discharges that occur between the time construction 
commenced and waiver authorization is granted.''
    3. On page D-3 in Appendix D of the CGP, in the paragraph following 
section D.3, third sentence, strike the phrase ``or permit 
noncompliance'' so that section D.3 of Appendix D now reads: 
``Submittal of a waiver certification is an optional alternative to 
obtaining permit coverage for discharges of storm water associated with 
small construction activity, provided you qualify for the waiver. Any 
discharge of storm water associated with small construction activity 
not covered by either a permit or a waiver may be considered an 
unpermitted discharge under the Clean Water Act. As mentioned above, 
EPA reserves the right to take enforcement for any unpermitted 
discharges that occur between the time construction commenced and 
either discharge authorization is granted or a complete and accurate 
waiver certification is submitted. EPA may notify any operator covered 
by a waiver that they must apply for a permit. EPA may notify any 
operator who has been in non-compliance with a waiver that they may no 
longer use the waiver for future projects. Any member of the public may 
petition EPA to take action under this provision by submitting written 
notice along with supporting justification.''
    4. On page 11, in section 3.11.B, strike the phrase ``the 
discharges'' so that section 3.11.B now reads: ``The SWPPP must be 
amended if during inspections or investigations by site staff, or by 
local, State, tribal, or Federal officials, it is determined that the 
SWPPP is ineffective in eliminating or significantly minimizing 
pollutants in storm water discharges from the construction site.''

H. What Fact Sheet Modifications Are Being Proposed?

    The following editorial correction is proposed for the accompanying 
CGP fact sheet: In the second paragraph of section 3.11, strike the 
phrase ``discharges are'' and replace it with ``SWPPP is'' so that the 
sentence now reads: ``The plan must also be amended if inspections or 
investigations by site staff, or by local, State, tribal, or Federal 
officials determine that the SWPPP is ineffective in eliminating or 
significantly minimizing pollutants in storm water discharges from the 
construction site.''

I. What Is the Rationale for the Proposed Changes?

    Proposed changes described in G.1, G.2, and G.3 above are identical 
in scope. As written, the CGP suggests that construction site operators 
may be liable for permit noncompliance even in those instances when the 
operator is not covered, or not yet covered, by that permit (e.g., 
before the operator submits a Notice of Intent (NOI) to be covered).
    Under the CGP, permit coverage commences at the time of discharge 
authorization. In the case of the CGP, this is typically after a seven-
day waiting period subsequent to an operator's submission of an NOI to 
EPA. As established in the CGP, to obtain permit coverage, operators 
are required to meet certain eligibility criteria (e.g., development of 
a site-specific storm water pollution prevention plan). However, 
failure of the operator to take necessary actions to be eligible for 
permit coverage does not constitute permit noncompliance. Rather, an 
operator that fails to meet all applicable eligibility provisions is 
not authorized for permit coverage. Thus, failure to meet certain 
eligibility provisions may be indicative of other types of 
noncompliance (e.g., violation of CWA section 402 for discharging 
without a permit or violation of 40 CFR 122.21(c)(1) for failure to 
submit a permit application at least 90 days before the date on which 
construction is to commence). The permit requirements do not apply 
prior to submission of an NOI and prior to the operator's obtaining 
authorization to discharge storm water. In addition, any operator is 
free to apply for coverage under an individual permit.
    Proposed changes described in G.4 and H above are purely editorial. 
EPA identified these two changes as part of a routine review of the 
permit and fact sheet. EPA considers these edits logical revisions of 
existing language, simply correcting the use of incorrect terminology.

J. What Are the Limitations on Commenting on the Draft Permit?

    Pursuant to 40 CFR 124.5(c)(2), when a permit is modified, only the 
conditions subject to modification are reopened. All other aspects of 
the existing permit shall remain in effect for the duration of the 
unmodified permit. As such, EPA will review and consider comments 
submitted in response to the modifications proposed in this Federal 
Register notice but is not obligated to respond to comments on other, 
unrelated permit conditions or fact sheet language. All comments are 
due to EPA by October 18, 2004.
    Signed and issued this 8th day of September, 2004.
Joanna Jerison,
Acting Director, Office of Ecosystem Protection, Region I.

    Signed and issued this 8th day of September, 2004.
Walter Mugdan,
Director, Division of Environmental Planning and Protection, Region 
II.

    Signed and issued this 8th day of September, 2004.
Carl Soderberg,
Director, Caribbean Environmental Protection Division, Region II.

    Signed and issued this 7th day of September, 2004.
Jon M. Capacasa,
Director, Water Protection Division, Region III.

    Signed and issued this 8th day of September, 2004.
Jo Lynn Traub,
Director, Water Division, Region V.

    Signed and issued this 8th day of September, 2004.
William K. Honker,
Acting Director, Water Quality Protection Division, Region VI.

    Signed and issued this 8th day of September, 2004.
Leo J. Alderman,
Director, Water, Wetlands, and Pesticides Division, Region VII.

    Signed and issued this 7th day of September, 2004.
Judy Wong,
Director, Water Program, Region VIII.

    Signed and issued this 7th day of September, 2004.
Alexis Strauss,
Director, Water Division, Region IX.


[[Page 55821]]


    Signed and issued this 8th day of September, 2004.
Robert R. Robichaud,
Associate Director, Office of Water, Region X.

[FR Doc. 04-20896 Filed 9-15-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P