Vessel Permit 401 certification time extension, October 1, 2012.

From: Mark Smith/R3/USEPA/US Thursday, June 21, 2012 03:10PM

To: Kathleen.Stiller@state.de.us

, Kevin.Coyle@state.de.us

, eghigearelli@mde.state.md.us

, collin.burrell@dc.gov

, Scott.G.Mandirola@wv.gov

, "Davenport, Melanie (DEQ)" <Melanie.Davenport@deq.virginia.gov>

, "Furlan, Ronald" <rfurlan@state.pa.us>

, "Booser, John" jbooser@pa.gov

Cc: Evelyn MacKnight/R3/USEPA/US@EPA

, Juhi Saxena/DC/USEPA/US@EPA

, Caitlin Gregg/DC/USEPA/US@EPA

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is in the process of reissuing the NPDES Vessel General Permit (VGP) to authorize discharges incidental to the normal operation of commercial vessels and non

- recreational vess els greater than or equal to 79 feet in length and issuing the NPDES Small Vessel General Permit (sVGP) to authorize discharges incidental t o the normal operation of vessels less than 79 feet in length. Copies of the draft general permits and draft fact s heets are available at http://cfpub.epa.gov/npdes/vessels/vgpermit.cfm . These draft general permits would authorize discharges into the waters of your state and tribal lands.

In December 2011, I sent a letter, along with a compact disc of the draft general permits and fact sheets

, requesting that States/Tribes make a written determination regarding certification under CWA section 401. Under EPA’s CWA section 401 certification regulations, a St ate or Tribe is required to waive, grant, or deny certification based on the draft , not the final “as issued,” permit. See 40 CFR 124.53(c)

- (e)

. EPA may not issue a permit authorizing discharges into the waters of your state until a State/Tribe has grant ed certification under CWA section 401, or has waived its right to certify. 33 U.S.C. 1341(a)(1); 40 C.F.R. 124.53(a). EPA regulations allow the State or tribe to have 60 days to certify unless the Regional Administrator finds that unusual circumstances r equire a longer time. 40 C.F.R. 124.53(c)(3). EPA provided until June 30, 2012 for all States/Tribes to certify the permits because they not only regulate discharges of mobile point sources, but also because of their broad applicability to the waters of e very State and Tribe in the country. EPA also wanted to allow States/Tribes time to coordinate with their neighboring States/Tribes. EPA greatly appreciates the efforts of States/Tribes who have submitted their 401 certification in advance of the deadline

, and understands that many of you completed your 401 certifications under time pressure. However, after hearing concerns expressed by several states, we also understand that many States/Tribes would benefit from more time to complete/reinitiate their publi c comment periods, conduct other essential administrative processes, and finalize their 401 certification conditions for these unique general permits. Therefore, EPA believes that unusual circumstances continue to exist and is providing until October 1 , 20 12 for all States/Tribes to certify the draft permits. If you have already submitted a 401 certification, you need not take any additional action unless you so choose. You will be deemed to have waived your right to certify unless that ri ght is exercised b y October 1, 2012.The state certification shall be in writing and shall include the specific conditions necessary to

assure compliance with the applicable provisions of CWA sections 208(e), 301, 302, 303, 306, and 307, and with appropriate requirements of State law. 33 U.S.C. § 1341(d); 40 C.F.R. § 124.53(e)(1). If you believe that any condition(s) more stringent than those contained in the draft permit is necessary to meet the requirements of either the CWA or State law, you should include such condit ion(s), and, in each case, cite the CWA or State law reference upon which that condition(s) is based. Failure to provide such a citation waives your right to certify with respect to that condition(s). 40 C.F.R. § 124.53(e)(2). EPA requests that you spec ify whether each condition is applicable to the VGP, sVGP, or both. In addition, the state certification must include a statement of the extent to which each condition of the draft permit can be made less stringent without violating the requirements of St ate law, including water quality standards. Failure to provide this statement for any condition waives the right to certify or object to any less stringent condition which may be established during the EPA permit issuance process. 40 C.F.R. § 124.53(e)(3)

. Following review of the public comments received during the public comment period and receipt of your certification or waiver thereof, EPA plans to issue the general permits as final documents. Those final permits will incorporate any conditions speci fied in the State’s/Tribe’s certification. 33 U.S.C. § 1341(d).

I would appreciate receiving your certif ication by October 1 , 2012. If you have any questions, please contact Mark Smith at 215

- 814

- 3105 . Thank you for your assistance and cooperation.