r~~® 

NC®ENR 

North Carolina Department of Environment and Natura Resources 

Division of Water Quality 

Beverly Eaves Perdue Charles Wakild, P.E. Dee Freeman 

Governor Director Secretary 

June 18, 2012 

Mr. James D. Giattina, Director 

Water Protection Division 

United States Environmental Protection Agency 

Region 4 

Atlanta Federal Center 

61 Forsyth Street 

Atlanta, Georgia 30303-8960 

RE: Proposed NPDES Vessel General Permit and Small Vessel General Permit 

North Carolina 401 Water Quality Certification 

Dear Mr. Giattina: 

The N.C. Division of Water Quality (Division) has reviewed the proposed National Pollutant 

Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Vessel General Permit for Discharges Incidental to the 

Normal Operation of Vessels (VGP) and the proposed NPDES Small Vessel General Permit for 

Discharges Incidental to the Normal Operation of Vessels less than 79 Feet (sVGP) for the 

purpose of providing state certification in accordance with Section 401 of the Clean Water Act. 

The State of North Carolina certifies that the specified category of activity will not violate 

applicable portions of Sections 301, 302, 303, 306 and 307 of the Public Laws 92-500 and 95- 

217 if conducted in accordance with the conditions hereinafter set forth. 

If you have any questions regarding this Certification, please contact Karen Higgins at 

karen.hi gginsgncdenr. gov. 

Sin .~—" 

...,-._ _ .--.. 

C.~ 

Charles Wakild, P.E. 

CW /kah 

Enclosure 

1617 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1617 

t ocation: 512 N. Salisbury St Raleigh, North Carolina 27604 

Phone: 919-807-63001 FAX: 919-807-6492 

Internet: uvww.navaterpualitv.org 

An Equal Opportunity 1 Affirmative Action Employer 

NorthCarolina 

Natura!!y 
Water t2uality Certification No. 3925 

Conditions of Certification: 

1. This Certification is valid only for those activities that fully comply with all terms and 

conditions of the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination Systcm (NPDES) Vcssel Gencral 

Permit for Discharges Incidental to the Normal Operation of Vessels (VGP) or the proposed 

NPDES Small Vessel General Permit for Discharges Incidental to the Normal Operation of 

Vessels less than 79 Feet (sVGP) and all other state laws applicable to such discharges. 

2. Discharges that are not eligible for coverage under the VGP or sVGP that require an 

individual permit must also obtain an individual Water Quality Certification or waiver from 

the Division. 

3. This General Certification does not relieve the applicant/permittee of the responsibility to 

obtain all other required Federal, State, or Local approvals. 

4. The applicant/permittee and their authorized agents shall conduct all activities in a manner 

consistent with state water quality standards (including any requirements resulting from 

compliance with §303(d) of the Clean Water Act), the Oil Pollution and Hazardous 

Substances Control Act of 1978 (Chapter 143 Article 21 A) and any other appropriate 

requirements of State and Federal Law. If the Division determines that such standards or 

laws are not being met, including failure to sustain a designated or achieved use, that state or 

federal law is being violated, or that further conditions are necessary to assure compliance, 

then the Division may reevaluate and modify this Water Quality Certification. 

5. This Certification shall expire on the same day as the expiration date of the VGP and/or 

sVGP. 

Effective date: June 18, 2012 

DIVISION OF WATER QUALITY 

By 

~ 

Charles Wakild, P.E. 

Director 

Water Quality Certification No. 3925