Source: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2006/07/07/06-5632/review-and-approval-of-projects-special-regulations-and-standards-hearingsenforcement-actions
Timestamp: 2017-11-17 18:29:12
Document Index: 651777205

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A Proposed Rule by the Susquehanna River Basin Commission on 07/07/2006
Comments on these proposed amendments may be submitted to the SRBC on or before September 1, 2006. The Commission has scheduled public hearings on the proposed rules as follows:
71 FR 38691
38691-38707 (17 pages)
06-5632
Highlights of Major Amendments
18 CFR PART 803—REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF PROJECTS
18 CFR PART 805—HEARINGS/ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS
PART 803—REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF PROJECTS
PART 804—WATER WITHDRAWAL REGISTRATION
PART 805—HEARINGS/ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS
https://www.federalregister.gov/d/06-5632 https://www.federalregister.gov/d/06-5632
Start Preamble Start Printed Page 38692
This document contains extensive amendments to project regulations concerning standards and hearings/enforcement actions. Because revisions are too numerous to show within the original regulations, proposed parts 803, 804 and 805 are being published here in their entirety, with an explanation of changes in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section below. These regulations provide the procedural and substantive rules for SRBC review and approval of water resources projects and the procedures governing hearings and enforcement actions. These amendments include additional due process safeguards, add new standards for projects, improve organizational structure, incorporate recently adopted policies and clarify language.
a. August 8, 2006, 6:30 p.m.—Owego Treadway Inn, Owego, NY.
b. August 10, 2006, 8:30 a.m.—PA Bureau of Topographic and Geologic Survey, Middletown, PA.
c. August 10, 2006, 6:30 p.m.—Kings College, Snyder Room, Wilkes-Barre, PA.
Comments may be mailed to: Mr. Richard A. Cairo, Susquehanna River Basin Commission, 1721 N. Front Street, Harrisburg, PA 17102-2391; rcairo@srbc.net.
Richard A. Cairo, General Counsel/ Secretary, 717-238-0423; Fax: 717-238-2436; e-mail: rcairo@srbc.net. Also, for further information on the proposed rulemaking action, visit the Commission's Web site at www.srbc.net.
1. Section 803.3 Definitions.—A definition for “change in ownership” has been included because of modifications proposed in § 803.4, related to certain grandfathered uses or withdrawals.
2. Section 803.4 Projects requiring review and approval.—This section reorganizes and expands what projects require review and approval and whether any exemptions apply. In part, this section consolidates provisions currently contained in various sections of the existing regulations. A significant addition is that to the extent that a consumptive water use project involves a withdrawal from ground or surface water, the withdrawal will also be subject to review.
Additionally, the current 100,000 gallons per day (gpd) threshold for withdrawals has been expanded to include any combination of ground or surface water withdrawals exceeding that threshold. This section also will end the recognition of “pre-compact” or “grandfathered” consumptive uses or withdrawals upon a change of ownership, and will end the practice under existing § 803.31 of allowing the transfer of project approvals when a change of ownership occurs.
3. Section 803.12 Constant-rate aquifer testing.—Requirements regarding constant-rate aquifer tests are set forth in a new section and expanded to incorporate a time limit for testing to occur.
4. Section 803.14 Contents of application.—This section is reorganized to include a comprehensive list of information that a project sponsor must provide when making application to the Commission.
5. Section 803.16 Completeness of application.—This section replaces § 803.26 and sets out a procedure for dealing with incomplete project applications pursuant to existing Commission practice.
6. Section 803.21 General standards.—This section covers the criteria for approval of a project by the Commission. Also, in accordance with current policy, provisions are added to allow the Commission to suspend the processing of a project application if a signatory party or a political subdivision of a signatory party exercising lawful authority over the project has disapproved the project, and to suspend an approval itself if a project sponsor fails to maintain such approvals.
7. Section 803.22 Standards for consumptive uses of water.—This section replaces the current § 803.42. Several changes are made, including the removal of a specific low flow criterion (Q7-10) and inclusion of an approval by rule provision for certain consumptive use projects that obtain their water from public water supplies. These types of projects would no longer have to be individually approved by the Commission.
8. Section 803.23 Standards for water withdrawals.—This section consolidates existing §§ 803.43 (Standards for ground-water withdrawals) and 803.44 (Standards for surface water withdrawals) into a single section covering standards for all withdrawals, and clarifies the Start Printed Page 38693conditions or limitations that can be imposed on withdrawals to avoid adverse impacts on the environment or other users. Application standards for constant-rate aquifer tests for proposed groundwater withdrawals have been moved to § 803.12. Monitoring requirements are moved to new § 803.30 (Monitoring), where details on measuring and recording, reporting, and monitoring methodology are set forth.
9. Section 803.24 Standards for diversions.—This section sets standards for the approval of diversions by incorporating a Commission policy applying to out-of-basin diversions of water and also sets standards for in-basin diversions. As permitted under the terms of section 3.10 of the compact, this new section exempts “out-of-basin” diversions up to 20,000 gpd. In-basin diversions of any quantity continue to be subject to review and approval.
10. Section 803.25 Water conservation standards.—The water conservation standards currently set forth in part 804, subpart B, are moved to § 803.25. While no substantive changes are being made now in these proposed revisions, the Commission considers water conservation to be a vital component of water resources management and will revisit these standards in the near future in close coordination with the member jurisdictions.
11. Section 803.30 Monitoring.—This section consolidates existing provisions and Commission practice related to monitoring, removes triennial water quality monitoring requirements, sets a daily quantity measurement standard unless otherwise set by the Commission, certifies the accuracy of measurement devices every 5 years, sets quantity reporting as the requirement unless otherwise specified, and special reporting of violations and loss of measurement capabilities.
12. Section 803.31 Duration of approvals and renewals.—This section would be a modification of the existing § 803.30. Approval durations are reduced to a general term of 15 years instead of 25 years, though exceptions for cause are provided. Other changes relate to the expiration and extension of approvals for uninitiated uses of water, the abandonment or discontinuance of a water use, and the renewal of expiring approvals.
13. Section 803.32 Reopening/modification.—The application process for reopening has been simplified for interested parties. Other changes address certain actions now currently imposed as docket conditions, such as:
14. Section 803.34 Emergencies.—This section expands the current § 803.27, dealing with the issuance of emergency certificates by the Executive Director. It incorporates the details of existing Commission policy and details the procedure for obtaining an emergency certificate to protect the public health, safety, and welfare, or to avoid substantial and irreparable injury.
15. Section 803.35 Fees.—This section makes it clear that project sponsors have an affirmative duty under the Commission's regulations to pay such fees as may be established by the Commission.
16. Section 804.2 Time limits.—The only substantive change in this part is the addition of language clarifying that compliance with a registration or reporting requirement, or both, of a member jurisdiction that is substantially equivalent to the Commission registration requirement shall be considered in compliance with the Commission requirement.
17. Section 805.1(a) Public hearings.—This section remains largely intact, with revisions to clarify the rules governing standard public hearings before the Commission on such matters as rulemaking, comprehensive plan additions, and project review.
18. Section 805.2 Administrative appeals.—This is a new section providing an administrative appeal procedure for persons aggrieved by any action or decision of the Commission or the Executive Director. Hearings under this section provide another administrative appeal option prior to an appeal to the United States District Court. Also included are provisions for stays and intervention of parties.
19. Section 805.3 Hearing on administrative appeal.—This section adds detailed procedures for hearings to be held on administrative appeals, currently contained in section 805.2 for adjudicatory hearings. Included are the powers of the hearing officer, provisions for recording the hearing proceedings, provisions for staff and other expert testimony, provisions for the inclusion of written testimony, rules for assessing costs, and an in forma pauperis procedure.
20. Section 805.11 Duty to comply.—New section affirming the existing duty of any person to comply with any provision of the compact or rules, regulations, orders, approvals, and conditions of approval.
21. Section 805.12 Investigative powers.—This new section sets forth the powers of agents or employees of the Commission to inspect or investigate facilities to determine compliance with any provisions of the compact or the regulations of the Commission. These requirements are currently set forth as conditions in docket approvals. Owners and operators of facilities are also directed to provide true and accurate information as requested by the Commission and are subject to the “falsification to authorities” statutes of the member jurisdictions.
22. Section 805.13 Notice of Violation.—This section provides a procedure for the issuance of a Notice of Violation to an alleged violator of any rule, regulation, order, approval, or docket condition, consistent with current Commission practice.
23. Section 805.14 Orders.—This is a section explicitly stating the authority of both the Executive Director and the Commission to issue various orders, including requiring a project to cease and desist any action or activity to prevent harm and enforce the provisions of the compact, regulations, docket conditions, or any rules or regulations of the Commission.
24. Section 805.15 Show cause proceeding.—This section establishes the basic procedural device for enforcement of Commission regulations and docket conditions through the imposition of penalties or other sanctions on violators pursuant to section 15.17 of the compact. To insure the integrity of this process, provisions are included to separate adjudicatory and prosecutorial functions of the Commission. The provisions of this section also preserve the opportunity for the alleged violator to present testimony for consideration prior to action by the commissioners.
25. Section 805.18 Settlement by agreement.—Paragraph (b) incorporates the standard language of all Commission Start Printed Page 38694settlement agreements that the Commission may reinstitute a civil penalty action if the violator fails to carry out any of the terms of the settlement agreement.
Transferability of Project Approvals.
Duration of approvals and renewals.
(f) Any forms or documents referenced in this part may be obtained from the Commission at 1721 North Front Street, Harrisburg, PA 17102-2391, or from the Commission's Web site at http://www.srbc.net.
(b) In addition, §§ 803.22, 803.23 and 803.24 of this part contain the following specific purposes: Protection of public health, safety and welfare; stream quality control; economic development; protection of fisheries and aquatic habitat; recreation; dilution and abatement of pollution; the regulation of flows and supplies of ground and surface waters; the avoidance of conflicts among water users; the prevention of undue salinity; and protection of the Chesapeake Bay.
Change of Ownership. A change in ownership shall mean any transfer by sale or conveyance of the real or personal property comprising a project. A change of ownership shall not include: Start Printed Page 38695
Groundwater. Water beneath the surface of the ground within a zone of saturation, whether or not flowing through known and definite channels or percolating through underground geologic formations, and regardless of whether the result of natural or artificial recharge. The term includes water contained in quarries, pits and underground mines having no significant surface water inflow, aquifers, underground water courses and other bodies of water below the surface of the earth. The term also includes a spring in which the water level is sufficiently lowered by pumping to eliminate the surface flow.
Surface water. Water on the surface of the earth, including water in a perennial or intermittent watercourse, lake, reservoir, pond, spring, wetland, estuary, swamp or marsh, or diffused surface water, whether such body of water is natural or artificial.
Withdrawal. A taking or removal of water from any source within the basin.
§ 803.4
Except for activities relating to site evaluation or as otherwise allowed under § 803.34, no person shall undertake any of the following projects without prior review and approval by the Commission. The project sponsor shall submit an application in accordance with subpart B and shall be subject to the applicable standards in subpart C.
(a) Consumptive use of water. The consumptive water use projects described below shall require an application to be submitted in Start Printed Page 38696accordance with § 803.12, and shall be subject to the standards set forth in § 803.22, and, to the extent that it involves a withdrawal from groundwater or surface water, shall also be subject to the standards set forth in § 803.23. Except to the extent that they involve the diversion of the waters of the basin, public water supplies shall be exempt from the requirements of this section regarding consumptive use; provided, however, that nothing in this section shall be construed to exempt individual consumptive users connected to any such public water supply from the requirements of this section.
(4) Any project that involves a consumptive use that will adversely affect the purposes outlined in § 803.2 of this part.
(b) Withdrawals. The projects described below shall require an application to be submitted in accordance with § 803.12, and shall be subject to the standards set forth in § 803.23. Hydroelectric projects, except to the extent that such projects involve a withdrawal, shall be exempt from the requirements of this section regarding withdrawals; provided, however, that nothing in this paragraph shall be construed as exempting hydroelectric projects from review and approval under any other category of project requiring review and approval as set forth in this section, § 803.23, or 18 CFR part 801.
(c) Diversions. The projects described below shall require an application to be submitted in accordance with § 803.12, and shall be subject to the standards set forth in § 803.24. The project sponsors of out-of-basin diversions shall also comply with all applicable requirements of this part relating to consumptive uses and withdrawals. This requirement shall apply to diversions initiated on or after January 23, 1971.
(g) Any other project so determined by the commissioners or Executive Director pursuant to § 803.5 or 18 CFR part 801. Such project sponsors shall be notified in writing by the Executive Director.
(a) The following projects, if not otherwise requiring review and approval under § 803.4, may be subject to Commission review and approval as determined by the Commission or the Executive Director:
(b) Determinations by the Executive Director may be appealed to the commissioners by filing an appeal with the Commission within 30 days after receipt of notice of such determination as set forth in § 805.2.
§ 803.6
(a) Existing Commission approvals of projects undergoing a change in ownership as defined in § 803.3 of this part may not be transferred to the new project sponsor(s). Such project sponsor(s) shall submit an application for approval as required by § 803.4(a)(5), (b)(5) or (c)(4) of this part, and may Start Printed Page 38697operate such project under the terms and conditions of the existing approval, pending action by the Commission on the application, provided such project sponsor satisfies the requirements of § 803.13(b) of this part.
(b) Existing Commission approvals of projects excluded from the definition of change of ownership in § 803.3 of this part may be transferred to the new project sponsor(s), provided such project sponsor(s) notify the Commission in advance of the transfer of such project approval, which notice shall be on a form and in a manner prescribed by the Commission and under which the project sponsor(s) certify their or its intention to comply with all terms and conditions of the transferred approval and assume all other associated obligations.
§ 803.8
The Commission may, in its discretion, waive or modify any of the requirements of this or any other part of its regulations if the essential purposes set forth in § 803.2 continue to be served.
The purpose of this subpart is to set forth procedures governing applications required by §§ 803.4, 803.5, and 18 CFR part 801.
(b) Preliminary consultation shall be optional for the project sponsor (except with respect to aquifer test plans, see § 803.12) and shall not relieve the sponsor from complying with the requirements of the compact or with this part.
(a) A project sponsor submitting an application pursuant to § 803.13 seeking approval to withdraw or increase a withdrawal of groundwater shall perform a constant-rate aquifer test prior to submission of such application.
(a) Project sponsors of projects subject to the review and approval of the Commission under § 803.4 shall, prior to the time the project is undertaken, submit an application to the Commission.
(b) Project sponsors submitting an application for approval due to a change in ownership of a project as required by § 803.4(a)(5), (b)(5) or (c)(4) of this part shall be permitted to continue operation of the project under an existing Commission approval pending action on the application by the Commission, provided that:
(1) Description of project and site in terms of: Start Printed Page 38698
(iii) Identification and description of reasonable alternatives, the extent of their economic and technical investigation, and an assessment of their potential environmental impact. In the case of a proposed diversion, the project sponsor should include information that may be required by § 803.25 or any policy of the Commission relating to diversions.
(b) An application deemed incomplete in accordance with § 803.13(b) will be returned to the project sponsor, who shall have 30 days to cure the administrative deficiencies. An application deemed technically deficient may be returned to the project sponsor, who shall have a period of time prescribed by Commission staff to cure the technical deficiencies. Failure to cure either administrative or technical deficiencies within the prescribed time may result in termination of the application process and forfeiture of any fees submitted.
The purpose of this subpart is to set forth general standards that shall be used by the Commission to evaluate all projects subject to review and approval by the Commission pursuant to §§ 803.4 and 803.5, and to establish special standards applicable to certain water withdrawals, consumptive uses and diversions. This subpart shall not be construed to limit the Commission's authority and scope of review. These standards are authorized under Sections 3.4(2), 3.4(8), 3.4(9), and 3.10 of the compact and are based upon, but not limited to, the goals, objectives, guidelines and criteria of the comprehensive plan.
(a) The project sponsors of all consumptive water uses subject to review and approval under § 803.4 of this part shall comply with this section. Start Printed Page 38699
(b) Mitigation. All project sponsors whose consumptive use of water is subject to review and approval under § 803.4 of this part shall mitigate such consumptive use. Except to the extent that the project involves the diversion of the waters out of the basin, public water supplies shall be exempt from the requirements of this section regarding consumptive use; provided, however, that nothing in this section shall be construed to exempt individual consumptive users connected to any such public water supply from the requirements of this section. Mitigation may be provided by one, or a combination of the following:
(c) Determination of manner of mitigation. The Commission will, in its sole discretion, determine the acceptable manner of mitigation to be provided by project sponsors whose consumptive use of water is subject to review and approval. Such a determination will be made after considering the project's location, source characteristics, anticipated amount of consumptive use, proposed method of mitigation and their effects on the purposes set forth in § 803.2 of this part, and any other pertinent factors. The Commission may modify, as appropriate, the manner of mitigation, including the magnitude and timing of any mitigating releases, required in a project approval.
(d) Quality of water released for mitigation. The physical, chemical and biological quality of water released for mitigation shall at all times meet the quality required for the purposes listed in § 803.2, as applicable.
(2) Metering, daily use monitoring and quarterly reporting. The project sponsor shall comply with metering, daily use monitoring and quarterly reporting as specified in § 803.30.
(3) Standard conditions. The standard conditions set forth in § 803.21 above shall apply to projects approved by rule.
(4) Mitigation. The project sponsor shall comply with mitigation in accordance with § 803.22 (b)(2) or (b)(3).
(a) The project sponsors of all withdrawals subject to review and approval under § 803.4 of this part shall comply with the following standards, in addition to those required pursuant to § 803.21.
(2) The Commission may deny an application, limit or condition an approval to ensure that the withdrawal will not cause adverse impacts to the water resources of the basin. The Commission may consider, without limitation, the following in its consideration of adverse impacts: Lowering of groundwater or stream flow levels; rendering competing supplies unreliable; affecting other water uses; Start Printed Page 38700causing water quality degradation that may be injurious to any existing or potential water use; affecting fish, wildlife or other living resources or their habitat; causing permanent loss of aquifer storage capacity; or affecting low flow of perennial or intermittent streams.
§ 803.24
(a) The project sponsors of all diversions subject to review and approval under § 803.4 of this part shall comply with the following standards.
(ii) Adhere to all Commission rules, regulations or orders of any kind issued under the authority of the compact.
(iii) Comply with the general standards set forth in §§ 801.3, 803.21, and 803.22, and the applicable requirements of this part relating to consumptive uses and withdrawals.
(i) Provide information on the source, amount, and location of the waterbody being diverted to the Susquehanna River Basin from the importing basin.
(iii) Demonstrate that they have applied for or received all applicable withdrawal or discharge permits or approvals related to the diversion, and must demonstrate that the diversion will not result in water quality degradation that may be injurious to any existing or potential ground or surface water use.
§ 803.25
Any project sponsor whose project is subject to Commission approval under this part proposing to withdraw water either directly or indirectly (through another user) from ground or surface water sources, or both, shall comply with the following requirements:
(b) Industrial. Project sponsors who use water for industrial purposes shall:
(c) Irrigation. Project sponsors who use water for irrigation purposes shall utilize irrigation systems properly Start Printed Page 38701designed for the sponsor's respective soil characteristics, topography and vegetation.
(d) Effective date. Notwithstanding the effective date for other portions of this part, this section shall apply to all ground and surface water withdrawals initiated on or after January 11, 1979.
(ii) Loss of measuring or recording capabilities required under paragraph (a)(1) of this section, within 1 day after any such loss continues for 5 consecutive days.
§ 803.31
(a) After ____________, approvals issued under this part shall have a duration equal to the term of any accompanying member jurisdiction license or permit regulating the same subject matter, but not longer than 15 years. If there is no such accompanying license or permit, or if no term is specified in such accompanying license or permit, the duration of a Commission approval issued under this part shall be no longer than 15 years. A project approved by the Commission prior to May 11, 1995, which did not specify a duration, shall have a duration of 30 years commencing on the date of initial approval, except, if there is an accompanying member jurisdiction license or permit regulating the same subject matter and specifying a duration of no more than 25 years, then the duration of the Commission approval shall be equal to the duration of the initial member jurisdiction approval.
(b) Commission approval of a project shall expire 3 years from the date of such approval if the withdrawal, diversion or consumptive use has not been commenced, unless extended in writing by the Commission upon written request from the project sponsor submitted no later than 120 days prior to such expiration. The Commission may grant an extension, for a period not to exceed 2 years, only upon a determination that the delay is due to circumstances beyond the project sponsor's control and that there is a likelihood of project implementation within a reasonable period of time. The Commission may also attach conditions to the granting of such extensions, including modification of any terms of approval that the Commission may deem appropriate.
(c) If a withdrawal, diversion or consumptive use approved by the Commission for a project is discontinued for a period of 5 consecutive years, the approval shall be null and void, unless a waiver is granted in writing by the Commission, upon written request by the project sponsor demonstrating due cause, prior to the expiration of such period.
(e) Project sponsors shall apply for renewal of an approval no later than one year prior to the expiration of such approval. Such applications for renewal shall be submitted and reviewed in accordance with the same procedures and standards as for newly proposed projects. If a complete application is submitted in accordance with this requirement, the existing approval will be deemed extended until such time as the Commission renders a decision on the application unless the Commission notifies the project sponsor otherwise in writing.
(a) Once approved, the Commission, upon its own motion, or upon application of the project sponsor or any interested party, may at any time reopen any project docket and make additional orders that may be necessary to mitigate or avoid adverse impacts or to otherwise protect the public health, safety, and welfare or water resources. Whenever an application for reopening is filed by an interested party, the burden shall be upon that interested party to show, by a preponderance of the evidence, that a substantial adverse impact or a threat to the public health, safety and welfare or water resources exists that warrants reopening of the docket.
(b) If the project sponsor fails to comply with any term or condition of a docket approval, the commissioners may issue an order suspending, modifying or revoking its approval of the docket. The commissioners may also, in their discretion, suspend, modify or revoke a docket approval if the project sponsor fails to obtain or maintain other federal, state or local approvals.
(c) For any previously approved project where interference occurs, the Commission may require a project sponsor to provide a temporary source of potable water at its expense, pending a final determination of causation by the Commission.
(d) The Commission, upon its own motion, may at any time reopen any project docket and make additional corrective modifications that may be necessary.
§ 803.34
(b) Notification and application. A project sponsor shall notify the Commission, prior to commencement of the project, that an emergency certificate is needed. If immediate action, as defined by this section, is required by a project sponsor and prior notice to the Commission is not possible, then the project sponsor must contact the Commission within one (1) business day of the action. Notification may be by certified mail, facsimile, telegram, mailgram, or other form of written communication. This notification must be followed within one (1) business day by submission of the following information:
(1) An emergency application form or copy of the State or Federal emergency water use application if the project sponsor also is requesting emergency approval from either a state or federal agency.
(2) As a minimum, the application information shall contain:
(x) Appropriate fee.
(1) Review and act on the emergency request as expeditiously as possible upon receipt of all necessary information stipulated in paragraph (b) (2) of this section.
(f) Restoration/mitigation. Project sponsors are responsible for any necessary restoration or mitigation of environmental damage or interference with another user that may occur as a result of the emergency action.
§ 803.35
In addition to any other requirements of Commission regulations, and subject to the consent of the affected member state to this requirement, any person withdrawing or diverting in excess of an average of 10,000 gpd for any consecutive 30-day period, from ground or surface water sources, as defined in part 803 of this chapter, shall register the amount of this withdrawal with the Commission and provide such other information as requested on forms prescribed by the Commission.
(a) Except for agricultural water use projects, all registration forms shall be submitted within one year after May 11, 1995, or within six months of initiation of the water withdrawal or diversion, whichever is later; provided, however, that nothing in this section shall limit the responsibility of a project sponsor to apply for and obtain an approval as may be required under part 803 of this chapter. All registered withdrawals shall re-register with the Commission within five years of their initial registration, and at five-year intervals thereafter, unless the withdrawal is sooner discontinued. Upon notice by the Executive Director, compliance with a registration or reporting requirement, or both, of a member state, that is substantially equivalent to this requirement shall be considered compliance with this requirement.
(b) Project sponsors whose existing agricultural water use projects (i.e., projects coming into existence prior to March 31, 1997) withdraw or divert in excess of an average of 10,000 gpd for any consecutive 30-day period from a ground or surface water source shall register their use no later than March 31, 1997. Thereafter, project sponsors of new projects proposing to withdraw or divert in excess of 10,000 gpd for any consecutive 30-day period from a ground or surface water source shall be registered prior to project initiation.
The Commission may complete appropriate administrative agreements or informal arrangements to carry out this registration requirement through Start Printed Page 38703the offices of member jurisdictions. Forms developed by the Commission shall apprise registrants of any such agreements or arrangements, and provide appropriate instructions to complete and submit the form.
This part shall be effective on May 11, 1995, and shall apply to all present and future withdrawals or diversions irrespective of when such withdrawals or diversions were initiated.
Terms used in this part shall be defined as set forth in § 803.3 of this chapter.
Enforcement of penalties/abatement or remedial orders.
§ 805.1
(f) Description of project. When notice of a public hearing is issued, there shall be available for inspection at the Commission offices such plans, summaries, maps, statements, orders or other supporting documents which explain, detail, amplify, or otherwise describe the project the Commission is considering. Instructions on where and how the documents may be obtained will be included in the notice.
§ 805.2
(a) A project sponsor or other person aggrieved by any action or decision of the Commission or Executive Director, may file a written appeal requesting a hearing. Such appeal shall be filed with the Commission within 30 days of that action or decision. Start Printed Page 38704
(c) Any request filed more than 30 days after an action or decision will be deemed untimely and such request for a hearing shall be considered denied unless upon due cause shown the Commission by unanimous vote otherwise directs. Receipt of requests for hearings, pursuant to this section, whether timely filed or not, shall be submitted by the Executive Director to the commissioners for their information.
(2) The request for a stay shall include:
(i) Affidavits setting forth facts upon which issuance of the stay may depend.
(ii) An explanation of why affidavits have not accompanied the petition if no supporting affidavits are submitted.
(iii) The citations of applicable legal authority, if any.
(f) If administrative review is granted, the Commission shall refer the matter for hearing, to be held in accordance with § 805.3, and appoint a hearing officer.
(h) Notice of any hearing to be conducted pursuant to this section shall comply with the provisions of Section 15.4 (b) of the compact relating to public notice unless otherwise directed by the Commission. In addition, both the petitioner and any interveners shall provide notice of their filings under this section to the list of additional interested parties compiled by the Commission under § 803.14 (a).
§ 805.3
(a) Unless otherwise agreed to by the Commission and the party requesting an administrative appeal under § 805.2 of this part, the following procedures shall govern the conduct of hearing on an administrative appeal.
(9) A record of the proceedings and evidence at each hearing shall be made by a qualified stenographer designated by the Executive Director. Where demanded by the petitioner, or any other person who is a party to the appeal proceedings, or where deemed necessary by the Hearing Officer, the testimony shall be transcribed. In those Start Printed Page 38705instances where a transcript of proceedings is made, two copies shall be delivered to the Commission. The petitioner or other persons who desire copies shall obtain them from the stenographer at such price as may be agreed upon by the stenographer and the person desiring the transcript.
§ 805.4
(a) The Commission may order any two or more public hearings involving a common or related question of law or fact to be consolidated for hearing on any or all the matters at issue in such hearings.
(b) Whenever designated by a department, agency or instrumentality of a member jurisdiction, and within any limitations prescribed by the designation, a hearing officer designated pursuant to § 805.2 may also serve as a hearing officer, examiner or agent pursuant to such additional designation and may conduct joint hearings for the Commission and for such other department, agency or instrumentality. Pursuant to the additional designation, a hearing officer shall cause to be filed with the department, agency, or instrumentality making the designation, a certified copy of the transcript of the evidence taken before him and, if requested, of his findings and recommendations. Neither the hearing officer nor the Susquehanna River Basin Commission shall have or exercise any power or duty as a result of such additional designation to decide the merits of any matter arising under the separate laws of a member jurisdiction (other than the compact).
§ 805.10
§ 805.11
§ 805.12
(b) Any person shall allow authorized employees or agents of the Commission, without advance notice or a search warrant, at any reasonable time and upon presentation of appropriate credentials, and without delay, to have access to and to inspect all areas where a project is being constructed, operated, or maintained.
(c) Any person shall provide such information to the Commission as the Commission may deem necessary to determine compliance with any provisions of the compact, or the Commission's rules, regulations, orders, approvals, docket conditions, or any other requirements of the Commission. The person submitting information to the Commission shall verify that it is Start Printed Page 38706true and accurate to the best of the knowledge, information, and belief of the person submitting such information. Any person who knowingly submits false information to the Commission shall be subject to civil penalties as provided in the compact and criminal penalties under the laws of the member jurisdictions relating to unsworn falsification to authorities.
§ 805.13
§ 805.14
§ 805.15
(f) The prosecuting officer(s) shall recommend to the Commission the amount of the penalty to be imposed. Based upon the record presented to the Commission, the Commission shall determine whether a violation(s) has occurred that warrants the imposition of a penalty pursuant to Section 15.17 of the compact. If it is found that such a violation(s) has occurred, the Commission shall determine the amount of the penalty to be paid, in accordance with § 805.16.
§ 805.16
(b) The Commission retains the right to waive any penalty or reduce the amount of the penalty recommended by the prosecuting officer under § 805.15(f) should it determine, after consideration of the factors in paragraph (a) of this section, that extenuating circumstances justify such action.
§ 805.17
Any penalty imposed or abatement or remedial action ordered by the Commission or the Executive Director shall be paid or completed within such time period as shall be specified in the civil penalty assessment or order. The Executive Director and Commission counsel are authorized to take such additional action as may be necessary to assure compliance with this subpart. If a proceeding before a court becomes necessary, the penalty amount determined in accordance with § 805.15(f) shall constitute the penalty amount recommended by the Commission to be fixed by the court pursuant to Section 15.17 of the compact.
§ 805.18
(a) An alleged violator may offer to settle an enforcement proceeding by agreement. The Executive Director shall submit to the Commission any offer of settlement proposed by an alleged violator. No settlement will be submitted to the Commission by the Executive Director unless the alleged violator has indicated, in writing, acceptance of the terms of the agreement and the intention to comply with all requirements of the settlement agreement, including advance payment of any settlement amount or completion of any abatement or remedial action Start Printed Page 38707within the time period provided or both. If the Commission determines not to approve a settlement agreement, the Commission may proceed with an enforcement action in accordance with this subpart.
[FR Doc. 06-5632 Filed 7-6-06; 8:45 am]