Opinion ID: 382652
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Maryland NPDES Permit Program

Text: 5 Maryland has established its own water quality control program under its Department of Natural Resources and Water Resources Administration to administer requests for NPDES permits. The Regional Administrator of the EPA approved this program in September 1975. In their Memorandum of Agreement, state officials and the Regional Administrator concluded that the state would assume primary responsibility for the NPDES program, and the Regional Administrator's role (would) be one primarily of issuing guidance, providing financial and technical assistance, and reviewing applications and other program accomplishments (to the extent possible) as required or deemed desirable by the parties involved. Memorandum of Agreement Regarding the NPDES Permit Program Between Maryland Department of Natural Resources and the Environmental Protection Agency, Region III at 2, reprinted in Joint Appendix (J.A.) at 36, 37. 6 Maryland and the EPA also has established a joint review program for certain NPDES applications. Under this procedure, the Regional Administrator participates more actively in the permit issuance process in conjunction with the state and the applicant. He must concur in the effluent limitations and in any other conditions included in the permit by the state. Once the permit is issued, he again assumes an advisory role.