Opinion ID: 2798554
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: State Pollutant Discharge Elimination System

Text: The CWA also allows for a federally-authorized, EPAapproved state to issue permits for discharges into navigable waters within the state's jurisdiction (33 USC § 1342 [b]). Currently, a majority of states are EPA-approved to operate their own state pollutant discharge elimination system (SPDES). The laws of such state must provide adequate authority to carry out the [permit] program (33 USC § 1342 [b]), and the permits issued pursuant to this EPA authorization, must apply, and insure compliance with, any applicable [CWA effluent limitations and standards] (33 USC § 1342 [b] [1] [A]). In 1975, the EPA authorized New York to issue permits under the state's SPDES, established pursuant to Article 17 of New York's Environmental Conservation Law. Thus, discharges or pollutants from point sources into the waters of the state are prohibited, unless authorized under New York's SPDES permit program (see ECL 17-0803; see also 33 USC § 1311 [a]). In accordance with the ECL, any discharges allowed by these permits shall conform to and meet all applicable requirements of the [CWA] ... and rules, regulations, guidelines, criteria, standards and limitations adopted pursuant thereto relating to effluent limitations, water quality related effluent limitations, new source performance standards, toxic and pretreatment effluent limitations, ocean - 9 - - 10 - No. 48 discharge criteria, and monitoring, and to participate in the [NPDES] created by the [CWA] (ECL § 17-0801). In addition to applicable federal requirements, such permits are also subject to regulations issued by DEC (see 6 NYCRR 750, et seq.). In New York, in order to obtain a permit, an interested party must file an application (see ECL § 17-0803; 6 NYCRR 750-1.4 [a]). The applicant must secure the permit prior to actual discharge of any prohibited pollutant (ECL § 17-0803 [it shall be unlawful to discharge . . . without a SPDES permit]; 6 NYCRR 750-1.4 [a] [no person shall discharge . . . without a SPDES permit]). As required by law, DEC reviews and, where appropriate, approves the permit and issues a draft permit setting forth the effluent limitations and other conditions applicable to the discharger (ECL § 17-0809 [1]; 6 NYRR 750-1.10 [a]). Public participation under New York's SPDES permit program is advanced through public notice requirements and an opportunity for public hearing on the permit application (see ECL § 17-0805 [b]; see also 6 NYCRR 750-1.12 [a] [requiring notice]). The DEC must provide notice of every draft SPDES permit, describing its terms and conditions, and must allow for a minimum 30-day public comment period (ECL § 17-0805 [b]). During the comment period, [t]he department may, in its discretion, provide an opportunity for the applicant or any interested agency, person - 10 - - 11 - No. 48 or group of persons to request or petition for a public hearing (id.).