Opinion ID: 2207621
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Permit Applications and Hearing Process

Text: On November 28, 1988, Oceanport filed its application for the permit to undertake the pier improvements in subaqueous lands pursuant to 7 Del.C. § 7205. Following revisions to the application at DNREC's request, public hearings were held on March 7 and 15, 1989. During these hearings, the Department determined that Oceanport's application was incomplete and that no final decision could be reached without additional information. As a result, the hearing process was suspended to allow Oceanport an opportunity to amend its presentation after consultation with the DNREC on what was needed to cure the deficiencies. That process continued for nineteen months until October 1990, when the hearings resumed. Before the hearing resumed, the second consent decree was executed regarding the requirement of an air discharge permit to construct the conveyor and other solid bulk product transfer equipment on the pier, which had created the potential for fugitive air emissions. The scope of the hearing was expanded to include a permit pursuant to 7 Del.C. § 6003 to discharge stormwater runoff into the Delaware River (the NPDES permit), and a permit pursuant to 7 Del.C. § 6003 to construct a bulk product transfer facility. The public hearing on all the permits was held on November 18, 19 and 30, 1990, and concluded on December 13, 1990. The outcome of the hearing was mixed for Oceanport. On one hand, the hearing officer found that in its request for the Coastal Zone Status Decision, Oceanport did not fully disclose the details of the project.... On the other hand, the hearing officer noted that Oceanport made a strong technical case in support of its various permit applications. Ultimately, however, the hearing officer concluded that the two consent decrees estopped the DNREC from denying the permit request or reopening the status decision. The Secretary of DNREC adopted the report of the hearing officer, and granted the permit requests on July 12, 1991. [2]