Opinion ID: 2798554
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: General Permits

Text: As an alternative to the NPDES permit established by the CWA, the EPA passed regulations allowing the issuance of general permits to cover one or more categories or subcategories of discharges . . . within a geographical area (40 CFR § 122.28 [a] [1]). A general permit is a single NPDES permit that covers a number of individual discharges that would otherwise require individual NPDES permits (Ohio Val. Envtl. Coalition v Horinko, 279 F Supp 2d 732, 758 [SDW Va 2003], citing 40 CFR 122.28; see also Environmental Defense Ctr., Inc. v U.S. E.P.A., 344 F3d 832, 853 [9th Cir 2003] [A general permit is a tool by which EPA regulates a large number of similar dischargers][Hereinafter EDC]). Unlike the single-applicant NPDES permit process, under the general permit scheme, the permitting authority may issue a general permit containing a common set of effluent limitations and other permit conditions that will apply to a potentially large number of point sources (Gaba at 419). As such, it provides for certain efficiencies and reduces the administrative burdens associated with an individual permit process (see Natural Resources Defense Council, Inc. v Costle, 568 F2d 1369, 1381 [DC Cir 1977] [Area-wide regulation is one well-established means of coping with administrative exigency]). - 11 - - 12 - No. 48 With the exception of the CWA's authorization for general permits allowing discharges of dredged or fill material (see 33 USC § 1344 [e] [1]), the CWA contains no special provisions for a category of general permits, thus leaving the procedures and substantive contours of a general permit scheme to the EPA (see 40 CFR 122.28 [b]).2 Those EPA regulations allow states to issue general permits through their SPDES programs, in accordance with federal regulatory provisions (see 40 CFR 123.1 [c] [The (EPA) Administrator will approve State programs which conform to the applicable requirements of this part]). All general permits, whether issued by the EPA or by an authorized state, must comply with the CWA and federal regulations (see 40 CFR § 123.25 [a]). Since under a general permit program the permit is not issued for individual dischargers, but rather sets forth requirements that all applicants must satisfy in order to lawfully discharge pollutants, public participation under this scheme is provided through a notice and comment period directed at soliciting public comments on the contents of the general 2 Hence, explaining 1991 legislation wherein Congress mandated that the EPA issue final regulations with respect to general permits for stormwater discharges associated with industrial activity on or before February 1, 1992 (Pub. L. No. 102–240, December 18, 1991, 105 Stat 1914). In response, EPA implemented a general permit system for stormwater discharges from industrial activities (see National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System General Permits and Reporting Requirements for Storm Water Discharges Associated With Industrial Activity, 56 FR 40948-01). - 12 - - 13 - No. 48 permit (see 40 CFR 124.10 [requiring notice]; 40 CFR 124. 11 [allowing comment and requests for a hearing]). Once the general permit is finalized and approved, applicants for whom the general permit is designed may submit a Notice of Intent (NOI) to comply with the permit and thus acquire coverage thereunder (see 40 CFR 122.28 [b] [2] [i]). New York State implements a general permit program (see 6 NYCRR 750-1.21 [a]). As defined in the ECL, a general permit cover[s] a category of point sources of one or more discharges within a stated geographical area which (i) involve the same or substantially similar types of operations, (ii) discharge the same types of pollutants, (iii) requires the same effluent limitations or operating conditions, (iv) require the same or similar monitoring, and (v) which will result in minimal adverse cumulative impacts (ECL 70-0117 [6][A]; see also 6 NYCRR 750-1.21).