DEP Executive Deputy Secretary for Programs Ramez Ziadeh told the Citizens Advisory Council Tuesday the agency will have new procedures for handling applications for the PAG-02 NPDES  General Permit covering stormwater discharges from construction activities starting December 8.

[Note: DEP published notice of these changes in the October 21 PA Bulletin.]

Ziadeh said the existing PAG-02 expires on December 7, but will be administratively extended by DEP for one year to allow time for the agency to update PAG-02 where needed.

Permittees now covered by an approved PAG-02 can continue to operate under its provisions.  When the new PAG-02 is finalized, after public review, DEP will send a letter to existing PAG-02 holders advising them of any changes to requirements in the new PAG-02 they are required to comply with.  They will not have to reapply for a new permit.

New applicants applying for a PAG-02 General Permit after December 7 and during the extension period will apply on the same form, with the same permit review fee and the same review process, but after DEP or county conservation districts review the application and approve it, the agency or district will issue an individual NPDES Water Quality permit, not a PAG-02 General Permit.

DEP is preparing a notice for the PA Bulletin outlining the handling of the PAG-02 General Permit.

Ziadeh said DEP is also taking steps to develop a new PAG-01 NPDES General Permit covering small, low potential impact projects on five acres or less that would have otherwise been covered by the PAG-02 or a full NPDES Water Quality permit.

When DEP did an evaluation of its workload and the applications it receives, they found as many as 40 or 50 percent of the permit applications covered projects of five acres or less.

Ziadeh said the proposed PAG-01 General Permit will be discussed with the Water Resources Advisory Committee on October 25.  Click Here for more.

For the latest status on the PAG-02 and PAG-01, contact Ramez Ziadeh at 717-787-6490 or send email to: rziadeh@pa.gov.

Ziadeh’s comments were prompted by a question about the PAG-02 by Council member John Over, an engineering consultant who works with more than 50 municipalities and authorities in Western Pennsylvania.

The next Council meeting, and the last for 2017, is scheduled for November 14.

For more information, visit the DEP Citizens Advisory Council webpage.  Questions should be directed to Lee Ann Murray, Executive Director Citizens Advisory Council, 717-787-8171 or send email to: LeeMurray@pa.gov.

Related Story:

Water Resources Advisory Committee To Discuss New E&S General Permit For Small Projects, Water Permit Fee Increases Oct. 25

[Posted: Oct. 18, 2017]

10/23/2017