On December 11, the Susquehanna River Basin Commission adopted a General Permit that would approve the withdrawal of groundwater for groundwater remediation projects and the consumptive use of that same water.  The General Permit became effective on January 1, 2021.

It is the first general permit adopted by the Commission.

A General Permit is a permit issued by the Commission in lieu of an individual approval for a specific category of projects that the Commission regulates. A General Permit covers a type of activity that can operate under the same conditions and will result in minimal adverse impacts to the water resources of the Basin.

The General Permit process has several benefits for the regulated community:

-- Established criteria for qualification to operate under the General Permit.

-- Established conditions of operation under the General Permit.

-- Streamlined application and review process, resulting in quicker permit decisions.

-- Lower application fees.

Groundwater remediation projects are overseen by federal and state agencies, and follow federal and state regulations for cleanup standards.  Currently, these projects go through the full review process and receive dockets. 

GP-01 is designed to streamline the Commission’s approval process, avoid duplication of those authorities and standards, and covers the more limited role that Commission regulations require for the use of water for groundwater remediation.

General Permit Scope

The general permit covers withdrawals and consumptive uses of water for groundwater remediation projects that meet the jurisdictional limits of 18 CFR § 806.4(a). These are:

-- Groundwater withdrawals of ≥ 100,000 gallons per day (gpd) (consecutive 30-day average) for a groundwater remediation project;

-- Consumptive use of water, of an average of 20,000 gpd or more in any consecutive 30-day period, from any groundwater remediation project.

-- Any groundwater withdrawal under 100,000 gpd that has a regulated consumptive use of the water withdrawn (consumptive use of 20,000 gpd or more).

General Permit Package

-- Remediation General Permit Fact Sheet

-- Remediation General Permit

-- Remediation General Permit Metering Plan Template

-- Remediation General Permit Notice of Intent

-- Remediation General Permit Approval of Coverage

-- Remediation General Permit Notice of Termination

For more information on programs, training opportunities and upcoming events, visit the Susquehanna River Basin Commission website.  Click Here to sign up for SRBC’s newsletter.   Follow SRBC on Twitter, visit them on YouTube.

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[Posted: January 5, 2020]

1/11/2021