A better world through better water

SRBC Announces Proposed General Permit GP-01 – Groundwater Remediation Projects

SUSQUEHANNA RIVER BASIN COMMISSION
4423 North Front Street
Harrisburg, PA 17110

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 17, 2020
CONTACT:
Gene G. Veno, Director Governmental Affairs and Public Advocacy
Office: (717) 238-0423, ext. 1311

 

SRBC Announces Proposed General Permit GP-01 – Groundwater Remediation Projects

The Susquehanna River Basin Commission has released its first General Permit that would approve the withdrawal of groundwater for groundwater remediation projects and the consumptive use of that same water under. 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 received 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.

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  • Any groundwater withdrawal under 100,000 gpd that has a regulated consumptive use of the water withdrawn (consumptive use of 20,000 gpd or more).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

The Commission has scheduled a public hearing on the proposed general permit to be held on August 13, 2020 at 2:30pm. This hearing will be held by telephone rather than at a physical location. Conference Call # 1-888-387-8686, the Conference Room Code # 9179686050.

Comments may be submitted on the Commission’s Public Comment web page, mailed to: Jason E. Oyler, Esq., General Counsel, Susquehanna River Basin Commission, 4423 N Front Street, Harrisburg, PA 17110-1788, or submitted by email to [email protected]. The deadline to submit comments specific to the proposed general permit is August 24, 2020.