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HomeMy WebLinkAboutNCG240000_Fact Sheet (Revised for Final Permit)_20220708DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY DIVISION OF ENERGY, MINERAL, AND LAND RESOURCES FACTSHEET GENERAL PERMIT NCG240000 NATIONAL POLLUTANT DISCHARGE ELIMINATION SYSTEM PERMIT TO DISCHARGE STORMWATER 2022 — 2027 Permit Term 1. TYPES OF DISCHARGES COVERED a. Industrial Activities Covered by this General Permit This permit applies to all owners or operators, hereafter permittees, which are covered by this permit as evidenced by receipt of a Certificate of Coverage (COC) by the Environmental Management Commission to allow the discharge of Stormwater and process wastewater to the surface waters of North Carolina or to a separate storm sewer system conveying discharges to surface waters, from ready -mixed concrete facilities, in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth herein. Coverage under this General Permit is applicable to: Stormwater and/or wastewater point source discharges associated with activities classified as compost manufacturing (SIC 2875 and SIC 2879). SIC 2875 is fertilizers, mixing only, but the definition includes composting operations. Similarly, SIC 2879 is pesticides and agricultural chemicals, not classified elsewhere, but the definition includes soil conditioners of which compost can be considered one. Coverage is limited to those facilities classified as large Type 1, Type 2, and small Type 3 composting operations as described in regulations administered by the North Carolina Division of Waste Management (DWM) and found at 15A NCAC 13B .1402(f). • Stormwater point source discharges from like industrial activities deemed by DEMLR to be similar to these operations in the process, or the discharges, or the exposure of raw materials, intermediate products, by-products, final products, or waste products. Coverage under this General Permit is not applicable to: Composting operations classified in 15A NCAC 13B .1402(g) as small Type 1 Facilities. Rationale: DEMLR has determined that limited DEMLR resources might achieve better state-wide protection of water quality by first focusing on the other portions of the industry with more problematic feedstocks or larger areal extent. although the small Type 1 facilities are captured by the NPDES rules, DEMLR intends to continue to regulate the small yard waste facilities on a substantiated complaint basis, rather than a state-wide blanket approach via the General Permit. In January202Z it was confirmed by DWM that these facilities do not require a permit, but must complete a notification process that also includes annual notification. Backyard composting and on -farm composting as described in 13B .1402(g). Rationale: These facilities are not captured by NPDES regulations and are not subject to permitting required under those regulations. Page 1 of 8 NCG240000 Fact Sheet - NC 2022-2027 Permit Term Composting operations classified in 13B .1402(f) as Type 4 Facilities and large Type 3 Facilities. Rationale: DEMLR's judgment is that this subsector processes feedstocks of greater potential for water quality impacts, and consequently should be permitted under the increased scrutiny attendant with individual permits, rather than under the General Permit. The Division has allowed some large Type 3 and Type 4 facilities when circumstances were appropriate (ex. Only having a stormwater discharge, and no wastewater). Composting operations for residuals management as described in regulations administered by DWR and found at 15A NCAC 2T .1100. Rationale: DEMLR's judgment is that this subsector processes feedstocks ofgreater potential for water quality impacts, particularly with respect to the potential for the concentration of heavy metals, and consequently should be permitted under the increased scrutiny attendant with individual permits, rather than under the General Permit. Composting operations with discharges to especially protected receiving waters classified as ORW, HQW, trout waters, SA waters, PNA waters, areas with special water quality management strategies established in North Carolina rules at 15A NCAC 2B .0200, and zero -flow streams as described in 15A NCAC 2B .0206. Rationale: North Carolina rules include prohibitions on waste discharges to some of these receiving water classifications. In general, all of these classifications deserve the extra administrative attention and regulatory protection available through the individual permitting process, rather than though the General Permit. Mulching only operations are not regulated by NCG240000. Where mulching operations are co -located at composting facilities and function to provide feedstocks to composting operations, they are included with rest of the composting operations, and are subject to regulation by NCG240000. b. Characteristics of Discharged Stormwater The draft renewal permit requires baseline sampling of all stormwater discharge outfalls and/or authorized representative discharge outfalls in accordance with this part. (a) Grab samples shall be collected, analyzed and reported for the following parameters; Total Suspended Solids (TSS), pH for all outfalls, Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), Biochemical Oxygen Demand 5-Day, Fecal Coliform (for freshwater receiving streams), Enterococcus (for saltwater receiving streams), Total Nitrogen, Total Phosphorus, Total Recoverable Copper, Rainfall, and Non -Polar Oil and Grease. (b) The total rainfall amount for each sampling event shall be recorded in inches. Total rainfall shall be determined from an on -site rain gauge, or a regional rain gauge located within one (1) mile of the facility. (c) Samples shall be collected from four separate monitoring periods per year unless the facility is in Tier Two or Tier Three status. A minimum of thirty (30) days must separate sampling events: • January 1 - March 31 April 1 - June 30 • July 1 - September 30, and Page 2 of 8 NCG240000 Fact Sheet - NC 2022-2027 Permit Term • October 1 - December 31. c. Characteristics of Discharged Wastewater Wastewater discharges that may be authorized under this general permit are limited to the following composting operations. Any of those wastewaters commingled with stormwater shall be considered wastewater: • Large Type 1, • Type 2 • Small Type 3 • Associated vehicle and equipment maintenance activities Process wastewater discharges generated by any other activity shall not be authorized under this permit, except allowable non-stormwater discharges permitted by 15A NCAC 21-1.0106(f). d. GeographicArea(s) Covered by this General Permit Discharges covered by this general permit are located at any place within the political boundary of the State of North Carolina. Discharges located on the Cherokee Indian Tribal Reservation are subject to permitting by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and are not covered by this general permit. e. Receiving Waters As suggested by the potential pollutant strengths noted above, composting operations directly or indirectly discharging to especially protected receiving waters (receiving waters classified as ORW, HQW, trout waters, PNA waters, SA waters, areas with special water quality management strategies established in North Carolina rules at 15A NCAC 213.0200, and zero - flow streams as described in 15A NCAC 213.0206) are not eligible for coverage under this General Permit. SA waters was added to this list because it is a more highly sensitive classification that was previously omitted. DEMLR believes that while exceptions to this prohibition may be warranted on a case -by -case basis, individual permits should be strongly preferred for such facilities. 2. REPORTING REQUIREMENTS (a) Deadlines for Submittal of Discharge Monitoring Reports Discharge Monitoring Reports (DMRs) shall be submitted in accordance with quarterly monitoring. For COCs issued between March 1-31, June 1-30, September 1-30 or Dec 1-31, sampling shall not commence until the next sampling period following initial issuance of the COC. (b) Submittal Process before electronic DMR (eDMR) Prior to eDMR, samples analyzed in accordance with the terms of this General Permit shall Page 3 of 8 NCG240000 Fact Sheet — NC 2022-2027 Permit Term be reported as follows: i. Sample results shall be recorded on DMR forms provided by the Director. DMR forms are available on the DEMLR's website https: I Ideq.nc.gov/about/divisions/energy-mineral-land-resources/npdes- industrial-stormwater.) ii. DMRs shall be signed and certified by a person meeting the Signatory requirements in K-1. iii. Original, signed DMR forms shall be scanned and uploaded to the eDMR submittal form, which can be found by typing "deq.nc.gov/SW-Industrial" into a browser window and hitting "enter." iv. Then, the original signed DMR Forms shall be mailed or otherwise delivered to the appropriate Regional Office, which is indicated at: httl2s://deq.nc.gov/contact/regional-offices/. (c) Submittal Process after electronic DMR (eDMR) Unless otherwise informed by the Director, permittees shall register in eDMR prior to June 1, 2022 and shall begin reporting discharge monitoring data using eDMR prior to January 1, 2023. Information about eDMR can be found by typing "https: //deq.nc.gov/deq.nc.gov/sw- edmr" into a browser window and hitting "enter." (d) Qualitative Monitoring Reports The permittee shall record the required qualitative monitoring observations on the Stormwater Discharge Outfall (SDO) Qualitative Monitoring Report form provided by DEMLR and shall retain the completed forms on site. Qualitative monitoring results shall not be submitted to DEMLR, except upon DEMLR's specific requirement to do so. Qualitative Monitoring Report forms are available on DEMLR's website. httl2s://deq.nc.gov/about/divisions/energy-mineral-and-land- resources/stormwater/stormwater-program/npdes-industrial-program/general- industrial-permits 3. COMPLIANCE SCHEDULE The compliance schedule in Part L, Section L-1 advises that the permittee comply with Limitations and Controls specified for stormwater discharges in accordance with the following schedule • Existing Facilities already operating but applying for permit coverage for the first time: The Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) shall be developed and implemented within 12 months of the effective date of the COC and updated thereafter on an annual basis. Secondary containment, as specified in Part B, Section B-8 of this general permit, shall be accomplished within 12 months of the effective date of the issuance of the COC. • New Facilities applying for coverage for the first time: The SWPPP shall be developed and implemented prior to the beginning of discharges from the operation of the industrial Page 4 of 8 NCG240000 Fact Sheet - NC 2022-2027 Permit Term activity and shall be updated thereafter on an annual basis. Secondary containment, as specified in Part B, Section B-8 of this general permit, shall be accomplished prior to the beginning of discharges from the operation of the industrial activity. • Existing facilities previously permitted and applying for renewal under this General Permit: All requirements, conditions, limitations, and controls contained in this permit (except new SWPPP elements in this permit renewal) shall become effective immediately upon issuance of the COC. New elements of the SWPPP for this permit renewal shall be developed and implemented within 6 months of the effective date of this general permit and updated thereafter on an annual basis. Secondary containment, as specified in Part B, Section B-9 of this general permit, shall be accomplished prior to the beginning of discharges from the operation of the industrial activity. 4. CONSTRUCTION AND OPERATION OF A TREATMENT FACILITY An "Authorization to Construct" (ATC) permit for new or expanding wastewater treatment facilities was once required by 15A NCAC 02H .0100 for the construction and operation of water pollution control facilities necessary to comply with NPDES permit conditions. That authorization was incorporated into the NCG240000 General Permit to streamline the permitting process. In 2011, Session Law 2011-394, Section 9 eliminated the ATC requirement for industrial wastewater treatment facilities. Also now absent from the revised General Permit is the authorization to construct and operate a Closed -Loop Recycle System (CLRS) that meets the requirements of the 15A NCAC 02T .1000 Rules. (Requirements for these recycle systems are driven by a State program and were not impacted by SL 2011-394s changes to the State Statute.) Facilities that construct and operate CLRS facilities must apply and obtain the necessary permits or approvals through the Non - Discharge Permitting Program in the Division of Water Resources (DWR). This change was prompted by the Stormwater Permitting Program's move out of DWR into DEMLR and helps ensure appropriate Division oversight of these systems. Systems not designed as closed -loop and have the potential to discharge to surface waters are still covered by NCG240000. The Session Law did not remove authority for the Division to require that permittees notify the DEMLR Regional Office in advance of operation of newly installed or expanded wastewater treatment facilities. This directive remains a condition of this proposed permit (Part K - Permit Administration, K-3 - Planned Changes). The rationale is that this notification alerts NC DEQ of potentially significant changes to wastewater discharges and allows the opportunity for an inspection to verify compliance with the NPDES permit. 5. BASIS FOR CONTROLS AND LIMITATIONS a. Stormwater and Wastewater Discharges The conditions of this general permit have been designed using best professional judgment to achieve water quality protection through compliance with the technology -based standards of the Clean Water Act (Best Available Technology [BAT] and Best Conventional Pollutant Control Technology [BCT]). Where the Director determines that a water quality violation has occurred and water quality -based controls or effluent limitations are required to protect the receiving Page 5 of 8 NCG240000 Fact Sheet — NC 2022-2027 Permit Term waters, coverage under the general permit shall be terminated and an individual permit will be required. Based on a consideration of the appropriate factors for BAT and BCT requirements, and a consideration of the factors discussed below in this fact sheet for controlling pollutants in stormwater discharges associated with the activities as described in Item 1 (Types of Discharge Covered), this permit retains a set of requirements for developing and implementing SWPPPs, and specific requirements for monitoring and reporting on stormwater discharges. The permit conditions reflect the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) and North Carolina's pollution prevention approach to stormwater permitting. The quality of the stormwater discharge associated with an industrial activity will depend on the availability of pollutant sources. This renewal permit still reflects DEMLR's position that implementation of Best Management Practices (BMPs) and traditional stormwater management practices which control the source of pollutants meets the definition of BAT and BCT. The permit conditions are not numeric effluent limitations, but rather are designed to be flexible requirements for developing and implementing site specific plans to minimize and control pollutants in the stormwater discharges associated with the industrial activity. Title 40 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 122.44(k)(2) authorizes the use of BMPs in lieu of numeric effluent limitations in NPDES permits when the agency finds numeric effluent limitations to be infeasible. The agency may also impose BMP requirements which are "reasonably necessary" to carry out the purposes of the Act under the authority of 40 CFR 122.44(k)(3). The conditions of the renewal permit are retained under the authority of both of these regulatory provision s. The pollution prevention requirements (BMP requirements) in this permit operate as limitations on effluent discharges that reflect the application of BAT/BCT. The basis is that the BMPs identified require the use of source control technologies which, in the context of these general permits, are the best available of the technologies economically achievable (or the equivalent BCT finding). All facilities covered by this general permit must prepare, retain, implement, and (at a minimum of annually) update a SWPPP. The term "pollution prevention" distinguishes this source reduction approach from traditional pollution control measures that typically rely on end -of -pipe treatment to remove pollutants in the discharges. The plan requirements are based primarily on traditional stormwater management, pollution prevention and BMP concepts, providing a flexible basis for developing site -specific measures to minimize and control the amounts of pollutants that would otherwise contaminate the stormwater runoff. The pollution prevention approach adopted in the SWPPP in this renewal permit still focuses on two major objectives: 1) to identify sources of pollution potentially affecting the quality of stormwater discharges associated with industrial activity from the facility; and 2) to describe and ensure that practices are implemented to minimize and control pollutants in stormwater discharges associated with industrial activity from the facility and to ensure compliance with the terms and conditions of the permit. DEMLR believes that it is not appropriate at this time to require a single set of effluent limitations or a single design or operational standard for all facilities which discharge stormwater associated with industrial activity. This permit instead establishes a framework for the development and implementation of a site -specific SWPPP. This framework provides the necessary flexibility to address the variable risk for pollutants in stormwater discharges associated with the industrial activities that are addressed by this permit, while ensuring procedures to prevent stormwater pollution at a given facility are appropriate given the processes employed, engineering aspects, Page 6 of 8 NCG240000 Fact Sheet — NC 2022-2027 Permit Term functions, costs of controls, location, and age of facility (as discussed in 40 CFR 125.3). This approach allows flexibility to establish controls which can appropriately address different sources of pollutants at different facilities. Basis for coverage: The federal NPDES program rules at 40CFR122.26(b)(14) specifically define the industrial activities that are subject to regulation for storm water discharges associated with industrial activity. These rules at 40CFR122.26(b)(14)(ii) and (xi) capture all of SIC Major Group 28. Composting is a listed industrial activity in SIC 2875, compost mixing and 2879, manufacturing soil conditioners, part of Major Group 28, and is subject to NPDES stormwater permitting. SIC 2875 is fertilizers, mixing only, but the definition includes composting operations. Similarly, SIC 2879 is pesticides and agricultural chemicals, not classified elsewhere, but the definition includes soil conditioners of which compost can be considered one. The General Permit covers all on -site activities and features associated with the compost manufacturing activity. Covered industrial activities and site features may include, but are not limited to the following: scales, receiving, staging, grinding, screening, rejects piles, storage, composting, turning, aeration, moisture addition, curing, blending, packaging, labeling, warehousing, loading, and other related on -site manufacturing activities. Also covered are stormwater runoff flows from on -site vehicle and equipment maintenance areas. In accordance with NC General Statute 143-214.7A, "stormwater is water that does not contact anything considered a feedstock, intermediate product, or final product of composting operations". Water that contacts any of these items would be considered process wastewater. It should be noted that later in this same statute, a Type 1 solid waste compost facility shall not be required to obtain a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit for discharge of process wastewater based solely on the discharge of stormwater that has come into contact with feedstock, intermediate product, or final product at the facility. For purposes of that G.S., "Type 1 solid waste compost facilities" are facilities that may receive yard and garden waste, silvicultural waste, untreated and unpainted wood waste and any combination thereof. BOD/COD: These measures of oxygen demand were highly variable. The highest were reported at levels several times greater than general characterizations of raw sewage. As stated earlier in this factsheet, in accordance with NC General Statute 143-214.7A, "stormwater is water that does not contact anything considered a feedstock, intermediate product, or final product of composting operations". Water that contacts any of these items would be considered process wastewater. It should be noted that later in this same statute, a Type 1 solid waste compost facility shall not be required to obtain a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit for discharge of process wastewater (process wastewater permit from the NPDES process wastewater permitting group) based solely on the discharge of stormwater that has come into contact with feedstock, intermediate product, or final product at the facility. For purposes of that G.S., "Type 1 solid waste compost facilities" are facilities that may receive yard and garden waste, silvicultural waste, untreated and unpainted wood waste and any combination. Examination of monitoring data appear to indicate that the majority (all?) of the compost facilities covered under NCG24 are Type 1 and not monitoring for process wastewater. BODS has been required to be monitored in process wastewater, but not stormwater. With no facilities monitoring process wastewater, there are no data to indicate whether BODS is occurring at concentrations of concern. For this next permit cycle BODS will be added to the stormwater monitoring discharge, so that there will be BODS stormwater discharge data to examine. TSS: The highest levels of TSS were similarly reported at levels well above raw sewage, and well above the stormwater permitting benchmark for North Carolina. Page 7 of 8 NCG240000 Fact Sheet - NC 2022-2027 Permit Term Fecal coliform/E. coli and Enterococcus: While reported bacteriological contamination was not as high as raw sewage, it was still reported as several orders of magnitude greater than North Carolina water quality standards. 2013 Benchmarks Rational document recommends Enterococcus monitoring. Nitrogen /TKN/NO3-NO2/NH3: Again, highly variable results. In one published study, ammonia, an especially problematic form of nitrogen in the aquatic environment due to its toxicity, was reported at levels many times greater than general characterizations of raw sewage. More recent data indicate only a few TN exceedances. Phosphorus: Again, reported at levels several times greater than general characterizations of raw sewage, and well beyond the North Carolina stormwater discharge benchmark value. More recent data also indicate several TP exceedances above the benchmark. Metals - Cu. Pb. Zn: DWQ found limited data even within the limited data set reviewed. For Cu, Pb, and Zn there were some reports of discharge levels above the stormwater discharge benchmark values for North Carolina. Industry representatives reported to DWQ that woody feedstocks can sequester metals, and are a probable source in discharged flows. DEMLR reviewed 2014-2021 stormwater discharge data from about ten composting facilities permitted under NCG24. Please see Appendix B at the end of this factsheet. At all the facilities examined, Pb was either below the benchmark value or not detected and Zn was only detected above the benchmark value twice. Data support removing Pb and Zn monitoring from the permit. Another reason to remove Zn monitoring is because background Zn levels sometimes cause problems at facilities. Cu monitoring will remain in the permit because there were several instances of stormwater discharges with Cu levels above the benchmark. Non Polar Oil & grease: Limited data, but Non -Polar Oil and Grease was incorporated as a standard monitoring parameter for all SDOs, not just those with vehicle or equipment maintenance areas. With this change, we have removed the separate monitoring requirements for outfalls only associated with vehicle/equipment maintenance areas. Non -Polar Oil and Grease monitoring is required independent of the vehicle or equipment maintenance requirement and there is no longer a need to track the average monthly usage of new motor and hydraulic oil for the facility because of the liklihood of vehicles moving throughout the compost facility leaking fluids. If Non -Polar Oil and Grease monitoring results indicate no exceedances above the limit/benchmark, then Non -Polar Oil and Grease monitoring could be changed to be dependent upon the oil usage or possibly eliminated from permit. "Non -polar O&G" [by EPA Method 1664 (SGT-HEM)] benchmark of 15.0 mg/l is consistent with other States' benchmarks and/or limits for total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) and reflects a value normally only associated with significant oil contamination. Specifying the EPA Method 1664 with the silica gel treatment step (SGT-HEM) in the permit ensures a cost-effective way to estimate TPH (as opposed to gas chromatographic analysis). pH.. The limited data included some pH values outside North Carolina Water Quality Standards range, but most values were within water quality standards. Despite the potential for high absolute concentrations of pollutants in compost site discharges, two aspects of the discharges may serve to moderate the impact on receiving waters. First, Page 8 of 8 NCG240000 Fact Sheet - NC 2022-2027 Permit Term discharges are typically associated with rain events. This means that the delivery of pollutants is not typically continuous, and that receiving waters may have the benefit of increased flows and increased pollutant dilution at the time of discharge. Second, industry representatives report that for many composting sites, and under good conditions, small rain events may be substantially absorbed by the composting materials, reducing the discharge volume. These moderating factors are site specific, and the degree of the impact of the moderating factors has not been quantifiable. 6. REQUESTED VARIANCES OR ALTERNATIVES TO REQUIRED STANDARDS There are no requested variances or alternatives to required standards. Facilities requesting variances to required standards will not be covered under this General Permit but will instead be required to seek coverage under an individual permit. 7. THE ADMINISTRATIVE RECORD The administrative record, including application, draft permits, fact sheet, public notice, comments received, and additional information is available by writing to: Stormwater Program Division of Energy, Mineral, and Land Resources (DEMLR) 1612 Mail Service Center Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1612 Electronic copies of the documents listed above are available on our Laserfiche online repository, or by emailing brittany.cars onOncdenr.gov. 8. STATE CONTACT Additional information about the renewal permit may be obtained between the hours of 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM Monday through Friday by contacting Brittany Carson at brittany.cars onOncdenr.gov. 9. SCHEDULE OF PERMIT ISSUANCE Draft Permit Public Notice - Statewide Notice to publish: May 13, 2022 Draft available on-line: May 13, 2022 Comment Period Ends: June 13, 2022 Page 9 of 8 NCG240000 Fact Sheet - NC 2022-2027 Permit Term Permit Scheduled to Issue - No later than: July 1, 2022 Effective: July 1, 2022 10 PROCEDURES FOR THE FORMULATION OF FINAL DETERMINATIONS a. Comment Period DEMLR proposes to issue an NPDES General Permit for the above described stormwater discharges. These determinations are open to comment from the public. Interested persons are invited to submit written comments on the renewal permit or on DEMLR's proposed determinations to the following address: Stormwater Program Division of Energy, Mineral, and Land Resources Attn: Brittany Carson 1612 Mail Service Center Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1612 OR: Brittany.carson@ncdenr.gov All comments received within thirty (30) days following the date of public notice are considered in the formulation of final determinations. b. Public Meeting The Director may hold a public meeting if there is a significant degree of public interest in a proposed permit or group of permits. Public notice of such a meeting will be circulated in newspapers in the geographical area of the discharge and to those on the DEMLR's mailing list at least thirty (30) days prior to the meeting. c. Appeal Hearing An applicant whose permit is denied, or is granted subject to conditions they deem unacceptable, shall have the right to a hearing before the Commission upon making written demand to the Office of Administrative Hearing (OAH) within 30 days following issuance or denial of the permit. d. Issuance of a Permit When no Hearing is Held If no public meeting or appeal hearing is held, after review of the comments received, and if the DEMLR's determinations are substantially unchanged, the permit will be issued and become effective on the first day of the month following the issuance date. This will be the final action of DEMLR. If a public meeting or appeal hearing is not held, but there have been substantial changes, public notice of DEMLR's revised determinations will be made. Following a 30-day comment period, the Page 10 of 8 NCG240000 Fact Sheet — NC 2022-2027 Permit Term permit will be issued and will become effective on the first day of the month following the issuance date. This will be the final action of DEMLR unless a public meeting or appeal hearing is grant Page 11 of 8