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Opportunities for Streamlining in NPDES Permits. Permitting Tools, Tips and Incentives Session Presented by: Roosevelt Childress, EPA Region 4. Permitting for Environmental Results (PER). Multiyear initiative which began in 2003. Three major components: Integrity
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Opportunities for Streamlining in NPDES Permits Permitting Tools, Tips and Incentives Session Presented by: Roosevelt Childress, EPA Region 4
Permitting for Environmental Results (PER) Multiyear initiative which began in 2003. Three major components: • Integrity • Profiles of Permitting Agencies • Online at http://www.epa.gov/npdes/PER • Efficiency • Electronic tools (eNPDES, eNOI, eDMR, etc) • Watershed-based permitting • Results • Priority permits
Permit Efficiency Tools • eNPDES • About to be piloted in Regions 1 and 2 • Increases efficiency and accuracy • Has tools for limit calculation, as well as eliminates double entry • eNOI • Available on EPA’s website for facilities under EPA’s MSGP and CGP. • States are also implementing eNOI for their own systems. • More info at: http://www.epa.gov/npdes/stormwater/enoi • eDMR • Being done on a state by state basis. • 13 States have taken the lead as a workgroup on a national system (netDMR). • Currently not linked to EPA’s main database.
Priority Permits • Environmentally significant permits are designated as priority by States, in conjunction with Regions. • Any permit expired 2 or more years is eligible to become a priority permit. • EPA has committed to issuing 95% of designated priority permits on schedule. In FY05, we issued 104.2% of the permits
Top reasons for designation • Discharging to an impaired waterbody • Revision of water quality standards • General permit development • Permit expired more than 10 years • Discharging to a targeted watershed • Significant changes to facility operation
Performance Track and Priority Permits • EPA will grant States priority permit issuance credit for the issuance of a permit which is: • For a Performance Track Facility AND • Has requested expedited permitting AND • Is facing competitive pressure
Performance Track and Priority Permits • Performance Track members (in 38 States) hold 161 permits • Of the 30 of these permits expiring in late 2005-2006, 18 requested expedited permitting • 5 of these permits are under competitive pressure and are eligible for the priority permits credit
Performance Track and Priority Permits • Water Permits Division and the Performance Track staff are working together to create a template of a cover letter for facilities to request expedited permitting. • Richard Kashmanian of the Performance Track program is also contacting facilities with upcoming permit expirations.
On Priority Permits: Roosevelt Childress USEPA Region 4 Chief, Biosolids and NPDES permits Branch (404) 562-9279 childress.roosevelt@epa.gov or Pravin Rana USEPA Headquarters Water Permits Division (202) 564-5627 rana.pravin@epa.gov On Performance Track: Richard Kashmanian USEPA Headquarters Performance Track Program (202) 566-2875 kashmanian.richard@epa.gov For more information …