The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has released for public comment a draft permit that would regulate the discharge of stormwater from construction sites.
The proposed Construction General Permit (CGP) includes a number of new rules for controlling discharges and protect impaired and sensitive waters. Many of the new permit requirements implement new effluent limitation guidelines and new source performance standards for the construction and development industry that became effective on February 1, 2010. These requirements include a suite of erosion and sediment controls and pollution prevention measures that apply to all permitted construction sites.
The permit will be effective in areas where EPA is the permitting authority, including four states (Idaho, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and New Mexico); Washington, D.C.; most territories; and most Indian country lands.
The public will have 60 days to comment on the draft permit. EPA anticipates that it will issue the final construction general permit by January 31, 2012. The current permit is scheduled to expire on June 30, 2011; however, EPA is proposing to extend the current permit until January 31, 2012 to provide sufficient time to finalize the new permit.
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