La. Admin. Code tit. 33 § IX-2903

Current through Register Vol. 50, No. 11, November 20, 2024

Section IX-2903 - Modification or Revocation and Reissuance of Permits

A. When the state administrative authority receives any information (for example, inspects the facility, receives information submitted by the permittee as required in the permit (see LAC 33:IX.2701), receives a request for modification or revocation and reissuance under LAC 33:IX.3105, or conducts a review of the permit file) he or she may determine whether or not one or more of the causes listed in Subsections A and B of this Section for modification or revocation and reissuance or both exist. If cause exists, the state administrative authority may modify or revoke and reissue the permit accordingly, subject to the limitations of LAC 33:IX.3105.B, and may request an updated application if necessary. When a permit is modified, only the conditions subject to modification are reopened. If a permit is revoked and reissued, the entire permit is reopened and subject to revision and the permit is reissued for a new term (see LAC 33:IX.3105.B.2). If cause does not exist under this Section or LAC 33:IX.2905, the state administrative authority shall not modify or revoke and reissue the permit. If a permit modification satisfies the criteria in LAC 33:IX.2905 for minor modifications, the permit may be modified without a draft permit or public review. Otherwise, a draft permit must be prepared and other procedures in LAC 33:IX.Chapters 31 and 33 followed.

1. Causes for Modification. The following are causes for modification but not revocation and reissuance of permits except when the permittee requests or agrees.

a. Alterations. There are material and substantial alterations or additions to the permitted facility or activity (including a change or changes in the permittee's sludge use or disposal practice) that occurred after permit issuance that justify the application of permit conditions that are different or absent in the existing permit.

NOTE: Certain reconstruction activities may cause the new source provisions of 40 CFR 122.29 to be applicable.

b. Information. The state administrative authority has received new information. Permits may be modified during their terms for this cause only if the information was not available at the time of permit issuance (other than revised regulations, guidance, or test methods) and would have justified the application of different permit conditions at the time of issuance. For LPDES general permits (LAC 33:IX.2515) this cause includes any information indicating that cumulative effects on the environment are unacceptable. For new source or new discharger LPDES permits (LAC 33:IX.2501, 40 CFR 122.29), this cause shall include any significant information derived from effluent testing required under LAC 33:IX.2501.K.5.f or H.4.c after issuance of the permit.

c. New Regulations. The standards or regulations on which the permit was based have been changed by promulgation of amended standards or regulations or by judicial decision after the permit was issued. Permits may be modified during their terms for this cause only as follows:

i. for promulgation of amended standards or regulations, when:

(a). the permit condition requested to be modified was based on a promulgated effluent limitation guideline, EPA approved or promulgated water quality standards, or the secondary treatment regulations under LAC 33:IX.Chapter 59; and

(b). EPA has revised, withdrawn, or modified that portion of the regulation or effluent limitation guideline on which the permit condition was based, or has approved a state action with regard to a water quality standard on which the permit condition was based; and

(c). a permittee requests modification in accordance with LAC 33:IX.3105 within 90 days after Federal Register notice of the action on which the request is based;

ii. for judicial decisions, a court of competent jurisdiction has remanded and stayed EPA promulgated regulations or effluent limitation guidelines, if the remand and stay concern that portion of the regulations or guidelines on which the permit condition was based and a request is filed by the permittee in accordance with LAC 33:IX.3105 within 90 days of judicial remand;

iii. for changes based upon modified state certifications of NPDES permits, see 40 CFR 124.55(b).

d. Compliance Schedules. The state administrative authority determines good cause exists for modification of a compliance schedule, such as an act of God, strike, flood, or materials shortage or other events over which the permittee has little or no control and for which there is no reasonably available remedy. However, in no case may an LPDES compliance schedule be modified to extend beyond an applicable CWA statutory deadline. See also LAC 33:IX.2905 (minor modifications) and Subparagraph A.1.n of this Section (LPDES innovative technology).

e. When the permittee has filed a request for a variance under CWA Section 301(c), 301(g), 301(h), 301(i), 301(k), or 316(a) or for fundamentally different factors within the time specified in LAC 33:IX.2501 or 40 CFR 125.72(a).

f. 307(a) Toxics. When required to incorporate an applicable CWA Section 307(a) toxic effluent standard or prohibition (see LAC 33:IX.2707.B).

g. Reopener. When required by the reopener conditions in a permit, which are established in the permit under LAC 33:IX.2707.C (for CWA toxic effluent limitations and standards for sewage sludge use or disposal, see also LAC 33:IX.2707.B) or LAC 33:IX.6135.E (pretreatment program).

h.

i. Net Limits. Upon request of a permittee who qualifies for effluent limitations on a net basis under LAC 33:IX.2709.G.

ii. When a discharger is no longer eligible for net limitations, as provided in LAC 33:IX.2709.G.1.b.

i. Pretreatment. As necessary under LAC 33:IX.6115.E (compliance schedule for development of pretreatment program).

j. Failure to Notify. Upon failure of an approved state to notify, as required by the CWA Section 402(b)(3), another state whose waters may be affected by a discharge from the approved state.

k. Non-Limited Pollutants. When the level of discharge of any pollutant that is not limited in the permit exceeds the level that can be achieved by the technology-based treatment requirements appropriate to the permittee under LAC 33:IX.3705.C.

l. Notification Levels. To establish a notification level as provided in LAC 33:IX.2707.F.

m. Compliance Schedules. To modify a schedule of compliance to reflect the time lost during construction of an innovative or alternative facility, in the case of a POTW that has received a grant under Section 202(a)(3) of the CWA for 100 percent of the costs to modify or replace facilities constructed with a grant for innovative and alternative wastewater technology under Section 202(a)(2) of the CWA. In no case shall the compliance schedule be modified to extend beyond an applicable CWA statutory deadline for compliance.

n. For a small MS4, to include an effluent limitation requiring implementation of a minimum control measure or measures as specified in LAC 33:IX.2523.B when:

i. the permit does not include such measure(s) based upon the determination that another entity was responsible for implementation of the requirement(s); and

ii. the other entity fails to implement measure(s) that satisfy the requirement(s).

o. To correct technical mistakes, such as errors in calculation, or mistaken interpretations of law made in determining permit conditions.

p. When the discharger has installed the treatment technology considered by the permit writer in setting effluent limitations imposed under Section 402(a)(1) of the CWA and has properly operated and maintained the facilities but nevertheless has been unable to achieve those effluent limitations. In this case, the limitations in the modified permit may reflect the level of pollutant control actually achieved (but shall not be less stringent than required by a subsequently promulgated effluent limitations guideline).

q. Nutrient Management Plans. The incorporation of the terms of a CAFO's nutrient management plan into the terms and conditions of a general permit when a CAFO obtains coverage under a general permit in accordance with LAC 33:IX.2505.H and 2515 is not a cause for modification pursuant to the requirements of this Section.

r. Land Application Plans. When required by a permit condition to incorporate a land application plan for beneficial reuse of sewage sludge, to revise an existing land application plan, or to add a land application plan.

2. Causes for Modification or Revocation and Reissuance. The following are causes to modify or, alternatively, revoke and reissue a permit:

a. cause exists for termination under LAC 33:IX.2907 or 6509, and the state administrative authority determines that modification or revocation and reissuance is appropriate;

b. the state administrative authority has received notification in accordance with LAC 33:I.Chapter 19 (as required in the permit, see LAC 33:IX.2701.L.3) of a proposed transfer of the permit.

3. Upon modification or revocation and reissuance of a permit for a privately-owned sewage treatment facility regulated by the Public Service Commission, the permittee shall comply with the financial security requirements in LAC 33:IX.Chapter 67, unless a waiver or exemption has been granted under R.S. 30:2075.2(A)(6).

La. Admin. Code tit. 33, § IX-2903

Promulgated by the Department of Environmental Quality, Office of Water Resources, LR 21:945 (September 1995), amended LR 23:724 (June 1997), LR 23:1524 (November 1997), amended by the Office of Environmental Assessment, Environmental Planning Division, LR 26:2283 (October 2000), LR 27:45 (January 2001), LR 28:470 (March 2002), repromulgated LR 30:231 (February 2004), amended by the Office of the Secretary, Legal Affairs Division, LR 31:2431 (October 2005), LR 32:1033 (June 2006), LR 35:653 (April 2009).

AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 30:2001 et seq., and in particular Section 2074(B)(3) and (B)(4)