Code of Maine Rules
06 - DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
096 - DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION - GENERAL
Chapter 521 - APPLICATIONS FOR WASTE DISCHARGE LICENSES
Section 096-521-4 - Application for a permit [see 40 CFR 122.21]

Universal Citation: 06 ME Code Rules ยง 096-521-4

Current through 2024-38, September 18, 2024

(a) Duty to apply. Any person who discharges or proposes to discharge pollutants and who does not have an effective permit, except persons covered by general permits under Chapter 529, excluded under 38 MRSA, §413, or a user of a privately owned treatment works unless the Department requires otherwise under Chapter 523, shall submit a complete application (which shall include a BMP program if necessary under 40 CFR 125.102) to the Department in accordance with this section and Chapters 2 and 522.

(b) Who applies? When a facility or activity is owned by one person but is operated by another person, it is the operator's duty to obtain a permit.

(c) [reserved]

(d) [reserved]

(e) Completeness. The Department shall not issue a permit before receiving a complete application pursuant to Chapters 2 and 522 for a permit except for NPDES general permits. An application for a permit is complete when the Department receives an application form and any supplemental information which are completed to its satisfaction. The completeness of any application for a permit shall be judged independently of the status of any other permit application or permit for the same facility or activity.

(f) Information requirements. All applicants for NPDES permits shall provide the following information to the Department, using the application form provided by the Department (additional information required of applicants is set forth in paragraphs (g) through (k) of this section).

(1) The activities conducted by the applicant which require it to obtain an NPDES permit.

(2) Name, mailing address, and location of the facility, including the municipality or in the case of unorganized territory the plantation, for which the application is submitted.

(3) Up to four SIC codes which best reflect the principal products or services provided by the facility.

(4) The operator's name, address, telephone number, ownership status, and status as Federal, State, private, public, or other entity.

(5) Whether the facility is located on Indian lands, as defined in Chapter 520.

(6) A listing of all permits or construction approvals received or applied for under any of the following programs:
(i) Hazardous Waste Management program under RCRA.

(ii) UIC program under SDWA.

(iii) NPDES program under CWA.

(iv) Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) program under the Clean Air Act.

(v) Nonattainment program under the Clean Air Act.

(vi) National Emission Standards for Hazardous Pollutants (NESHAPS) preconstruction approval under the Clean Air Act.

(vii)Ocean dumping permits under the Marine Protection Research and Sanctuaries Act.

(viii)Dredge or fill permits under section 404 of CWA.

(ix) Other relevant environmental permits, including State permits.

(7) A topographic map (or other map if a topographic map is unavailable) extending one mile beyond the property boundaries of the source, depicting the facility and each of its intake and discharge structures (showing latitude and longitude to the nearest 15 seconds), each of its hazardous waste treatment, storage, or disposal facilities; each well where fluids from the facility are injected underground; and those wells, springs, other surface water bodies, and drinking water wells listed in public records or otherwise known to the applicant in the map area.

(8) A brief description of the nature of the business.

(g) Application requirements for existing manufacturing, commercial, mining, and silvicultural dischargers. Existing manufacturing, commercial mining, and silvicultural dischargers applying for NPDES permits, except for those facilities subject to the requirements of paragraph (h), shall provide the following information to the Department, using application forms provided by the Department.

(1) Outfall location. The latitude and longitude to the nearest 15 seconds and the name of the receiving water.

(2) Line drawing. A line drawing of the water flow through the facility with a water balance, showing operations contributing wastewater to the effluent and treatment units. Similar processes, operations, or production areas may be indicated as a single unit, labeled to correspond to the more detailed identification under paragraph (g)(3) of this section. The water balance must show approximate average flows at intake and discharge points and between units, including treatment units. If a water balance cannot be determined (for example, for certain mining activities), the applicant may provide instead a pictorial description of the nature and amount of any sources of water and any collection and treatment measures.

(3) Average flows and treatment. A narrative identification of each type of process, operation, or production area which contributes wastewater to the effluent for each outfall, including process wastewater, cooling water, and storm water runoff; the average flow which each process contributes; and a description of the treatment the wastewater receives, including the ultimate disposal of any solid or fluid wastes other than by discharge. Processes, operations, or production areas may be described in general terms (for example, ``dye-making reactor'', ``distillation tower''). For a privately owned treatment works, this information shall include the identity of each user of the treatment works. The average flow of point sources composed of storm water may be estimated. The basis for the rainfall event and the method of estimation must be indicated.

(4) Intermittent flows. If any of the discharges described in paragraph (g)(3) of this section are intermittent or seasonal, a description of the frequency, duration and flow rate of each discharge occurrence (except for storm water runoff, spillage or leaks).

(5) Maximum production. If an effluent guideline promulgated under section 304 of CWA applies to the applicant and is expressed in terms of production (or other measure of operation), a reasonable measure of the applicant's actual production reported in the units used in the applicable effluent guideline. The reported measure must reflect the actual production of the facility as required by Chapter 523.

(6) Improvements. If the applicant is subject to any present requirements or compliance schedules for construction, upgrading or operation of waste treatment equipment, an identification of the abatement requirement, a description of the abatement project, and a listing of the required and projected final compliance dates.

(7) Effluent characteristics. Information on the discharge of pollutants specified in this paragraph (except information on storm water discharges which is to be provided as specified in Section 9).When ``quantitative data'' for a pollutant are required, the applicant must collect a sample of effluent and analyze it for the pollutant in accordance with analytical methods approved under 40 CFR part 136. When no analytical method is approved the applicant may use any suitable method but must provide a description of the method. When an applicant has two or more outfalls with substantially identical effluents, the Department may allow the applicant to test only one outfall and report that the quantitative data also apply to the substantially identical outfalls. The requirements in paragraphs (g)(7) (iii) and (iv) of this section that an applicant must provide quantitative data for certain pollutants known or believed to be present do not apply to pollutants present in a discharge solely as the result of their presence in intake water; however, an applicant must report such pollutants as present. Grab samples must be used for pH, temperature, cyanide, total phenols, residual chlorine, oil and grease, fecal coliform and fecal streptococcus. For all other pollutants, 24-hour composite samples must be used. However, a minimum of one grab sample may be taken for effluents from holding ponds or other impoundments with a retention period greater than 24 hours. In addition, for discharges other than storm water discharges, the Department may waive composite sampling for any outfall for which the applicant demonstrates that the use of an automatic sampler is infeasible and that the minimum of four (4) grab samples will be a representative sample of the effluent being discharged. For storm water discharges, all samples shall be collected from the discharge resulting from a storm event that is greater than 0.1 inch and at least 72 hours from the previously measurable (greater than 0.1 inch rainfall) storm event. Where feasible, the variance in the duration of the event and the total rainfall of the event should not exceed 50 percent from the average or median rainfall event in that area. For all applicants, a flow-weighted composite shall be taken for either the entire discharge or for the first three hours of the discharge. The flow-weighted composite sample for a storm water discharge may be taken with a continuous sampler or as a combination of a minimum of three sample aliquots taken in each hour of discharge for the entire discharge or for the first three hours of the discharge, with each aliquot being separated by a minimum period of fifteen minutes(applicants submitting permit applications for storm water discharges under Section 9(d) may collect flow weighted composite samples using different protocols with respect to the time duration between the collection of sample aliquots, subject to the approval of the Department). However, a minimum of one grab sample may be taken for storm water discharges from holding ponds or other impoundments with a retention period greater than 24 hours. For a flow-weighted composite sample, only one analysis of the composite of aliquots is required. For storm water discharge samples taken from discharges associated with industrial activities, quantitative data must be reported for the grab sample taken during the first thirty minutes (or as soon thereafter as practicable) of the discharge for all pollutants specified in Section 9(c)(1). For all storm water permit applicants taking flow-weighted composites, quantitative data must be reported for all pollutants specified in Section 9 except pH, temperature, cyanide, total phenols, residual chlorine, oil and grease, fecal coliform, and fecal streptococcus. the Department may allow or establish appropriate site-specific sampling procedures or requirements, including sampling locations, the season in which the sampling takes place, the minimum duration between the previous measurable storm event and the storm event sampled, the minimum or maximum level of precipitation required for an appropriate storm event, the form of precipitation sampled (snow melt or rain fall), protocols for collecting samples under 40 CFR part 136, and additional time for submitting data on a case-by-case basis. An applicant is expected to ``know or have reason to believe'' that a pollutant is present in an effluent based on an evaluation of the expected use, production, or storage of the pollutant, or on any previous analyses for the pollutant. (For example, any pesticide manufactured by a facility may be expected to be present in contaminated storm water runoff from the facility.)
(i)
(A) Every applicant must report quantitative data for every outfall for the following pollutants:

Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD-5)

Chemical Oxygen Demand

Total Organic Carbon

Total Suspended Solids

Ammonia (as N)

Temperature (both winter and summer)

(B) The Department may waive the reporting requirements for individual point sources or for a particular industry category for one or more of the pollutants listed in paragraph (g)(7)(i)(A) of this section if the applicant has demonstrated that such a waiver is appropriate because information adequate to support issuance of a permit can be obtained with less stringent requirements.

(ii) Each applicant with processes in one or more primary industry category (see appendix A) contributing to a discharge must report quantitative data for the following pollutants in each outfall containing process wastewater:
(A) The organic toxic pollutants in the fractions designated in table I of appendix D for the applicant's industrial category or categories unless the applicant qualifies as a small business under paragraph (g)(8) of this section. Table II of appendix D lists the organic toxic pollutants in each fraction. The fractions result from the sample preparation required by the analytical procedure which uses gas chromotography/mass spectrometry. A determination that an applicant falls within a particular industrial category for the purposes of selecting fractions for testing is not conclusive as to the applicant's inclusion in that category for any other purposes. [See Notes 2, 3, and 4 of this section.]

(B) The pollutants listed in table III of appendix D (the toxic metals, cyanide, and total phenols).

(iii)
(A) Each applicant must indicate whether it knows or has reason to believe that any of the pollutants in table IV of appendix D (certain conventional and nonconventional pollutants) is discharged from each outfall. If an applicable effluent limitations guideline either directly limits the pollutant or, by its express terms, indirectly limits the pollutant through limitations on an indicator, the applicant must report quantitative data. For every pollutant discharged which is not so limited in an effluent limitations guideline, the applicant must either report quantitative data or briefly describe the reasons the pollutant is expected to be discharged.

(B) Each applicant must indicate whether it knows or has reason to believe that any of the pollutants listed in table II or table III of appendix D (the toxic pollutants and total phenols) for which quantitative data are not otherwise required under paragraph (g)(7)(ii) of this section, is discharged from each outfall. For every pollutant expected to be discharged in concentrations of 10 ppb or greater the applicant must report quantitative data. For acrolein, acrylonitrile, 2,4 dinitrophenol, and 2-methyl-4,6 dinitrophenol, where any of these four pollutants are expected to be discharged in concentrations of 100 ppb or greater the applicant must report quantitative data. For every pollutant expected to be discharged in concentrations less than 10 ppb, or in the case of acrolein, acrylonitrile, 2,4 dinitrophenol, and 2-methyl-4,6 dinitrophenol, in concentrations less than 100 ppb, the applicant must either submit quantitative data or briefly describe the reasons the pollutant is expected to be discharged. An applicant qualifying as a small business under paragraph (g)(8) of this section is not required to analyze for pollutants listed in table II of appendix D (the organic toxic pollutants).

(iv) Each applicant must indicate whether it knows or has reason to believe that any of the pollutants in table V of appendix D (certain hazardous substances and asbestos) are discharged from each outfall. For every pollutant expected to be discharged, the applicant must briefly describe the reasons the pollutant is expected to be discharged, and report any quantitative data it has for any pollutant.

(v) Each applicant must report qualitative data, generated using a screening procedure not calibrated with analytical standards, for 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) or 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-furan (TCDF) if it:
(A) Uses or manufactures 2,4,5-trichlorophenoxy acetic acid (2,4,5,-T); 2-(2,4,5-trichlorophenoxy) propanoic acid (Silvex, 2,4,5,-TP); 2-(2,4,5-trichlorophenoxy) ethyl, 2,2-dichloropropionate (Erbon); O,O-dimethyl O-(2,4,5-trichlorophenyl) phosphorothioate (Ronnel); 2,4,5-trichlorophenol (TCP); or hexachlorophene (HCP); or

(B) Knows or has reason to believe that TCDD or TCDF is or may be present in an effluent.

(8) Small business exemption. An applicant which qualifies as a small business under one of the following criteria is exempt from the requirements in paragraph (g)(7)(ii)(A) or (g)(7)(iii)(A) of this section to submit quantitative data for the pollutants listed in table II of appendix D (the organic toxic pollutants):
(i) For coal mines, a probable total annual production of less than 100,000 tons per year.

(ii) For all other applicants, gross total annual sales averaging less than $100,000 per year (in second quarter 1980 dollars).

(9) Used or manufactured toxics. A listing of any toxic pollutant which the applicant currently uses or manufactures as an intermediate or final product or byproduct. The Department may waive or modify this requirement for any applicant if the applicant demonstrates that it would be unduly burdensome to identify each toxic pollutant and the Department has adequate information to issue the permit.

(10) [Reserved]

(11) Biological toxicity tests. An identification of any biological toxicity tests which the applicant knows or has reason to believe have been made within the last 3 years on any of the applicant's discharges or on a receiving water in relation to a discharge.

(12) Contract analyses. If a contract laboratory or consulting firm performed any of the analyses required by paragraph (g)(7) of this section, the identity of each laboratory or firm and the analyses performed.

(13) Additional information. In addition to the information reported on the application form, applicants shall provide to the Department, a his or her request, such other information as the Department may reasonably require to assess the discharges of the facility and to determine whether to issue an NPDES permit. The additional information may include additional quantitative data and bioassays to assess the relative toxicity of discharges to aquatic life and requirements to determine the cause of the toxicity.

(h) Application requirements for manufacturing, commercial, mining and silvicultural facilities which discharge only non-process wastewater. Except for stormwater discharges, all manufacturing, commercial, mining and silvicultural dischargers applying for NPDES permits which discharge only non-process wastewater not regulated by an effluent limitations guideline or new source performance standard shall provide the following information to the Department, using application forms provided by the Department:

(1) Outfall location. Outfall number, latitude and longitude to the nearest 15 seconds, and the name of the receiving water.

(2) Discharge date (for new dischargers). Date of expected commencement of discharge.

(3) Type of waste. An identification of the general type of waste discharged, or expected to be discharged upon commencement of operations, including sanitary wastes, restaurant or cafeteria wastes, or non contact cooling water. An identification of cooling water additives (if any) that are used or expected to be used upon commencement of operations, along with their composition if existing composition is available.

(4) Effluent characteristics.
(i) Quantitative data for the pollutants or parameters listed below, unless testing is waived by the Department. The quantitative data may be data collected over the past 365 days, if they remain representative of current operations, and must include maximum daily value, average daily value, and number of measurements taken. The applicant must collect and analyze samples in accordance with 40 CFR part 136. Grab samples must be used for pH, temperature, oil and grease, total residual chlorine, and fecal coliform. For all other pollutants, 24-hour composite samples must be used. New dischargers must include estimates for the pollutants or parameters listed below instead of actual sampling data, along with the source of each estimate. All levels must be reported or estimated as concentration and as total mass, except for flow, pH, and temperature.
(A) Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD-5).

(B) Total Suspended Solids (TSS).

(C) Fecal Coliform (if believed present or if sanitary waste is or will be discharged).

(D) Total Residual Chlorine (if chlorine is used).

(E) Oil and Grease.

(F) Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) (if non-contact cooling water is or will be discharged).

(G) Total Organic Carbon (TOC) (if non-contact cooling water is or will be discharged).

(H) Ammonia (as N).

(I) Discharge Flow.

(J) pH.

(K) Temperature (Winter and Summer).

(ii) The Department may waive the testing and reporting requirements for any of the pollutants or flow listed in paragraph (h)(4)(i) of this section if the applicant submits a request for such a waiver before or with his application which demonstrates that information adequate to support issuance of a permit can be obtained through less stringent requirements.

(iii) If the applicant is a new discharger, he must complete and submit Item IV of Form 2e or approved equivalent (see paragraph (h)(4)) by providing quantitative data in accordance with that section no later than two years after commencement of discharge. However, the applicant need not complete those portions of Item IV requiring tests which he has already performed and reported under the discharge monitoring requirements of this NPDES permit.

(iv) The requirements of parts i and iii of this section that an applicant must provide quantitative data or estimates of certain pollutants do not apply to pollutants present in a discharge solely as a result of their presence in intake water. However, an applicant must report such pollutants as present. Net credit may be provided for the presence of pollutants in intake water if the requirements of Chapter 523 are met.

(5) Flow. A description of the frequency of flow and duration of any seasonal or intermittent discharge (except for stormwater runoff, leaks, or spills).

(6) Treatment system. A brief description of any system used or to be used.

(7) Optional information. Any additional information the applicant wishes to be considered, such as influent data for the purpose of obtaining ``net'' credits pursuant to Chapter 523.

(8) Certification. Signature of certifying official under Section 5.

(i) Application requirements for new and existing concentrated animal feeding operations and aquatic animal production facilities. New and existing concentrated animal feeding operations (defined in Section 6) and concentrated aquatic animal production facilities (defined in Section 7) shall provide the following information to the Department, using the application form provided by the Department:

(1) For concentrated animal feeding operations:
(i) The type and number of animals in open confinement and housed under roof.

(ii) The number of acres used for confinement feeding.

(iii) The design basis for the runoff diversion and control system, if one exists, including the number of acres of contributing drainage, the storage capacity, and the design safety factor.

(2) For concentrated aquatic animal production facilities:
(i) The maximum daily and average monthly flow from each outfall.

(ii) The number of ponds, raceways, and similar structures.

(iii) The name of the receiving water and the source of intake water.

(iv) For each species of aquatic animals, the total yearly and maximum harvestable weight.

(v) The calendar month of maximum feeding and the total mass of food fed during that month.

(j) Application requirements for new and existing POTWs, in addition to the requirements of Chapter 530.5.

(1) The following POTWs shall provide the results of valid whole effluent biological toxicity testing to the Department:
(i) All POTWs with design influent flows equal to or greater than one million gallons per day;

(ii) All POTWs with approved pretreatment programs or POTWs required to develop a pretreatment program;

(2) In addition to the POTWs listed in paragraph (j)(1) of this section, the Department may require other POTWs to submit the results of toxicity tests with their permit applications, based on consideration of the following factors:
(i) The variability of the pollutants or pollutant parameters in the POTW effluent (based on chemical-specific information, the type of treatment facility, and types of industrial contributors);

(ii) The dilution of the effluent in the receiving water (ratio of effluent flow to receiving stream flow);

(iii) Existing controls on point or nonpoint sources, including total maximum daily load calculations for the waterbody segment and the relative contribution of the POTW;

(iv) Receiving stream characteristics, including possible or known water quality impairment, and whether the POTW discharges to a coastal water, or a water designated as an outstanding natural resource; or

(v) Other considerations (including but not limited to the history of toxic impact and compliance problems at the POTW), which the Department determines could cause or contribute to adverse water quality impacts.

(3) For POTWs required under paragraph (j)(1) or (j)(2) of this section to conduct toxicity testing, POTWs shall use EPA's methods or other established protocols which are scientifically defensible and sufficiently sensitive to detect aquatic toxicity. Such testing must have been conducted since the last NPDES permit reissuance or permit modification under 38 MRSA §414-A(5), whichever occurred later.

(4) All POTWs with approved pretreatment programs shall provide the following information to the Department: a written technical evaluation of the need to revise local limits under Chapter 528.

(k) Application requirements for new sources and new discharges. New manufacturing, commercial, mining and silvicultural dischargers applying for NPDES permits (except for new discharges of facilities subject to the requirements of paragraph (h) of this section or new discharges of storm water associated with industrial activity which are subject to the requirements of Section 9(c)(1) and this section (except as provided by Section 9(c)(1)(ii)) shall provide the following information to the Department, using the application forms provided by the Department:

(1) Expected outfall location. The latitude and longitude to the nearest 15 seconds and the name of the receiving water.

(2) Discharge dates. The expected date of commencement of discharge.

(3) Flows, sources of pollution, and treatment technologies-
(i) Expected treatment of wastewater. Description of the treatment that the wastewater will receive, along with all operations contributing wastewater to the effluent, average flow contributed by each operation, and the ultimate disposal of any solid or liquid wastes not discharged.

(ii) Line drawing. A line drawing of the water flow through the facility with a water balance as described in paragraph (g)(2).

(iii) Intermittent flows. If any of the expected discharges will be intermittent or seasonal, a description of the frequency, duration and maximum daily flow rate of each discharge occurrence (except for stormwater runoff, spillage, or leaks).

(4) Production. If a new source performance standard promulgated under section 306 of CWA or an effluent limitation guideline applies to the applicant and is expressed in terms of production (or other measure of operation), a reasonable measure of the applicant's expected actual production reported in the units used in the applicable effluent guideline or new source performance standard as required by Chapter 522 for each of the first three years. Alternative estimates may also be submitted if production is likely to vary.

(5) Effluent characteristics. The requirements in paragraphs(h)(4)(i), (ii), and (iii) of this section that an applicant must provide estimates of certain pollutants expected to be present do not apply to pollutants present in a discharge solely as a result of their presence in intake water; however, an applicant must report such pollutants as present. Net credits may be provided for the presence of pollutants in intake water if the requirements of Chapter 522 are met. All levels (except for discharge flow, temperature, and pH) must be estimated as concentration and as total mass.
(i) Each applicant must report estimated daily maximum, daily average, and source of information for each outfall for the following pollutants or parameters. The Department may waive the reporting requirements for any of these pollutants and parameters if the applicant submits a request for such a waiver before or with his application which demonstrates that information adequate to support issuance of the permit can be obtained through less stringent reporting requirements.
(A) Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD).

(B) Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD).

(C) Total Organic Carbon (TOC).

(D) Total Suspended Solids (TSS).

(E) Flow.

(F) Ammonia (as N).

(G) Temperature (winter and summer).

(H) pH.

(ii) Each applicant must report estimated daily maximum, daily average, and source of information for each outfall for the following pollutants, if the applicant knows or has reason to believe they will be present or if they are limited by an effluent limitation guideline or new source performance standard either directly or indirectly through limitations on an indicator pollutant: all pollutants in table IV of appendix D (certain conventional and nonconventional pollutants).

(iii) Each applicant must report estimated daily maximum, daily average and source of information for the following pollutants if he knows or has reason to believe that they will be present in the discharges from any outfall:
(A) The pollutants listed in table III of appendix D (the toxic metals, in the discharge from any outfall: Total cyanide, and total phenols);

(B) The organic toxic pollutants in table II of appendix D (except bis (chloromethyl) ether, dichlorofluoromethane and trichlorofluoromethane). This requirement is waived for applicants with expected gross sales of less than $100,000 per year for the next three years, and for coal mines with expected average production of less than 100,000 tons of coal per year.

(iv) The applicant is required to report that 2,3,7,8 Tetrachlorodibenzo-P-Dioxin (TCDD) or 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-furan (TCDF) may be discharged if he uses or manufactures one of the following compounds, or if he knows or has reason to believe that TCDD or TCDF will or may be present in an effluent:
(A) 2,4,5-trichlorophenoxy acetic acid (2,4,5-T) (CAS _93-76-5);

(B) 2-(2,4,5-trichlorophenoxy) propanoic acid (Silvex, 2,4,5-TP)(CAS _93-72-1);

(C) 2-(2,4,5-trichlorophenoxy) ethyl 2,2-dichloropropionate (Erbon)(CAS _136-25-4);

(D) 0,0-dimethyl 0-(2,4,5-trichlorophenyl) phosphorothioate (Ronnel)(CAS _299-84-3);

(E) 2,4,5-trichlorophenol (TCP) (CAS _95-95-4); or

(F) Hexachlorophene (HCP) (CAS _70-30-4);

(v) Each applicant must report any pollutants listed in table V of appendix D (certain hazardous substances) if he believes they will be present in any outfall (no quantitative estimates are required unless they are already available).

(vi) No later than two years after the commencement of discharge from the proposed facility, the applicant is required to complete and submit Items V and VI of NPDES application Form 2c or approved equivalent (see paragraph (g)). However, the applicant need not complete those portions of Item V requiring tests which he has already performed and reported under the discharge monitoring requirements of his NPDES permit.

(6) Engineering Report. Each applicant must report the existence of any technical evaluation concerning his wastewater treatment, along with the name and location of similar plants of which he has knowledge.

(7) Other information. Any optional information the permittee wishes to have considered.

(8) Certification. Signature of certifying official under Section 5.

(l) [reserved]

(m) Variance requests by non-POTWs. A discharger which is not publicly owned treatment works (POTW) may request a variance from otherwise applicable effluent limitations under any of the following statutory or regulatory provisions within the times specified in this paragraph:

(1) Fundamentally different factors. (i) A request for a variance based on the presence of ``fundamentally different factors'' from those on which the effluent limitations guideline was based shall be filed as follows:
(A) For a request from best practicable control technology currently available (BPT), by the close of the public comment period under Chapter 522.

(B) For a request from best available technology economically achievable (BAT) and/or best conventional pollutant control technology (BCT), by no later than:
(1) July 3, 1989, for a request based on an effluent limitation guideline promulgated before February 4, 1987, to the extent July 3,1989 is not later than that provided under previously promulgated regulations; or

(2) 180 days after the date on which an effluent limitation guideline is published in the Federal Register for a request based on an effluent limitation guideline promulgated on or after February 4, 1987.
(ii) The request shall explain how the requirements of the applicable regulatory and/or statutory criteria have been met.

(2) Non-conventional pollutants. A request for a variance from the BAT requirements for CWA section 301(b)(2)(F) pollutants (commonly called ``non-conventional'' pollutants) pursuant to section 301(c) of CWA because of the economic capability of the owner or operator, or pursuant to section 301(g) of the CWA (provided however that a Sec. 301(g) variance may only be requested for ammonia; chlorine; color; iron; total phenols (4AAP) (when determined by the Administrator to be a pollutant covered by section 301(b)(2)(F)) and any other pollutant which the Administrator lists under section 301(g)(4) of the CWA) must be made as follows:
(i) For those requests for a variance from an effluent limitation based upon an effluent limitation guideline by:
(A) Submitting an initial request to the Regional Administrator, as well as to the Department, stating the name of the discharger, the permit number, the outfall number(s), the applicable effluent guideline, and whether the discharger is requesting a section 301(c) or section 301(g) modification or both. This request must have been filed not later than:
(1) September 25, 1978, for a pollutant which is controlled by a BAT effluent limitation guideline promulgated before December 27, 1977; or

(2) 270 days after promulgation of an applicable effluent limitation guideline for guidelines promulgated after December 27, 1977; and

(B) Submitting a completed request no later than the close of the public comment period under Chapter 522 demonstrating that the requirements of the applicable requirements of Chapter 524 have been met. Notwithstanding this provision, the complete application for a request under section 301(g) shall be filed 180 days before EPA must make a decision (unless the Regional Division Director establishes a shorter or longer period).

(ii) For those requests for a variance from effluent limitations not based on effluent limitation guidelines, the request need only comply with paragraph (m)(2)(i)(B) of this section and need not be preceded by an initial request under paragraph (m)(2)(i)(A) of this section.

(3)-(4) [Reserved]

(5) Water quality related effluent limitations. A modification under CWA section 302(b)(2) of requirements under CWA section 302(a) for achieving water quality related effluent limitations may be requested no later than the close of the public comment period under Chapter 522 on the permit from which the modification is sought.

(6) Thermal discharges. A variance under CWA section 316(a) for the thermal component of any discharge must be filed with a timely application for a permit under this section, except that if thermal effluent limitations are established under CWA section 402(a)(1) or are based on water quality standards the request for a variance may be filed by the close of the public comment period under Chapter 522. A copy of the request as required under Chapter 524, shall be sent simultaneously to the appropriate State or interstate certifying agency as required under 40 CFR part 125.

(n) Variance requests by POTWs. A discharger which is a publicly owned treatment works (POTW) may request a variance from otherwise applicable effluent limitations under any of the following statutory provisions as specified in this paragraph:

(1) Discharges into marine waters. A request for a modification under CWA section 301(h) of requirements of CWA section 301(b)(1)(B) for discharges into marine waters must be filed in accordance with the requirements of 40 CFR part 125, subpart G.

(2) [Reserved]

(3) Water quality based effluent limitation. A modification under CWA section 302(b)(2) of the requirements under section 302(a) for achieving water quality based effluent limitations shall be requested no later than the close of the public comment period under Chapter 522 on the permit from which the modification is sought.

(o) Expedited variance procedures and time extensions.

(1) Notwithstanding the time requirements in paragraphs (m) and (n) of this section, the Director may notify a permit applicant before a draft permit is issued under Chapter 522 that the draft permit will likely contain limitations which are eligible for variances. In the notice the Director may require the applicant as a condition of consideration of any potential variance request to submit a request explaining how the requirements of 40 CFR part 125 applicable to the variance have been met and may require its submission within a specified reasonable time after receipt of the notice. The notice may be sent before the permit application has been submitted. The draft or final permit may contain the alternative limitations which may become effective upon final grant of the variance.

(2) A discharger who cannot file a timely complete request required under paragraph (m)(2)(i)(B) or (m)(2)(ii) of this section may request an extension. The extension may be granted or denied at the discretion of the Director. Extensions shall be no more than 6 months in duration.

(p) Record keeping. Except for information required by paragraph (d)(3)(ii) of this section, which shall be retained for a period of at least five years from the date the application is signed , applicants shall keep records of all data used to complete permit applications and any supplemental information submitted under this section for a period of at least 3 years from the date the application is signed.

Note 1: At 46 FR 2046, Jan. 8, 1981, the Environmental Protection Agency suspended until further notice 40 CFR 122.21(g)(7)(ii)(A) and the corresponding portions of Item V-C of the NPDES application Form 2c or approved equivalent as they apply to coal mines. This revision continues that suspension. 1

Note 2: At 46 FR 22585, Apr. 20, 1981, the Environmental Protection Agency suspended until further notice 40 CFR 122.21(g)(7)(ii)(A) and the corresponding portions of Item V-C of the NPDES application Form 2c or approved equivalent as they apply to:

a. Testing and reporting for all four organic fractions in the Greige Mills Subcategory of the Textile Mills industry (subpart C--Low water use processing of 40 CFR part 410), and testing and reporting for the pesticide fraction in all other subcategories of this industrial category.

b. Testing and reporting for the volatile, base/neutral and pesticide fractions in the Base and Precious Metals Subcategory of the Ore Mining and Dressing industry (subpart B of 40 CFR part 440), and testing and reporting for all four fractions in all other subcategories of this industrial category.

c. Testing and reporting for all four GC/MS fractions in the Porcelain Enameling industry.

This revision continues that suspension. 1

Note 3: At 46 FR 35090, July 1, 1981, the Environmental Protection Agency suspended until further notice 40 CFR 122.21(g)(7)(ii)(A) and the corresponding portions of Item V-C of the NPDES application Form 2c or approved equivalent as they apply to:

a. Testing and reporting for the pesticide fraction in the Tall Oil Rosin Subcategory (subpart D) and Rosin-Based Derivatives Subcategory (subpart F) of the Gum and Wood Chemicals industry ( 40 CFR part 454),and testing and reporting for the pesticide and base-neutral fractions in all other subcategories of this industrial category.

b. Testing and reporting for the pesticide fraction in the Leather Tanning and Finishing, Paint and Ink Formulation, and Photographic Supplies industrial categories.

c. Testing and reporting for the acid, base/neutral and pesticide fractions in the Petroleum Refining industrial category.

d. Testing and reporting for the pesticide fraction in the Paper grade Sulfite subcategories (subparts J and U) of the Pulp and Paper industry ( 40 CFR part 430); testing and reporting for the base/neutral and pesticide fractions in the following subcategories: Deink (subpart Q), Dissolving Kraft (subpart F), and Paperboard from Waste Paper (subpart E); testing and reporting for the volatile, base/neutral and pesticide fractions in the following subcategories: BCT Bleached Kraft (subpart H), Semi-Chemical (subparts Band C), and Nonintegrated-Fine Papers (subpart R); and testing and reporting for the acid, base/neutral, and pesticide fractions in the following subcategories: Fine Bleached Kraft (subpart I), Dissolving Sulfite Pulp (subpart K), Groundwood-Fine Papers (subpart O), Market Bleached Kraft (subpart G), Tissue from Wastepaper (subpart T), and Nonintegrated-Tissue Papers (subpart S).

e. Testing and reporting for the base/neutral fraction in the Once-Through Cooling Water, Fly Ash and Bottom Ash Transport Water process wastestreams of the Steam Electric Power Plant industrial category.

This revision continues that suspension. 1

1 Editorial Note: The words ``This revision'' refer to the document published at 48 FR 14153, Apr. 1, 1983.

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