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March 5, 2008

Renewal of TPDES General Permit TXR150000 

On March 5, 2008, The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) renewed the Construction General Permit TXR150000 (hereinafter referred to as permit) which authorizes the discharge of storm water associated with construction activities. This renewed permit replaces the previous construction permit, originally issued on March 5, 2003.

Several changes have been made to the renewed permit including the public notice requirements, the Notice of Intent application fee, and the definition of Operator. In addition, there are several modifications to the required contents of your Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP). These modifications will be necessary to maintain compliance with the storm water pollution prevention regulations. The renewed permit requires all current construction activities, which will continue operating beyond June 3, 2008, to comply with the requirements of the renewed permit on or before June 3, 2008.

Some of the major changes that will be made to your SWP3 Plans is listed below;

New NOI Requirements: (New NOI Form)

All large projects with “active” NOI’s will need to re-permit  (file a new NOI with the TCEQ) you have until June 3, 2008 to file your NOI electronically with the STEERS Program or if you file a Paper NOI you have until May 27, 2008.

The TCEQ is  emphasizing the use of the Steers Program (electronic submission for your NOI’s) by reducing the cost of the NOI from $325 (paper) to $225 (electronic), this will save the TCEQ from having to process the “paper NOI’s”.    Unfortunately, we cannot submit your NOI electronically for you, this is a process which you will have to handle in office, if you chose to continue with the “paper NOI’s” we will continue to submit them for you.

New dates of provisional coverage:

If you submit your NOI by paper method it must be postmarked 7 days prior to the start of construction.  If you file your NOI electronically using the STEERS program, you will be issued immediately non-provisional coverage, once the NOI is complete and accepted you will be issued your Permit. 

New NOC  ( Notice of Change) form

New NOT  ( Notice of Termination) form

New Construction Site Notices and submittal requirements

No more Annual Billing of Water Quality Fee’s

Changes to the Definition of Construction Site Operator:

Broadened the Definition of Common Plan of Development

Added new definitions for clarity

New Requirements for Concrete Truck Washout

Changes to the limitations on Permit Coverage 

 Post Construction Discharges /  Prohibition of non-Storm Water Discharges – this will only  affect projects with Concrete / Asphalt Batch Plants.

Added a Section for Storm Water Runoff from Concrete Batch Plants - We will be going over this in detail with each of you for permitting Batch Plants.

BenchMark Sampling   Requirements  - “batch Plants”

Prohibition of Wastewater Discharges

Added sections for:  Low Potential for Erosion Permitting – Arid Areas – Steps to obtaining Waivers

Along with Maps for these areas

Additional Requirements for SWPPP’s  - Erosion Control Plans – Vehicle Wash Areas – Potential Pollutants etc.  “We will go over these requirements with each of you”

Additional Requirements for Perimeter Controls – BMP’s

Brock Environmental Services, Inc., will assist all Contractors in updating and revising all existing SWPPP’s.  Please feel free to call with any questions you may have, we will work with you diligently to help you understand the new permit requirements and what the changes mean to your company related to Storm Water Permitting.