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Permit Overview The [[Clean Water Act]] is the primary federal law in the United States governing water pollution. The goal of the act is to drastically reduce water pollution in water of the United States and to make surface waters suitable for human sports and recreation. The CWA addresses point source water pollution, non-point source water pollution, and the dredge and fill of wetland. The primary agency responsible for the CWA is the [[United States Environmental Protection Agency]] (EPA). Although, other federal and state agencies have a role in administering the CWA as well. In particular, the [[US Army Corps of Engineers]] administer 404 dredge and fill permits for wetlands. The [[Safe Drinking Water Act]] (SDWA) provides the framework for protection of drinking water. SDWA requires that states develop source water assessment programs (SWAPs) that must be approved by the EPA. SWAPs are used to analyze existing and potential threats to the quality of public drinking water. The EPA developed Underground Injection Control (UIC) rules to protect underground sources of drinking water. When there is potential for groundwater contamination by injection well, the developer must obtain an UIC permit. Typically, UIC permits are unnecessary for solar development. If there is potential groundwater contamination by surface discharge, the developer will be required to obtain a permit through the state. Most of these controls are implemented by state agencies. Overview of the permit or section being discussed.

Flowchart Narrative ==14.1 - Will the Project Affect Waters of the United States?== The [[Clean Water Act]] establishes the basic structure for regulating discharges of pollutants into the waters of the United States and establishes water quality standards for surface waters. The basis of the CWA was enacted in 1948 and was called the Federal Water Pollution Control Act. The Act was significantly reorganized and expanded in 1972. "Clean Water Act" became the Act's common name with amendments in 1972. Under the CWA, EPA has implemented pollution control programs such as setting waste water standards for industry. The CWA makes it unlawful to discharge any pollutant from a point source into waters of the United States, unless a permit is obtained under the EPA's National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES). Point sources are discrete conveyances such as pipes or man-made ditches. '''Waters of the United States''' "Waters of the United States" is defined by regulation under the Clean Water Rule as developed by the [[United States Environmental Protection Agency]] (EPA) and [[U.S. Army Corps of Engineers]] (USACE). “Waters of the United States” is defined to include: *The territorial seas, and waters which are currently used, were used in the past, or may be susceptible to use in interstate or foreign commerce, including all waters which are subject to the ebb and flow of the tide; *Tributaries; *Lakes and ponds, and impoundments of jurisdictional waters; and *Adjacent wetlands. [[Title 33 CFR 328 Definition of the Waters of the United States|33 C.F.R. § 328.3(a)]]. Tributaries must be perennial or intermittent within a typical year, which the rule defines as a year "when precipitation and other climatic variables are within the normal periodic range for the geographic area of the applicable aquatic resource based on a rolling thirty-year period." [[Title 33 CFR 328 Definition of the Waters of the United States|33 C.F.R. § 328.3(c)(13)]]. "Waters of the United States" do not include: *Waters or water features that are not identified in paragraph (a)(1), (2), (3), or (4) of this section; *Groundwater, including groundwater drained through subsurface drainage systems; *Ephemeral features, including ephemeral streams, swales, gullies, rills, and pools; *Diffuse stormwater run-off and directional sheet flow over upland; *Ditches that are not waters identified in paragraph (a)(1) or (2) of this section, and those portions of ditches constructed in waters identified in paragraph (a)(4) of this section that do not satisfy the conditions of paragraph (c)(1) of this section; *Prior converted cropland; *Artificially irrigated areas, including fields flooded for agricultural production, that would revert to upland should application of irrigation water to that area cease; *Artificial lakes and ponds, including water storage reservoirs and farm, irrigation, stock watering, and log cleaning ponds, constructed or excavated in upland or in non-jurisdictional waters, so long as those artificial lakes and ponds are not impoundments of jurisdictional waters that meet the conditions of paragraph (c)(6) of this section; *Water-filled depressions constructed or excavated in upland or in non-jurisdictional waters incidental to mining or construction activity, and pits excavated in upland or in non-jurisdictional waters for the purpose of obtaining fill, sand, or gravel; *Stormwater control features constructed or excavated in upland or in non-jurisdictional waters to convey, treat, infiltrate, or store stormwater run-off; *Groundwater recharge, water reuse, and wastewater recycling structures, including detention, retention, and infiltration basins and ponds, constructed or excavated in upland or in non-jurisdictional waters; and *Waste treatment systems. [[Title 33 CFR 328 Definition of the Waters of the United States|33 C.F.R. § 328.3(b)]]. Developers should be aware of ongoing litigation on this matter and continue to monitor the issue at the state and national level. For example, the state of Colorado won a preliminary injunction preventing the new WOTUS definition going into effect in the state. The EPA provides up-to-date information on the [[Environmental Protection Agency - Clean Water Rule Website]]. ==14.2 - Will the Project Require a Point Source Discharge of a Pollutant?== A point source is a single identifiable source of water pollution. Under [[Clean Water Act | CWA § 502]], the term "pollutant" means dredged spoil, solid waste, incinerator residue, sewage, garbage, sewage sludge, munitions, chemical wastes, biological materials, radioactive materials, heat, wrecked or discarded equipment, rock, sand, cellar dirt and industrial, municipal, and agricultural waste discharged into waters of the United States. Generally, point source discharges are surface-based discharges; the effect of which will flow into waters of the United States. This term does not mean (A) "sewage from vessels"; or (B) water, gas, or other material which is injected into a well to facilitate production of oil or gas, or water derived in association with oil or gas production and disposed of in a well, if the well used either to facilitate production or for disposal purposes is approved by authority of the State in which the well is located, and if such State determines that such injection or disposal will not result in the degradation of ground or surface water resources. To discharge a pollutant into "waters of the United States" and EPA NPDES permit or state equivalent is required. What constitutes "waters of the United States" has been continually litigated and may at times be uncertain. Developers should contact the [[U.S. Army Corps of Engineers]] for guidance in cases where it is unclear. On certain federal and state lands the EPA controls NPDES permitting. For other lands, in most states, the EPA has delegated NPDES permitting to a state environmental agency. See EPA's NPDES Program [[EPA - NPDES Permit Program webpage | webpage]]. ==14.3 - NPDES Permit== In most states, under most circumstances, the EPA has delegated NPDES permitting to a state environmental organization. [[RAPID/Roadmap/14-AK-b|Alaska Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Permit: 14-AK-b]] [[RAPID/Roadmap/14-AZ-b|AZPDES Permit: 14-AZ-b]] [[RAPID/Roadmap/14-CA-b|NPDES Permit: 14-CA-b]] [[RAPID/Roadmap/14-CO-b|Colorado Discharge Permit System (CDPS): 14-CO-b]] [[RAPID/Roadmap/14-HI-b|NPDES Permit: 14-HI-b]] [[RAPID/Roadmap/14-ID-b|NPDES Permitting Process: 14-ID-b]] [[RAPID/Roadmap/14-MT-b|MPDES Permitting Process: 14-MT-b]] [[RAPID/Roadmap/14-NM-b|NPDES Permit: 14-NM-b]] [[RAPID/Roadmap/14-NV-b|NPDES Permit Program: 14-NV-b]] [[RAPID/Roadmap/14-OR-b|NPDES Permitting Process: 14-OR-b]] [[RAPID/Roadmap/14-TX-b|Texas NPDES Permitting Process: 14-TX-b]] [[RAPID/Roadmap/14-UT-b|Utah Pollutant Discharge Elimination System: 14-UT-b]] [[RAPID/Roadmap/14-WA-b|NPDES Permit: 14-WA-b]] If a state environmental agency in not authorized to issue a NPDES permit than the EPA will handle the NPDES process. [[RAPID/Roadmap/14-FD-b|EPA NPDES Permitting Process: 14-FD-b]] ==14.4 - Nonpoint Source Pollution== The 1987 amendments to the Clean Water Act established the Section 319 Nonpoint Source Management Program. Section 319 addresses the need for greater federal leadership to help focus state and local nonpoint source efforts. Under Section 319, states, territories and tribes receive grant money that supports a wide variety of activities including technical assistance, financial assistance, education, training, technology transfer, demonstration projects and monitoring to assess the success of specific nonpoint source implementation projects. [[RAPID/Roadmap/14-AK-a|Nonpoint Source Pollution: 14-AK-a]] [[RAPID/Roadmap/14-AZ-a|Nonpoint Source Pollution: 14-AZ-a]] [[RAPID/Roadmap/14-CA-a|Nonpoint Source Pollution: 14-CA-a]] [[RAPID/Roadmap/14-CO-a|Nonpoint Source Pollution Program: 14-CO-a]] [[RAPID/Roadmap/14-HI-a|Nonpoint Source Pollution: 14-HI-a]] [[RAPID/Roadmap/14-ID-a|Nonpoint Source Pollution: 14-ID-a]] [[RAPID/Roadmap/14-MT-a|Nonpoint Source Pollution: 14-MT-a]] [[RAPID/Roadmap/14-NV-a|Nonpoint Source Pollution: 14-NV-a]] [[RAPID/Roadmap/14-OR-a|Nonpoint Source Pollution: 14-OR-a]] [[RAPID/Roadmap/14-TX-a|Nonpoint Source Pollution: 14-TX-a]] [[RAPID/Roadmap/14-UT-a|Nonpoint Source Pollution: 14-UT-a]] ==14.5 - Will the Project Require the Dredge or Fill of Waters of the United States?== CWA Section 404 establishes a program to regulate the discharge of dredged and fill material into waters of the United States, including wetlands. "Waters of the United States" is defined above in 14.1. Responsibility for administering and enforcing Section 404 is shared by the [[US Army Corps of Engineers]] and [[EPA]]. The Army Corps of Engineers administers the day-to-day program, including individual permit decisions and jurisdictional determinations; develops policy and guidance; and enforces Section 404 provisions. EPA develops and interprets environmental criteria used in evaluating permit applications, identifies activities that are exempt from permitting, reviews/comments on individual permit applications, enforces Section 404 provisions, and has authority to veto Army Corps of Engineers permit decisions. The basic premise of the program is that no discharge of dredged or fill material may be permitted if: (1) a practicable alternative exists that is less damaging to the aquatic environment or (2) the nation’s waters would be significantly degraded. See EPA's Dredge and Fill [[EPA - Section 404 Dredge and Fill Permitting webpage | webpage]]. ==14.6 - Dredge and Fill of Wetlands== "404" dredge and fill permits are administered by the [[US Army Corps of Engineers]]. [[RAPID/Roadmap/14-FD-a|Dredge & Fill Permit: 14-FD-a]] ==14.7 - Will the Project Impact a Source Water Protection Zone?== The [[Safe Drinking Water Act]] (SDWA) Amendments of 1996 required states to develop and implement source water assessment programs (SWAPs) to analyze existing and potential threats to the quality of the public drinking water throughout the state. Using these programs, most states have completed source water assessments for every public water system. The EPA works with state agencies, and local municipalities to create EPA-approved state Source Water Assessment Programs. See EPA's Source Water Protection [[EPA - Source Water Protection webpage | webpage]]. The developer should contact the local environmental agency or water agency to determine if the project is in a source water protection zone. ==14.8 - Local Source Water Protection Plan Evaluation Process== If the project will impact a source water protection zone then the developer should contact the local environmental or water agency to see if any permits are required or if there are special procedures to follow. ==14.9 - Will Project Discharge to the Groundwater?== Water pollution can affect groundwater in two ways. Groundwater can be directly polluted though injection wells, or indirectly polluted by surface discharges that seep into the water table. The [[Safe Drinking Water Act]] of 1974 established the basic framework for protecting the drinking water of the United States. The act instructs the [[United States Environmental Protection Agency]] (EPA) to establish a national program to prevent underground injection activities that endanger drinking water sources. The EPA has promulgated a series of Underground Injection Control (UIC) regulations to protect underground sources of drinking water. Injection wells are not allowed to discharge fluids or waste fluids containing any contaminant that may cause a violation of any National Primary Drinking Water Quality Standard or that may otherwise adversely affect human health. In most cases EPA UIC controls have been delegated to a state environmental agency. See EPA Groundwater Discharge [[EPA - Groundwater Discharges (EPA's Underground Injection Control Program) webpage | webpage]]. Additionally, state programs may regulate the discharge of wastewater and wastes to the surface, which have the potential to contaminate groundwater through seepage. States will issue groundwater discharge permits based on compliance with required state effluent limitations and technology control devices. States may require groundwater discharge permits for a number of activities including, but not limited to: * Discharges of waste to land; * Use of waste storage pits or landfills; * Use of oil and gas or geothermal drilling pits; * Waste water pits, ponds, and lagoons; and * Process water ponds or impounds. ==14.10 - Is the Discharge Regulated under the State Groundwater Protection Program or the Underground Injection Program?== If the potential groundwater contamination is by injection well then the developer must obtain a UIC permit from the proper state agency. If the potential groundwater contamination is by surface discharge and seepage the developer must obtain a groundwater discharge permit from the proper state agency. ==14.11 - State Underground Injection Control (UIC) Permit== EPA regulations and state law dictate UIC permits. In most states UIC permits are administered by the state's environmental agency. [[RAPID/Roadmap/14-AK-c|Underground Injection Control Permit: 14-AK-c]] [[RAPID/Roadmap/14-CA-c|Underground Injection Control Permit: 14-CA-c]] [[RAPID/Roadmap/14-CO-c|Underground Injection Control Permit: 14-CO-c]] [[RAPID/Roadmap/14-HI-c|Underground Injection Control Permit: 14-HI-c]] [[RAPID/Roadmap/14-ID-c|Underground Injection Control Permit: 14-ID-c]] [[RAPID/Roadmap/14-MT-c|Underground Injection Control Permit: 14-MT-c]] [[RAPID/Roadmap/14-NM-c|Underground Injection Control Permit: 14-NM-c]] [[RAPID/Roadmap/14-NV-c|Underground Injection Control Permit: 14-NV-c]] [[RAPID/Roadmap/14-OR-c|Underground Injection Control Permit: 14-OR-c]] [[RAPID/Roadmap/14-TX-c|Underground Injection Control Permit: 14-TX-c]] [[RAPID/Roadmap/14-UT-c|Underground Injection Control Permit: 14-UT-c]] [[RAPID/Roadmap/14-WA-c|Underground Injection Control Permit: 14-WA-c]] ==14.12 - State Groundwater Discharge Permit== In most states Groundwater Discharge Permits permits are administered by the state's environmental agency. [[RAPID/Roadmap/14-AZ-e|Aquifer Protection Permit: 14-AZ-e]] [[RAPID/Roadmap/14-CA-e|Waste Discharge Requirements: 14-CA-e]] [[RAPID/Roadmap/14-CO-e|Groundwater Discharge Permit: 14-CO-e]] [[RAPID/Roadmap/14-MT-e|Groundwater Pollution Control System: 14-MT-e]] [[RAPID/Roadmap/14-NM-e|Groundwater Discharge Permit: 14-NM-e]] [[RAPID/Roadmap/14-NV-e|Groundwater Discharge Permit: 14-NV-e]] [[RAPID/Roadmap/14-OR-e|Water Pollution Control Facility Permit: 14-OR-e]] [[RAPID/Roadmap/14-TX-e|Groundwater Discharge Permit: 14-TX-e]] [[RAPID/Roadmap/14-UT-e|Groundwater Quality Protection Permit: 14-UT-e]] [[RAPID/Roadmap/14-WA-e|State Wastewater Discharge Permit: 14-WA-e]] Paragraphs supporting the elements in the flowchart. Delineate section headers with "==" wiki text.

Agencies Enter agency or multiple agencies, separated by semi-colons.

References [[Environmental Protection Agency - Clean Water Rule Website]] Enter multiple References, separated by semi-colons. Use standard wiki text for links.

Regulations [[Executive Order 13778– Restoring the Rule of Law, Federalism, and Economic Growth by Reviewing the Waters of the United States Rule]]; [[Title 40 CFR 230 Definitions - Clean Water Act|40 CFR 230.3(s)]]; [[Title 33 CFR 328 Definition of the Waters of the United States|33 CFR 328]]; [[Ohio, et al. v. EPA, Order of Stay]]; [[Safe Drinking Water Act]] Enter multiple Regulations, separated by semi-colons. Use standard wiki text for links.

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