South Dakota 2012 Impaired Waters List

The South Dakota Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has submitted its 2012 Integrated Report for Surface Water Quality Assessment to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The biennial report, required under the federal Clean Water Act, was due to EPA by April 1. The Integrated Report contains an assessment of the surface water quality of South Dakota’s waters, a description of South Dakota’s water quality monitoring programs, pollutants causing impairments of the water bodies, and identification of waters targeted for total maximum daily load development. A total maximum daily load is a determination of the amount of pollution a waterbody can receive and still maintain water quality standards.

The 2012 report lists 155 waterbodies or waterbody segments needing a total maximum daily load. Of those listed, 92 (or 59%) are stream and river segments and 63 (or 41%) are lakes that occasionally violate water quality standards. Since the last biennial report in 2010, 69 total maximum daily loads have been completed or determined to be unnecessary, 79 are in progress, and 84 are planned.

Caltha LLP provides expert environmental consultant services in South Dakota to obtain environmental permits, evaluate regulatory requirements, and to develop cost effective compliance programs.
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Draft General Permit For Infrequent Temporary Wastewater Discharges

The South Dakota Department of Environment & Natural Resources (SDDENR) has released its draft general NPDES permit to cover certain types of infrequent or on-time discharges of wastewater and/or stormwater. Under Federal Clean Water Act rules, these types of discharges can not occur unless covered under an NPDES permit. The types of discharges which would be allowed under the South Dakota permit, once finalized, include:

Construction dewatering,
Pump testing of water wells,
Discharges from swimming pools and similar structures,
Discharges of petroleum contaminated ground water from remediation sites,
Other types of short-term discharges meeting specific criteria.

In order to be covered under the general permit, dischargers will need to submit an application to the SDDENR.

The draft NPDES general permit specifies effluent limits and monitoring that must be conducted during the discharge. It also outlines specific Best Management Practices (BMP) that should be followed before, during and after the discharge occurs.

The draft general permit was placed on 30-day public comment, and will be finalized and available for use after comments are received and the permit modified, if necessary.

Caltha LLP provides expert environmental consultant services in South Dakota to obtain environmental permits, evaluate regulatory requirements, and to develop cost effective compliance programs.

For further information contact Caltha LLP at info@calthacompany.com or Caltha LLP Website

SDDENR General Permit For Pesticide Application Discharges

The South Dakota Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has released its draft surface water discharge permit for pesticide applicators. Discharges to waters of the state from the application of either chemical or biological pesticides that leave a residue or are not otherwise excluded from coverage under the federal Clean Water Act will require a permit.

The draft General Permit was prepared for the five pesticide use categories:


Mosquito and Other Flying Insect Pest Control. This use category includes the control of public health/nuisance and other flying insect pests that develop or are present during a portion of their life cycle in or above standing or flowing water.

Weed and Algae Control. This use category includes the control of invasive or other nuisance weeds and algae in water and at water’s edge, including irrigation ditches and/or irrigation canals.

Aerial Pest Control. This use category is for the aerial application of a pesticide to control the population of a pest (e.g., insect or pathogen) where, to target the pests effectively, a portion of pesticide will be unavoidably discharged into waters of the state. These pests are not necessarily aquatic, but are detrimental to industry, the environment, and public health.

Ditch and Stream Bank Pest Control. This use category includes the management of a diverse pest spectrum where pesticides are deposited into a ditch or along stream banks to target the pests effectively and may result in a discharge to waters of the state.

Declared Pest Emergency Situation. This use category is for discharges associated with a declared pest emergency discharge.

Discharges not eligible for coverage under the draft General Permit include discharges to waters of the state identified in the 303(d) list or Integrated Report as impaired for that pesticide or its degrades, and discharges associated with the management of invasive or other nuisance pests in water, including fish, lampreys, and mollusks. An individual permit or alternative general permit would be required for those discharges.


Under the draft general permit, an application for permit coverage is not required. All pesticide activities requiring coverage under the permit will automatically have coverage upon the effective date of the permit.

Caltha LLP provides expert environmental consultant services in South Dakota to obtain environmental permits, evaluate regulatory requirements, and to develop cost effective compliance programs.

For further information contact Caltha LLP at info@calthacompany.com or Caltha LLP Website

South Dakota Revised Industrial Stormwater Permit

The South Dakota Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has drafted a revised general stormwater discharge permit for industrial dischargers in the State. The existing permit expired in 2008, but has remained in effect until the revised permit is finalized.

The revised permit that has been draft is similar in many aspects to the existing permit, including requirements for stormwater pollution prevention plan (SWPPP), site inspections, and prohibition on non stormwater discharges, such as equipment and vehicle washing.

There are some important differences in the working draft that will change the compliance requirements for South Dakota industrial sites.

Multi Sector Industrial Requirements. The current draft permit does not include the industrial sectors associated with the EPA Multi Sector General Permit (MSGP), however it does segregate seven industrial sectors:

• Metals
• Transportation (other than airports)
• Air Transportation, Airports
• Food and Kindred Products
• Auto Salvage
• Landfills
• Waste Treatment

The draft permit is expected to have the same compliance requirements for all industrial facilities, including the seven sectors, with the exception of monitoring requirements.

Stormwater Monitoring Requirements. Under the draft permit requirements, all industrial sites will have to conduct storm water discharge monitoring. All sites would have to collect samples during the first year of the permit and report results to SDDENR. The chemical parameters to be tested by each site will depend on the industrial sector the site falls into.

Under the current plan, monitoring results reported to DENR will be used to determine if industrial benchmark concentrations will be established during the next permit revision and as a basis for future benchmarks.

The revised permit is expected to be released for public review and comment in the Fall 2010; South Dakota DENR anticipates that the new permit will be effective January 1, 2011.

Caltha LLP provides expert environmental consultant services in South Dakota to obtain environmental permits, prepare stormwater pollution prevention plans (SWPPP) and spill prevention and control plans, and to develop cost effective compliance programs.

For further information contact Caltha LLP at info@calthacompany.com or Caltha LLP Website

Revised CAFO Permit Requirement Agreement

On May 25, 2010, environmental groups and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) signed a settlement agreement resolving their challenges filed in federal court to the 2008 Final Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFO) National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Rule.

The settlement agreement requires EPA to issue a guidance document, no later than May 25, 2011, that specifies the kinds of operations and factual circumstances that EPA anticipates may trigger the duty for CAFOs to apply for NPDES permits. The agreement also requires EPA to propose a rule to require all owners or operators of CAFOs to submit information to EPA, regardless of whether they discharge or propose to discharge. EPA is required to propose such a rule, receive public comment and take final action on the proposed rule by May 25, 2012.

Caltha LLP Aquatic Toxicology / WQ Standards Services Website

Caltha LLP provides expert environmental consultant services in South Dakota to obtain environmental permits, evaluate regulatory requirements, and to develop cost effective compliance programs.

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info@calthacompany.com

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South Dakota EH&S Consultant – Environmental Consulting Services

Caltha LLP provides expert technical consulting services to private and public sector clients across South Dakota. For further information, click on links below:

South Dakota Air Permit Compliance – Air Emission Permitting Services
South Dakota Stormwater Permit Compliance – Storm Water Permitting Services
South Dakota Environmental Assessment– Phase I (Phase 1) ESA Services
South Dakota Product Stewardship Services
South Dakota Pollution Prevention - Pollution Minimization Services
South Dakota Wastewater Compliance - NPDES Permitting Services

For further information contact Caltha LLP at
info@calthacompany.com
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Caltha LLP Website

SDDENR General Discharge Permit - Proposed NPDES Permit

South Dakota Department of Environmental and Natural Resources (SDDENR) has released a proposed general wastewater discharge permit for selected discharges associated with water treatment facilities. The proposed permit has been released for public comment; comments must be received by March 3, 2009.

The proposed SDDENR General Permit addresses several types of wastewater discharged from water treatment and distribution facilities, including:

• Filter Backwash and Settling Basins
• Treatment or Storage System Overflows
• Disinfection and Flushing of Potable Water Lines
• Storage System Disinfection
• Water Line Breaks and Leak Repairs
• Other Temporary Discharges
  

The proposed permit lists specific conditions and best management practices (BMPs), inspection and monitoring requirements and discharge limits associated with each type of discharge.

It should be noted that US EPA is currently reviewing water treatment plants to determine if federal technology-based effluent limits are needed. If new effluent guidelines are promulgated for any of the listed discharges, it may be necessary for SDDENR to modify the general permit.

Caltha LLP assists wastewater dischargers in applying for NPDES permits and in developing and implementing cost effective permit compliance programs.

For further information contact Caltha LLP at
info@calthacompany.com
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Caltha LLP Website

South Dakota Contract EHS Staffing - Temporary EH&S Staff

Caltha LLP provides experienced EH&S personnel to fill corporate and facility positions. Positions can be filled on a full-time or part-time basis. Assignments typically range from a few weeks to several months. Temporary staffing can be used for:

Short-term resource needs
Workload leveling
Bridge staffing while positions are being filled
Special projects
New program roll-out
Reporting

Click here to request more information on Temporary EHS staffing.

Caltha is always interested in hearing from EHS professionals with corporate or facility EHS compliance experience. Click here to send an inquiry regarding staffing positions.

For further information contact Caltha LLP at
info@calthacompany.com
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Caltha LLP Website

SD DENR Proposes New Water Quality Standards

The South Dakota Department of Environment & Natural Resources (DENR) has proposed revisions to the State water quality standards.

Link to proposed SDDENR water standards

Many of the revisions being proposed relate to the application of dissolved oxygen (DO) standards to lakes and rivers.

Caltha LLP assists clients in evaluating and addressing water quality standards and wastewater discharge requirements.

For further information contact Caltha LLP at
info@calthacompany.com
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Caltha LLP Website

South Dakota Environmental Consultant Services

Caltha LLP is an Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) Consultant serving a broad range in public and private sector clients in South Dakota.

Caltha’s practice areas include:

• Air permitting
• Wastewater permitting
• Stormwater permitting
• Environmental review
• Waste management consulting
• ISO 14001 – Environmental management system consulting
• EH&S Training
• Site assessment & environmental due diligence
• Risk assessment
• Hazard communication
• Product stewardship support
• Temporary EHS staffing

For further information contact Caltha LLP at
info@calthacompany.com
or
Caltha LLP Website

South Dakota Environmental Permitting - Wastewater Permitting

Caltha LLP provides wastewater permitting and compliance services to industrial and municipal dischargers, including:

Industrial wastewater permits
Industrial pretreatment permits
Significant industrial user permits
MCES permits
WLSSD permits
NPDES permit
Antidegradation policy
Antidegradation review
Water quality standards
Water quality monitoring
Wastewater monitoring
Water quality modelling
Effluent limits
DMR
Discharge Monitoring Report
Water testing


For further information, contact Caltha LLP at:
Email: info@calthacompany.com
Website: http://www.calthacompany.com/