Opportunity for Comment

Draft General Permits for the discharge of waste snow

Comment deadline: December 2, 2013

The Maine DEP is proposing to issue two new General Permits for the discharge of snow. One of the General Permits, MEG200000, is for the discharge of snow to certain estuarine or marine waters of the State and the other, MEG210000, is for the discharge of snow top the surface of the earth and the underlying ground waters of the State. On May 23, 2011, the Honorable Paul LePage, Governor of the State of Maine, signed Legislative Resolve Chapter 44, "Resolve, Directing the Department of Environmental Protection To Amend Its Rules Regarding Snow Dumps" (Resolves 2011 ch. 44) which directs the Department to review its rules regarding snow dumps to determine "[h]ow the rules may be amended to expedite the licensing process for municipalities that cannot be exempted from the waste discharge licensing requirement" and to ensure "the rules do not conflict with the Federal Water Pollution Control Act." The proposed General Permits are intended to expedite the permitting process and contain terms and conditions to ensure water quality is protected.

Comments must be received before close of business Monday, December 2, 2013. Submit comments to:
Bill Hinkel
Maine Department of Environmental Protection
Bureau of Land & Water Quality
Division of Water Quality Management
17 State House Station
Augusta, ME 04333-0017
bill.hinkel@maine.gov

Cover letter
Draft General Permit MEG200000 for discharge of waste snow to surface waters
Draft General Permit MEG210000 for discharge of waste snow to ground water via land application