Quite a few builders who have bought lots in partially developed subdivisions, have asked about the new compliance requirements for Tertiary Permittees.  So here's a brief summary......

We've been getting a lot of questions lately from individual builders purchasing lots within a formerly bankrupted subdivisions (otherwise known as common developments) as to what they should do for filing permit applications. The most common question has been..... "Do I need to contact the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (GA-EPD) with a permit application" and if so, when will they get back to me with a permit?"

Answer:  First of all, the GA-EPD will not be getting back to you with a permit.  The NPDES General Permitting program calls for a builder to download a form called a Notice of intent (NOI) as well as the NPDES General Permit that has the rules to follow, written in it. Part IV is of particular interest to builders because it lays out the specific inspection and rainfall measuring requirements identified in the NPDES program.  Installation and Maintenance of the silt fence, mulch, grassing and other best management practice (BMP) requirements are more specifically layed out in the Georgia Green Book and/or Field Manual (which we give out for free in our initial classes). The NOI that must be sent to the GA-EPD District Office is called a Tertiary NOI. Download the form, fill it out correctly, and send it to the GAEPDs District Office for coverage under the GAR100003 General Permit.  You will need to contact the local county or city (known as the Local Issuing Authority (LIA)) and also submit your permit application paperwork to them (including but not limited to the NOI, ES&PC Plan, Plan Review Checklist, fees, etc). Instructions for how to fill out the NOI are in the file when you download it.  

Click here for a very helpful document that GA EPD prepared specifically for Tertiary Permittees to help identify the most efficient way to permit your particular project.

Hope that helps!

The City of Valdosta, Georgia has reported over one-million gallons of untreated wastewater spilled into local waterways and onto local streets.  It's the third time since 2009 that the same Valdosta waste water plant has contaminated Florida waters.  In fact, it's nearly a year to the day since the last time the plant unleashed a flood of sewage on the Suwannee and Withlacoochee Rivers that kept residents downstream from fishing, swimming and boating in the rivers.  The stormwater and sewage combination was overflowing from several manholes yesterday in local neighborhoods. 

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As our population growth continues to stress our aging water infrastructure, our job as water professionals is more critical now than ever before if we don't want to follow China's example of polluted rivers and groundwater.